Latest news with #traveltrends
Skift
32 minutes ago
- Business
- Skift
U.S. Traveler Trends 2025
Americans are back on the road — guided by experiences, wooed by AI, wary of hidden fees, and booking wherever the value clicks. Report Overview Our latest U.S. Traveler Trends 2025 report offers a comprehensive, data-driven look at how Americans are traveling — from motivations and booking habits to accommodation choices and loyalty behaviors. Now released annually, the report draws from a nationally representative survey of U.S. adults who traveled in 2025. It explores key themes including the rise of experience-driven travel, digital influence in trip planning, shifts in booking patterns post-pandemic, and the evolving role of loyalty programs. The report also offers a comparative lens, drawing on insights from travelers in Europe and Asia to highlight where U.S. behaviors align or diverge globally — across booking channels, travel motivations, accommodation preferences, and more. From AI-powered planning tools to the continued rise of vacation rentals, the report captures the changing dynamics shaping travel in 2025. It's designed to help travel brands better understand and connect with today's traveler — and stay ahead of what's next.
Zawya
8 hours ago
- Business
- Zawya
Central Hotels & Resorts sees 25% spike in leisure stays as Dubai staycations boom
Dubai, UAE: As Dubai cements its position as a year-round destination not just for international tourists but also for domestic explorers, Central Hotels & Resorts, one of the fastest-growing hospitality management companies in the UAE, is reaping the benefits of a new hospitality landscape defined by leisure, locality, and lifestyle. The homegrown hotel group has recorded a 25 per cent increase in bookings from UAE residents in recent months, driven by the rise of staycations and summer getaways among families, couples, and millennial groups opting for curated experiences closer to home. This growth mirrors wider trends in the UAE travel industry. According to Visa's 2025 UAE Travel Pulse, domestic travel spending rose by 68 per cent year-on-year, with Dubai accounting for nearly 70 per cent of all in-country bookings and travel spend. Similarly, STR's latest report confirms that Dubai welcomed 18.7 million overnight visitors in 2024, achieving an average occupancy rate of 78.2 per cent and a RevPAR of AED 421—impressive figures that reflect the city's strategic positioning as a leisure powerhouse. For Central Hotels & Resorts, this shift is more than just a seasonal trend. It represents a fundamental evolution in guest expectations and travel behaviour. 'Dubai's residents are falling in love with their own city all over again,' said Abdulla Ahmad Ali Al Abdulla Al Ansari, Chief Operating Officer and Group General Manager of Central Hotels & Resorts. 'We are seeing a strong and sustained increase in domestic leisure travel, particularly from Emirati families and long-time residents who are discovering the charm of a short escape without the stress of airports or long-haul planning. In fact, family travel now contributes to nearly 30 per cent of our domestic revenue, and demand for interconnecting rooms and suites has risen by more than 40 per cent this summer compared to the same period last year.' 'This shift has led us to refine our offering with an even greater focus on convenience, connectivity, and comfort. Our city and beachfront properties, such as Royal Central Hotel The Palm, Canal Central Hotel Business Bay, and C Central Resort The Palm, are ideal for guests seeking immersive experiences, whether it's lounging poolside with the kids, enjoying curated dining menus with regional flair, or simply waking up to uninterrupted views of the Arabian Gulf or Dubai Canal. We've introduced 'Kids Go Free' promotions, enhanced family packages, and added thoughtful touches like flexible check-in/out timings and upgraded leisure facilities that turn a weekend into a real holiday,' added Al Ansari. Located in some of Dubai's most sought-after neighbourhoods, Central Hotels & Resorts benefits from strategic locations that offer guests both the escape of a resort and the connectivity of a city stay. Whether it's a last-minute summer weekend or a curated staycation around long weekends and school holidays, the group is positioning itself as the go-to choice for discerning domestic travellers who value both service and setting. This domestic shift has also helped balance seasonality. With international travel often peaking in the winter months, Central's summer performance is increasingly buoyed by UAE residents seeking familiar luxury in a fresh way. 'We expect domestic leisure travel to account for 35 per cent of our total occupancy this summer, up from 28 per cent last year, helping us maintain strong performance even during what was once considered the low season,' said Al Ansari. As Dubai continues to lead the region's tourism recovery with bold initiatives and new attractions, Central Hotels & Resorts is doubling down on its promise to offer personalised, value-driven hospitality for every type of traveller, and particularly for the growing number of UAE residents who no longer need to leave the country to feel like they're on holiday. -Ends- About Central Hotels & Resorts: Launched in 2015, Central Hotels and Resorts – headquartered in Dubai, one of the fastest-growing Hospitality Management companies in the UAE was established to cater, to both leisure and business travellers looking to experience the best of Arabian hospitality in the heart of the city. With the competitive industry comes our continuous expansions, focused on making our service, facilities, and standards distinctive in the Gulf Region. Product diversification and innovation, sound fundamental values, commitment to excellence, quality service and expansion in key destinations are the hallmarks behind Central Hotels' amazing growth. Spread across the Middle East, the group is now poised to conquer other markets. Created and based in Dubai, Central Hotels offers a full spectrum of choice in terms of hotel categories, a comprehensive selection of accommodations, and services to suit all budgets and clientele. For more information, visit
Skift
12 hours ago
- Business
- Skift
Indian Travelers Upgrade to Premium Despite Fewer Trips
Travel disruptions due to unforeseen events may have led to fewer bookings among Indians, but they are making up for it by spending more for the premium experience of travel. The demand for premium travel to and from India is increasing, according to data shared by travel brand Trevolution Group. The company noted that despite lower volumes on outbound booking from India in the first half of 2025, its gross total bookings reached $68.36 million, up 6% from last year. This increase, it said, was driven primarily by higher spending and a greater share of premium-class purchases. 'The demand for business class bookings increased by 27.12%, while economy class demand saw a modest 0.78% rise, reinforcing the trend toward value-added, premium travel options,' the company said in a statement. For outbound travel from India, business class travel surged by 17.6%, 'pointing to a higher concentration of corporate and high-net-worth travelers.' 'We are now seeing more deliberate, higher-value travel to and from India, especially in business class,' said Alex Weinstein, the founder of Dyninno Group of Companies. 'The demand for trip protection and comfort is growing, as well as the demand for secondary hubs. This shows the evolving mindset of the Indian traveler.' The Inbound Travel Story: The overall surge in gross total bookings, however, was driven by inbound travel – which increased from $50.29 million to $56.10 million. According to Trevolution, this showed 'rising consumer spending and sustained interest in long-haul and purpose-driven travel to India.' It's worth noting here that expat Indians visiting friends and relatives form 20% of the numbers for inbound. The group issued over 39,000 airline tickets to India in the first half of 2025. This was a 4.21% increase over th
Zawya
a day ago
- Business
- Zawya
ATM outlines why luxury hospitality leaders view personalisation as key to revenue growth
During ATM 2025, senior executives from Minor Hotels, Fairmont and Marriott highlighted the rise of 'hyper-personalisation' in the luxury hospitality industry The ATM Travel Trends report states that 85% of hoteliers view personalisation as a crucial driver of commercial value Next-Gen travellers are driving demand for luxury experiences that focus on meaning over opulence Dubai, United Arab Emirates: Personalisation is emerging as a growing trend in travel and tourism, particularly within the luxury segment, as travellers increasingly seek experiences tailored to their individual preferences and lifestyles. At Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2025, senior executives from leading hotel groups, including Minor Hotels, Fairmont and Marriott, examined the rising influence of 'hyper-personalisation', which moves away from one-size-fits-all services to offering bespoke guest experiences. Leveraging tools such as AI-driven customisation and chatbots, as well as personalised welcome amenities and bespoke dining options, these brands are redefining the customer journey in the luxury travel segment, which is witnessing a continued surge worldwide. According to the ATM Travel Trends Report 2025, developed by ATM in partnership with Tourism Economics, 85% of hoteliers now consider personalisation as a key driver of commercial value, with tailored experiences shown to generate additional revenue of up to 5%. Furthermore, insights by market intelligence firm Future Market Insight Inc, has revealed the global customisation and personalisation in travel market is expected to reach US$620.71 million by 2032. Speaking during the panel, experts defined hyper-personalisation as providing individualised experiences that anticipate both expressed and unspoken guest needs. While technology and Artificial Intelligence (AI) are instrumental in delivering customised offerings at scale, the panellists agreed that human connection remains essential for a truly personalised hospitality experience. Nicolas Hauvespre, VP of luxury brands at MEA Marriott, said: 'When it comes to hyper-personalisation, for many brands, this goes far beyond traditional service. It's about creating something highly tailored and curated through leveraging technology and building on your culture, so you can develop that anticipatory service and meet both the explicit and unspoken needs of your guests.' The panel, which also included Loay Nour, Vice President Fairmont Brand and Marketing Communications, and Amir Golbarg, Senior Vice President Minor Hotels, also discussed the importance of establishing an emotional connection, anticipating guest needs, and building this over time. 'Luxury is not one size fits all, it's no longer about recognising someone by the name or knowing their preferences in their profile, because you need to understand that those consumers are not only hotel consumers, they are exposed into the ultra level of personalisation from other brands and other industries that they work with, so they have a certain minimum of expectations,' said Nour. In the Middle East and Africa, Marriott is embracing this shift while maintaining brand distinctiveness, expanding its luxury footprint with projects such as the Ritz-Carlton Reserve at Nujuma in Saudi Arabia's Red Sea, which is rooted in immersive, cultural experiences. Upcoming openings elsewhere in the region include a portfolio of curated Ritz-Carlton safari lodges in eastern Africa, which will pioneer new destinations and provide guests with highly authentic experiences. Meanwhile, owner-led hospitality companies, such as Minor Hotels, are using their lean structures to pilot new concepts in-house before rolling them out globally. This operational flexibility has enabled the company to invest in curated, experience-driven offerings that prioritise quality over quantity. A recent success story includes the 22-room Anantara Santorini Abu Dhabi in Ghantoot, which has outperformed expectations by focusing on hyper-personalised offerings in a unique setting. Commenting on these insights, Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director ME, Arabian Travel Market, said: 'As luxury travel evolves, so too does the definition of what it means to deliver highly personalised experiences. Today's travellers are looking for more than exceptional service; they expect tailored journeys that reflect who they are and what they value. At ATM, we are witnessing how hospitality brands are rising to the challenge, providing guests with luxury experiences that are personalised, sustainable and connected to people and place.' Luxury travel will be under the spotlight at Arabian Travel Market 2026, which will be held from 4 to 7 May at the Dubai World Trade Centre. In parallel, travel technology will remain a key focus as innovation continues to reshape the future of the industry and transform every stage of the traveller's journey. Now in its 33rd year, Arabian Travel Market (ATM) is the leading global platform driving growth and innovation across every sector of travel and tourism. Held annually in Dubai – the gateway to global travel and tourism with its unmatched connectivity – ATM is where the energy of opportunity comes to life. More than just an event, ATM is a dynamic hub for industry communities, with forums, experiences, and networking that continue well beyond the show floor over the week. Now in a period of rapid expansion, ATM has grown 16% year on year, attracting over 55,000 travel professionals from 166 countries. The next edition of ATM will take place in Dubai from 4–7 May 2026. About RX RX is a global leader in events and exhibitions, leveraging industry expertise, data, and technology to build businesses for individuals, communities, and organisations. With a presence in 25 countries across 42 industry sectors, RX hosts approximately 350 events annually. RX is committed to creating an inclusive work environment for all our people. RX empowers businesses to thrive by leveraging data-driven insights and digital solutions. RX is part of RELX, a global provider of information-based analytics and decision tools for professional and business customers. About RELX RELX is a global provider of information-based analytics and decision tools for professional and business customers. RELX serves customers in more than 180 countries and has offices in about 40 countries. It employs more than 36,000 people over 40% of whom are in North America. The shares of RELX PLC, the parent company, are traded on the London, Amsterdam and New York stock exchanges using the following ticker symbols: London: REL; Amsterdam: REN; New York: RELX. *Note: Current market capitalisation can be found at World Travel Market (WTM) portfolio comprises leading travel events and online portals across four continents. The events are: WTM London is the world's most influential travel & tourism event for the global travel community. The show is the ultimate destination for those seeking a macro view of the travel industry and a deeper understanding of the forces shaping it. WTM London is where influential travel leaders, buyers and high-profile travel companies gather to exchange ideas, drive innovation, and accelerate business outcomes. Next event: 4 to 6 November 2025 at ExCel London. WTM Latin America takes place annually in the city of São Paulo and attracts around 20,000 tourism professionals during the three-day event. The event offers qualified content together with networking and business opportunities. In this its ninth edition – there have been eight face-to-face events along with a 100% virtual one, which was held in 2021 – WTM Latin America continued to focus on effective business generation, and achieved the advance booking of six thousand meetings that were held between buyers, travel agents and exhibitors in 2022. Next event: 14 to 16 April 2026 – Expo Center Norte, SP, Brazil. WTM Africa launched in 2014 in Cape Town, South Africa. In 2022, WTM Africa facilitated more than 7 thousand unique pre-scheduled appointments, an increase of more than 7% compared to 2019 and welcomed more than 6 thousand visitors (unaudited), the same number as in 2019. Next event: 13 to 15 April 2026 – Cape Town International Convention Centre, Cape Town About ATW Connect: Africa Travel Week's digital arm, is a virtual hub packed to the seams with interesting content, industry news and insights, and the opportunity to hear from experts on a variety of topics in our new monthly webinar series. All with the aim to keep all of us in the travel and tourism industry connected. ATW Connect focuses on inbound and outbound markets for general leisure tourism, luxury travel and the MICE/business travel sector as well as travel technology. WTM Global Hub, is the WTM Portfolio online portal created to connect and support travel industry professionals around the world. The resource hub offers the latest guidance and knowledge to help exhibitors, buyers and others in the travel industry face the challenges of the global coronavirus pandemic. WTM Portfolio is tapping into its global network of experts to create content for the hub.
Forbes
3 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
The Best Hotel Chains For 2025, According To A New Report
A new J.D. Power report reveals the best hotel chains in 2025—based on real guest feedback from across North America. getty Looking for the best hotel chains in the U.S. and Canada? A highly anticipated annual report from J.D. Power reveals which brands are rising to the top in 2025—and what travelers really care about right now. J.D. Power is a trusted consumer research company that also ranks the best airlines, airports, rental car companies and more. In its 2025 North America Hotel Guest Satisfaction Index Study, J.D. Power evaluates the performance of 102 hotel brands based on factors like food and beverage, guest rooms, facilities, staff service, value for price and more. Using the feedback from more than 39,000 guests, the chains are then ranked across nine key market segments—from luxury to economy extended stay. Compare this year's list to 2024 and 2023, when I also reported on the top hotel chains and emerging trends. 'J.D. Power's hotel research emphasizes the voice of the customer. That allows hoteliers to target performance improvement initiatives that can help increase guest satisfaction,' Andrea Stokes, hospitality practice lead at J.D. Power. 'All this improves the bottom line. It also allows consumers to make an informed choice about which hotels and brands are doing well in delivering guest satisfaction.' One of the biggest trends this year? Despite record-high room rates—averaging $158.67 a night—hotel guests across North America say they're getting more value for their money. Even in the budget categories, travelers are feeling better about what they're getting for the price. Perceived value is up across all hotel segments, from economy to luxury. And the good news—hotel rates aren't expected to keep increasing. 'We're at an important inflection point in the travel marketplace where several years of record-high hotel demand and the pace of room rate increases is starting to slow,' says Stokes. Another big trend, according to the report: Guest satisfaction with hotel rooms is improving. Hotels are upgrading decor, furniture and bathrooms—and guests are noticing. 'Across many hotel segments, study results show improvement in guest satisfaction with guest rooms, which declined during the pandemic a few years ago,' says Stokes. Since the pandemic, J.D. Power has been advising hotel chains and hotel operators to re-start or initiate capital investments and renovations that have the greatest impact on guest satisfaction. 'Even less expensive investments, like upgrading in-room televisions to smart TVs with streaming capabilities or adding more accessible USB outlets, can make the hotel room feel modern and refreshed,' says Stokes. Another interesting find: Guests who use a brand's mobile app report significantly higher satisfaction—68 points higher, on average—than those who don't. The Top Hotel Chains For 2025 The J.D. Power report also ranks the top hotel brands in various segments based on guest satisfaction—and certain strengths stand out. 'The hotel brands with the highest overall guest satisfaction scores exceed segment competitors in guest satisfaction with guest rooms, staff service, the hotel facility and connectivity,' says Stokes. There are some familiar names on the 2025 list. 'Some brands continue to hover at or around the top of the list. In this year's study, in the nine categories, we have five brands that have consecutive wins,' says Stokes. 'Many different brands are performing well when it comes to delivering guest satisfaction, but some continue to excel more than others year after year.' Five brands earned repeat wins in their segments. Hyatt House leads the Upscale Extended Stay Hotels list for the fourth consecutive year. In the Upper Midscale/Midscale Extended Stay Hotels, Home2 Suites by Hilton tops the list for the third year in a row. Midscale's winner is Tru by Hilton for a third consecutive year. In the Economy division, Microtel by Wyndham takes the top spot for a second year. Finally, in Economy Extended Stay, WoodSpring Suites is the winner for the third year in a row. In the Luxury division, the top three hotel brands this year are the same as last year, just in a different order. Coming in at the top of the list is Ritz Carlton, followed by Waldorf Astoria at number two. Last year's winner—The Luxury Collection—lands in the number three spot. For Upper Upscale, Omni comes out on top, rising from the fifth spot last year. Hard Rock Hotels is at number two. Last year's winner, Margaritaville Hotels & Resorts, is in the third spot. In the Upscale category, Drury Hotels is the winner (last year, Drury was classified as an Upper Midscale and won that division). This year, the top brand in the Upper Midscale division is Hampton by Hilton. Keep reading to see where various hotel chains ranked in the J.D. Power North America Hotel Guest Satisfaction Index Study for 2025. Ritz Carlton won the Luxury hotel division. Pictured here: Half Moon Bay on the Pacific Ocean Coastline. getty Ranked: Luxury Hotels The scores listed here are based on a scale of 1000. 1. The Ritz-Carlton – 779 2. Waldorf Astoria – 773 3. The Luxury Collection – 757 4. JW Marriott – 746 5. Four Seasons – 740 (tie) 5. InterContinental Hotels & Resorts – 740 (tie) 7. Loews Hotels – 730 8. Grand Hyatt – 722 9. W Hotels – 716 10. Destination by Hyatt – 70 11. Conrad Hotels & Resorts – 705 12. Fairmont – 692 Omni Hotels & Resorts took the top spot in the Upper Upscale category. Pictured: Omni Los Angeles Hotel at California Plaza in downtown L.A. getty Ranked: Upper Upscale Hotels 1. Omni Hotels & Resorts – 731 2. Hard Rock Hotels – 727 3. Margaritaville Hotels & Resorts – 716 4. Le Méridien – 713 5. Marriott – 711 (tie) 5. Westin Hotels & Resorts – 711 (tie) 7. Embassy Suites by Hilton – 710 8. Royal Sonesta – 708 9. Tapestry Collection by Hilton – 706 10. Hyatt Centric – 704 11. Hyatt Regency – 702 12. Canopy by Hilton – 701 13. Hotel Indigo – 700 14. Hilton Hotels & Resorts – 698 15. Curio Collection by Hilton – 690 16. Renaissance Hotels – 686 17. Kimpton – 684 18. Autograph Collection – 682 19. Sheraton – 681 20. Graduate Hotels – 678 Drury Hotels topped the Upscale category in 2025. Pictured: Drury Plaza Hotel in downtown Santa Fe, New Mexico. getty Ranked: Upscale Hotels 1. Drury Hotels – 738 2. Best Western Premier – 713 3. Cambria Hotels – 703 4. Hilton Garden Inn – 701 5. Delta Hotels – 699 6. AC Hotels by Marriott – 693 7. Aloft Hotels – 687 8. Element – 686 9. Crowne Plaza – 684 10. Courtyard by Marriott – 681 11. DoubleTree by Hilton – 678 (tie) 11. Wyndham Hotels – 678 (tie) 13. Hyatt Place – 676 14. Sonesta Hotels & Resorts – 667 15. Ascend Hotel Collection – 665 16. Radisson – 663 17. SpringHill Suites – 661 18. Four Points – 651 19. Sonesta Select – 636 Hyatt House led the Upscale Extended Stay category for the fourth year in a row. Pictured: Hyatt House in downtown Redmond, Washington. getty Ranked: Upscale Extended Stay Hotels 1. Hyatt House – 705 2. Staybridge Suites – 680 3. Residence Inn – 679 4. Homewood Suites by Hilton – 673 Hampton by Hilton ranked first in the Upper Midscale category. Pictured: Hampton Inn property in Hornell, New York. getty Ranked: Upper Midscale Hotels 1. Hampton by Hilton – 694 2. Fairfield by Marriott – 678 3. Holiday Inn Express – 667 4. Best Western Plus – 665 5. Holiday Inn – 653 6. Country Inn & Suites by Radisson – 646 7. Wyndham Garden – 643 8. Comfort Suites – 641 9. Comfort Inn – 631 (tie) 9. Trademark Collection by Wyndham – 631 (tie) 11. La Quinta – 625 12. Clarion – 618 Home2 Suites by Hilton took top honors in the Upper Midscale/Midscale Extended Stay category for the third year in a row. Pictured: Home2 Suites in Indianapolis. getty Ranked: Upper Midscale and Midscale Extended Stay Hotels 1. Home2 Suites by Hilton – 711 2. Candlewood Suites – 673 3. TownePlace Suites – 665 4. Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham – 653 5. MainStay Suites – 620 6. Sonesta ES Suites – 611 7. Sonesta Simply Suites – 584 8. Extended Stay America – 558 Tru by Hilton led the Midscale category for the third consecutive year. Pictured: Tru by Hilton in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. getty Ranked: Midscale Hotels 1. Tru by Hilton – 723 2. Wingate by Wyndham – 656 3. Best Western – 646 4. Sleep Inn – 616 5. AmericInn – 608 6. Ramada – 589 7. Quality Inn – 583 8. Baymont – 575 Microtel by Wyndham claimed the top spot in the Economy category for the second year in a row. Microtel by Wyndham Ranked: Economy Hotels 1. Microtel by Wyndham – 619 2. Days Inn – 588 (tie) 2. SureStay – 588 (tie) 4. Howard Johnson – 584 5. Americas Best Value Inn – 576 6. Econo Lodge – 558 7. Super 8 – 546 8. Studio 6 – 540 9. Red Roof Inn – 533 10. Travelodge – 522 11. Motel 6 – 519 12. Rodeway Inn – 468 13. OYO – 386 Sanford, Florida, Woodspring Suites hotel exterior. (Photo by: Jeffrey Greenberg/Universal Images Group via Getty Images) Jeffrey Greenberg/Universal Images Group via Getty Images Ranked: Economy Extended Stay Hotels 1. WoodSpring Suites – 600 2. Extended Stay America Select Suites – 538 3. InTown Suites – 512 4. HomeTowne Studios by Red Roof – 492 5. Suburban Studios – 467 MORE FROM FORBES: Forbes How This Hospitality Visionary Is Rewriting The Rules Of Luxury Travel By Laura Begley Bloom Forbes The 20 Best Cities To Live In The World, According To A 2025 Report By Laura Begley Bloom Forbes 17 Of The World's Greatest Places To Visit In 2025, According To A New Report By Laura Begley Bloom
