Automatic

🏨 In January 2025, U.S. hotels experienced a RevPAR increase of 4.5% to $79.42, ADR up by 3.4% to $151.20, and occupancy grew by 1% to 52.5%. The presidential inauguration, Los Angeles wildfires, and hurricane recovery efforts influenced these gains. Luxury properties saw an 8.2% RevPAR growth versus economy hotels at 1.3%. Tampa, FL topped occupancy rates at 79.9%, while St. Louis had the lowest at 42.9%. The data reflects a trend where luxury outperforms economy lodging.

💸 Accor, on Feb 21, 2025, reports an 11% revenue increase for 2024, with earnings of €1.1 billion. Revenue hit €5.6 billion; RevPAR rose by 5.7% to €75. Business and leisure travel, especially from technology and financial sectors, contributed to this. The Americas saw a 10.5% RevPAR increase. Luxury & Lifestyle revenues grew by 19%, while Premium, Midscale & Economy by 5%. CEO Sébastien Bazin projects strong 2025 results.

🖥 Tripadvisor's AI initiatives, including its partnership with Perplexity, are transforming travel industry marketing. The company is leveraging AI for customer acquisition and has joined OpenAI's Operator. It plans to expand its 400,000 tours and activities offering through AI. A significant $435 million acquisition of Liberty Tripadvisor aims to increase flexibility. Tripadvisor's 2025 loyalty program aims for customer engagement, while Viator now generates 43% of its revenue, marking a strategic shift towards experiences.

🌲 A University of Surrey study published on Feb 21, 2025, indicates that hotel sustainability information can erode customer trust and create "greenwashing" perceptions. Surveying over 800 UK and German users of hotel search platforms, the research found 48% overwhelmed by sustainability details, with 59% doubting hotel claims and 49% sensing omitted crucial information. Online settings exacerbate overload, and hotels are advised to tailor sustainability communication to meet consumer expectations and avoid misleading impressions. Customers with high sustainability expectations may overlook some greenwashing, unlike less concerned counterparts.

🇺🇸 On Feb 21, 2025, Booking Holdings reported a successful Q4 with adjusted profits of $32 per share, exceeding estimates of $29.86. Despite a strong recovery in Asian markets, particularly China, with room night bookings growing in the mid-teens, U.S. bookings remained flat. The company's shares dropped approximately 10% after hours. For Q1, Booking forecasts 4-6% growth in room nights and 11-13% in revenue. Industry peers, including Hilton, Marriott, and Expedia, anticipate slower growth in 2024.