Market Trends

🎨 Studio Paolo Ferrari has been named the 2025 Designer of the Year by *Boutique Design*, recognized alongside the 45th annual Gold Key Awards for Excellence in Hospitality Design. Founded in 2016 by principal designer Paolo Ferrari, the studio is a Gold Key finalist for its work on Saudi Arabia's Shebara Resort and Desert Rock. The awards ceremony will be held on November 10th at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York.

📅 In 2026, Skyscanner’s report highlights key travel trends shaped by personal interests and economic factors. 27% of UK travelers focus on local beauty culture, influenced by social media. 43% explore local supermarkets abroad for authentic experiences. 71% plan mountain escapes for tranquility, with a 103% YoY increase in mountain view hotel bookings. Literature-inspired trips attract nearly half of travelers, with a 70% increase in library filter use. Solo travel is popular, with a 39% interest rate, and family trips grow as 16% engage in multi-generational travel. 27% choose hotels as destinations themselves.

💻 Amadeus Travel Dreams Report 2024 surveyed 6,000 travelers globally, uncovering key insights: 70% want virtual tours pre-booking; 12% are willing to spend above ADR for amenities, adding up to $5,383/year per room. 52% will share data for personalized offers. Business travelers (71%) prefer self-service check-ins; leisure travelers (48%) opt for personal interaction. Eco-friendly practices appeal to 36% of business travelers, while 44% of all travelers seek wellness options. Integration of hotel systems is crucial for meeting these evolving expectations.

✈ Almost half of UK travellers value flexibility, with 46% prioritizing it more than five years ago. A survey of 2,000 Brits reveals that 59% of those under 34 prioritize flexibility, compared to only 39% over 65. Flexibility encourages bookings, especially for longer trips, with 76% preferring to mix airlines. High fees for changes frustrate 33% of travellers. eDreams ODIGEO's research highlights a shift toward adaptable travel, with subscription models offering solutions.

💻 At Destination AI 2025, a unified AI strategy is essential for hospitality, connecting systems like PMS, CRM, and GMS. Hotels using AI trip-planning agents increased conversions by 56%. Fully agentic systems outperformed human-plus-rules in revenue management. Security is critical, with blocked phishing rising from 350k to 60M monthly. The focus should be on strategy, not tools, aligning leadership on key business problems for a competitive edge in hospitality.

🌎 Guatemala's travel sector is projected to see international visitor spending rise from $1.5B in 2019 to $2.6B by 2035, a 72% increase. Visitor spending will grow at a 4.1% CAGR (2025-2035), outpacing overall economic growth. In 2024, the sector will account for $6.1B, up 11% from 2019, and employ over 541,000 people, rising to 703,700 by 2035. Women hold 46.1% of tourism jobs. Taxes generated $1.2B in 2023, or 10% of government revenue.

🏨 Oct 7, 2025, hotel industry: Only 20% of hotels remain under brand management, down from 50% two decades ago. Third-party managers excel in efficiency, especially in hotels with 300–700 rooms. A Palm Springs hotel increased NOI from $19M to $25M post-management switch. Third-party fees are 2-5% higher but boost property value. Brands may offer $40-50M incentives, while third-parties offer $4-5M. High-end hotels remain brand-managed for quality assurance. Investors leverage data to align operator interests.

🛫 Half of U.S. adults plan leisure trips and one-third of employed adults plan business trips by year-end 2025. 44% of leisure and 63% of business travelers choose hotels, preferring midscale or higher-end options. 34% intend to travel for Thanksgiving and 37% for Christmas. Economic challenges and the government shutdown, impacting TSA and air traffic controllers, threaten travel plans. Despite uncertainty, Americans maintain trust in hotels.

📈 Middle East tourism is evolving rapidly, as highlighted in Phocuswright's 2025 report. By 2030, Saudi Arabia and GCC countries aim to transform tourism through giga-projects and online platforms. The region targets luxury and sustainable travel, embracing cultural modernization and mega-events like Expo Dubai and the Qatar World Cup. Economic growth boosts intra-regional travel, with Phocuswright offering open access to comprehensive industry insights for strategic advantages.