60+ Hospitality statistics & trends you need to know [2026 update]

18 Dec 2024 · 12 MIN READ

Updated: May 2026

In recent years, the hospitality industry and tourism sector has adapted to changes driven by remote work, virtual meetings, mobile accessibility, and growing health and safety concerns.The main goal of hospitality remains the same: to provide enjoyable experiences to customers. Whether through boutique hotels, event planning, major hotel management, restaurants, airlines, or travel agencies, the industry plays a crucial role in national and international economies.This roundup of the latest hospitality industry statistics and trends will help you respond to and shape the changes in this sector moving forward.

The international hospitality industry at a glance

These are the can’t-miss stats outlining the state of the hospitality industry, heading into 2026.

The global hospitality market was valued at $5.52 trillion in 2025 and is projected to grow to $5.82 trillion in 2026. ( The Business Research Company )
Asia-Pacific is the largest region in the global hospitality market, accounting for 38% of global market share in 2025. ( The Business Research Company )
Global business travel spending reached $1.47 trillion in 2024 — a record high — and is forecast to reach $1.57 trillion in 2025. ( GBTA )
An estimated 1.52 billion international tourists were recorded globally in 2025 — a new post-pandemic record, up 4% on 2024. ( UN Tourism )
Travel and tourism's contribution to global GDP reached $10.9 trillion in 2024, representing 10% of global GDP. ( WTTC )
Online reservations represented 67% of total hospitality bookings in 2024, with mobile continuing to grow as a share of that total. ( Industry Research )

Important accommodation and hotel industry statistics

Accommodation is a key part of the hospitality industry, and priorities are shifting when it comes to potential guests’ ideal stay. Take a look at the data for what hotel guests want.

The global hotel market revenue exceeded $455 billion in 2025, with an annual growth rate of 7% projected through 2030. ( Statista )
In Q2 2025, Airbnb reported a 13% year-over-year revenue increase, reaching $3.1 billion, and an 11% rise in gross booking value to $23.5 billion. ( Hotel News Resource )
Airbnb's share of the business travel market surged from 28% in 2019 to 44% in 2024. ( SiteMinder )
The US hotel market is projected to reach $247.45 billion in 2025, growing to $313.87 billion by 2030. ( OysterLink )
Marriott International leads the global hotel industry with the largest portfolio, boasting more than 1.6 million rooms across its properties. ( OysterLink )
US hotel occupancy is forecast at 63.38% in 2025, with global occupancy expected to hold in the high 60s as new supply growth balances cooling leisure demand. ( SiteMinder )
41% of US business travelers book hotels themselves through an unmanaged travel booking website rather than using a company solution. ( Deloitte )
By 2030, 81% of total hotel market revenue is expected to be generated through online sales. ( Statista )
The largest hotel company in the world by number of properties is Wyndham Hotel Group, with over 9,000 hotels. Marriott International is the second-largest with over 8,300 properties, and Choice Hotels International comes third with over 7,400 hotels. ( Statista )

Discover the secret to saving on accommodation. Find out how.

Air and transportation statistics 2026

It’s crucial to understand the state of the transportation and travel industry, as it heavily impacts the rest of the hospitality industry.

Total global air passenger demand grew 5.3% in 2025 compared to 2024, with load factors reaching just shy of 84% — a record high. ( IATA )
2026 began with a 3.8% increase in total air passenger demand year-on-year, with international demand up 5.9%. Average airfares are expected to fall in real terms over the course of 2026. ( IATA )
A record 37.2 million passengers cruised globally in 2025 — up 7.5% from 2024 — with 90% of cruisers saying they intend to sail again. The industry is forecast to grow to 41.9 million passengers by 2028. ( CLIA )
63% of American travelers said they were planning to take a road trip in 2024, with 67% also planning to fly. ( IPX )
Global air passenger demand is expected to more than double by 2050, reaching 20.8 trillion revenue passenger kilometers — up from 9 trillion in 2024. ( IATA )

The changing world of business travel

Remote working has opened a new opportunity for people to travel. Wherever they go, they can take their office with them. And business travelers have different spending habits on everything from hotel bookings to food services.Additionally, in-person events are growing by leaps and bounds, with many employees craving in-person interactions after remote work has become the norm for many.

The average US business trip costs $1,446. ( Perk )
Despite business travelers typically making up just 12% of all flyers, they are twice as profitable to airlines since they are loyal and use frequent flier programs, buy amenities like extra legroom, and also book more flights with less notice. ( Time )
40% of employees say corporate travel is good for their personal and professional growth. ( Perk )
62% of CEOs expect to increase their company's travel budget this year. ( Perk )
Nearly two-thirds of business travelers attended or expected to attend a conference or live event in 2025, making it the single biggest driver of business travel volume. ( Deloitte )
For every $1 spent on business travel arrangements, an average of $12.50 is estimated to be recuperated in revenue. ( Perk )
94% of C-Suite leaders saw more employee engagement after in-person company social events. ( Perk )
Companies that increased their travel budgets to connect employees have a 29% lower employee turnover than companies who reduced their travel spend. ( Perk )

Retreats, offsites, team building events. Stay on track with our free event checklist.

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Employment in hospitality companies is shifting

Hospitality industry trends impact millions of people directly and indirectly. Staffing trends in hospitality have been plagued by layoffs and shortages in recent years, but things are now looking up. Here’s how things are looking as of 2024.

The hotel industry directly employed over 2.17 million individuals in the US in 2025, with the broader leisure and hospitality sector employing approximately 16.99 million. ( OysterLink )
Hospitality unemployment in the US fell from 6.2% in November 2024 to 5.9% by November 2025, outperforming the broader national labor market where unemployment rose over the same period. ( OysterLink )
The hospitality, catering, and tourism industry accounts for approximately 3% of the total global workforce. ( EHL Insights )
By 2033, BLS forecasts that 1 in 8 new jobs added to the US economy will be in the tourism and hospitality sector — over 800,000 new hospitality jobs. ( BLS )

Millennials & GenZ are an important demographic to pay attention to

Millennials and Gen Z are key players in the hospitality industry. About 65% of millennials consider business travel a sign of status and tangible proof of their importance to the company.Since millennials are becoming the main players in the world’s workforce — and Gen Z right on their tails — considering the decision-making processes and messaging that will cater to these groups is crucial.

Nearly 60% of Gen Z took two or more holidays in 2025, the highest of any generation, and are most likely to travel internationally. 79% of Gen Z and Millennials consider leisure travel a priority in 2026. ( Perk )
88% of Millennials and Gen Z plan to maintain or increase their travel budgets in 2026, with nine in ten global travelers planning an international trip this year. ( Klook Travel Pulse 2026 )
21% of 25–35 year-old workers say business travel has helped their mental health and well-being in their professional life. ( Perk )
Gen Z is set to spend more on international trips over the next 12 months than any other generation — an average of $6,434. ( Globetrender )
Over 60% of Gen Z and Millennials now use AI tools for travel planning and discovery. ( Simon-Kucher 2026 Travel Trends Study )
23% of Gen Z travelers say they feel more productive at work after a trip for business or leisure. ( Perk )

Ecotourism and sustainability are now a major concern for travelers

More and more people are becoming conscious of the importance of protecting the environment — and hospitality is responding to demands for greener alternatives.

85% of global travelers said sustainable travel was important or very important to them in 2026, according to Booking.com's Travel & Sustainability Report — now in its 11th edition. ( Booking.com via Euronews )
49% of travelers still believe sustainable options aren't affordable enough. ( GSTCouncil )
The global ecotourism market reached $279 billion in 2025, up 13.1% from 2024, and is predicted to reach $497 billion by 2029. ( Radical Storage )
78% of travelers want to stay in eco-friendly accommodation, while 35% want energy-efficient options such as smart room thermostat controls. 40% want to travel outside of peak season to reduce impact, and 42% want to shop local when traveling to support local communities. ( Avantio )
Business travelers are also looking for more sustainable accommodation options, with almost half of corporate travel managers partnering with sustainable accommodation providers. ( Statista )
54% of travelers have chosen more sustainable transportation options, with nearly three-quarters (72%) saying they would opt for a greener flight if one were offered. ( Passport Photo Online )

Move toward sustainable travel. Find out how.

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How is the US hospitality industry doing?

The travel and tourism industry is one of the most important drivers of economic growth in the US, especially in major tourism cities like Las Vegas and New York. Here’s what you need to know about the state of hospitality businesses in the US now.

Domestic flight prices rose 14.9% year-over-year in March 2026, driven by energy price increases following the Middle East conflict. ( US Travel Association )
US total travel spending is forecast to hit a record $1.37 trillion in 2026, rising to $1.42 trillion in 2027, with domestic travel accounting for 87% of all spending. ( US Travel Association )
Domestic leisure travel spending is forecast to reach $909 billion in 2026 — the only major travel segment to exceed pre-pandemic spending levels in real terms. ( US Travel Association )
Business travel spending in the US is forecast to grow 0.8% to $319 billion in 2026, as companies maintain travel programs despite economic pressures. ( US Travel Association )

What about UK-specific hospitality stats and trends?

The UK is also home to a growing hospitality and tourism market, which contributes more than £252.4 billion to the UK GDP. Here’s what you should know:

VisitBritain forecasts 45.5 million inbound visits to the UK in 2026, with visitors spending £35.7 billion — representing 105% and 126% of 2019 levels respectively. ( VisitBritain )
In 2025, an estimated 43.6 million inbound visits were made to the UK, with visitors spending £33.4 billion — already exceeding pre-pandemic levels in volume. ( VisitBritain )
Overseas residents made an estimated 9.3 million visits to Great Britain in Q2 2025, spending £7.9 billion. ( ONS )
Domestic overnight tourists in Great Britain spent £32.9 billion in 2024, slightly greater than spending by international tourists in the same year. ( UK Parliament Research Briefing )
Great Britain residents also made 1.0 billion tourism day visits in 2024, spending £54.8 billion — making domestic day-trip spending more valuable than both overnight domestic and inbound international spending. ( UK Parliament Research Briefing )
The US is the UK's largest and highest-spending inbound market, with American visitor spending forecast to reach £6.7 billion in 2025 — nearly £1 in every £5 of all inbound visitor spending. ( VisitBritain via UK Tourism Statistics )

The hospitality industry in recent years

Travelers, hoteliers, and managers are adapting to key trends in the industry’s evolution. These latest trends include:

more online bookings and personalized experiences
the importance of mobile accessibility
the use of artificial intelligence to improve guest experiences
more sustainable practices
remote working possibilities and co-working spaces for bleisure travel

Plus, many other personalized services and initiatives that give a fresh look to the industry for the coming years.

User experience and flexibility are now more important

Being able to quickly reach providers is the top concern of 70% of travelers . Plus, 78% of respondents to a 2024 travel preferences survey said they wanted to take more spontaneous trips and have more travel flexibility.These trends indicate that travel managers and providers will need to provide better assistance and more flexible cancellation policies, in order to attract and maintain customers.

Scheduling will be different

Travel planning windows are becoming shorter. Travelers will look for tickets and accommodation closer to the date of departure than they did pre-pandemic.Our data reveals that searches for trips less than 6 days away are now almost equal to searches for trips between 7 and 30 days away. Before 2020, the vast majority of trips were searched for and planned 7 to 30 days in advance. In addition, younger generations aren’t early planners like older generations were. 77% of Millennial and Gen Z travelers say they book last-minute travel, compared to just 52% of Baby Boomers. In addition, many travelers are looking to streamline the travel process itself, with options for mobile check-in, contactless check-ins, and AI-powered chatbots to provide real-time check-in assistance.

‘Bleisure’ is the next big trend in hospitality

Thanks to remote working more people are traveling for bleisure — business trips that turn into leisure trips. According to a report by Future Market Insights, the bleisure tourism market was worth more than $700 billion in 2024, with sales growing at an impressive 19.5% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) by 2034.Taking bleisure into account when establishing travel policies is key for the harmony of this new type of travel. In fact, 66% of corporate travelers said they extended a business trip for leisure in 2023.

Making corporate travel easier in a digital travel world

The hospitality sector focuses on giving customers what they want — understanding those wants and needs is key to success.For those managing corporate travel programs, the business travel and hospitality industry is changing just as quickly as the leisure sector — with more challenges and risks for those who don’t keep up. From sourcing inventory to leveraging automation for operational efficiency, a good travel management platform can make everything easier. Perk is the perfect solution. With Perk, you get access to a wide inventory of corporate flights , hotels , rental cars , and more, with group bookings , flexible fares , VAT refunds , 24/7 customer service , carbon offsetting , and more.

Simpler, smarter business travel: Book, manage and report all in one place.

The international hospitality industry at a glance

These are the can’t-miss stats outlining the state of the hospitality industry, heading into 2026.

The global hospitality market was valued at $5.52 trillion in 2025 and is projected to grow to $5.82 trillion in 2026. ( The Business Research Company )
Asia-Pacific is the largest region in the global hospitality market, accounting for 38% of global market share in 2025. ( The Business Research Company )
Global business travel spending reached $1.47 trillion in 2024 — a record high — and is forecast to reach $1.57 trillion in 2025. ( GBTA )
An estimated 1.52 billion international tourists were recorded globally in 2025 — a new post-pandemic record, up 4% on 2024. ( UN Tourism )
Travel and tourism's contribution to global GDP reached $10.9 trillion in 2024, representing 10% of global GDP. ( WTTC )
Online reservations represented 67% of total hospitality bookings in 2024, with mobile continuing to grow as a share of that total. ( Industry Research )

Important accommodation and hotel industry statistics

Accommodation is a key part of the hospitality industry, and priorities are shifting when it comes to potential guests’ ideal stay. Take a look at the data for what hotel guests want.

The global hotel market revenue exceeded $455 billion in 2025, with an annual growth rate of 7% projected through 2030. ( Statista )
In Q2 2025, Airbnb reported a 13% year-over-year revenue increase, reaching $3.1 billion, and an 11% rise in gross booking value to $23.5 billion. ( Hotel News Resource )
Airbnb's share of the business travel market surged from 28% in 2019 to 44% in 2024. ( SiteMinder )
The US hotel market is projected to reach $247.45 billion in 2025, growing to $313.87 billion by 2030. ( OysterLink )
Marriott International leads the global hotel industry with the largest portfolio, boasting more than 1.6 million rooms across its properties. ( OysterLink )
US hotel occupancy is forecast at 63.38% in 2025, with global occupancy expected to hold in the high 60s as new supply growth balances cooling leisure demand. ( SiteMinder )
41% of US business travelers book hotels themselves through an unmanaged travel booking website rather than using a company solution. ( Deloitte )
By 2030, 81% of total hotel market revenue is expected to be generated through online sales. ( Statista )
The largest hotel company in the world by number of properties is Wyndham Hotel Group, with over 9,000 hotels. Marriott International is the second-largest with over 8,300 properties, and Choice Hotels International comes third with over 7,400 hotels. ( Statista )

Discover the secret to saving on accommodation. Find out how.

Air and transportation statistics 2026

It’s crucial to understand the state of the transportation and travel industry, as it heavily impacts the rest of the hospitality industry.

Total global air passenger demand grew 5.3% in 2025 compared to 2024, with load factors reaching just shy of 84% — a record high. ( IATA )
2026 began with a 3.8% increase in total air passenger demand year-on-year, with international demand up 5.9%. Average airfares are expected to fall in real terms over the course of 2026. ( IATA )
A record 37.2 million passengers cruised globally in 2025 — up 7.5% from 2024 — with 90% of cruisers saying they intend to sail again. The industry is forecast to grow to 41.9 million passengers by 2028. ( CLIA )
63% of American travelers said they were planning to take a road trip in 2024, with 67% also planning to fly. ( IPX )
Global air passenger demand is expected to more than double by 2050, reaching 20.8 trillion revenue passenger kilometers — up from 9 trillion in 2024. ( IATA )

The changing world of business travel

The average US business trip costs $1,446. ( Perk )
Despite business travelers typically making up just 12% of all flyers, they are twice as profitable to airlines since they are loyal and use frequent flier programs, buy amenities like extra legroom, and also book more flights with less notice. ( Time )
40% of employees say corporate travel is good for their personal and professional growth. ( Perk )
62% of CEOs expect to increase their company's travel budget this year. ( Perk )
Nearly two-thirds of business travelers attended or expected to attend a conference or live event in 2025, making it the single biggest driver of business travel volume. ( Deloitte )
For every $1 spent on business travel arrangements, an average of $12.50 is estimated to be recuperated in revenue. ( Perk )
94% of C-Suite leaders saw more employee engagement after in-person company social events. ( Perk )
Companies that increased their travel budgets to connect employees have a 29% lower employee turnover than companies who reduced their travel spend. ( Perk )

Retreats, offsites, team building events. Stay on track with our free event checklist.

Download for free Download for free

Employment in hospitality companies is shifting

The hotel industry directly employed over 2.17 million individuals in the US in 2025, with the broader leisure and hospitality sector employing approximately 16.99 million. ( OysterLink )
Hospitality unemployment in the US fell from 6.2% in November 2024 to 5.9% by November 2025, outperforming the broader national labor market where unemployment rose over the same period. ( OysterLink )
The hospitality, catering, and tourism industry accounts for approximately 3% of the total global workforce. ( EHL Insights )
By 2033, BLS forecasts that 1 in 8 new jobs added to the US economy will be in the tourism and hospitality sector — over 800,000 new hospitality jobs. ( BLS )

Millennials & GenZ are an important demographic to pay attention to

Nearly 60% of Gen Z took two or more holidays in 2025, the highest of any generation, and are most likely to travel internationally. 79% of Gen Z and Millennials consider leisure travel a priority in 2026. ( Perk )
88% of Millennials and Gen Z plan to maintain or increase their travel budgets in 2026, with nine in ten global travelers planning an international trip this year. ( Klook Travel Pulse 2026 )
21% of 25–35 year-old workers say business travel has helped their mental health and well-being in their professional life. ( Perk )
Gen Z is set to spend more on international trips over the next 12 months than any other generation — an average of $6,434. ( Globetrender )
Over 60% of Gen Z and Millennials now use AI tools for travel planning and discovery. ( Simon-Kucher 2026 Travel Trends Study )
23% of Gen Z travelers say they feel more productive at work after a trip for business or leisure. ( Perk )

Ecotourism and sustainability are now a major concern for travelers

More and more people are becoming conscious of the importance of protecting the environment — and hospitality is responding to demands for greener alternatives.

85% of global travelers said sustainable travel was important or very important to them in 2026, according to Booking.com's Travel & Sustainability Report — now in its 11th edition. ( Booking.com via Euronews )
49% of travelers still believe sustainable options aren't affordable enough. ( GSTCouncil )
The global ecotourism market reached $279 billion in 2025, up 13.1% from 2024, and is predicted to reach $497 billion by 2029. ( Radical Storage )
78% of travelers want to stay in eco-friendly accommodation, while 35% want energy-efficient options such as smart room thermostat controls. 40% want to travel outside of peak season to reduce impact, and 42% want to shop local when traveling to support local communities. ( Avantio )
Business travelers are also looking for more sustainable accommodation options, with almost half of corporate travel managers partnering with sustainable accommodation providers. ( Statista )
54% of travelers have chosen more sustainable transportation options, with nearly three-quarters (72%) saying they would opt for a greener flight if one were offered. ( Passport Photo Online )

Move toward sustainable travel. Find out how.

Download for free Download for free

How is the US hospitality industry doing?

Domestic flight prices rose 14.9% year-over-year in March 2026, driven by energy price increases following the Middle East conflict. ( US Travel Association )
US total travel spending is forecast to hit a record $1.37 trillion in 2026, rising to $1.42 trillion in 2027, with domestic travel accounting for 87% of all spending. ( US Travel Association )
Domestic leisure travel spending is forecast to reach $909 billion in 2026 — the only major travel segment to exceed pre-pandemic spending levels in real terms. ( US Travel Association )
Business travel spending in the US is forecast to grow 0.8% to $319 billion in 2026, as companies maintain travel programs despite economic pressures. ( US Travel Association )

What about UK-specific hospitality stats and trends?

The UK is also home to a growing hospitality and tourism market, which contributes more than £252.4 billion to the UK GDP. Here’s what you should know:

VisitBritain forecasts 45.5 million inbound visits to the UK in 2026, with visitors spending £35.7 billion — representing 105% and 126% of 2019 levels respectively. ( VisitBritain )
In 2025, an estimated 43.6 million inbound visits were made to the UK, with visitors spending £33.4 billion — already exceeding pre-pandemic levels in volume. ( VisitBritain )
Overseas residents made an estimated 9.3 million visits to Great Britain in Q2 2025, spending £7.9 billion. ( ONS )
Domestic overnight tourists in Great Britain spent £32.9 billion in 2024, slightly greater than spending by international tourists in the same year. ( UK Parliament Research Briefing )
Great Britain residents also made 1.0 billion tourism day visits in 2024, spending £54.8 billion — making domestic day-trip spending more valuable than both overnight domestic and inbound international spending. ( UK Parliament Research Briefing )
The US is the UK's largest and highest-spending inbound market, with American visitor spending forecast to reach £6.7 billion in 2025 — nearly £1 in every £5 of all inbound visitor spending. ( VisitBritain via UK Tourism Statistics )

The hospitality industry in recent years

Travelers, hoteliers, and managers are adapting to key trends in the industry’s evolution. These latest trends include:

more online bookings and personalized experiences
the importance of mobile accessibility
the use of artificial intelligence to improve guest experiences
more sustainable practices
remote working possibilities and co-working spaces for bleisure travel

Plus, many other personalized services and initiatives that give a fresh look to the industry for the coming years.

User experience and flexibility are now more important

Scheduling will be different

‘Bleisure’ is the next big trend in hospitality

Making corporate travel easier in a digital travel world

Simpler, smarter business travel: Book, manage and report all in one place.

Make business travel and spend simpler

See our platform in action . Perk brings travel, expenses, invoices, and card payments into one intelligent platform, helping companies stay in control while giving employees more time back for real work.

Discover our e-books , templates , and blog posts packed with practical resources on travel and spend, from building better travel policies to managing expenses, reducing manual work, and closing the books faster.

Never miss another update. Stay in touch with us on socials for the latest product releases, upcoming events, and articles fresh off the press.

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60+ Hospitality statistics & trends you need to know [2026 update]

The international hospitality industry at a glance

Important accommodation and hotel industry statistics

Discover the secret to saving on accommodation. Find out how.

Air and transportation statistics 2026

The changing world of business travel

Retreats, offsites, team building events. Stay on track with our free event checklist.

Employment in hospitality companies is shifting

Millennials & GenZ are an important demographic to pay attention to

Ecotourism and sustainability are now a major concern for travelers

Move toward sustainable travel. Find out how.

How is the US hospitality industry doing?

What about UK-specific hospitality stats and trends?

The hospitality industry in recent years

User experience and flexibility are now more important

Scheduling will be different

‘Bleisure’ is the next big trend in hospitality

Making corporate travel easier in a digital travel world

Simpler, smarter business travel: Book, manage and report all in one place.

The international hospitality industry at a glance

Important accommodation and hotel industry statistics

Discover the secret to saving on accommodation. Find out how.

Air and transportation statistics 2026

The changing world of business travel

Retreats, offsites, team building events. Stay on track with our free event checklist.

Employment in hospitality companies is shifting

Millennials & GenZ are an important demographic to pay attention to

Ecotourism and sustainability are now a major concern for travelers

Move toward sustainable travel. Find out how.

How is the US hospitality industry doing?

What about UK-specific hospitality stats and trends?

The hospitality industry in recent years

User experience and flexibility are now more important

Scheduling will be different

‘Bleisure’ is the next big trend in hospitality

Making corporate travel easier in a digital travel world

Simpler, smarter business travel: Book, manage and report all in one place.

Make business travel and spend simpler

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