Marriott International Forecasts 2024 Travel Trends: Immersive and Sustainable Experiences

Marriott International Forecasts 2024 Travel Trends: Immersive and Sustainable Experiences

By Author

Published on November 5, 2023

In an age where travel preferences are swiftly changing, Marriott International’s latest survey sheds light on the emerging trends shaping group travel in 2024. Conducted across the United States with over 1,000 travel planners and event organizers, this study from the Caribbean and Latin America regions is a key indicator of the future of travel.

Key Findings: Personalization and Flexibility Take the Lead

Marriott’s survey highlights a significant shift towards personalised and flexible group travel experiences. Gone are the days of conventional planning; 2024 is all about aligning venues with evolving program goals, rapidly adapting to changing needs, and quick response times. Interestingly, only a third of respondents consider past experiences or a destination's popularity as decisive factors. This trend underscores an openness to exploring new venues that align with current priorities.

Immersive Experiences and Local Engagement

Today's travelers crave authenticity and cultural immersion. The survey indicates a strong preference for local food and beverage experiences, transportation solutions that connect with the destination, and activities that offer a deep dive into local culture. Significantly, a quarter of respondents seek corporate social responsibility experiences, reflecting a growing desire to contribute positively to local communities.

Flexibility over Fixed Formats

The post-pandemic world sees a departure from rigid event protocols. Plated meals and strict indoor settings are making way for flexible dining options and a mix of indoor and outdoor venues. This trend indicates a shift from standard, one-size-fits-all event solutions to more tailored, adaptable experiences.

Wellness Beyond Traditional Boundaries

Wellness remains a top priority, but with a twist. Instead of just spa-centric offerings, there’s a burgeoning interest in active wellness pursuits like martial arts and mindfulness activities such as yoga and meditation. This expanded view of wellness encompasses a holistic approach to both physical and mental well-being.

Cultural and Sustainable Travel: The New Norm

The desire for cultural immersion is stronger than ever, with a focus on local gastronomy, beverages, and language experiences. Sustainability also remains a crucial aspect, with a notable interest in eco-friendly destinations and activities that support community rebuilding efforts.

Top Destinations Revealed

For both leisure and business travel in 2024, Mexico, Jamaica, and Aruba lead as the most desirable destinations, followed closely by the Dominican Republic and the Bahamas. The Caribbean continues to be a favoured region, known for its scenic beauty and accessibility from the United States.

Marriott’s Response: Enhancing Experiences

Leveraging these insights, Marriott International is poised to enhance its offerings, ensuring memorable experiences that align with these emerging trends. With a robust presence in the region, Marriott is committed to fulfilling the evolving needs of modern travellers.

About Marriott International

A global leader in hospitality, Marriott International boasts an expansive portfolio of over 8,100 properties across 139 countries. Based in Bethesda, Maryland, the company prides itself on its award-winning travel program, Marriott Bonvoy®. This program offers a range of options for travellers, from luxury stays to unique experiences redeemable through points earned in various ways.

Image Credits- Marriott International 


Apeejay Surrendra Park Hotels Reports Rs 13 Crore Net Profit in Q1 FY26

Apeejay Surrendra Park Hotels Reports Rs 13 Crore Net Profit in Q1 FY26

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on August 18, 2025

Apeejay Surrendra Park Hotels Limited (ASPHL) announced its financial results for Q1 FY26, recording a net profit of Rs 13 crore. Revenue from operations stood at Rs 154 crore, a 14% increase year-on-year, while operating EBITDA grew 16% YoY to Rs 45 crore. The company maintained an industry-leading occupancy of 92%, reaffirming its leadership in the hospitality sector.

ASPHL’s growth is fueled by expansion into Tier 2 and Tier 3 markets. The company recently signed an MoU to acquire and manage four leisure properties in Goa, Manali, Shimla, and Dharamshala, adding 138 rooms under its brand. These steps align with ASPHL’s strategy to broaden its presence in high-potential tourism destinations and double its key count to 5,750 over the next five years.

Flurys, ASPHL’s iconic bakery and confectionery brand, now operates 102 outlets nationwide, reflecting the company’s focus on expanding its market presence while integrating modern amenities with rich cultural heritage.

Commenting on the performance, Vijay Dewan, Managing Director, Apeejay Surrendra Park Hotels, said,

"We have delivered an extraordinary and best-ever Q1, setting a strong momentum for the year ahead. With topline growth of 14% and EBITDA growth of 16%, we recorded India’s highest occupancy of 92% and maintained leadership in RevPAR in the upper-upscale segment. ARR improved by 13% and RevPAR increased by 12%. With nearly 600 new rooms added, including a 41% rise in our asset-light model, and nationwide Flurys rollout, we are poised to scale faster, enhance margins, and deliver exceptional shareholder value."

ASPHL’s strong performance in Q1 FY26 underscores its strategic focus on market expansion, operational excellence, and premium guest experiences.


Marriott Announces Dividend and Expands Share Buyback Plan

Marriott Announces Dividend and Expands Share Buyback Plan

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on August 10, 2025

Marriott International, Inc. has declared a quarterly cash dividend of 67 cents per share on its common stock, reaffirming its commitment to delivering shareholder value. The dividend will be paid on September 30, 2025, to shareholders who are on record as of August 21, 2025.

Alongside the dividend announcement, the hospitality giant also revealed an expansion of its share repurchase program. The board of directors has authorized the repurchase of an additional 25 million shares of its Class A common stock. This comes in addition to the approximately 7.4 million shares that were still available under previous authorizations as of July 30, 2025.

Marriott has already bought back 6.4 million shares this year, amounting to $1.7 billion. These moves reflect the company’s continued confidence in its financial stability and long-term performance, aiming to strengthen shareholder value through strategic capital allocation.


Chennai Postal Services Still Disrupted: Experts Call for Alternative Systems Amid Software Transition

Chennai Postal Services Still Disrupted: Experts Call for Alternative Systems Amid Software Transition

By Author

Published on August 4, 2025

In what was intended to be a smooth digital transformation, postal services across the Chennai Circle continue to remain disrupted even days after a scheduled upgrade to India Post's new IT 2.0 system. The software transition—part of a broader effort to modernize the nation’s postal network—was implemented on August 2nd and 4th across Chennai North and South divisions. However, officials have now confirmed that technical issues still persist, leaving customers and businesses grappling with delayed or inaccessible services.

Key services such as Speed Post, registered mail, parcel bookings, and money orders have either been significantly slowed or paused altogether in many branches. Despite expectations that systems would normalize post-upgrade, the rollout of the Advanced Postal Technology (APT) system has proven more complex than anticipated.

“We are still working on stabilizing the system. There have been unforeseen glitches post-upgrade, and our teams are actively resolving them,” said a senior postal official who requested anonymity.

The disruption has raised concerns across industries—including the hospitality sector—where timely document dispatch, license renewals, vendor payments, and customer correspondence are crucial to daily operations.

Experts and industry stakeholders are now calling on India Post to introduce alternative operational strategies or backup mechanisms during such large-scale transitions.

“In a digital age where seamless service is non-negotiable, a complete blackout due to a software update is avoidable. A fallback process, whether manual or cloud-based, should be in place to ensure continuity,” said a Chennai-based hospitality consultant.

The hospitality industry relies heavily on postal services for legal documentation, international communication, and procurement logistics. The ongoing delays have caused bottlenecks not just in operations but also in customer experience delivery.

As authorities continue to work toward a resolution, the broader question remains: Should India’s essential public infrastructure be this vulnerable to a single system upgrade? The answer may lie in future-proofing core services with hybrid digital models that include disaster recovery plans and parallel systems.


Hospitalitynews.in will continue to track updates as the situation evolves.

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