1st January 2025: A whole new year kicks off – stories are a bit lean on the ground with everyone taking some well deserved time off. However, here are some of the stories that caught our attention over the holiday week with some of our takeaways.
Unpack ’25, the data-driven travel trends from Expedia, Hotels.com and Vrbo: Expedia’s Unpack ’25 report forecasts 2025 travel trends and has a few interesting takes on familiar topics.
Key predictions include rising interest in lesser-known “Detour Destinations,” a renewed appreciation for all-inclusive resorts among Gen Z, and the “Goods Getaway” trend focusing on acquiring unique local products.
The report also highlights the growing popularity of JOMO (joy of missing out) travel, emphasising relaxation and wellness in private rentals, and the influence of social media and Set-Jetting on travel choices, with Expedia offering curated booking options through “Travel Shops.”
The report also notes the increasing importance of hotel restaurants and the rise of “One-Click Trips” inspired by travel influencers.
Saudi Arabia’s $800B investment to build human connections: Phocuswire reports that with an $800 billion investment target by 2030, the Saudi Kingdom aims to become one of the top five global destinations, attracting 150 million visitors annually.
Hotel Media Review 2024: What was Hot, and what was Not: Martin Soler’s 2024 Hotel Media Review has him wading through top hospitality headlines of 2024 to identify key industry trends. Experiential travel, particularly “passion travel,” and minimalist luxury emerged as significant themes, alongside the widespread integration of AI in personalisation and sustainability efforts.
Revenue strategies shifted toward direct bookings and subscription-based loyalty programmes, while OTAs faced increased scrutiny. The review also has an interesting quick glance chart examining the media coverage of major players like Booking.com, Google, Expedia, and TikTok, highlighting their successes and challenges.
Tourism source market can touch approximately USD 1.1 trillion by 2032: According to Allied Market Research’s latest report quoted in Daily Travel News, the tourism source market valued at $599.40 billion in 2022, is estimated to reach $1.1 Trillion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 6.6% from 2023 to 2032.
Rising Inflation and Labour Challenges: A Look at the Hotel Industry in 2024: CoStar reports in Hotel New Resource that the hotel industry faced significant challenges in 2024 due to rising inflation and ongoing labour issues. And refers to some companies breaking away from industry norms to fill gaps and boost talent by adopting strategies like hiring employees with requisite skills who can only work a few days a week.