The hotel industry is like a vast ocean, with countless variables and trends that can affect its performance.
Keeping track of these statistics and data can provide valuable insights into the industry’s current state and where it’s headed.
Think of it like having a compass to navigate the choppy waters of the hospitality business.
Studying hotel industry statistics and data is crucial for business owners, investors, and industry professionals to make informed decisions and stay competitive.
In this article, we’ll dive into the latest trends, statistics, and data in the hotel industry, exploring why they matter and what they can tell us about the future of hospitality.
By the end of this post, readers will gain a deeper understanding of the industry and be better equipped to make strategic decisions.
So grab your life vest and let’s set sail into the world of hotel industry statistics and data.
Hotel Industry Statistics
The hotel industry generates over $500 billion in revenue annually, with a growth rate of 4.4% in 2021. The industry employs over 8 million people globally. Wineries can be an added advantage for hotels as wine tourism has seen significant growth in recent years, with over 43 million visits to wineries in the US alone in 2019. |
1. Global hotel industry revenue: According to Statista, the global hotel industry revenue was approximately $570 billion in 2020.
2. Number of hotel establishments worldwide: The World Tourism Organization reported that there were over 187,000 hotel establishments worldwide in 2019.
3. Employment in the hotel industry: The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that as of May 2020, there were 2.2 million people employed in the accommodation and food services industry in the United States, which includes hotels.
4. Hotels with heritage stories: According to a survey conducted by Booking.com, 65% of global travelers consider it important for their accommodations to have a unique story, such as being a heritage property.
5. Hotel Porches: According to a survey by the American Hotel and Lodging Association, 58% of hotel guests said that having a porch or balcony was a “must-have” for them.
6. Vacation rental instead of a hotel: According to a survey conducted by Airbnb in May 2021, 67% of Americans said they would consider a vacation rental for their next trip, compared to 54% who said they would consider a hotel.
7. Luxury hotels with pools for families in the United States: According to Statista, in 2021, the revenue of the luxury hotels segment in the US was estimated to be around 22 billion US dollars.
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Moreover, a survey conducted by the American Hotel and Lodging Association in 2019 found that over 70% of the respondents preferred hotels with swimming pools, and around 60% preferred hotels with children’s activities.
8. Upcycled hotels: According to a report by the Global Wellness Summit, the trend of upcycling hotels is gaining popularity as a way to repurpose existing buildings and reduce waste. Examples of upcycled hotels include the 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge, which was once a factory, and the Kex Hotel in Reykjavik, which was once a biscuit factory.
9. Adults-only hotels and resorts: According to a report by the American Hotel and Lodging Association, in 2019, around 17% of hotels in the US were adults-only. Moreover, a survey conducted by the online travel agency Expedia found that around 40% of respondents preferred adults-only accommodations for their next vacation.
10. Black-Owned NYC Restaurants, Bars, Lodging: According to a report by the New York City Department of Small Business Services, in 2018, there were around 2,200 black-owned businesses in NYC, including restaurants and lodging establishments.
11. Bleisure Travel for Inbound Travel to USA: According to a report by the US Travel Association, in 2019, around 10% of all domestic trips in the US were for business purposes, and around 6% were for both business and leisure (i.e. bleisure). Moreover, a survey conducted by Expedia found that around 60% of US business travelers extended their trips for leisure purposes.
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12. Hotels / resorts with the most eye-popping architecture: Travel websites and magazines often publish lists of hotels with unique or eye-catching architecture, based on their own criteria. For example, Architectural Digest published a list of “The Most Beautifully Designed Hotels in Every State in America” in 2021, while Conde Nast Traveler published a list of “The 50 Most Beautiful Hotels in the World” in 2022.
13. New Hotels and Resorts Opening in Mexico and the Caribbean in 2023: According to a report by Travel Weekly, several new hotels and resorts are scheduled to open in Mexico and the Caribbean in 2023, including the Ritz-Carlton St. Lucia, the Mandarin Oriental Riviera Maya, and the Four Seasons Resort Tamarindo in Mexico.
14. Hotels for backpackers in California: According to a report by Hostelworld, a website that specializes in booking hostels and budget accommodations, some of the most popular hostels for backpackers in California include the USA Hostels San Francisco, the HI San Diego Downtown, and the Venice Beach Cotel.
15. Things that annoy hotel staff: According to a survey by the travel website Expedia, some of the things that annoy hotel staff the most include guests who are rude or disrespectful (63%), guests who are noisy or disruptive (57%), and guests who make unreasonable demands (53%).
16. How Much 5-Star Hotels Cost in the Top 100 Destinations Around the World: According to a report by Luxury-Hotels.com, the average cost of a 5-star hotel room in the top 100 destinations around the world was around $431 per night in 2021. The most expensive destination was Monte Carlo, where the average cost was around $875 per night, while the cheapest destination was Kuala Lumpur, where the average cost was around $119 per night.
17. Hotels Waterparks: According to a report by the travel website TripAdvisor, some of the top hotels with waterparks in the US include the Kalahari Resorts & Conventions in Wisconsin Dells, the Wilderness Resort in Wisconsin Dells, and the Great Wolf Lodge in Grapevine, Texas. TripAdvisor also publishes an annual list of the “Best Waterpark Hotels in the US” based on customer reviews.
Hotel Revenue Statistics
In 2021, the global hotel industry’s revenue was $528.4 billion, with an expected growth rate of 6.7% by 2026. In the US, the hotel industry’s revenue was $185 billion in 2021, with the average daily rate being $130.24. Offering things to do within the hotel or nearby can increase guest satisfaction, with 52% of travelers indicating it as a deciding factor for booking. |
18. Sources of hotel revenue: According to the American Hotel & Lodging Association, in 2019, room revenue accounted for 68.6% of total U.S. hotel revenue, followed by food and beverage (21.3%) and other revenue (10.1%). Statista reports that worldwide hotel industry revenue reached $570 billion in 2019.
19. Revenue per available room (RevPAR): According to STR Global, the global hotel industry’s RevPAR in 2019 was $85.96, an increase of 1.1% from 2018. In the United States, RevPAR was $86.94 in 2019, up 0.9% from the previous year.
20. Average daily rate (ADR): According to Statista, the average daily rate of hotels in the United States was $131.21 in 2019, up from $126.70 in 2018. In Europe, the average daily rate was €107.09 in 2019, up from €104.24 in 2018.
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21. Trends and changes in hotel revenue: According to a report by Deloitte, the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a 50% decline in global hotel industry revenue in 2020. However, the same report suggests that the industry is expected to recover gradually, with a predicted 2021 revenue decline of 35%, and a return to pre-pandemic levels by 2024.
Another trend is the growing popularity of alternative accommodation options, such as vacation rentals and home-sharing platforms, which have seen significant growth in recent years. According to Statista, the revenue of the vacation rental segment in the United States is expected to reach $18.5 billion in 2021.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment of lodging managers is projected to grow 2% from 2019 to 2029, which is slower than the average for all occupations. The median annual wage for lodging managers was $54,430 in May 2020.
A survey conducted by Expedia Group Media Solutions found that 67% of travelers said a positive experience at a hotel would make them more likely to book again with that hotel. Additionally, 46% of respondents said that personalized experiences would make them more loyal to a hotel.
According to a report by PKF Hospitality Research, the average hotel profit margin in the U.S. was 38.5% in 2019. However, the COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on hotel financials, with many hotels experiencing a decrease in revenue and profitability in 2020.
LGBTQ+ Friendly Hotels Statistics
LGBTQ+ friendly hotels are accommodations that openly welcome and cater to LGBTQ+ travelers. They create a safe and inclusive environment that celebrates diversity and promotes acceptance. Such hotels may have LGBTQ+ specific amenities, like gender-neutral bathrooms, rainbow flags, and LGBTQ+ staff members. |
22. According to a report by the International LGBTQ+ Travel Association (IGLTA), LGBTQ+ travel represents a $211 billion annual travel market, with a growth rate of 3.1% in 2019. This suggests that there is a demand for LGBTQ+ friendly hotels and resorts across the world, including the USA and the UK.
23. In terms of regions, according to the same report by IGLTA, the top LGBTQ+ welcoming destinations in 2019 were Europe (41%), North America (37%), and South America (10%).
24. While there is no specific data to suggest whether or not LGBTQ+ travelers prefer sustainability and eco-friendly initiatives, studies have shown that younger generations, including LGBTQ+ travelers, are more likely to value sustainable tourism practices and prefer eco-friendly accommodations.
25. Regarding LGBTQ+ friendly castle resorts in the UK, there are various resources available, such as Gay Times and Pink News, that provide suggestions and recommendations for LGBTQ+ travelers.
Luxury Hotels Statistics
Luxury hotels are high-end accommodations that offer exceptional comfort, service, and amenities to their guests. These properties are typically characterized by their luxurious décor, fine dining restaurants, spa facilities, and exclusive services such as personal concierges, private butlers, and chauffeur-driven limousines. |
26. Exotic Hotels: According to a study by Hotels.com, the top 5 most exotic off-the-grid hotels in the world in 2021 were:
- Al Maha, a Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa in Dubai, UAE
- Blancaneaux Lodge in San Ignacio, Belize
- Dunton Hot Springs in Colorado, USA
- Keemala in Phuket, Thailand
- Longitude 131 in Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, Australia.
27. Sustainable Hotels: According to a survey conducted by Booking.com, 55% of global travelers want to make more sustainable travel choices, and 70% believe that sustainable travel is important.
28. Luxury Hotels: According to a survey conducted by Luxury Escapes, some of the top perks that luxury hotel guests look for include: a private pool, a butler or concierge service, an in-room spa or massage, and a private balcony or terrace.
29. Cleaning Policy: The American Hotel & Lodging Association has developed guidelines for cleaning and safety in the hotel industry in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including enhanced cleaning protocols, social distancing measures, and contactless check-in options.
Airbnb Statistics
Airbnb has become a popular choice for travelers worldwide due to its affordability and unique accommodations.
30. Why are prices on Airbnb so high lately?: According to a report by AirDNA, a data analysis firm, the average daily rate for Airbnb listings in the United States increased by 19.2% from January 2020 to January 2021. This increase in prices is due to several factors, including increased demand for short-term rentals due to the pandemic, a decrease in the supply of available rentals, and changes in guest behavior.
31. Bleisure has become particularly popular with short-term accommodations (STR) like Airbnb and Vrbo?: According to a survey by Expedia Group, 60% of business travelers have extended their business trips for leisure purposes, giving rise to the trend of bleisure travel. Airbnb and Vrbo are popular choices for Bleisure travelers as they offer a more homely and relaxed atmosphere compared to traditional hotels, allowing travelers to combine work and leisure seamlessly.
32: Safety of Airbnb: According to Airbnb’s safety report, in 2020, there were 0.05 reported safety incidents per 1,000 nights booked on the platform. The report also highlights the various safety features implemented by Airbnb, including identity verification, secure messaging, and a 24/7 global support team to assist guests in case of emergencies.
Resorts Statistics
Resorts are a popular choice for vacationers looking for an all-inclusive, luxurious experience. According to a report by Allied Market Research, the global resort market was valued at $702.92 billion in 2019 and is expected to reach $1,268.29 billion by 2027. |
33. Summer Activities: According to a survey by Statista, the most popular summer activities in resorts in the US in 2020 were swimming (84%), sunbathing (70%), hiking (40%), and sightseeing (33%).
34. Pet friendly resort: According to a survey by TripAdvisor, 61% of pet owners are more likely to book a hotel that is pet-friendly. In addition, a study by the American Hotel & Lodging Association found that 72% of hotels allow pets, and 62% of those hotels charge a fee for pets.
35: Saving at all-inclusive resorts: Tips and tricks for saving big at all-inclusive resorts include booking during off-season or shoulder season, using a travel agent, taking advantage of package deals, and checking for special discounts or promotions.
36. Best activities at resorts: According to a survey by Statista, the most popular activities at ski resorts for non-skiers in the US in 2020 were sightseeing (39%), shopping (31%), relaxing at the spa (25%), and snowmobiling (23%).
Final Thoughts on Hotel Industry Statistics
The hotel industry is a vital sector of the global economy that has faced numerous challenges and opportunities over the years.
In this article, we have provided an overview of hotel industry statistics, trends, and data, to equip readers with the knowledge to understand the industry’s performance, emerging trends, and future outlook.
To summarize, we have discussed the importance of studying hotel industry statistics and data, and the emerging trends such as digitalization, sustainability, personalization, and the growth of alternative accommodation options.
We have also looked at data on hotel occupancy and revenue, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the industry.
Now, do you believe that the hotel industry will continue to grow in the future?
As the industry continues to evolve, it is crucial for industry stakeholders to adapt to changes and trends.
Whether it is investing in technology, embracing sustainability, or personalizing guest experiences, the industry must keep up with evolving consumer preferences and market trends.
We hope that this article has provided valuable insights and knowledge to our readers, and we encourage industry stakeholders to stay informed and adapt to changes and trends to remain competitive in the evolving hotel industry.
Let us know your thoughts in the comment box below.