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Opinion Articles

Opinion Article Markets & Performance

Island of Opportunity: Curaçao’s Tourism Transformation

Once economically reliant on petroleum refining, with additional support from financial services and tourism, Curaçao has seen tourism emerge as the cornerstone of its economy since the refinery’s closure in 2018. This shift has become even more apparent in the post-pandemic era. The island boasts dozens of white-sand beaches, vibrant reefs, and world-class snorkeling, as well as the historic capital of Willemstad, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its Dutch Colonial architecture. Willemstad’s growing art, shopping, and dining scene and the island’s natural assets, rising visitation, and sustained investment are positioning the country for continued growth as a premier Caribbean destination.

Patrick B. Nau
By Patrick B. Nau, Senior Associate at HVS, Tampa - St. Pete, HVS
Curacao, The Netherlands
Opinion Article Sales & Marketing

Passalacqua as the World’s Best Hotel and Hospitality’s True Soul

What does it take to be recognized as the best hotel in the world? With the latest estimates putting it at around 187,000 properties worldwide, winning this distinction is, statistically speaking, more prestigious than the Academy Awards or nearly any other glamorous honor for other industries. While some may think its perfect service and glamorous accommodations, the real answer is soul. 

Larry MogelonskyAdam Mogelonsky
By Larry Mogelonsky and Adam Mogelonsky
Lake Como, Italy
Opinion Article Markets & Performance

Hotel Market Beat 2025 H1 - Spain

The hotel investment market in Spain showed remarkable momentum and consolidation during the first half of 2025. With a total investment volume of €2.1 billion, the sector not only recovered to pre-pandemic levels but also recorded the third-highest first semester in history. Driven by robust demand and high-performing assets, the leisure sector regained its leadership, boosted by the record-breaking €430 million acquisition of the Mare Nostrum Resort in Tenerife. Domestic investors led the transactions, accounting for 66% of the volume. With a strong pipeline for H2 2025, the sector is on track. to surpass 3 billion mark, reinforcing Spain’s appeal to both domestic and international capital.

Albert GrauBruno Hallé
By Albert Grau and Bruno Hallé
Spain
Opinion Article Markets & Performance

Hotel Market Beat 2025 H1 - Italy

The Italian hotel investment market delivered a strong H1 2025, with transactions reaching nearly €1.7 billion, up 102% YoY. Rome and Venice led the activity, generating over €780 million (47% of the national volume), confirming their strategic appeal. Deals were mostly single-asset, focused on the Upper Upscale and Luxury segments. Notable transactions included the €170 million acquisition of the Mandarin Oriental in Rome (Villini Sallustiani). International investors drove 51% of total volume, with capital from Europe and the Americas. Despite cautious optimism, the market remains resilient, with a solid deal pipeline and sustained foreign interest expected to drive continued momentum in H2 2025.

Davide BarbaroFrancesco Calia
By Davide Barbaro and Francesco Calia
Italy
Opinion Article Markets & Performance

It is time to develop new reflexes

France has a natural tendency towards romanticism, which is often a strength but can sometimes become a weakness. It is the world's leading tourist destination, with a hotel and tourism ecosystem that has never been as structured, inventive or powerful as it is today... and yet. And yet we like to make things more difficult, procedures more complex and decisions more opaque.

Vanguélis Panayotis
By Vanguélis Panayotis, CEO MKG Consulting & Hospitality ON / MRICS, Hospitality ON
France
Opinion Article Markets & Performance

UEFA Women’s Euro 2025: Switzerland’s Summer of Football

When Switzerland welcomed the UEFA Women’s Euro 2025, it was more than just another major football tournament; it was a nationwide festival that brought together sport, culture and tourism in a way few countries could replicate. Over 650,000 fans filled stadiums across eight host cities, with an additional 500 million viewers watching on television and online. All but two of the 31 matches were sold out with fans coming from over 100 countries, reflecting the global pull of the women’s game.

Lionel SaulAmélie KellerGuy Llewellyn
By Lionel Saul, Amélie Keller, and Guy Llewellyn
Switzerland
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Opinion Article General Management

Owner’s exit strategy: managing in France the termination of a Hotel Management Agreement

The owner’s exit strategy must be considered as soon as the operator is selected, and the Hotel Management Agreement (HMA) negotiated. Indeed, a well-structured exit strategy can help avoid a costly dispute and preserve an asset’s value and liquidity. The following key points, illustrated by real-life examples, should be considered.

Christopher BoinetAnne Epinat
By Christopher Boinet and Anne Epinat
France
Opinion Article Markets & Performance

Hotel Market Beat 2025 H1 - UK

The UK hotel investment market witnessed a marked decline in transaction volumes during H1 2025, largely attributable to a subdued level of portfolio transactions compared to 2024. Although most UK markets saw a contraction in transaction activity, standouts such as Edinburgh and Glasgow demonstrated resilience, with Edinburgh recording a 136% increase in volume—primarily driven by high-value, single-asset transactions, including the sale of the W Edinburgh to Schroders. London, while representing 64% of the overall transaction volume, experienced a sharper year-on-year decline compared to regional markets. The overall reduction in volumes for H1 may reflect extended deal timelines, with many transactions being deferred to the second half of the year. Looking ahead, transaction activity is expected to recover as pricing expectations between buyers and sellers converge and financing conditions continue to stabilise.

Anastasia CooperFrancesca Madden
By Anastasia Cooper and Francesca Madden
United Kingdom
Opinion Article Markets & Performance

Vienna Hotel Market Spotlight YE June 2025

The sample of branded full-service hotels in Vienna recorded a notable increase in profit during the 12 months ending in June 2025. The GOP per available room (GOP PAR) increased by 13.8% (YoY), driven by a 6.1% revenue rise that outpaced the 2.5% increase in expenses. While revenue growth slowed to 5.4% in H1 2025, it still surpassed expenses (+4.0%), leading to an 8.8% GOP PAR increase.

Nicolas HorkyAlina Cazachevici
By Nicolas Horky and Alina Cazachevici
Austria
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Opinion Article Sustainability

Business Insights: Are green getaways motivating holiday parks to be more sustainable?

Visiting a holiday park, ranging from lodge parks to caravan parks or glamping yurts, is a favoured holiday choice for the UK domestic market. Estimating the market size for UK holiday parks is complex due to overlapping categories. However, Mintel estimates the holiday centres and parks segment revenue to be valued at £3.5bn in 2024 – a 20% growth from pre-pandemic levels. In 2023, there were 4,754 holiday parks and campsites operating in the UK, accounting for 320,901 pitches, with the highest number in South West England. The sector further supports c. 230,000 full time jobs across the UK.

Lily ClarkToby Radcliffe
By Lily Clark and Toby Radcliffe
United Kingdom
Opinion Article Markets & Performance

Edinburgh Market Pulse 2025 – Leading the Way from the North

Edinburgh is the economic, cultural and political capital of Scotland and is considered one of the UK’s primary powerhouses. This reputation has fuelled significant population growth over the past decade, with the Edinburgh metropolitan area reaching nearly 559,000 residents in 2024, a 12.0% increase since 2014. A compact city steeped in history, with notable cityscapes and exceptional views, Edinburgh is a renowned weekend-break destination with an international airport recording strong passenger growth and fast rail links on the East Coast Mainline branch. As the second most visited city in the UK after London, Edinburgh’s appeal lies in its cultural vibrancy and strategic location. Moreover, the Edinburgh Festival Fringe continues to be a global cultural highlight. In 2024, the festival sold approximately 2.6 million tickets (compared to 2.5 million in 2023), reaffirming its status as the largest annual arts festival in the world.

Margherita RivettiAlexandra Dumoulin
By Margherita Rivetti and Alexandra Dumoulin
Edinburgh, United Kingdom