TOP NEWS

📌 Dallas, Texas—U.S. hotel performance is projected to improve in Q4 2024 and continue into 2025 with a 0.5% increase in RevPAR growth, despite a downward revision from 1.2%. Occupancy is expected to decrease by 30 bps year-over-year while ADR is forecasted to rise by 0.7%. Q3 2024 saw a 0.1% dip in hotel demand, a 0.6% increase in supply, and a 0.8% decline in occupancy. CBRE predicts a 1% compound annual growth in supply over five years, below the 1.6% historical average, alongside a 2.6% GDP growth and 2.9% average inflation for 2024.

🏩 Wellness tourism's growth has led to an increased demand for hotels with authentic wellness experiences. Sam Nazarian and Tony Robbins recently launched longevity clubs and hotels aiming to redefine wellness through life extension and holistic health practices. Wellness certification acts as third-party validation, ensuring hotels meet rigorous, evidence-based wellness standards. It represents operational excellence, credibility, and guest satisfaction. Robin Ruiz, CEO of WITT, emphasizes that wellness accreditation will be key in guiding travelers through the evolving hospitality landscape.

📍 In Dallas, Texas, SiteMinder released its "Changing Traveler Report 2025" showing 37% of U.S. travelers plan to book their 2025 stays directly, surpassing the global average of 27%. Travelers aged 60+ may reach 57%. Surveyed 12,000 respondents across 14 markets, U.S. direct bookings outdo Australia (35%) and Germany (33%), while Indonesia (16.5%) and China (17%) lag. 33% of U.S. travelers prioritize loyalty incentives, 9 points above global average. In 2025, 51% of U.S. respondents plan to travel abroad, up from 43% in 2024 with Gen Z's international travel intention at 73%. Canada emerges as the top destination (10%). Gen Z's trends include more spending on accommodation (69%), work-from-stay (59%), and eco-friendly preferences (87%).

👨 Providing an exceptional hotel reception experience is vital for guest satisfaction and can lead to repeat visits and positive reviews. Attention to detail, from cleanliness and decor to a warm smile and a personalized welcome, shapes the guest's first impression. Online reviews of the reception experience influence future bookings, emphasizing the importance of a quality welcome. Hotel technology, such as online check-in and instant messaging apps, enhances the guest experience by streamlining processes and personalizing interactions. Training staff in technology use, like property management systems and communication tools, is essential. HiJiffy offers solutions such as an AI virtual concierge and instant feedback tools to improve reception services and customer satisfaction.

🏖️ SLS launched its first all-inclusive resort, SLS Playa Mujeres, in Costa Mujeres, Mexico, featuring 498 rooms and suites, 18 culinary venues, a 20,000-square-foot spa, five pools, a 10,000-square-foot ballroom for up to 920 guests, and introduces SLS Elite for luxury benefits. Le Petit Pali Brentwood opened in LA by Palisociety with 25 reimagined rooms, while Pivot will manage the Royal Palm South Beach Miami, undergoing renovations in 2025. U.S. hotel industry reported a YOY occupancy decline of 3.5% to 62.6%, ADR decrease of 0.1% to $156.11, and RevPAR drop of 3.5% to $97.73, with Las Vegas leading gains and San Francisco and Washington, D.C. witnessing the steepest declines.

🏨 In Q1 and Q2 of 2024, TrustYou analyzed hospitality metrics in EMEA, revealing trends like the adoption of Customer Data Platforms and predictive market intelligence. European hotel transactions hit a five-year high at €11.6 billion, with the UK, Spain, and France accounting for €7.8 billion. EMEA's hospitality performance scores were 86.2 in Q1 and 85.8 in Q2, surpassing the global average. Challenges included room demand, guest room maintenance impact (-6.9 points), and reliance on third-party booking platforms, where Booking Holdings holds a 71% market share. The European Accessibility Act mandates accessibility improvements by 2025. Looking ahead, Amex GBT Hotel Monitor 2025 predicts a focus on personalization, wellness, and sustainability in the hospitality industry.

🏨 Hotel General Managers (GMs) are pivotal in the hospitality industry, embodying hotel values and driving vision and operations. Modern GMs excel in communication, leadership, business acumen, and technological integration, balancing them with the human touch for exceptional guest experiences. They motivate diverse teams to provide outstanding service, understand profit generation, manage hotel operations, and leverage technology without compromising personal service. Excelling in these areas is crucial for a hotel's reputation, guest loyalty, and financial success.