Market Trends

📈 James Bland of BVA BDRC discusses the robust nature of the hotel sector against brand fatigue. KitKat introduced three new flavors in 2025: salted caramel, hazelnut, and double chocolate. IHG acquired the Ruby Hotels brand for €110.5 million, expanding their brand portfolio to 20. With global hotel operators approaching 50 brands each, such as Accor, the focus is on catering to diverse consumer experiences. Brand importance influences only 9% of consumer decisions, yet 53% reflect brand-driven selections. IHG's investment in Ruby Hotels is expected to yield financial benefits, further indicating the industry's trend towards more personalized offerings.

🏨 U.S. hotel industry reported year-over-year declines as of March 15, 2025: Occupancy dropped 3.5% to 64.2%, Average Daily Rate (ADR) fell 0.7% to $162.49, and Revenue Per Available Room (RevPAR) decreased 4.2% to $104.36. San Francisco's occupancy climbed 6.6% to 63.7%, Houston's ADR and RevPAR surged 13.8% and 16.0% to $137.98 and $97.21, respectively. Anaheim faced a 27.8% tumble in RevPAR to $149.51, while Seattle saw a 15.5% decline to $101.77 due to an event schedule shift.

🍴 Emerson Nascimento won the DaVinci Gourmet Barista Craft World Champion title in 2024. DaVinci Gourmet, partnered with Kerry, focuses on flavor innovation in coffee. The Flavour Genius Academy, launched before 2024, offers training for café professionals in the APMEA region, with monthly virtual gatherings and collaboration with the ASEAN Coffee Institute (ACI) to provide specialized training. Eloise Dubuisson from Kerry Asia Pacific emphasized the winners' role in promoting the brand's flavors and artisanal syrups.

🍷 80% of NA beverage drinkers also consume alcohol, providing a taste reference. Catalan restaurant Gaig, recognized by the Michelin Guide, features Noughty's non-alcoholic (NA) wines. The no- and low-alcohol market is growing by 20% annually, with a forecasted value of $36.6 billion by 2030, where NA beer holds 60% of the market share. The NA wine segment, valued at $52 million, grows by 23% yearly. Noughty, with six premium NA wines, sees popularity in Michelin-starred venues and is favored by chefs like Andrew Pern and Oscar Lorenzzi. The largest NA markets are Europe and the UK, with the US experiencing a rise in nondrinkers. Asia and Singapore's NA demand has increased since 2021, notably for business lunches. The UK sees 55% of drinkers reducing alcohol intake, and 57% of global consumers participated in Dry January or Sober October in 2023. Health concerns drive this shift, with alcohol identified as a leading cause of cancer. NA wine options are effective on wine lists, and Noughty's sparkling Chardonnay has just 14 calories per glass. Restaurants, while facing challenges in stocking NA wine, recognize the evolving consumer preferences and potential for higher profit margins, with Noughty focusing on 'by the glass' placements.

📸 WeRoad surveyed 4,634 solo travelers aged 20-49 to understand backpacking motivations, revealing a trend towards off-the-beaten-path destinations like Jordan, Namibia, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan. Forbes found 68% of Gen Z and Millennials seek new travel experiences. 40% of respondents prefer less-touristic locations for more authentic experiences, while 48% reported making lifelong friendships and 27% learning about themselves. Drawbacks include 72% admitting to overpacking and 10% running out of money. WeRoad CEO Andrea D’Amico highlights solo backpacking as challenging and life-changing.