Industry Insights
Posted By leonardo —

10 Hospitality Trends to Watch in 2025 

The start of a new year brings a fresh set of trends that will shape how hotels operate and interact with guests in the year to come. These trends reflect the larger world: new technologies, shifting traveler expectations and consumer demands, as well as changes in the global travel landscape. Let’s explore the top 10 trends and what they mean for your property. 

  1. Contactless Technology

The demand for contactless solutions is here to stay. From check-ins to digital room keys, guests now expect seamless, touch-free interactions throughout their stay. Contactless payment options help hotels meet these expectations while improving operational efficiency. 

  1. Distributed Teams and the Need to Control Content

As hotels embrace distributed teams and remote work, maintaining consistent content across all platforms becomes challenging. Tools like a private Media Library make it easy for hotels to centralize their content into a secure repository from which internal and external stakeholders can work, no matter where they’re based.  

  1. Personalized Experiences Through AI

Artificial intelligence is revolutionizing personalization in the hospitality sector. AI-powered tools analyze guest preferences and behavior to tailor recommendations and offers, even during the travel shopping phase. Your content needs to be robust, descriptive, and available everywhere so AI can push travelers to your hotel.  

  1. Attribute-Based Selling

Attribute-based selling (ABS) or unbundling is continuing to evolve in the hotel space. Hoteliers are unbundling their previous rate packages to give travelers greater control while increasing their upselling opportunities. To make this possible, hotels must show off upgrades with compelling visuals. Hotels leveraging content distribution tools will be able to send those compelling visuals and attributes across booking channels to enhance visibility and choice. 

  1. Travel Channels Want More Content

Travelers rely on rich content to make booking decisions, and travel channels are demanding more of it. High-quality images, videos, and detailed descriptions are crucial to stand out. Delivering that content at scale is challenging for any hotel. Leonardo’s media distribution platform helps properties deliver engaging content efficiently across all major channels. 

  1. Chatbots on Hotel Websites

Chatbots are no longer optional; they are becoming a standard feature for hotel websites. These AI-powered assistants handle inquiries in real-time, from room availability to local recommendations. They also help streamline the booking process by guiding guests through reservations directly on the website, ensuring a smoother and more user-friendly experience.  

  1. Event-Driven Travel Planning

Travelers are increasingly booking trips around events such as concerts, sports, and festivals. Hotels that align their marketing efforts with local happenings can capture this demand. By featuring these events prominently on their websites, properties can stay ahead of the trend and position themselves as the ideal choice for event-driven travelers.  

  1. Smaller Destinations Drawing New Crowds

The rise of remote work and an interest in “authentic” experiences has fueled interest in lesser-known destinations. Smaller towns and rural areas are gaining popularity, and hotels in these locations must position themselves on their websites effectively, using SEO to capture new traffic.  

  1. Ancillary Revenue as the New Focus 

Revenue from non-room services, such as dining, spa treatments, and tours, is becoming increasingly important. Highlighting these offerings effectively is key to maximizing ancillary income. To start increasing Revenue Per Available Guest (RevPAG) hotels need to change how they tell their stories online, with robust websites and accurate listings across all third-party channels.  

  1. OTA Disruption Through New Regulation

Changes in regulations are reshaping the role of online travel agencies (OTAs). Major players, such as Booking.com and Google are facing challenges in the EU and the USA. New policies may provide hotels with greater control over their inventory and pricing strategies, and they may also open the market to new disruptors. Staying on top of your third-party distribution with innovative tools is more important than ever.  

Preparing for the Future 

Staying ahead of these trends requires flexibility, innovation, and the right tools. Leonardo Worldwide’s suite of content management and distribution solutions helps hotels adapt to changing guest expectations and industry demands. By embracing these trends, your property can thrive in 2025 and beyond. Learn more about our suite of content management solutions.