Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP®), producers of the Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition and Conference (HITEC®), has unveiled the eight innovative startups selected to compete in this year’s Entrepreneur 20X (E20X) pitch competition, taking place on June 18, 2025, at HITEC 2025.
In a world where every moment seems meticulously planned, many travelers are seeking more spontaneity and excitement. As a result, the social media trend “vacation roulette,” where families or friends embrace the unknown and turn travel decision making into a game by eliminating destinations until one remains, has gone viral, reflecting a broader desire for new experiences. In fact, a recent survey1 by Marriott Bonvoy reveals that more than 2 in 5 (43%) Americans will book an unplanned trip less than two months out and/or will opt for a trip to a randomly selected destination this year. To celebrate this spirit of adventure, and in honor of reaching 1 million hotel rooms in the U.S., Marriott Bonvoy, Marriott International, Inc.’s portfolio of hotel brands and experiences, is launching Marriott Bonvoy Roulette, a fun digital experience that turns travel planning into a game of chance.
Last week, Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH), concluded its 69th Annual Convention. Over the course of three days, Choice Hotels showcased how its growth, strategic investments, and innovation-first mindset continue to power the future of franchise ownership by helping to drive revenue, reduce costs, and provide state-of-the-art tools for its hotel owners. During the convention, the company announced the piloting of signature breakfast items for its Comfort and Country Inn & Suites brands.
Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH), one of the largest lodging franchisors in the world, is celebrating a major achievement for the Ascend Collection brand with more than 400 independent resort, historic and boutique hotels open around the globe. Established as the first soft brand in the hotel industry in 2008, Ascend continues to be a vanguard in the upscale segment, delivering meaningful results for owners and memorable stays for guests as demand for bespoke hotel experiences continues to grow.
Now in its 18th year, ITB Asia will return to Marina Bay Sands from 15 to 17 October 2025, alongside MICE Show Asia and Travel Tech Asia. Asia’s premier travel event is already attracting unprecedented exhibition demand from National Tourism Organisations (NTOs) and Regional Tourism Organisations (RTOs) such as Singapore Tourism Board, Visit Finland, Malta Tourism Authority, Sabah Tourism Board, Tourism Authority of Thailand, Seoul Tourism Organisation, Visit Berlin, Sarawak Tourism Board, and more. Exclusive Buyer Elite Programme offers priority one-to-one meetings and unique branding opportunities. Media accreditation is now live, media may pre-register by 13 October to guarantee all-access pass.
After two successful editions, the Asian IR Expo is set to make its highly anticipated return to Macau from May 7-9, 2025, at The Venetian Macao.
At Japan’s Expo 2025, UN Tourism highlighted the key role of innovation and education for driving transformation and female empowerment in the sector.
Guests from the US, Brazil, Spain, and Greece are seeking domestic escapes this summer, while those in the Netherlands and Belgium are seeking adventures abroad1. From off the beaten path culinary enclaves, to star-chasing events and last-minute staycations, these are the trends shaping summer travel.
From March 31 to April 3, Hotel & Shop Plus 2025 has achieved a successful conclusion in SNIEC, Shanghai. As China's leading trade show, it has been devoted to hospitality and commercial space for more than 30 years. This event aims to be built as one-stop sourcing platform for the construction and operation of hotels and commercial space.
New research from Global Hotel Alliance (GHA) has unveiled three defining trends shaping the future of hotel loyalty – simplicity, personalisation, and experiences over discounts.
The Future Hospitality Summit Saudi Arabia has unveiled an action packed agenda, key participants and new event features for the 2025 summit, taking place at the Mandarin Oriental Al Faisaliah in Riyadh, 11-13 May.
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 23 April 2025: The Future Hospitality Summit Saudi Arabia will recognise and reward young talent shaping the country’s ever-growing tourism, hospitality and gastronomy sectors with the Future Leadership Award, debuting at the 2025 summit, taking place at the Mandarin Oriental Al Faisaliah in Riyadh, 11-13 May.
Today Booking.com released the 10th edition of its annual research exploring consumer attitudes and intentions with regards to the social and ecological impact of travel. With insights from 32,000 travelers in 34 countries, and amid growing discussion of the impact of tourism on destinations, the research concludes that, for the first time, more than half of travelers (53%) are now conscious of travel’s impact on communities as well as the environment, and that two thirds (69%) now want to leave places better than when they arrived.
On the final day of the 2025 AAHOA Convention & Trade Show, AAHOA (Asian American Hotel Owners Association) honored excellence within the hospitality industry by recognizing hoteliers and properties through its annual awards program.
Created by Smartvel, specialists in AI travel content, this detailed report shows the best and most effective ways to market hotels in a very competitive industry, outlining each strategy.
Advertising can make or break a destination’s reputation. A well-designed advertising campaign that captures travellers’ imagination can transform an overlooked location into a tourism hotspot. Conversely, a poorly executed ad can discourage visitors and damage a destination’s image for good. Thanks to Professor Mimi Li of the School of Hotel and Tourism Management (SHTM) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) and co-authors, we now know more about one of the most important metrics of advertising effectiveness: emotions. Using cutting-edge electroencephalogram technology, they reveal how children’s emotional responses to tourism ads fluctuate in real time. Their findings will help destination marketers to design more effective and emotionally resonant advertisements.
Westin Hotels & Resorts, part of Marriott Bonvoy’s portfolio of brands, and goop, Gwyneth Paltrow's modern lifestyle brand, have joined forces to debut Sleep Training for Grown-Ups – a three-part video series designed to help travelers enhance their sleep experience both at-home and on the road.
UN Tourism has advanced South-South cooperation in tourism development, putting into action the aims of the Punta Cana Declaration signed by its Member States from Africa and the Americas. Building on the success of the inaugural event, the 2nd UN Tourism Africa & The Americas Summit outlined concrete plans for achieving shared goals, focused on innovation, Technical Cooperation, enhanced connectivity, tourism investments and tourist confidence through security.
The busiest travel season of the year is fast approaching, and consumers are redefining how they plan and experience travel. According to Data Axle’s latest survey of 1,000 U.S. consumers, today’s travelers are blending inspiration with practicality, turning to social media, AI tools, and personalized recommendations to craft experiences that go beyond the traditional itinerary. As millions prepare for spring and summer getaways, a clear shift is emerging—one where personalization, digital influence, and generational habits are driving decisions in new and unexpected ways.
What makes a trip unforgettable? For Marriott Bonvoy, the most valuable souvenirs aren’t the tangible ones you bring back, but the experiences, connections, and memories that stay with you long after the journey ends. Today, Marriott Bonvoy, the award-winning travel platform and home to 30+ extraordinary hotel brands, launched its newest global campaign that celebrates how travel shapes us. Beginning with a new hero film, “You Are The Greatest Souvenir,” the campaign is an ode to travel’s transformative power.