Consumer Trends


  • Soccer fans holding country flags
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip
    Deep Dive

    ‘We’re holding our breath’: What hotels are expecting from the FIFA World Cup

    While hotel booking data for the tournament is tracking below initial forecasts, analysts and hotel operators remain optimistic about a boost from the event.

    By May 28, 2026
  • An exterior view of Magic Moment Resort & Kids Club in Kissimmee, Florida.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Wyndham Hotels & Resorts
    Image attribution tooltip

    Hotel Tech-in: The AI concierge leveling up human-led hospitality

    Magic Moment Resort & Kids Club, a Dazzler Select by Wyndham property, is partnering with Worldie AI to enhance the guest experience and emphasize in-person hospitality. 

    By May 27, 2026
  • Robotic hand reaches out to touch human hand
    Image attribution tooltip
    Oli Scarff via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Nearly all hoteliers use AI, but some experiences should be human-led: Mews

    As more hoteliers embrace artificial intelligence, revenue is emerging as their next priority, ahead of efficiency or cost reduction, per a new survey.

    By May 21, 2026
  • Travelers wait in line at an airport.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Brandon Bell via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Summer 2026 travel preview: Cost concerns meet intentional trip planning

    Despite rising costs, U.S. consumers remain eager to take experiential trips this season, which presents tailwinds for hotels. Vacations may look different, though, as travelers adjust their budgets.

    By May 20, 2026
  • A photograph of a hand holding up a cheeseburger above a white plate. The plate is on a wooden table and there is a blue card on the left that says Wyndham Rewards. On the right there is a paper bag that says Applebee's To-Go.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Applebee's
    Image attribution tooltip

    Applebee’s offers free delivery to Wyndham Rewards members

    The partnership could expand Applebee’s off-premise channel, which grew by 3.5% to make up nearly 24% of sales during the first quarter.

    By Julie Littman • May 19, 2026
  • Living area in a hotel room
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Travel + Leisure Co.
    Image attribution tooltip

    Travel + Leisure Co. bets on outdoor hospitality with Eddie Bauer Adventure Club

    The inaugural Utah resort comes as Travel + Leisure plots further expansion in the experiential hospitality space, per CEO Michael Brown.

    By May 15, 2026
  • Orlando, Florida skyline with water in foreground
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Luxury trades drove US hotel transaction uptick in Q1: JLL

    Total transaction volume rose 14.4% in the first quarter, driven in part by private equity and a “favorable financial environment,” per a new report.

    By May 14, 2026
  • Travel booking apps on an Apple iPhone - Booking.com, Expedia, and Trip.com.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Expedia taps AI to enhance customer support, acquire new customers

    AI is handling a rising number of customer service inquiries, and the technology is enabling faster resolution when customers need to speak with human agents.

    By Kristen Doerer • May 12, 2026
  • Business travelers walk through hotel lobby carrying luggage.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    US travel spending to see ‘low but positive’ growth in 2026

    Travel spending is expected to increase 1% this year to $1.37 trillion, per the U.S. Travel Association, and hotels could benefit from improving fundamentals.

    By May 11, 2026
  • A crowd of travelers in a busy airport.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Brandon Bell via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Hotels post brighter performance in Q1 as travel demand improves

    In the first quarter of the year, hotel companies saw widespread U.S. RevPAR growth, hit development milestones and leveraged AI in new ways.

    By May 11, 2026
  • An IHG Hotels and Resorts-branded robe
    Image attribution tooltip
    Jesse Grant via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    IHG posts Q1 US RevPAR growth, citing ‘robust’ demand fundamentals

    CEO Elie Maalouf said he feels “confident” about full-year performance, particularly with momentum observed in the company’s signings and openings. 

    By May 7, 2026
  • A travelers uses Wyndham's new native ChatGPT app to search for hotel recommendations.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Wyndham Hotels & Resorts
    Image attribution tooltip

    Wyndham, Choice Hotels debut new AI-powered tools

    Wyndham launched a native ChatGPT app to assist travelers in hotel search and booking, while Choice rolled out a slate of solutions to improve operational efficiency for owners.

    By May 7, 2026
  • Uber cash payments credit
    Image attribution tooltip
    Mario Tama via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Uber expands into hotel reservations to build engagement, loyalty

    These “innovations are designed to deepen the everyday utility of our services,” CEO Dara Khosrowshahi said.

    By Kristen Doerer • May 6, 2026
  • The logo of a Marriott hotel
    Image attribution tooltip
    Brandon Bell/Getty Images via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Marriott posts solid Q1 RevPAR growth, raises 2026 guidance

    The first-quarter gains were buoyed by resilient travel demand, CEO Anthony Capuano shared. Marriott also made strides on the development and technology fronts.

    By May 6, 2026
  • IShowSpeed for Expedia
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Expedia
    Image attribution tooltip

    Expedia bets on creator-led marketing with IShowSpeed partnership

    The platform is becoming the official travel partner of the livestreamer known for his globe-trotting endeavors and rabid Gen Z fandom. 

    By Peter Adams • May 5, 2026
  • Soccer fans holding country flags
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    US hotel bookings for World Cup ‘tracking below initial forecasts’: AHLA

    In order to attract international travelers for the tournament, AHLA is advising against proposed last-minute tax hikes and cost increases on visas and transportation. 

    By May 4, 2026
  • The exterior of a Hyatt Regency hotel.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Luxury drove Hyatt RevPAR growth in Q1

    Hyatt’s luxury brands fueled RevPAR growth in the quarter, with CEO Mark Hoplamazian noting, “If there's any sign of weakness in terms of the high-end customer, we have not seen it.”

    By Lara Ewen • May 1, 2026
  • The exterior of a Motel 6 hotel.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    G6 Hospitality launches Studio 6 Plus extended stay brand

    The new-construction brand adds “security, space, and home-like features” for guests intending to stay for a week or longer, per CEO Sonal Sinha.

    By April 30, 2026
  • Wyndham Hotels & Resorts opened its second Echo Suites extended stay hotel in Plano, Texas.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Wyndham Hotels & Resorts
    Image attribution tooltip

    Wyndham reports flat US RevPAR in overall ‘strong’ Q1

    CEO Geoff Ballotti highlighted “faster-than-expected” RevPAR recovery for Wyndham’s U.S. select-service brands and a record development pipeline of 259,000 rooms.

    By April 30, 2026
  • Interior of a hotel guest room
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Castlerock
    Image attribution tooltip

    Westin Nashville completes $13.5M renovation as business and leisure demand evolves

    The revamp prioritized “high-impact, revenue-generating areas” including the hotel’s 456 guest rooms and meeting spaces, according to owner Castlerock.

    By April 29, 2026
  • Front view of a brick building featuring a large arched entrance topped with a silver plaque displaying the blue Hilton logo. Two flags are mounted above the entrance, and the facade includes tall windows and decorative stonework.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Alamy
    Image attribution tooltip

    Hilton bets big on AI with vendor partnerships, guest planning tool

    The hotelier is linking up with Google, OpenAI and Anthropic to expand its use of AI, CEO Chris Nassetta said Tuesday.

    By Paige Gross • April 29, 2026
  • The exterior of a hotel shows a Hilton logo.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Hilton CEO touts strong Q1 RevPAR growth, 2026 optimism

    Hilton raised its full-year RevPAR outlook, with CEO Chris Nassetta noting continued conversion momentum and growth across all brand segments.

    By April 28, 2026
  • Two people at spa
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Travelers increasingly seeking ‘mental health reset’: report

    New research from Amadeus found that some hotel guests are willing to pay extra for peace of mind, which creates revenue opportunities for hoteliers.

    By April 27, 2026
  • A person searches for travel recommendations via their phone and laptop.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Hotel Tech-in: The tool giving hotels visibility into gen AI search

    As travelers increasingly plan trips using conversational AI, Operto’s newly launched GEO Consultant helps hotels improve how they show up in guests’ searches.

    By April 27, 2026
  • Rendering of a hotel
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Gladstone Immersive
    Image attribution tooltip

    Minor Hotels debuts Anantara brand in US with Miami property

    The experiential luxury hotel and residences represents a “major step” in Bangkok-based Minor Hotels’ U.S. expansion plans.

    By April 24, 2026