Market Trends

🌊 In 2023, Barcelona and its region attracted nearly 26M tourists, with the city alone drawing 15.6M visitors. The hospitality sector in Catalonia, Spain, experiences strong seasonal trends due to leisure and corporate tourism influences.

🏦 The InterContinental Chiang Mai The Mae Ping, developed by Asset World Corporation and managed by IHG, has launched the Club InterContinental Lounge and The ii Spa, enhancing the luxury amenities with Lanna heritage experiences. The Club InterContinental Lounge, exclusive to Club InterContinental room guests, offers serene Lanna-inspired views and décor, priority services, and a rich local food menu sourced from organic produce supported by the Royal Project Foundation. The ii Spa features authentic wellness treatments such as the Lanna Signature Massage (THB 3,100 for 120 minutes), the Lanna Blessing Massage (THB 4,500 for 120 minutes), and Aroma Bliss Massage (THB 3,300 for 120 minutes) using Panpuri and Phytomer products. The Lounge operates from 6:00 am to 11:00 pm, while The ii Spa is open from 10:00 am to 10:00 pm daily.

🏛 Discover hidden gems near Dubai for a unique experience: Hatta's stunning scenery and outdoor activities, Al Ain Oasis' UNESCO World Heritage site with traditional farming methods, Fujairah's pristine waters for snorkeling and historical landmarks, Ras Al Khaimah's longest zipline at 2.8 kilometers within the Hajar Mountains, and the high dunes of Liwa Oasis. Enhance your adventure with a rental car for comfort, fuel efficiency, and connectivity, ensuring access to these secluded locales at your own pace.

🏨 Europe's hotel construction pipeline, as of Q4 2024, includes 1,661 projects with 244,464 rooms. The distribution is 736 projects under construction (112,904 rooms), 415 projects to start in the next 12 months (59,719 rooms), and 510 projects in early planning (71,841 rooms). In Q2 2021, Europe saw 169 hotels (24,472 rooms) open, coinciding with the Olympic demand. Upscale (352 projects/54,687 rooms), upper-midscale (322 projects/47,634 rooms), and upper upscale (276 projects/43,428 rooms) segments lead, comprising 57% of projects and 60% of rooms. Property conversions increased by 26% to 520 projects (61,550 rooms). The UK, Germany, Turkey, France, and Portugal account for 49% of pipeline projects and 46% of rooms; with London (77 projects/14,820 rooms) and Istanbul (49 projects/7,903 rooms) having the largest pipelines. The Hard Rock Hotel Athens Riviera, due in 2027 with 1,000 rooms, is a notable development. In Q4 2024, Europe saw 59 new hotels (7,368 rooms), with 342 hotels (48,564 rooms) expected in 2025 and 399 hotels (51,964 rooms) in 202

🌾 Salon International de l'Agriculture 2025 in Paris attracted 607,000+ visitors, up by 0.64%. Despite this, Paris Region hotels didn't mirror this success; 2024 hotel performance was better with RevPAR increasing by 2.8% from 2023.

🏠 HEI Hotels & Resorts has taken over Claremont Resort & Club Berkeley management, expanding its U.S. portfolio to 103 properties. Owned by Ohana Real Estate Investors, the Berkeley, Calif. hotel features 276 rooms, 21,000 square feet of meeting space, and views of San Francisco Bay. The resort boasts the Spa at Claremont, Limewood restaurant, The Club at the Claremont with eight tennis courts, four pickleball courts, three outdoor pools, and a fitness facility. James Cole and HEI CEO Anthony Rutledge express excitement for the partnership and future enhancements.

🏠 Abdul Baaghil, co-founder of Harvest Cotton Tail, discusses authenticity in hospitality on March 6, 2025. The episode, supported by Sojern, aims to engage hoteliers in direct bookings and revenue retention through a transparent commission model. Listeners are encouraged to share insights to benefit their teams and businesses. Music by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound accompanies the podcast.

📱 Key facts from the 2025 Gen Z and Millennial Travel Trends survey by Generator: Gen Z is transforming travel preferences, with a 34.9% booking increase in Hamburg related to Taylor Swift’s Era’s tour in 2024, compared to 2023. Wellness-centric gap years dominate, with 35% of Gen Z prioritizing mental health and relaxation. Bleisure trend merges work and leisure, leading to creative workspaces in Generator locations. Cultural city breaks overtake party destinations, with Rome, Paris, Amsterdam, and Barcelona being top choices; Rome saw a 5.7% booking increase in 2024 over 2023. Social media, especially TikTok, heavily influences travel, with a 50% increase in #solotravel posts in early 2024. Dating apps emerge as travel tools, with 29% of young travelers using them to connect with locals. Generator offers vibrant hubs for connection and memory-making, reflecting the dynamic lifestyles of younger generations.

🏨 SH Hotels & Resorts rebrands as Starwood Hotels; Barry Sternlicht retains ownership of the name despite Marriott International's 2016 acquisition of original Starwood brands. Starwood, originally a REIT, was acquired by Sternlicht in 1995. 1 Hotels launched in 2015, expanded to multiple cities including Brooklyn and London, with further expansion planned through 2025 in locations such as Seattle, Melbourne, and Copenhagen. Baccarat Hotels opened in New York in 2015 and plans to expand to global destinations including Rome and the Maldives. Treehouse Hotels, starting in London in 2019, aims to open in Manchester, Silicon Valley, and other locations. Starwood Capital, with $115 billion in assets, acquired 10 Edwardian Group hotels in January 2024. A new loyalty program and branded residences are in development, with Baccarat Residences and 1 Homes planned for Dubai, the Maldives, Riyadh, Melbourne, Crete, and San Miguel de Allende.