Hilton Predicts 2025 as the 'Year of the Travel Maximizer'

Hilton Predicts 2025 as the 'Year of the Travel Maximizer'

By Nithyakala Neelakandan

Published on October 6, 2024

Hilton's Annual Trends Report predicts that 2025 will be the "Year of the Travel Maximizer," as travelers are seeking to combine relaxation and adventure to make the most of their time and money. After the "Year of the Great Recharge" in 2024, where sleep retreats, mindful drinking, and wellness-themed rooms gained popularity, Hilton's new report highlights emerging trends that will shape the travel landscape in 2025.

Hilton President and CEO Chris Nassetta stated, "Our 2025 Trends Report uncovers what has been simmering for years – the intersection of work and play; of relaxation and adventure; of being alone but together. Travelers don’t just want to choose their own adventure – they want to maximize every moment of their time away."

The report is based on extensive global research, including input from 13,000 travelers across 13 countries, feedback from over 4,100 Hilton team members, and interviews with Hilton travel experts. Key findings from the report reveal several trends that will influence travel behaviors in 2025:

Adventure and Relaxation Blend

Go Getaways: Nearly 70% of global travelers enjoy being active during their trips, with one in five leisure travelers planning outdoor adventures in 2025. This indicates a desire to incorporate physical activities into their vacations.

Sleep Retreats & Hurkle-Durkling: While many travelers seek adventure, some also indulge in rest. About one in five global travelers participate in "Hurkle-Durkling," a Scottish term for lounging in bed all day while on vacation. Over a quarter of travelers will book wellness treatments, such as spa services, to improve their sleep quality during trips.

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Nostalgia and Cultural Immersion

Time Travel: Nostalgia plays a role in travel decisions, as 58% of travelers who journey with their children revisit destinations from their own childhood.

Slow Travel: One in four leisure travelers plan to engage in "Slow Travel" in 2025. This means taking the time to immerse themselves in a destination, experiencing the culture like a local by staying for an extended period.

Technology and Disconnecting

High-Tech Travel: Travelers continue to appreciate technology that makes their experiences smoother. Around 63% of travelers value having the option of a digital room key, allowing them to bypass the front desk and head straight to their room.

Digital Detox: Despite the growing importance of technology, 24% of travelers say they are more inclined to disconnect from social media during vacations compared to the past, suggesting a shift towards more mindful and present travel experiences.

Companions on the Rise

Pet-Friendly Travel: Solo travelers, known as "MeMooners," are embracing pet-friendly travel. Approximately 25% of these travelers bring their pets along for leisure trips, compared to the average leisure traveler at 19%.

Frolleagues: The trend of "Frolleagues" (friends who are also colleagues) traveling together is on the rise, with nearly 30% of travelers enjoying leisure adventures with work friends.

Generational and Solo Travel Trends

Gen Alpha Effect: Children’s preferences play a big role in family vacation planning, as 70% of respondents with children choose their destinations based on what their kids want.

MeMooners: Solo travelers are increasingly seeking enriching travel experiences. In 2025, 64% of solo travelers will consider a good book as their favorite travel partner, highlighting a desire for both exploration and solitude.

Culinary Travel and Drinking Trends

Foodie Exploration: Food plays a central role in travel experiences. Nearly one in five global travelers seek new culinary experiences, and half of them make restaurant reservations before booking their flights.

Tempo Drinking: A trend towards mindful drinking, or "Tempo Drinking," is growing. One in four travelers has reduced or stopped their alcohol consumption in the past year, highlighting a move towards wellness-oriented travel.

Inner and Outer Explorations

Soft Travel: More than one in five travelers plan trips for self-discovery or mental health, reflecting the trend of "Soft Travel," which promotes simplicity and spontaneity.

Sports Surge: From 2019 to 2024, Hilton’s sports-related sales revenue tripled, driven primarily by youth and amateur sports, highlighting the growing influence of sporting events on travel choices.

Hilton is adapting to meet these emerging needs by expanding its portfolio with luxury hotels and partnering with hospitality brands like AutoCamp to create diverse travel experiences. These initiatives are aimed at providing travelers with more choices to fulfill their evolving travel aspirations.

For more information about Hilton's 2025 Trends Report, visit stories.hilton.com/2025trends.


Espire Hospitality Posts Record FY26 Revenue of ₹14,106 Lakhs, EBITDA Grows 38%

Espire Hospitality Posts Record FY26 Revenue of ₹14,106 Lakhs, EBITDA Grows 38%

By Hariharan U

Published on June 30, 2026

Espire Hospitality Limited has reported its highest-ever financial performance for FY 2026, delivering strong growth across revenue, EBITDA, and profitability, driven by robust demand across leisure, spiritual, and business travel segments.

For FY 2026, the company posted revenue of ₹14,106 lakhs, marking a 17% increase over the previous year. EBITDA stood at ₹3,190 lakhs, reflecting a 38% growth, while Profit Before Tax (PBT) was ₹1,157 lakhs and Profit After Tax (PAT) stood at ₹812 lakhs.

The company also recorded its strongest quarterly performance in Q4 FY26, with revenue of ₹4,873 lakhs, up 19% year-on-year, and EBITDA of ₹1,096 lakhs, growing 34% over the same period last year. PBT for the quarter stood at ₹436 lakhs, while PAT came in at ₹422 lakhs.

Operationally, Espire Hospitality continued to outperform industry benchmarks. The company reported an Average Daily Rate (ADR) of ₹10,827 compared to the industry average of ₹8,792, and a RevPAR of ₹6,317 versus the industry average of ₹5,745, highlighting its strong pricing power and yield optimization strategy.

During Q4 FY26, the company added six new properties, contributing nearly 250 keys to its portfolio and strengthening its presence across leisure, pilgrimage, and business destinations in India.

A key highlight of the year was the commencement of an ultra-luxury resort project near Vrindavan, with an estimated investment of around ₹300 crore. The property will be operated by Marriott International under the JW Marriott brand, further strengthening the company’s luxury hospitality portfolio.

Espire Hospitality continues to operate across multiple brand segments, including Six Senses Fort Barwara in the ultra-luxury space, ZANA Luxury Escapes in boutique luxury, and Country Inn Hotels & Resorts in the midscale category. The diversified portfolio enables the company to serve multiple customer segments across India’s growing travel market.

The company also outlined a strong development pipeline, with plans to add over 1,000 keys annually over the next three years. Upcoming projects span key destinations including Bengaluru, Mussoorie, Gurugram, Goa, Jaipur, Varanasi, and several spiritual and leisure hubs.

Commenting on the performance, Managing Director & CEO Akhil Arora said FY26 marked a landmark year for the company, driven by record financial results, portfolio expansion, and operational excellence. He highlighted that Espire Hospitality is building a diversified platform across luxury, upscale, midscale, leisure, and spiritual travel segments.

He further added that the company is actively pursuing expansion across major business hubs such as Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Pune, and Noida, while also strengthening its presence in spiritual destinations like Varanasi, Rishikesh, and Haridwar, as well as leisure destinations including Goa, Darjeeling, and Ooty.

With strong financial performance, an expanding portfolio, and a robust development pipeline, Espire Hospitality enters FY 2027 with significant growth momentum and a clear focus on scaling its presence across India’s hospitality landscape.


Omaxe Launches Hospitality Vertical with ₹6,200 Crore Investment Plan Across 19 Hotels

Omaxe Launches Hospitality Vertical with ₹6,200 Crore Investment Plan Across 19 Hotels

By Hariharan U

Published on June 30, 2026

Omaxe, one of India’s leading real estate developers, has announced its entry into the hospitality sector with the launch of a dedicated business vertical. The company plans to invest approximately ₹6,200 crore over the next 4–5 years to develop 19 hotels across five states, spanning nearly 5 million sq. ft.

The hospitality portfolio will be developed across high-growth urban centres, pilgrimage destinations, and transit corridors, and will be integrated with Omaxe’s existing townships, mixed-use developments, and commercial projects. The expansion is expected to strengthen the company’s recurring revenue stream while enhancing its integrated development strategy.

Out of the planned 19 hotels, 12 will be located in Uttar Pradesh across cities including Ayodhya, Lucknow, Prayagraj, Ghaziabad, Gorakhpur, Kaushambi, and Vrindavan. Additional projects are planned in New Delhi, Faridabad, and Ujjain, along with four hotels across Chandigarh, Amritsar, and Ludhiana. Overall, Omaxe will establish a presence across 13 cities in five states.

A key highlight of the portfolio is a 158-key Gateway Hotel by IHCL at The Omaxe State in Dwarka, New Delhi. The project is being developed as part of a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) with the Delhi Development Authority (DDA). The company is also developing transit-oriented hospitality infrastructure in Uttar Pradesh in collaboration with UPSRTC.

Speaking on the expansion, Mohit Goel, Managing Director of Omaxe Ltd., said hospitality is a natural extension of the company’s integrated development strategy. He noted that rising connectivity, religious tourism, and growing travel demand across emerging markets are driving the need for quality hospitality infrastructure.

The planned portfolio will cater to multiple segments including business travel, leisure tourism, destination weddings, MICE activities, and religious tourism. It will include midscale, upscale, luxury hotels, pilgrimage properties, and serviced apartments tailored to local demand dynamics.

Omaxe stated that the hospitality business has the potential to generate approximately ₹1,000 crore in annual revenue once stabilized, subject to execution, occupancy levels, and market conditions. The company is also in advanced discussions with leading hospitality operators for branding and management partnerships.

With this move, Omaxe joins a growing list of real estate developers diversifying into hospitality to leverage integrated urban ecosystems and rising tourism demand across India


Papa Johns India Celebrates Father’s Day with Interactive Pizza-Making Experience

Papa Johns India Celebrates Father’s Day with Interactive Pizza-Making Experience

By Hariharan U

Published on June 21, 2026

Papa Johns India marked Father’s Day with a unique and interactive celebration, hosting a special pizza-making experience for fathers and their children at its Hennur and Kasturi Nagar outlets in Bengaluru on June 21, 2026.

Designed to encourage meaningful family bonding, the event brought together registered father-child duos for a hands-on culinary session where participants created their own pizzas under the guidance of Papa Johns chefs. The initiative aimed to transform a traditional dining experience into an engaging activity centred around togetherness and shared memories.

During the event, participants wore branded aprons and caps while learning the art of pizza-making from scratch. The experience also featured Father’s Day-themed games, instant photography sessions, Polaroid keepsakes, and interactive activities designed to make the celebration memorable for families.

Commenting on the initiative, Prashant Mehta, Director of Papa Johns India, said the brand views Father’s Day as an opportunity to celebrate family connections and create meaningful experiences beyond dining. He noted that the event was designed to bring families together through teamwork, creativity, and shared moments in the kitchen.

The sessions concluded with pizza tasting, trivia activities, and group photographs, allowing participants to enjoy the creations they made together.

Through this experience-led activation, Papa Johns India continues to strengthen customer engagement while showcasing the craftsmanship, quality ingredients, and preparation techniques that define its pizzas. The initiative reflects the brand’s growing focus on creating memorable in-store experiences that connect customers with the food and the people they share it with.

Operated in India by PJP Foods India Private Limited under the Ambrosia QSR platform, Papa Johns India continues to expand its presence through dine-in, takeaway, and delivery formats while staying true to its global promise of “Better Ingredients. Better Pizza.”

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