Market Trends

💎 In the luxury industry, experiences and rituals elevate products to become emotional and heritage items. Brands like Goyard, Apple, Hermès, Patek Philippe, AMOUAGE, Louis Vuitton, Berluti, and Shiseido have mastered creating moments that deepen emotional engagement and brand identity. Rituals turn transactions into ceremonious events, encouraging long-term loyalty and making the experience itself the true luxury product. The author emphasizes the importance of choreographed experiences in transforming beautiful objects into sacred possessions.

🏖️ ATM 2025 will showcase the luxury tourism sector at the Dubai World Trade Centre from 28 April to 1 May. Luxury tourism is projected to reach USD 391 billion by 2028, up from USD 239 billion in 2023. The GCC earned USD 110.4 billion in tourism revenues in 2023, with the largest tourist share from Asia-Pacific (38%). The GCC will add 400,000 hotel rooms by 2030. ATM 2025 features destinations like the Maldives, Mauritius, and Peru, plus brands like Mandarin Oriental and Four Seasons. The MENA region leads in luxury outbound travel, with ATM 2025 focusing on enhanced connectivity and sustainability.

🏨 HotelREZ Hotels & Resorts has seen over 12% revenue growth in the past 12 months, expanding its customer base in the UK, North America, Middle East, and Europe. Now the 16th largest hotel company worldwide, it represents over 2,500 hotels across 100 countries. UK market growth hit 16%, North America 80%, and the Middle East 37%. Portfolio increases include 17.27% in the hotel sector, 10.18% in serviced apartments/aparthotels, and 10.12% in pubs with rooms. CEO Mark Lewis attributes success to the team's commitment and adapting to market changes, noting strong corporate market growth in 2024.

🏖 Pierre & Vacances expanded in Catalonia, now with 15 properties, by adding Hotel Port Salins in Empuriabrava (41 rooms, 400 meters from the beach) and Hotel Pirineos Figueres (56 rooms, 3 apartments, near Dalí Museum) to its portfolio. Port Salins was previously run by Trinfico and is the third property in Empuriabrava for the group. Pirineos Figueres was owner-managed before the lease by 3 Capital Real Estate. The company targets tourist hotspots in Spain, including Costa Brava, Costa Blanca, Balearic Islands, Costa del Sol, and Canary Islands.

🏨 Hospitality brands are shifting from net unit growth (NUG) to net revenue growth (NRG) due to economic pressures, consumer behavior changes, and regulatory challenges. Factors like high borrowing costs, persistent inflation, labor shortages, COVID-19's lingering impact, and a generational travel shift towards authentic experiences have made revenue maximization crucial. Strategies for NRG include advanced revenue management, direct bookings, upselling, operational efficiency, and diversifying revenue streams. Sustainability and tech integrations also play key roles in building brand loyalty and reducing costs.

???? 🍸 Noelle Nashville reopened the Hidden Bar, a Prohibition-era speakeasy, at the end of February, coinciding with the opening of a new restaurant, Lona, by Chef Richard Sandoval. Located in downtown Nashville, the bar's entrance is on historic Printer's Alley. The redesign comes with a focus on classic and inventive cocktails, like the Bee’s Knees and the glitter-topped Storage Closet. Regular events include Trade Secrets, Red Light series, and Inner Light, offering activities such as tarot readings and aura photography.

🏖️ In 2023, Barcelona witnessed 15.6 million tourists, with an additional 10.3 million visiting its region, totaling nearly 26 million visitors. The tourism spike is attributed to large events, strategic developments, and infrastructure improvements. Seasonal trends affect the hospitality sector, with summer months seeing peak hotel stays.

🏨 Saudi Arabia plans to add 362,000 hotel rooms by 2030 with a $110 billion investment aligning with its 'Vision 2030'. Tourism's 2023 GDP contribution was SAR 444.3 billion (11.5% of the economy). International arrivals hit 30 million in 2024, targeting 70 million by 2030. Upcoming events include the 2029 Asian Winter Games, World Expo 2030, and FIFA World Cup 2034. Hotel revenue reached $5.6 billion (Jan-Oct 2024), a 3.5% annual increase. Riyadh and Medina hotel markets showed significant occupancy and rate growth.

🌳 La Donaira in Andalusia, Spain—a boutique eco-retreat set on a 1,700-acre biodynamic farm with orchards, vineyards, oaks, and olive groves—offers guests rustic-luxury suites, Andalusian horse riding, and farm-fresh organic meals. This curated collection of favorite treehouses and tree-inspired stays ranges from traditional to innovative and domestic to wild, based on personal passion and extensive collecting.