Market Trends

🏨 Jessica Werner, Chief Creative Officer at Sage Hospitality Group, leverages her operational experience to create innovative hospitality spaces. Her design approach merges business strategy with creativity, enhancing both profit and community impact. Sage's placemaking fosters meaningful connections and consistently yields measurable returns. Werner emphasizes the importance of integrating creative design with strategic business objectives to drive success. For more insights, explore conversations with Sage's CEO, Walter Isenberg.

📚 Phocuswright offers an Open Access Research Subscription providing unlimited access to comprehensive travel industry insights, with no seat limits or paywalls. Subscribers can access in-depth reports, interactive dashboards, and datasets, along with personalized analyst support. This service aids in validating opportunities, supporting internal strategies, and staying ahead of industry changes. The subscription emphasizes a competitive edge through organized intelligence by sector, region, and trend.

🗺️ 69% of travelers engaged in tours lasting three hours or less in 2024, reflecting a trend towards shorter durations. Half of UK, European, and US travelers booked at least one private tour. Germany led with 55%, followed by France with 50%. Tours with groups of six or fewer were preferred by 43% of Europeans. Real-time booking is vital as 61% of Europeans booked tours less than seven days in advance, emphasizing convenience and flexibility.

💰 In 2025, global business travel spending is projected to hit $1,570 billion, growing 6.6% yearly. The GBTA forecasts an 8.1% growth in 2026, with spending reaching $2,000 billion by 2029. By 2025, the top 15 markets will account for $1,310 billion, with the U.S. leading at $395.4 billion. The average trip budget is now $1,128, and mobile wallet adoption is at 64%. Trade tensions and economic uncertainties create challenges.

🏄 Rouen, July 8, 2025: The Tour de France's fourth stage ended in Rouen, generating excitement and an 86.5% hotel occupancy rate, up 14.9 points from the previous year. This surge contrasts with expectations that Caen would benefit more. Jean-Marc Deverre and Delphine Crocq highlight the event's significant visibility and economic impact for Rouen, especially with beautiful regional images broadcasted. The bustling crowds and fully booked hotels indicate a thriving local economy.

🗺 June 2025, Arlington, Virginia—The U.S. hotel industry had mixed results over the past year. Occupancy dipped 1.7% to 68.5%, while ADR increased slightly by 0.4% to $162.51, impacting RevPAR, which declined by 1.2% to $111.32. New York City led with an 88.5% occupancy, up 0.9%. New Orleans and Phoenix saw the lowest occupancy at 53.8% and 59.5%, respectively. Top 25 Markets outperformed others in occupancy and ADR metrics.

🏨 Shozib Khan, VP of Hotel Performance and Analytics at Spire Hospitality, transitioned from a chemistry background to enhance hotel performance using data-driven insights. By applying scientific methods, he identified hidden operational issues, improving both guest and employee experiences. Through analytical rigor and human-centered innovation, Khan showcases how hospitality leaders can leverage data to tackle real-world challenges effectively, empowering teams and achieving success.

🗺 By 2040, 77% of global travel spending ($15 trillion) will be domestic, totaling $11.7 trillion—tripling from today's $4.1 trillion. Domestic, regional, and international travel will see 3x, 3x, and 3.3x growth respectively. Destinations like Riyadh, rural Chinese provinces, and Bavaria are becoming more popular as people redefine "exotic." Local opportunities are key, and regional partnerships are crucial with a 6.9% CAGR. The "staycation" trend is gaining profitability.