Market Trends

💰 McKinsey forecasts luxury tourism spending will grow to $391 billion by 2028. Michelin Keys now rates over 7,000 properties. Private clubs are evolving, predicted to double by 2033. OpenAI suggests websites could be obsolete. Dutch VAT on hotels rises from 9% to 21% in 2026, pushing for innovation. Nike's campaign shifts focus from action to motivation. Despite economic uncertainty impacting luxury goods, aspirations for luxury persist, with Gen Z driving shifts in luxury consumption.

📊 According to the U.S. Consumer Travel Report 2025, travelers are maintaining the number of trips but are spending less annually. Increased cost-consciousness is evident, with a slight rise in younger travelers who prefer OTAs for price comparison. Consumers consider road trips over air travel if flights become costly. AI-powered tools are influencing research and bookings, as general search usage declines, indicating a shift in how trips are planned and chosen.

🚿 Kinedo, part of the SFA Saniflo Group, is showcasing at HIX Expo in London’s Business Design Centre on November 26th-27th. For the first time, they reveal high-end and budget-friendly bathroom designs with unique Kinewall panels. The event attracts over 5,000 attendees, including designers and hotel operators, and features seminars on hotel wellness and luxury. Kinedo's stand A81 highlights contrasting room sets with Solo Design walk-in enclosures.

📈 March 2025: An urban hotel increased rates from $189 to $279 per night during a citywide event. Occupancy remained strong at 94%. However, operational issues, such as understaffed housekeeping and unprepared front desk, led to 14 negative reviews and a 15% decline in repeat bookings. A GM-led operational excellence program at an airport hotel increased online review scores from 3.9 to 4.5 stars and added $1.4 million in annual revenue, with a $180,000 investment paying off in six weeks.

🗺️ Globetrotters in 2026 are embracing simplicity and connection over consumption, says Lemongrass Media's report featuring 16 travel trends. Key themes include 'Decision Detox' for stress-free holidays, 'Untrending' destinations that avoid overtourism, and rail travel resurgence. Destinations like Vienna and Copenhagen focus on systemic tourism solutions. Regenerative travel evolves with impact on biodiversity and culture. Luxury travel shifts towards authenticity. Tara Schwenk and Mirjam Peternek McCartney emphasize meaningful, value-driven experiences.

🛌 Fairmont, Ritz-Carlton, Waldorf Astoria, and Le Méridien have partnered with luxury skincare brands like Le Labo, Diptyque, Aesop, and Malin+Goetz in recent years. New York and California laws phasing out single-use toiletries promote wall-mounted dispensers as a branding opportunity. Hotel-branded skincare enhances guest experience and generates revenue, creating memorable take-home souvenirs and emotional connections. This transition from scent to skincare as sensory branding emphasizes hotels' focus on intimate, high-quality guest interactions.