Market Trends

🗺 UK holidaymakers in 2026 are exploring far-flung destinations, avoiding Europe due to EU policy changes like EES and ETIAS, and focusing on conscientious travel. 27% are steering clear of the US, up from 17% in 2024. Brazil and Sri Lanka, rising on the Good Trips Index, gain popularity. New EU airline baggage rules encourage spontaneous city breaks, while slow travel gains traction with expanded night train networks. Multi-generational trips flourish, driven by the 'Bank of Grandma and Grandpa.'

🏠 300 professionals gathered in London for the 2025 Urban Living Festival, exploring living, hospitality, and flex workspace sectors. Day one included tours of Outernet, Chateau Denmark, and x+why’s Bedford Square. Day two featured sessions on branded residences, lifestyle brands, hospitality demand trends, and sustainability. Notable insights: branded residences benefit from strong brand recognition, lifestyle brands need disciplined financial planning, European room sales are rising, and sustainability in travel is gaining attention. Cornwall and Edinburgh are potential growth markets.

🏨 GM roles have evolved from generalists to specialists, creating silos and fragmented KPIs. While sales, marketing, revenue, and finance focus on their areas, guest experience lacks a single owner. A "Journey Owner" GM is crucial for integrating experience and profitability. They attract, capture, prepare, deliver, and review to enhance NPS, repeat intent, and revenue per guest. Aligning specialists under a GM ensures consistent delivery and profitable loyalty by orchestrating the guest experience.

🏨 2025 research shows 86% of employees see tourism as a long-term career, up from 71% in 2021, per Fáilte Ireland. Recruitment in accommodation, bar, and waiting services has improved, but 52% report chef shortages. The Irish tourism sector supports 270,000 jobs across 20,000 businesses, with 70% outside Dublin. Annually, it generates €10bn, with €6.2bn from overseas visitors. The industry contributes over €2.9bn in taxes. Michael Magner highlights staff investment as crucial.

📈 Tim Rumney, CEO of BWH Hotels GB, discusses strategies for maintaining investor attraction, ensuring quality across independent properties, and supporting members in tackling hospitality challenges. Insights were shared at the SMRDC Fest 2025, held at the East Midlands Conference Centre.