The Caribbean has long captivated travelers with its natural beauty, year&round sunshine, and vibrant culture. Within the ABC Islands (Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao), Curaçao has recently emerged as a standout, fueled by its distinct identity, growing investments, and increasing global visibility.
This year hasn't quite gone the way hoteliers expected, with performance coming short of expectations and the transaction market remaining relatively quiet as a couple of examples. With 2026 right around the corner, executives at The Lodging Conference hope that next year will bring better results as the industry wades through choppy waters.
Experience&led tourism presents an opportunity to develop conservation&driven hunting reserves in the Middle East. Success depends on balancing exclusivity with accessibility, embedding sustainability, diversifying experiences beyond hunting, and offering strong F&B and wellness programs. Transparent conservation funding and operational efficiency will be key to creating a new, credible nature&based hospitality segment.
The report identifies seven key trends, including beauty&focused travel, culinary tourism through local supermarkets, year&round mountain escapes, literature&inspired trips, solo travel for social connections, multi&generational family trips, and hotels as primary destinations.
Europe remains the preferred destination for long&haul travelers due to its reputation for safety and stability, despite a general decline in global travel demand. The European Travel Commission's latest report highlights increased interest from the US and South Korea, while China shows a notable decrease. The Nordics are gaining popularity, with multi&country itineraries becoming more common.
The industrys most forward&thinking organizations are leading the way by moving beyond static annual budgets and embracing rolling forecastsa transformative approach that empowers smarter, faster decision&making.
The Hotels.com Business Trip Report reveals that 85% of Gen Z and 88% of Millennials view business travel as a chance to upgrade their everyday experiences, from staying in better hotels to dining at top restaurants and earning travel rewards.
The team at the Cypress Inn and LeVett Properties is deeply saddened to announce the passing of our beloved founder, Denny LeVett, on October 6, 2025, at the age of 87.