TOP NEWS

💻 Nov 24, 2025, in Singapore: At the HICAP conference, hotel leaders discussed the shift towards AI-driven discovery, emphasizing its role over traditional search methods. Hotels face a pivotal 12 months to adapt, focusing on data control, personalization, and operational efficiency. AI's influence will depend on customer data ownership, impacting hotel visibility. Aggregated loyalty platforms and AI-driven engagement are crucial for competitive positioning. Organizational commitment to data and AI integration is essential to stay relevant and reclaim discovery influence.

📅 Hosted by BHN editor Eloise Hanson, a free online webinar takes place from 14:00-15:00 GMT, offering insights into market pressures, growth strategies, and evolving guest behaviors. The event, aimed at hotel owners, investors, developers, executives, and service providers, promises an interactive experience with live Q&A sessions. Join over 7,000 professionals for advanced insights on technology, AI, and operations. Expert speakers are yet to be confirmed.

🛥 30 January 2025 marks the initial steel cutting for the Orient Express Olympian, a 220-meter vessel. Keel laying is scheduled for November 2025, with launch in April 2026 and delivery by April 2027. Its sister ship, Orient Express Corinthian, will begin sea trials in December 2025, launching Mediterranean and Caribbean itineraries in May 2026. This expansion aligns with Accor’s ultra-luxury strategy, including new hotels in Venice (April 2026) and Rome (2025).

🏨 In 2024, hospitality assets accounted for 18% of real estate investments, with over 100 transactions, primarily single-asset deals. Paris and Île-de-France led the activity, comprising two-thirds of the volume. France ranked among Europe's top three hotel investment markets, following the UK and Spain, with €17 billion in transactions across Europe, up 62% year-on-year. The average price per key increased by 9% to €215,300. Portfolio transactions grew by 40%, driven by private equity funds.

🌎 In 2026, 26% of global travelers start hotel searches on OTAs, up from 18% in 2025, surpassing search engines which fell to 21% from 36%. In the UK, 26% use OTAs, rising from 16% in 2024, while 24% use search engines, down from 40%. AI use for travel planning rose to 4%, with 80% of travelers seeking AI features like price alerts. Dynamic pricing is supported by 65% globally and 55% in the UK.

📰 Bret Thorn, senior food & beverage editor at Nation’s Restaurant News since 1999, reports on culinary trends. He hosts the podcast "In the Kitchen with Bret Thorn." Thorn studied at Tufts University, Le Cordon Bleu, and in China. He was a columnist for The New York Sun (2005-2008) and won the 2006 Jesse H. Neal Award. Inducted into Disciples d’Escoffier in 2014, Thorn specializes in French and Asian cuisines. He resides in Brooklyn, NY.

🗺 AI use in travel planning jumped from 10% in 2024 to 18% in 2025, driven by Gen Z and Millennials. In China, 40% use AI for planning, compared to 27% in the US. 28% of travelers plan trips in off-peak months to avoid heat and crowds. Europe sees a 3% rise in international arrivals, with visitor spending projected to increase by 9.9% in 2025. Rising costs push interest to Central and Eastern Europe.

🏨 Nov 18, 2025, the UK hotel industry faces steady demand but limited new supply and cost pressures. Despite economic challenges, international travel and domestic leisure trips drive demand. Rising costs push hotels toward productivity, automation, and flexible staffing. Sustainability strategies, like energy-efficient tech, aid cost control and ESG goals. Extended stays and hybrid accommodations diversify revenue. Selective financing requires proactive refinancing and asset management for liquidity and returns. More details at [PwC](https://www.pwc.co.uk/industries/hospitality-leisure/insights/uk-hotels-forecast.html#bottom-kick).

📦 Tina Necrason, global head of branded residences at Hyatt, discusses the sector's growth drivers and future opportunities. Hyatt is adapting its portfolio to align with evolving demands.

📈 Nov 14, 2025. Airbnb sees 13% Y/Y revenue growth in Q2 2025, while U.S. hosts face ~50–56% occupancy due to increased supply, particularly in suburban and rural areas. Short-term rentals (STRs) increase ADR by nearly 7% Y/Y and 24.9% over a longer period. U.S. hotel RevPAR growth is nearly stagnant at ~0.1%. Rising operational costs squeeze hotel margins. STRs thrive in suburban/rural areas, with urban regulations supporting hotel competition.