New research from the European Travel Commission (ETC) highlights shifting travel behaviours among Europeans this spring and summer. Published today, the “Monitoring Sentiment for Intra-European Travel” Wave 21 report shows that although overall travel intention is lower than last year (72%, down by 3%), travellers across Europe are planning longer stays, spending more, and diversifying where they go.

The CBRE’s European Hotel Investor Intentions Survey 2025 reveals strong investor sentiment and strategic interest in the European hospitality sector. London continues to top the list as the most attractive investment destination.

On 21 March 2024, Piers Schmidt –Luxury Branding founder– gave the keynote at Global Hospitality Talk, the leading networking conference for the hospitality leadership and design community. Piers’ well received address identified the discrepancy in brand value between hotel brands and those in other luxury sectors and proposed steps the industry needs to take to grow their stature. This article is a condensed version of the presentation.

By Ryan Mann, Ellen Scully, Matthew Straus, and Jillian Tellez Holub
McKinsey & Company

Luxury hotels know that the secret to top-tier customer experience is a culture of excellence. Luxury hospitality begins with a signature property, but a well-situated, beautifully designed hotel is only a start. Stellar service, driven by devoted hotel staff, is what makes a great property come alive. As one general manager (GM) of a luxury hotel told us in an interview, “Our facility is our stage, and guests are paying for a performance.”