Insights > All
Explore all Insights
Under the hood of a property-tax appeal
The decision arrived quietly, as these things often do. The appeals board released its written findings early on a Friday morning, and shortly afterward, a message came from litigation counsel: “They pretty much rubber-stamped our proposed findings.” Another email followed minutes later: “We got every dollar. Assessment dropped from about 195 million to 156 million. Nearly 40 million off the roll.”
Beyond hotels – luxury rentals rewrite travel playbooks
Luxury travel is evolving, and the traditional divide between five-star hotels and private residences is quickly disappearing. In destinations such as Park City, Utah, travellers now expect the comfort and scale of a home combined with the seamless service of a luxury hotel. At the same time, hotels are embracing a more residential feel – prioritising space, privacy, and thoughtful design. In a new article for Branded Residential, Bryan Younge explores these themes.
Green is not always green: A comparison of sustainability certificates in the hotel industry
Sustainability is no longer a voluntary extra for hotels, but a necessary obligation for long-term competitiveness. “Many corporate clients who book with hotels have to account for the sustainability of the properties they use and are actively requesting sustainability reports,” explains Brigitte Gruber, Managing Partner of Horwath HTL Austria.
How macroeconomic volatility and AI are redefining hotel financing and investment in Spain
The Spanish hotel sector faces a challenging cycle where financial and operational decisions must align with a volatile macroeconomic context and an unprecedented technological transformation.
New Zealand Hotel Performance Focus October 2025
Performance of New Zealand’s major hotels strengthened again in October, with broad-based demand growth across segments.
Unlocking hidden value through creative asset management in hospitality
In today’s hospitality landscape, asset managers face a triple squeeze: rising construction costs, escalating labor expenses and flattening ADRs. At the same time, hotel guests demand more personalized, differentiated experiences. In this climate, underutilized spaces — breakfast rooms, lobbies, parking lots — aren’t just dead weight. They’re latent assets waiting to be activated.
New Zealand Hotel Performance Focus September 2025
The New Zealand hotel market recorded another positive month, with nationwide growth in revenue per available room (RevPAR) of 10.7% year on year.
Ireland Hospitality, Tourism & Leisure Market Update
The September 2025 HTL Market Update provides a comprehensive analysis of Ireland’s hospitality sector performance during the summer season, along with investment trends, tourism statistics, and notable industry developments.
The ecosystem edge: maximizing stadium naming rights
The practice of selling naming rights for professional sports stadiums has grown into one of the most visible and lucrative sectors of sponsorship marketing. What was once considered a novelty—putting a corporate name on a building—has become a multi-billion-dollar industry with far-reaching implications for teams, municipalities, investors, and brand partners alike. In the NFL alone, naming rights agreements collectively generate well over a billion dollars annually, and new deals continue to climb to unprecedented valuations. Yet the naming rights story is no longer simply about signage, media mentions, or having one’s brand on the skyline. Today, the real value is unlocked when the naming rights contract is designed as part of a fertile ecosystem—a symbiotic environment where the sponsor’s brand, the stadium, the fans, and the surrounding community are actively engaged. The name on the building becomes only one component of a broader, carefully orchestrated strategy.
Hoteliers adjust to US government slowdown
It’s no secret government policy changes have shifted the ways domestic organizations operate in 2025. For U.S. hotels, slowdowns of government-related business have impacted a variety of stakeholders in the space, and depending on the portfolio, some more than others.
DACH Region Hotels & Chains Report 2025
The past year has highlighted both the challenges and the resilience of the DACH hospitality sector. Germany and Austria have had to contend with sluggish growth, high energy costs, and persistent inflation, while broader geopolitical uncertainty – from international trade tensions to the ongoing war in Ukraine – continues to weigh on sentiment. Switzerland, by contrast, has remained comparatively stable, supported by strong domestic demand and its position as a high-value global destination. These differing dynamics illustrate the complexity of the region but also underline its importance as one of Europe’s most resilient markets.
Quo vadis tourism? Tourism policy as a compass for consulting in tourism
Tourism policy issues rarely dominate the headlines—at least at first glance. Although tourism is generally associated with summer, sun, and sea, it is much more than that. As a cross-sector industry, it encompasses more than just the hotel and accommodation market, travel agencies, and the restaurant industry. Infrastructure, leisure and cultural activities, nature and nature conservation, public administration, and much more are also part of this diverse economic sector. This heterogeneity alone highlights the challenge for the industry itself, but also for those representing its interests in politics. At the same time, the political framework (laws, regulations, and subsidies) serves as a compass for tourism activities, and tourism policy therefore plays a central role for us as consultants.
Chain scale hopscotch: benefits and challenges of moving up and down
Any hotel chain knows of the existence of the chain scale, a ranking system based on hotels’ average daily rate and the number and quality of amenities and services they offer. The chain scale offers six classes—luxury, upper upscale, upscale, upper midscale, midscale and economy— and chains can move from one to another as they make changes to hotels, such as adding (or subtracting) an amenity or altering their room rates. Are there any advantages to moving up or down on the chain scales? Absolutely, say industry experts. First, let’s look at why the chain scale is important.
Sustainability top trends shaping 2025
Sustainability is no longer a niche choice, it’s a strategic imperative woven into the fabric of business, policy, and consumer expectations. Investors are demanding transparency, regulators are setting stricter disclosure requirements, and customers are increasingly choosing brands that align with their values. The conversation has shifted from “why” sustainability matters to “how” it is embedded across operations, governance, and long-term strategy. At the same time, technological innovation, regulatory convergence, and growing climate risks are accelerating the urgency for action.
New Zealand Hotel Performance Focus August 2025
Positive news for hotel owners and operators: In August, RevPAR showed a welcome increase, along with the first year-on-year monthly rise in occupancy for 2025.
Realigning hotel markets: the untapped fiscal opportunity for US cities
Cities across America are searching for ways to expand their tax base without overburdening residents. Raising property taxes is politically toxic. Sales taxes rise and fall with the business cycle. Grants and one-off windfalls disappear as quickly as they arrive. Yet one of the most dependable revenue engines sits in plain view: hotels.
Outdoor Lodging in Asia Pacific
The rise in global demand for outdoor lodging products has emerged as a key trend in travel, captivating the imagination of travellers seeking unique, immersive experiences in nature without compromising on comfort and, in many cases, luxury. So, what is outdoor lodging and why does it matter now to hospitality industry stakeholders in Asia Pacific?
How the hospitality sector is confronting plastic
The hospitality industry is no stranger to environmental scrutiny, but in 2025, the spotlight has turned sharply onto plastics. With consumer expectations and government regulations mounting, hotels are accelerating action, not just for sustainability, but for competitiveness.