A decade ago, who would have guessed that robots would check you into hotels, AI would personalize your room temperature, and travelers would demand "silent retreats" to escape the very tech that made booking their trip so easy? The hospitality industry is evolving at lightning speed, driven by automation, shifting guest expectations, and a renewed focus on sustainability and inclusiveness.
But what’s next? The latest hospitality data and statistics allow us to see where the industry is headed and what to expect in the coming years.
To help you navigate this rapidly changing landscape, we’ve compiled key hospitality statistics and insights from trusted sources. This guide is your resource for understanding the industry's current state, emerging trends in hospitality, and opportunities to thrive in this dynamic sector.
Global Hospitality Data & Industry Statistics
As predicted, the hospitality industry experienced a robust comeback in 2024. It nearly reached pre-pandemic travel levels and saw improvements across all indicators, including occupancy rates, daily rates, profitability, and RevPAR. This good news ushers in a new era that is no longer about recovery; it’s about growth and innovation.
The updated hospitality data below indicates just how impressive the growth was last year and how optimistic the experts are about the future.
- Global Market Growth: In 2024, the global hospitality market expanded to approximately $4.9 trillion, driven by increased leisure and "bleisure" travel, rising international tourism, and higher profits due to demand recovery in key regions like the Middle East and Europe.
- Contribution to Global GDP: The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) correctly projected that the sector's global economic contribution would reach an all-time high of $11.1 trillion in 2024, representing about 10% of global GDP.
- Projected Traveler Numbers: Between January and September 2024, global tourism grew to 1.1 billion travelers, up 11% from the same period in 2023. (WTTC)
- Growth Rate Comparison: Between 2022 and 2032, the travel and tourism sector is anticipated to grow at an average annual rate of 5.8%, outpacing the projected global economic growth rate of 2.7% during the same period.
Looking ahead, the hospitality industry is expected to continue its growth trajectory in 2025, with projections indicating further expansion driven by technological integration, sustainability initiatives, and strategic property developments.
Hospitality Jobs Data & Insights
The hospitality and travel sectors have demonstrated exceptional growth and adaptability for decades. Despite uncertainties in the early 2020s, the hospitality job market is recovering, with many businesses reopening and evolving to meet new trends and demands.
According to recent statistics, the industry is expected to reach previous peak levels in 2025, with steady growth rates anticipated in the coming years. This positive outlook highlights that the hospitality jobs market is on a strong path to full recovery, making it an exciting time for those considering a career in this vibrant and dynamic field.
- A new position in hospitality becomes available every 2.5 seconds.
- In 2024, the sector created an additional 27.4MN job, reaching nearly 330MN jobs in travel and tourism worldwide.
- Furthermore, the WTTC predicts that by 2034, the sector will employ 449MN people worldwide, representing 12.2% of the workforce.
The types of jobs and employment benefits in the industry are also changing. New positions are opening up centered around digitalization, technology, and sustainability. Aligning with the demands of modern workers, many employers have transitioned to offering more flexible roles with better perks and more sociable hours, and the hospitality sector continues to offer unique career growth opportunities.
To learn more about the different types of jobs available in this sector, check out this article about hospitality jobs that match different personality types.
Hospitality & Travel Demographic Statistics
Different segments play different roles in the travel and tourism industry. To fine-tune your digital strategy, gather insights from these stats showing some key hospitality client profiles and demographics relevant to your business.
- Baby Boomers (1946–1964): In 2025, Baby Boomers will continue prioritizing relaxation and wellness tourism, with a focus on spa resorts, cruises, and health retreats. 41% of American parents said they would rather spend money on a trip of a lifetime in 2025 than leave an inheritance to their children. (Travel and Leisure)
- Generation X (1965–1980): Gen X will increasingly engage in bleisure travel, balancing business with leisure. Their interest in adventure tourism will also rise, with a projected 7.3% CAGR in adventure tourism spending from 2024 to 2030.
- Millennials (1981–1996): Millennials will drive experiential tourism, especially in cultural and sustainable travel and wellness tourism. 42% of Millennials prefer eco-friendly travel options, focusing on sustainable accommodations.
- Generation Z (1997–2012): Gen Z will dominate the sports tourism and cultural tourism markets, with a 12% expected increase in Gen Z travelers attending global sporting events by 2025.
- Luxury Tourism: The luxury tourism market will grow significantly, expected to reach $1.2 trillion by 2026, driven by Gen X and Millennials seeking exclusive, tailored experiences.
These trends highlight each generation's evolving preferences, emphasizing the hospitality industry's need to adapt and offer personalized experiences that cater to their diverse interests.
Hotel Statistics
While the overall picture for hospitality is bright, individual hotel companies and booking agencies will experience growth at varying rates. This difference is due to changing consumer expectations and demographics, environmental and socio-political issues, and AI’s influence on marketing and social media. The hotel statistics below shed light on the state of the hotel industry and where it’s growing.
- Hotel Industry Performance: The hotel sector experienced significant growth in 2024, with major chains reporting record revenues. For instance, RIU Hotels surpassed €4 billion in revenue for the first time, reflecting a 13% increase from the previous year.
- Room Demand: STR and Tourism Economics have maintained their U.S. hotel forecast for 2024-2025 at +2.0% year over year, and the outlook remains positive.
- Hotel Occupancy and ADR: PwC predicts that U.S. hotel occupancy will be 62.9% in 2025, and the Average Daily Rate (ADR) will increase by 1.3% yearly.
- Hotel Rate Increases: In 2025, hotel rates are forecasted to rise in most locations around the world and by as much as 17.5% in some cities.
- Global Hotel Openings: According to data from THP, there are currently a total of 8,011 hotel opening projects in the pipeline globally, with 2,771 (35%) scheduled to debut in 2025, adding over 514,000 new rooms worldwide.
Hotel Booking Trends
According to SiteMinder’s Hotel Booking Trends , based on over 235 hotel bookings every minute, and 125 million a year, across 20 of the world’s most established destinations:
- Booking.com is #1: Booking.com remains dominant in the global online travel agency (OTA) sector. As of January 27, 2025, Booking Holdings, the parent company of Booking.com, has a market capitalization of approximately $154.74 billion.
- New Players: In 2024, seventeen new booking sources entered the top 12 list of revenue generators, a 55% increase from the previous year.
- Platforms: tech platforms like Klook became significant revenue contributors in markets such as Malaysia and Thailand.
Top Hotel Companies & Market Share
The hotel and lodging industry is monopolized by a few major players globally. Overall, the market continues to expand, and consumer trends dictate which of these hotel brands will gain more market share.
- Airbnb: As of 2024, Airbnb's market value is approximately $74 billion, and it commands over 20% of the vacation rental industry.
- Marriott International: As of 2024, Marriott International is valued at $62.56 billion, maintaining its position as one of the world's largest hotel brands.
- Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group (Hong Kong): Recognized as the best luxury hotel brand in the world for 2024, the group operates 40 hotels in 26 countries.
Here's a list of the top ten hospitality companies worldwide, ranked from largest to smallest based on market capitalization as of January 24, 2025:
- Welltower Inc. – $85.15 billion
- Airbnb, Inc. – $79.40 billion
- Marriott International, Inc. – $78.95 billion
- Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. – $60.39 billion
- Kimco Realty Corporation – $23.97 billion
- UDR, Inc. – $22.94 billion
- Hyatt Hotels Corporation – $15.21 billion
- Healthpeak Properties, Inc. – $14.89 billion
- Regency Centers Corporation – $13.89 billion
- Omega Healthcare Investors, Inc. – $13.12 billion
It's important to note that this list is based on market capitalization, a value that can fluctuate due to various factors, including stock market dynamics and company performance. Additionally, the hospitality industry encompasses a wide range of services, and companies like Welltower Inc. and Kimco Realty Corporation, primarily known for their real estate investments, have significant holdings in hospitality-related properties, contributing to their rankings.
Different sources may present varying rankings based on the criteria used, such as the number of rooms, revenue, or market capitalization. For instance, companies like Jin Jiang and Hilton Worldwide may rank higher when considering the number of rooms.
Food & Beverage Industry Statistics
The Food and Beverage (F&B) sector is a dynamic and rapidly evolving field, brimming with opportunities for growth and entrepreneurship. It includes a wide range of businesses, from restaurants, cafés, and bars to catering services, food trucks, and hotel dining. It also encompasses fast food chains, fine dining establishments, bakeries, and meal delivery services, along with beverage-focused businesses like coffee shops, breweries, and wineries.
Additionally, large-scale food production, packaging, and distribution companies play a key role in the industry, ensuring that food reaches consumers through both retail and hospitality channels.
With the emergence of innovative business concepts and a constantly expanding market, the industry offers a fertile ground for new ventures and career advancement.
- The Online Food Delivery Market, which includes both Grocery Delivery and Meal Delivery services, is projected to continue increasing with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.47% to reach a staggering US$1.79trillion by 2028. (Statista)
- According to Fortune Business Insights, the global foodservice market was expected to reach $3,486.58 billion in 2024 and $6.35 trillion by 2032.
- The Business Research Company reports that the fast food and quick service restaurant market is expected to grow from $311.54 billion in 2024 to $330.56 billion in 2025, reflecting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.1%
- The ready-to-drink (RTD) coffee and tea market is expected to grow significantly in the coming years, reaching $133 billion by 2027.
- Functional health drinks are trending, and the global functional drinks market was valued at $243.22 billion in 2024 and is estimated to reach $463.19 billion by 2033.
Travel & Tourism Industry Statistics
As predicted, 2024 was all about making up for lost travel and leisure time and ticking off bucket list items, and it seems 2025 will be no different. In short, there's a healthy outlook to the travel and tourism sector in 2025 and beyond. We have compiled the statistics below to showcase the current changes and future of travel and tourism.
- Market Volume Growth: The global travel and tourism market is projected to reach approximately US$1,114.00 billion by 2029, with an annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.90% from 2025 to 2029.
- Online Sales Proportion: By 2029, online sales figures are expected to account for 73% of total revenue in the travel and tourism market.
- Global Tourism Expenditure: In 2024, international tourism spending totaled USD1.9 trillion, with the global average spend per arrival projected to reach USD 1,264 by 2030.
- Bleisure Travel Growth: The trend of combining business and leisure travel, known as bleisure, is gaining momentum as professionals seek to merge work commitments with leisure activities, enhancing their overall travel experience.
- Top Emerging Tourism Destinations for 2025: The fastest-growing tourism destinations in 2025 are Osaka (Japan), Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), Buenos Aires (Argentina), Naoshima (Japan), and The Dolomites (Italy). (Tripadvisor's Travelers' Choice Awards 2025)
- China Leads Outbound Tourism: In the next three to five years, China will become the world's largest outbound travel and tourism market.
These insights highlight the dynamic nature of the Travel & Tourism industry, emphasizing significant growth in market volume, the increasing dominance of online sales, and emerging trends such as bleisure travel.
Domestic vs. International Travel
As travel dynamics continue to evolve, looking at the "new traveler" profile in 2025 provides valuable insights into current trends. Recent data highlights shifts in both domestic and international travel preferences, as well as the ongoing recovery of business travel.
- Domestic vs. International Travel: In 2025, travelers are expected to prioritize domestic destinations due to rising international travel costs. The average trip cost is projected to exceed $7,200, a 24% increase from 2024, leading many to limit their travel to two trips per year.
- Business Travel Recovery: Global business travel spending is anticipated to reach $1.64 trillion in 2025, up from $1.48 trillion in 2024. This growth indicates a continued recovery, though at a slightly slower pace compared to previous years.
In summary, while international travel is experiencing a resurgence, domestic travel remains a cost-effective choice for many travelers in 2025. Additionally, the business travel sector is steadily recovering, contributing to the evolving landscape of global travel.
Airlines, Cruises & Railway Transport Stats
The widespread adoption of the internet, increased mobility, and heightened awareness of new destinations have significantly transformed consumer travel behaviors. Recent statistics illustrate these changes and offer insights into future trends.
- Global Flight Numbers: In 2024, the total number of scheduled flights reached 36.4 million, which is approximately 5% below the pre-pandemic level.
- Airline Industry Profits: The International Air Transport Association (IATA) forecasts that the global airline industry will achieve net profits of $36.6 billion in 2025, up from an expected $31.5 billion in 2024. These projections indicate a significant improvement from the $9.8 billion net profit recorded in 2023, reflecting the industry's ongoing recovery and growth. (Bloomberg)
- Rail Transport Growth: The rail transport market is projected to grow from $590.53 billion in 2024 to $633.75 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.3%.
- Cruises: The global cruise market is expected to reach $45 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 12.9% from 2025 to 2030. The Caribbean remains the leading destination for American travelers.
These developments underscore the evolving landscape of global travel, influenced by technological advancements, economic factors, and shifting consumer preferences.
Health & Wellness Industry Statistics
The health and wellness industry continues its robust expansion, reflecting a global emphasis on personal well-being and preventive care. Recent hospitality data and projections indicate significant growth across various sectors within this industry.
- Global Health and Wellness Market: The health and wellness market is projected to grow by approximately $2,069.2 billion from 2025 to 2029, according to Technavio.
- Medical Spa Market: Valued at $22.2 billion in 2024, this sector is expected to reach $83.9 billion by 2033, experiencing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15.7%.
- Spa Services Market: Estimated at $96.51 billion in 2024, the spa services market is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 7.5% from 2025 to 2030.
- Emerging Trends: There is a notable increase in demand for services such as facial treatments, tattoo removal, hair removal, and medi-spa retreats, driven by advancements in technology and a growing focus on aesthetic wellness.
These trends underscore a global shift towards comprehensive health and wellness solutions, with consumers increasingly investing in services that enhance both physical appearance and overall well-being.
Hospitality & Travel Trends Outlook for 2025 and Beyond
In summary, recent hospitality data and predictions for 2025 highlight the industry's resilience and adaptability in the face of changing market dynamics.
Notably, the integration of technology is reshaping guest experiences and operational efficiency. Key trends include AI and machine learning for hyper-personalized services, the widespread use of IoT and smart tech in accommodations, and the rise of contactless services, which reflect broader shifts towards convenience and safety. VR and AR are becoming essential marketing tools, offering immersive experiences that attract modern travelers.
Additionally, the increased adoption of sustainability technologies will align with rising eco-consciousness, while automation and data analytics will improve operations and revenue management. These innovations are setting the stage for a more efficient, personalized, and sustainable hospitality landscape.
As we look ahead to 2025, diversity and inclusion are becoming central to the hospitality industry’s transformation. Travelers now expect more human-centric, culturally sensitive experiences that celebrate inclusivity.
Hotels and resorts are shifting towards offering personalized services that reflect diverse guest needs, from tailored wellness programs to culturally specific events and activities. These human-focused experiences are helping brands build stronger, more authentic connections with guests, ultimately driving loyalty and satisfaction.
Sources:
World Travel and Tourism Council, STR, UNWTO, Forbes, Statista, Future Market Insights, US Travel Association, Alice, UK Government, CNBC, Market Data Forecast, The World Bank, The Caterer, Hospitality World by The Economic Times, Bureau of Labor, McKinsey, Research and Markets, Resolution Foundation, Allied Market Research, Euromonitor International, World Economic Forum, STR, NPD Group, Deloitte, American Hotel & Lodging Association, The Business Research Company, Hotels News Resource, ResDiary, International Labour Organization, Data Appeal, Euromonitor International, UREN, Mordor Intelligence, Travel + Leisure, Travel Off Path, Mint, SAP Concur study, Fortune Business Insights, The Business Research Company, Investopia.
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