TOP NEWS

🛡️ In 2000, Georges Panayotis founded the Hospitality Awards to highlight hotel industry innovations. Over 25 years, the sector evolved from standardization to unique identity-driven experiences. Post-Covid, hospitality merged work, leisure, and wellness, emphasizing sustainability and experiential luxury. Digitalization reshaped operations, while human capital regained importance. ESG policies now guide investments. The industry’s transformation reflects a shift towards data-driven, meaningful experiences, blending hospitality with sectors like mobility, retail, and health.

💸 2024-2025, globally: Hotels with wellness amenities saw a GOPPAR increase of 4–6% and ADR growth of 2–3% year-over-year. Luxury hotels offering wellness programs reported a 3% higher ADR and 4% stronger GOPPAR. Wellness properties showed lower GOPPAR volatility and stable margins compared to non-wellness hotels. Non-room departments, like F&B and Spa, grew revenues by up to 3% and achieved double-digit profit margins. Investing in wellness enhances guest satisfaction, loyalty, and long-term profitability.

🏨 UK hotel sector in 2026 shows resilience amidst economic challenges and rising costs. Supported by international demand and event-led travel, the market is stable. Adapting quickly and leveraging innovation, strategic partnerships, and sustainability are crucial. Focus areas include operational efficiency, cost management, flexible staffing, sustainable energy use, and revenue diversification. Financing conditions remain selective, urging disciplined capital management through refinancing and joint ventures to ensure profitability and growth.

📚 Ascott Limited launched a Disability Inclusion Playbook in Singapore, supported by SG Enable, World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance, and Valuable 500. By 2026, Ascott will report on hiring persons with disabilities and host community programs. By 2027, all frontline staff will complete disability awareness training. By 2028, digital platforms will meet WCAG 2.1 AA standards. The playbook, reviewed by 20 experts, provides practical steps for inclusive hospitality. An assistive amenities toolkit will be piloted in Singapore properties.

🏨 Hotels worldwide are transforming underutilized spaces like rooftops and meeting rooms into multi-functional areas, boosting revenue and guest experience. By 2025, 300,000 to 400,000 U.S. hotel rooms will be renovated. Notable projects include Waldorf Astoria's $2 billion NYC redevelopment and Great Wolf Lodge's $40 million California upgrade. Trends emphasize sustainability, technology, and adaptive reuse, with smaller investments like patio refreshes yielding high returns. Revamped spaces enhance occupancy and guest satisfaction, complying with brand standards.

📈 Nov 14, 2025. Airbnb sees 13% Y/Y revenue growth in Q2 2025, while U.S. hosts face ~50–56% occupancy due to increased supply, particularly in suburban and rural areas. Short-term rentals (STRs) increase ADR by nearly 7% Y/Y and 24.9% over a longer period. U.S. hotel RevPAR growth is nearly stagnant at ~0.1%. Rising operational costs squeeze hotel margins. STRs thrive in suburban/rural areas, with urban regulations supporting hotel competition.

📈 Santa Rosa Beach, Fla., 13 November 2025 — The US short-term rental market is closing 2025 with noticeable gains. December sees a projected 7% rise in RevPAR and a 6% increase in ADR. Regions like New England and the Hawaiian Islands show a 5% RevPAR growth. Average December stay length dropped from 6.6 to 6.0 nights, a 9% decrease. Property managers are adapting with agility and automation to cater to shorter, spontaneous bookings.

🛫 Leaders from AHLA, A4A, U.S. Travel Association, and National Restaurant Association urged the U.S. House to vote on a Senate-passed agreement to end the government shutdown. Since October 1, $6 billion in travel spending was lost, impacting over 5.2 million passengers and costing the hotel industry $31 million daily and $1.2 billion total. Amid holiday travel, airlines expect 31 million passengers. The shutdown disrupts travel and hospitality, urging immediate government action.

📉 January to July 2025, global hotel trends show Expedia's room-night volume grew by 12%, while Trip.com, Hotelbeds, and Despegar surged over 35%. In Asia Pacific, international arrivals rose 9%. ADRs dipped by 10% on Vrbo and 5% on Hotelbeds. Latin America led with a 4.6% increase in TRevPAR. Flex/Flow rates indicate all regions achieved positive flow. Length of stay decreased, with Airbnb's ADR down 2% and room nights up 4.1%.

📈 Hamburg, Germany – From November 10–12, 2025, the CCH – Congress Center Hamburg hosted the GBTA + VDR Europe Conference, gathering over 1,200 attendees, including 326 travel buyers and 65 exhibitors from 40 countries. Business travel spending in Europe is projected to reach €389.9 billion in 2026, an 8.2% increase. The GBTA Sustainability Challenge engaged 285 companies, with a 20% increase in participation. The first European VentureConnect event was held, awarding Centuro Global for innovative solutions.