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TOURISTS ARE PROJECTED to maintain or increase their travel spending in 2024 compared to the previous year, according to American Express Travel's "2024 Global Travel Trends Report". Approximately 84 percent of respondents from countries including the U.S., Australia, Canada, India, Japan, Mexico, and the U.K. anticipate spending the same or more, with 77 percent prioritizing the quality of their travel experience over cost considerations. "Travelers are focused on creating the right itineraries and building memories, whether that means booking a trip to see a favorite sports team compete or taking a once-in-a-lifetime expedition cruise," said Audrey Hendley, American Express Travel's president. "Our 'Global Travel Trends Report' sheds light on what is driving global travel bookings and provides inspiration for where to go next." About 65 percent of respondents express greater interest in embarking on a major trip in 2024 compared to previous years, the report said. Additionally, 72 percent prefer saving money for a major trip over spending it on social outings with friends. More than half of respondents intend to save for a major trip over a span of six months to two years.

THE HOSPITALITY SHOW, produced by Questex and the American Hotel & Lodging Association, recently concluded its second annual event. The three-day event at the Henry B. González Convention Center in San Antonio, Texas, drew 4,800 attendees and 460 exhibitors, marking a 26 percent increase in attendance and a 43 percent rise in vendor participation. "The Hospitality Show exists to convene our industry's top operations and technology leaders and provide the best networking, learning, and deal-making opportunities," said Kevin Carey, AHLA's previous interim president and CEO. "After a successful 2023 event, this year's Show raised the bar, and next year's event in Denver will be larger." The Hospitality Show 2025 will take place Oct. 26 to 28 at the Denver Convention Center in downtown Denver.

U.S. HOSPITALITY BUSINESSES reported a 108.2 percent year-over-year health metric for the fourth quarter of 2024, the highest in four quarters, according to the Hospitality Group and Business Performance Index by Cendyn and Amadeus. Tampa, Houston, and Miami led the top 10 cities in rankings. The index combines event data from Cendyn's Sales Intelligence platform, formerly Knowland, with hotel booking data from Amadeus' Demand360, covering group, corporate negotiated, global distribution system, and events performance, the companies said in a joint statement. Top 10 cities by index: Tampa - 121.4 percent Houston - 120.6 percent Miami - 116.8 percent New York City - 112.0 percent Chicago - 111.6 percent Phoenix - 110.4 percent Detroit - 109.8 percent Louis - 109.6 percent San Diego - 109.6 percent New Orleans - 108.3 percent

CALIFORNIA'S HOTEL DEVELOPMENT hit a decade-low in 2024, with just 35 new hotels and 3,798 rooms added, according to Atlas Hospitality Group. This marks a 34 percent drop in hotel openings and a nearly 40 percent decline in new rooms compared to 2023. Atlas Hospitality Group's 2024 Year-End California Hotel Development Survey attributed the decline to rising costs, high interest rates and reduced lending for new projects. "We predict the hotel construction outlook will remain weak in the near term, as investors focus on acquiring existing hotels at discounts to replacement costs," said Alan Reay, Atlas Hospitality's president.

APPROXIMATELY THREE OUT of four travelers agree that Americans are prioritizing travel more in 2024 and prefer a digital, self-service experience for their hotel stays, according to a recent survey by Mews, a hospitality cloud provider. Nearly 80 percent of U.S. travelers favor hotels with fully automated front desks or self-service kiosks, and more than 40 percent prefer checking in via a hotel's website, app, or digital kiosk. "Trends in hospitality are ever-changing but we're seeing indicators that people are prioritizing travel again," said Richard Valtr, Mews's founder. "While we're seeing some softness in mid-market and select service hotels, the luxury sector seems resilient. Guests visiting luxury properties are spending more on bucket list trips and staying for longer." The poll of 2,000 people, evenly split between travelers and hotel workers, revealed that hotel workers anticipate an increase in guest use of technology during travel. A quarter of them expect guests to check in more frequently via hotel websites, apps, or digital kiosks compared to previous years.

ECONOMIC HEADWINDS AND geopolitical concerns are expected to affect U.S. hotel performance in 2024, according to PwC. The issues include continuing high interest rates and the Israel-Palestine conflict. Occupancy levels have consistently decreased over the past seven months compared to the same period in 2022. This downward trend is anticipated to persist for the remainder of this year and extend into at least the first quarter of 2024. However, PwC forecasts a 63 percent annual occupancy rate for US hotels this year. Hotels in the U.S. experienced a weakening in leisure demand during the latter part of this year, as global vacation destinations reopened, and leisure travelers regained confidence in traveling abroad, PwC said in its latest report titled U.S. Hospitality Directions: November 2023. Moreover, gains in individual and group business travel haven't completely counteracted this softening.

DEMAND, WAGE GROWTH and ADR increase remain the top concerns in hospitality industry, according to the Hospitality Asset Managers Association's Fall 2024 Industry Outlook Survey. However, about 82 percent of respondents do not expect a recession in 2025. Furthermore, approximately 58 percent have made or plan to make changes to brand or management as part of their strategy. "The overall hospitality industry outlook remains positive from the hotel asset management point of view," said Sarah Gulla, HAMA's president. "For the most part, our member hotels continue to exceed budgeted forecasts, and there seems to be little fear of a recession on the immediate horizon. While demand and wage increases remain persistent concerns, this is a solid time to be in the hospitality industry."

CONSUMERS ARE EXPECTED to reprioritize travel in 2024, albeit with demand fluctuations for various products and amenities in 2024, according to Deloitte's 2024 Travel Outlook. The report says hospitality providers need to enhance the experiences they offer or risk losing travelers' attention and Those adept at applying technology to create personalized and flexible services will do better than others this year. The pent-up demand seen following the pandemic that led to travel surges in the prior two years is dwindling, the report said. It's being replaced, however, by a steady increase in traveling for experiences, aided in some cases by the increased prevalence of remote working, meaning travel remains a priority for many consumers. An economic downturn could dampen that enthusiasm, according to the Travel Outlook. However, technology can help provide the flexibility to offer affordable, personalized packages that may compensate for consumers' responding parsimony.

HOTEL BOOKINGS FOR Easter 2025 are up 16.8 percent from the same period last year, according to SiteMinder, a hotel distribution and revenue platform. The data, comparing bookings at the same properties across nine markets 30 days before Easter in 2024 and 2025, shows stronger demand, earlier bookings and growing interest in international travel. These global trends are mirrored in the U.S., where SiteMinder data showed a 14.98 percent rise in Easter weekend bookings as of March 18-an average of 3.6 more reservations per property compared to the same period in 2024. "With Easter falling later this year than in 2024, we're not just seeing stronger travel demand-we're seeing travelers rethink how they plan," said James Bishop, SiteMinder's vice president for ecosystem and strategic partnerships. "Earlier bookings and a rise in international travel are shaping this year's trends, with the later holiday creating more favorable conditions in many regions. But flexibility remains key-historically, domestic travelers tend to book closer to arrival, meaning the final guest mix and pricing dynamics could still evolve in the coming weeks."

IHG HOTELS & RESORTS reported global RevPAR growth of 3 percent for 2024 and 4.6 percent in the fourth quarter, with the Americas rising 2.5 percent and 4.6 percent for the year and quarter, respectively. The company acquired Germany-based lifestyle hotel brand Ruby for about $116 million, aiming for global expansion, including the Americas. It opened 371 hotels globally in 2024, up 24 percent, and added 714 to the pipeline, a 34 percent increase, including 16,832 rooms opened and 26,552 signed in the Americas, IHG said in a statement. "Thanks to the hard work and dedication of our teams around the world, 2024 was an excellent year of financial performance, strong growth and important progress against a clear strategy that is unlocking the full potential of our business for all stakeholders," said Elie Maalouf, IHG's CEO. "RevPAR growth accelerated in the fourth quarter, reflecting the breadth of our global footprint and improvements in all three regions. Together with strong system growth, notable margin expansion and the benefit of returning surplus capital through buybacks, we're pleased to report adjusted EPS growth for the year of 15 percent."

THE HOSPITALITY SHOW 2024, produced by Questex and the American Hotel & Lodging Association, announced highlights recently, including keynote sessions by chef José Andrés on October 28 and franchise expert Scott Greenberg. The show will take place Oct. 28 to 30 at the Henry B. González Convention Center in San Antonio, Texas. Andrés will present "Changing the World Through the Power of Food," while Greenberg will discuss strategies to elevate franchise operations. Greenberg's keynote will be followed by a fireside chat with Geoff Ballotti, president and CEO of Wyndham Hotels & Resorts. On Oct. 30, NFL reporter Erin Andrews will moderate the session "Creative Collaboration: The Ultimate Immersive Guest Experience," joined by Jonathan Tisch, executive chairman of Loews Hotels & Co., and Mark Woodbury, chairman and CEO of Universal Destinations & Experiences. They will discuss how storytelling transforms concepts from books and films into immersive guest experiences. Following the keynote, Andrews will join AHLA Foundation president Anna Blue for a ForWard Segment to discuss her career in sports broadcasting and her entrepreneurial venture, WEAR.

ADAM HARRIS, CEO of Cloudbeds, and Jacob Messina, CEO of Stayntouch, discussed the future of property management systems at the Hospitality Show, focusing on their role in connecting human experiences and improving efficiency amid rising costs. The event, produced by Questex and the American Hotel & Lodging Association, recently wrapped up its second annual edition at the Henry B. González Convention Center in San Antonio, Texas. Panelists Charles Oswald, CEO of Aperture Hotels, and Chris O'Donnell, COO of Atrium Hospitality, with moderator Michael Frenkel, president of Travel Conversations, focused on labor shortages and the need for reliable, intuitive technologies to ensure consistent service. While technology leaders were optimistic about PMS technology's potential to transform hospitality, Oswald and O'Donnell shifted the focus to the industry's pressing challenge: labor shortages on both sides of the front desk. They stressed that the most valuable technologies today are reliable and intuitive, placing the responsibility on tech leaders to ensure consistent service.

DIGITAL TIPPING CAN boost hotel associates' earnings by up to $375 per week, according to a recent study by Shiny, a digital tipping platform. Furthermore, guests are 15 percent more likely to tip compared to 2023, with half leaving tips of $10 or more. Shiny's second annual report, "Harnessing Tipping Data to Empower and Motivate Hospitality Workers," also includes a case study on Stonebridge Cos., a hospitality management firm that implemented Shiny's digital tipping platform across its hotels in 2022. The report analyzes tipping behaviors and patterns at hotels using its digital tipping software. "Not only is providing a tipping option for associates a phenomenal benefit to increase take-home pay, but it also is a fantastic way to keep employees engaged beyond daily standup," said Rebecca Robinson, Shiny's cofounder. "In this report, we continue to explore trends in digital tipping to further improve operations and ultimately increase retention."

AAHOA AND KALIBRI Labs launched a national study on the impact of federal policy changes and industry challenges, showing a mixed outlook for U.S. hospitality in 2025. About one-third of hotel submarkets are ahead of 2024 benchmarks, but more are seeing declines-particularly in government and corporate segments-raising concerns ahead of peak summer travel. AAHOA's March 2025 survey found 69 percent of hotel owners reported business declines linked to recent federal policy changes. "These findings are not just numbers-they reflect the real-world challenges and opportunities facing our members," said Miraj Patel, AAHOA chairman. "It's encouraging to see that some markets are holding steady or growing, but the overall outlook calls for close attention and action. As owners, we are on the front lines, and partnerships like this help ensure our perspective is represented in broader industry discussions."

TATA GROUP-OWNED INDIAN Hotels Co. Ltd. added 85 hotel signings and opened 40 properties in 2024, growing its portfolio to 360 hotels with 123 more in the pipeline. The Taj brand added 19 new signings, expanding to 125 properties. IHCL expanded its market position by acquiring a majority stake in Tree of Life and securing a brand license for The Claridges, New Delhi, the company said in a statement. "This record growth performance is attributed to the continued expansion of the brandscape," said Suma Venkatesh, IHCL's executive vice president for real estate and development. "IHCL launched the reimagined Gateway, acquired a majority shareholding in Tree of Life, adding a boutique leisure offering, and entered into a brand license agreement for The Claridges, commencing with the management of the brand's landmark hotel in New Delhi, extending IHCL's luxury portfolio."

HOTELS STRUGGLED WITH rising costs outpacing revenue growth in 2024, hindering economic growth and job creation, according to American Hotel & Lodging Association's 2025 State of the Industry report. Despite these challenges, opportunities remain, driven by guest spending trends, shifting traveler behaviors, and major upcoming events. The report, published with Accenture, found property costs outpacing revenue, with operations, maintenance, sales, marketing, and IT expenses rising nearly 5 percent in 2024, adding to hotel industry challenges. "America's small business hotel owners have been struggling as rising costs, compounded by high inflation and interest rates, make it difficult to stay open and serve guests," said Rosanna Maietta, AHLA's president and CEO. "That's why we will be focused on promoting policies that help our members overcome these challenges so they can focus on what they do best-creating pathways for their employees to find lasting careers and creating unforgettable experiences for their guests."

RESOLUTE ROAD HOSPITALITY and Choice Hotels International recently hosted an investment forum in Dallas titled "Exploring Extended Stay in Texas." Around 100 hospitality executives discussed best management practices, emerging market trends, and Choice's new extended-stay brand, Everhome Suites, at the forum. Gary Horton, Resolute Road Hospitality's president, and Daniel Pinheiro, chief business development officer, presented strategies for managing and operating in the extended-stay industry, the companies said in a joint statement. "The forum was highly productive, bringing together industry professionals eager to explore the rapidly expanding extended-stay sector," said Pinheiro. "The attendees exchanged invaluable insights and collaborated on best practices specific to hotels in the midscale extended-stay class."

NEW YORK LEADS the top 50 U.S. markets in hotel construction with 47 projects and 7,655 rooms currently underway, according to Lodging Econometrics. The city has a total of 78 projects and 13,549 rooms in its hotel construction pipeline, the 10th largest in the U.S. Projects set to start in the next 12 months include eight projects with 1,079 rooms, while early planning includes 23 projects with 4,815 rooms, according to LE's Q1 2024 Market Trend Report for New York, released before the NYU International Hospitality Industry Investment Conference. Within the New York market, the three submarkets with the largest hotel construction pipelines are the New York City area (including Brooklyn East, the Bronx, and Staten Island) with 25 projects and 2,096 rooms, the report said. Similarly, the Midtown South area features 11 projects and 2,535 rooms, while the Midtown West/Times Square area has 10 projects and 4,131 rooms. Combined, these submarkets account for 59 percent of the projects and 65 percent of the rooms in the market's total construction pipeline.

U.S. HOTELS AIM to tap a surge in Indian tourists to boost revenue as domestic leisure spending slows and demand from East Asia remains below pre-pandemic levels, according to a Reuters report. Some hotels have adapted to Indian preferences by offering amenities like chai, samosas, and Indian TV channels. The growing Indian middle class, higher travel budgets, and increased flight capacity are driving the country's international travel boom, according to the report. Nearly 1.9 million Indian tourists visited the U.S. in the first ten months of 2024, a 48 percent increase from 2019, Reuters reported, citing data from the U.S. National Travel and Tourism Office. The surge was driven by a 50 percent rise in visas issued for business visits and a 43.5 percent increase for leisure.

MARK HOPLAMAZIAN, PRESIDENT and CEO of Hyatt Hotels Corp., will join Greg Friedman, managing principal and CEO of Peachtree Group, for a fireside chat at the Hunter Hotel Investment Conference on March 19. Hunter introduced this format last year with Anthony Capuano, CEO of Marriott International, as the featured guest. In "A Conversation with Mark Hoplamazian," he will share insights on his hospitality career, leadership approach, Hyatt's market position, company outlook and industry developments, Hunter said in a statement. U.S. extended-stay hotels finished 2024 strong after a slow start, with supply, demand and room revenue growth outpacing the industry, while ADR and RevPAR remained positive but gained momentum later in the year, according to The Highland Group.​ "At Hyatt, business is personal-relationships, trust, and a deep understanding of our guests, customers, and owners are at the heart of everything we do," said Hoplamazian. "In today's competitive landscape, hotel performance is driven by the human connections that shape our industry. That's why we collaborate closely with owners and operators like Peachtree Group to create long-term value for their investments."