the source for hotel and hospitality trends
The Greek hospitality industry’s performance in the first quarter of 2026 has been negatively affected by stagflation, leading to a slowdown in the tourism sector and raising concerns about future growth prospects.
American travelers are becoming more strategic, value-focused, and anxiety-driven as they plan trips in 2026, with rewards programs, artificial intelligence tools, and flexible travel options playing an increasingly central role in vacation decisions, according to a new Barclays Travel Rewards and Loyalty Report.
International visitors spent more than $20.3 billion on travel and tourism-related activities in the United States during March 2026, while U.S. residents spent $22.3 billion abroad, resulting in a $2.0 billion travel trade deficit for the month, according to new data from the National Travel and Tourism Office.
Las Vegas, Miami, and Tampa lead U.S. hotel performance gains for the week ending May 2, 2026, while San Francisco sees declines due to event calendar shifts.
International tourist arrivals to Europe increased by 5.6% in early 2026, with Northern and winter destinations leading growth, while the impact of the Middle East conflict on European travel remains limited, as strong intra-regional demand offsets it.
New research shows that in 2026, a majority of Americans are reducing their travel budgets due to rising costs, with many adopting cost-saving strategies and prioritizing value over luxury while still seeking meaningful vacation experiences.
U.S. hotel performance is posting notable gains compared with 2025 levels, as travel continues to be a priority for many despite persistent inflation, the Middle Eastern conflict, and lackluster job growth. While luxury hotels are posting the greatest RevPAR gains, even economy and midscale hotels are showing occupancy improvement and ADR gains.
Chicago’s tourism rebound strengthened in 2025, with hotel demand rising despite global headwinds. Leisure demand grew 4.6%, offsetting softer group business, while airports posted record traffic and major capital investment. Convention activity remains robust, and limited new hotel supply favors existing assets, supporting a resilient outlook for investors and operators.
China’s hotel construction pipeline reached 3,602 projects and 640,328 rooms at the end of Q1 2026, with the majority of projects in the under-construction phase and significant growth in both new project announcements and conversions, according to Lodging Econometrics.
The hotel construction pipeline in Latin America grew by 6% year-over-year in the first quarter of 2026, with significant increases in early planning projects and notable activity in Mexico, Brazil, and the Dominican Republic, according to Lodging Econometrics.