US hotel performance growth moderates as World Cup enters final stages
US hotel performance growth moderates as World Cup enters final stages
Tournament host markets outperform broader US hotel industry
Philadelphia hotels performed well during the week of July 5-11, posting an 18.3% RevPAR increase as the market was a focal point of America 250 celebrations and later in the week hosted Major League Baseball's All-Star Weekend. (Getty Images)
https://www.costar.com/article/428269345/us-hotel-performance-growth-moderates-as-world-cup-enters-final-stages?
Note: “Match-days” throughout this article refer to both the night before and the night of the match, which are the peak nights for hotel performance around the World Cup matches. “Shoulder-days” refers to all other nights.
U.S. hotel industry performance continues to outpace 2025 levels in the week of July 5-11, but growth rates are beginning to normalize as the tournament nears its conclusion.
U.S. hotel revenue per available room (RevPAR) increased 5.2%, more in line with the performance gains seen in late May and early June following several weeks of elevated growth. Average daily rate (ADR) remained the primary driver, increasing 4.5%, while occupancy was 0.7 percentage points above the same week last year.
The U.S. hotel industry recorded its 13th consecutive week of growth across RevPAR, ADR and occupancy, highlighted by ADR increasing for the 19th consecutive week. Last week's gains were aided in part by an easier comparison period. RevPAR declined 3.7% during the same week in 2025, providing a favorable backdrop for year-over-year growth. Compared with the same week in 2024, RevPAR was up 1.3%.
World Cup markets
Of the 11 U.S. World Cup host markets, eight hosted a round of 16 or quarterfinal match last week. Those eight markets combined for a 10.9% increase in RevPAR, entirely driven by a 13.7% increase in ADR. While host markets continued to outperform the broader U.S. hotel industry, the 10.9% increase represented the smallest weekly RevPAR gain for World Cup host markets since the tournament began. The three host markets without a match last week combined for a more modest 3.7% increase in RevPAR, more closely aligning with performance trends across non-host markets.
Hotel performance on match days reflected the heightened stakes on the field, reaching tournament highs in both RevPAR (+42.1%) and ADR (+34.7%) growth. At the same time, shoulder-day performance weakened to its lowest level of the tournament. Four of the eight host markets last week hosted their final World Cup match, reducing the amount of tournament-related demand supporting the rest of the week. Occupancy in host markets declined by 1.8 percentage points overall, continuing a trend that has emerged during the past four weeks. On shoulder days, occupancy fell 3.7 percentage points, highlighting the continued headwind of displaced business and non-World Cup travel demand.
The divergence between match-day and shoulder-day performance was most evident in Atlanta and Seattle, the only two host markets to record weekly hotel RevPAR declines. Atlanta's 24% decline in shoulder-day RevPAR and Seattle's 18.7% decline were large enough to offset gains generated by their World Cup matches, resulting in overall RevPAR declines of roughly 10% in both markets. The weakness was also evident in business travel demand, with luxury and upper-upscale group demand declining by a combined 54% year over year across the two markets, suggesting continued displacement from World Cup-related travel.
While Atlanta and Seattle illustrate the challenges of weaker shoulder-day demand, most host markets were still able to offset those headwinds through substantial ADR gains. Miami and Kansas City led all host markets with RevPAR increases of 38% and 35%, respectively. In both cases, pricing was responsible for nearly all of the performance growth. Miami's ADR increased 37.6% with occupancy unchanged, while Kansas City's 45.3% ADR increase more than compensated for a 4.7-percentage-point decline in occupancy.
Non-host markets
Outside of the World Cup, the rest of the U.S. also saw more muted hotel performance gains compared to prior weeks, with a combined RevPAR increase of 4.1%. Unlike the previous few weeks, larger performance gains following the holiday week were more concentrated in a handful of markets.
Las Vegas was the leading market of this group, with several overlapping conferences driving a 23.9% lift in RevPAR and an 18.7% increase in ADR. Washington, D.C., retained momentum from the 250th anniversary holiday on Saturday, leading all markets in year-over-year demand growth last week with over 41,000 additional hotel rooms sold. Philadelphia was another top-performing market. Despite not hosting a World Cup match last week, hotel RevPAR increased 18.3%. As one of the focal points of the nation's 250th anniversary celebrations, Philadelphia continued to benefit from July Fourth-related travel before transitioning into MLB All-Star festivities that began over the weekend. The surrounding areas of Philadelphia and greater Pennsylvania also saw increased hotel demand due to severe weather displacement, with four Pennsylvania markets recording double-digit demand growth last week.
Class
U.S. hotel performance continues to be uplifted by the higher-end hotel classes, as luxury hotels were the only class to maintain the heightened growth rates of the previous weeks. RevPAR for luxury hotels was up 13.7% last week with ADR gains of 13.2%, while no other class exceeded 5% growth in RevPAR. If you were to exclude luxury hotels from the overall U.S. performance last week, RevPAR growth declines by 170 basis points to 3.5%, and same for ADR which would fall to 2.5% growth.
Global RevPAR on the rise
Global hotel RevPAR rose for a third consecutive week (+1.8%) on a comparable and constant USD basis excluding the U.S. The growth was again driven by ADR, which increased 3.4%. ADR has risen in all but five of the past 16 weeks whereas occupancy has fallen in all but three weeks in the same period. Like last week, global RevPAR was held back by China, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Mexico,, and Latin America. Excluding those four, global RevPAR was up 4.5% on ADR and a slight gain in occupancy. Global RevPAR without those four countries/regions has grown in all but two of the past 16 weeks with weekly growth averaging 4%.
RevPAR in Mexico has fallen for 52 consecutive weeks with the measure dropping by 10.5% this week. The largest RevPAR declines this week were again in the key tourist areas of the Mexican Caribbean (-28%) and Cancun (17.7%). All but three of the 14 markets saw RevPAR retreat on falling occupancy. Yucatan/Campeche and Mexico City bucked the trend as both saw RevPAR rise by more than 26%. Mexico City’s gain was driven by a World Cup match, which generated a 251% RevPAR gain. Excluding the match day and the day after, the remaining days were down 5.9% on declining occupancy.
India, France, and the Caribbean were the big winners this week, with RevPAR rising by more than 10% in each. Canada was also up despite a 12.4% drop in Toronto, which did not have a World Cup match this week. Vancouver had a full week, with RevPAR rising 4.4%. Excluding the match day and the day before, RevPAR was down 2.4% on falling occupancy.
Cole Martin is an Analytics and Insights Specialist at STR, and Isaac Collazo is senior director of analytics at STR.
The Cruise for People Who Swear They’ll Never Take a Cruise
Courtesy of National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions
https://www.fodors.com/world/mexico-and-central-america/mexico/los-cabos/experiences/news/the-best-cruise-for-people-who-hate-cruises
Expedition cruises swap buffets and crowds for wildlife, remote destinations, and unforgettable adventures in nature.
I want to confess something at the outset: I like cruises. Sometimes I like to lie back in the sun, eat to excess, enjoy the ocean breezes, and not have to think much about what I’m going to be doing for the next week. I unpack and wait to be taken to the next adventure. But that’s not the vacation experience that everyone prefers. I know plenty of people who wouldn’t be caught dead at a crowded pool or standing in line for a buffet or buying a margarita at the bar while waiting for the next show to start. And that’s OK. I’ve been on big and small ships, some cheap and some expensive, some with thousands of people and some with dozens. The good thing about cruising is that there’s an experience for everyone … even for those who wouldn’t be caught dead on a cruise ship.
Meet the Expedition Cruise
I had the absolute pleasure recently to visit Baja California Sur on board the National Geographic Venture on a Lindblad Expeditions cruise, and it was like nothing I’d ever done before. I’ve been on a couple of expedition cruises before (one on a very small ship and one on a larger, more luxurious ship), but neither of those was so focused on the wildlife and nature experiences, none had such a vast and varied staff of naturalists, and none had the photographic focus that National Geographic is able to offer onboard a Lindblad Expeditions cruise.
What is different about an expedition ship versus a regular cruise ship? The most obvious difference is size. You won’t be cruising with 5,000 others, or even 1,500 others, but rather a few dozen to a few hundred. National Geographic Venture holds just 100 passengers and seemed mostly full for this cruise, with a varied mix of ages from tweens to grandparents (not what I expected), including several multigenerational families, but everyone was adventurous, ready to learn, and eager to experience the next adventure. It’s not the newest in the Lindblad fleet, nor is it the most advanced, but it’s a nimble ship with good facilities.
Courtesy of National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions
Unlike aboard some expedition cruise ships, there are few luxuries on board the Venture. Cabins are compact but not too small (mine had a small balcony that held two chairs), and there was just room for another separate chair in the cabin, but there was plenty of storage space for our things. The Venture also has no key cards (Lindblad gives you a nametag to wear rather than a keycard); in fact, we didn’t even lock our rooms during the day, though there was a lock for when we were asleep. There’s no pool (not even a hot tub), no spa or fitness center, and meals are good but not gourmet. There were plenty of local fish and produce on the menu—all welcome—and there was always a delicious dessert, but no caviar or foie gras. Alcoholic drinks (other than a few premium wines and liquors) are included. While we went ashore almost every day, there were also no actual port calls. In a week of cruising around Baja, the closest we got to a town was Cabo Pulmo harbor, though we didn’t actually go ashore there … we just boarded panga boats to go whale-watching. Most of our landings were on isolated beaches, and we didn’t even go on shore every day.
What Do You Do All Day?
With no ports, shows, or onboard activities other than a nightly debrief and after-dinner scientific lecture, you might wonder how you pass your time on these cruises and if you ever get bored. These are not cruises for night owls because things start (and typically end) early. Breakfast started at 7 and was done by 8 or 8:30. On most days, the first excursion was at 8:30 or 9. This might have been a hike or a snorkeling stop. But while stops were planned for wildlife viewing and natural interactions, the best things we experienced tended to be serendipitous. We saw a rare fin whale swimming next to our ship one day, we saw rare and interesting birds both on land and at sea almost every day, and on the last night, we sailed through a “super pod” of 800-some dolphins, including babies.
And because gray whale numbers were greatly depleted, we skipped one of our major stops (a daylong excursion to Boca de Soledad on Baja’s Pacific side), spending a full day in Cabo Pulmo National Park to see humpback whales and other marine life, both from small panga boats and on snorkeling trips using the same boats. Our planned excursion to swim with sea lions near Isla Espíritu Santo also didn’t happen exactly as planned. We had been scheduled to go to Los Islotes, which at the time was overrun with day-trippers from Los Cabos. Instead, we sailed to a more isolated island and swam with over a hundred juvenile California sea lions and much rarer Guadalupe fur seals, one of the most thrilling snorkeling trips I’ve ever done in my life. In all, we usually had two experiences per day, usually accessed by Zodiac in 10-person groups, but sometimes we were sailing to the next spot, so the captain would relocate the ship to make whale- or dolphin-spotting easier. I didn’t get bored, but I also usually found myself asleep by 10.
Who Is This Trip Suitable For?
Consider an expedition cruise if you’d rather be with a smaller group of travelers and visit more out-of-the-way places. You need to have a spirit of adventure and not be disappointed that there’s no nightly entertainment (unless your sense of enjoyment encompasses learning about different types of coral). You might get your feet muddy or wet, and you will need to become adept at donning a wetsuit. But it’s an unforgettable experience for the right sort of traveler, even for one who is more used to chocolate buffets and umbrella drinks.
The One Thing You Have to Do in Every State
GRPimagery/iStock
https://www.fodors.com/world/north-america/usa/experiences/news/photos/the-absolute-best-thing-to-do-in-every-state
The ultimate USA Bucket List.
As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, events examining and celebrating our history abound, but we’re focused firmly on the present and where a traveler should go today to see the absolute best this country has to offer. From national parks and gorgeous beaches to history trails and iconic landmarks, here is the best of what each of the 50 states (and Washington D.C.) has to offer.
And for even more of the best to see, do, and eat in each state, be sure to check out our Bucket List USA guidebook, available everywhere books are sold.
Edited by Amanda Sadlowski.
PART IV
PHOTO: BRYAN T BOYLE/ISTOCK
40 OF 51
Historic Downtown Charleston
WHERE: South Carolina
In Charleston, dozens of church steeples punctuate the low skyline, and horse-drawn carriages pass centuries-old mansions, their stately salons offering a crystal-laden and parquet-floored version of Southern comfort. Outside, magnolia-filled gardens overflow with carefully tended heirloom plants. The city may resemble a 19th-century etching come to life, but look closer and you’ll see that block after block of old structures have been restored, making this one of the South’s best-preserved cities. Get a great city introduction with a history, food, or ghost tour. You’ll learn about Charleston’s layers, its Revolutionary and Civil War history, and get the lay of the land, including East Bay Street’s famous Rainbow Row, with 13 pastel row houses built between 1748 and 1845.
PHOTO: AMBER BOYD/ISTOCK
41 OF 51
Badlands National Park
WHERE: South Dakota
Until the moon opens up to tourism, a hike through the stunning landscape of Badlands National Park is about as close as you can get to taking “one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.” Because of the park’s open hike policy, visitors are free to roam the entire 379 square miles of protected mixed-grass prairie. It’s a great way to examine the rugged terrain that holds some of the best fossil beds anywhere in the world. Besides remnants of South Dakota’s prehistoric past, the park’s current residents include bighorn sheep, bison, prairie dogs, pronghorn antelope, and black-footed ferrets.
PHOTO: COURTESY OF NASHVILLE CONVENTION & VISITORS CORP.
42 OF 51
Nashville’s Honky Tonk Highway
WHERE: Tennessee
The crown jewel of Nashville entertainment and a place that really embodies the city’s soul is Lower Broadway, located right in the middle of downtown. This stretch of road is called the Honky Tonk Highway, where live country and rock music pour out of nearly every window while beer flows out of every tap. Surrounding Broadway is a growing fine-arts scene with multiple galleries and plenty of restaurants cooking up Southern food (including the city’s must-try Nashville hot chicken). Just a few blocks away are world-class museums and the symphony, not to mention the famous Ryman Auditorium.
PHOTO: ALAMO TRUST, INC.
43 OF 51
The Alamo
WHERE: Texas
An icon of Texas freedom fighting, this mission church turned military fort in San Antonio is the most celebrated building in Texas history. In 1836, Texas lost a major battle here against Mexico, and all inside died at the hands of Santa Anna’s troops. Those slain included James Bowie, William B. Travis, and Davy Crockett. The defeat at the Alamo spurred Texans fighting in future battles for their independence to make sure they did not suffer the same fate. “Remember the Alamo” became the battle cry at San Jacinto, where Texas won its independence from Mexico with Sam Houston leading the charge.
PHOTO: UNAI HUIZI PHOTOGRAPHY/SHUTTERSTOCK
44 OF 51
Zion National Park
WHERE: Utah
The walls of Zion Canyon soar more than 2,000 feet above the valley below, but it’s the character, not the size, of the sandstone forms that defines the park’s splendor. Throughout the park, fantastically colored bands of limestone, sandstone, and lava in the strata point to the distant past. Stripes and spots of greenery high in the cliff walls create a “hanging garden” effect, and invariably indicate the presence of water seepage or a spring. Erosion has left behind a collection of domes, fins, and blocky massifs bearing the names and likenesses of cathedrals and temples, prophets and angels. Trails lead deep into side canyons and up narrow ledges to waterfalls, serene spring-fed pools, and shaded spots.
PHOTO: COREY GAMBARDELLA/STOWE MOUNTAIN RESORT
45 OF 51
Stowe Mountain Resort
WHERE: Vermont
The name of the village is Stowe and the name of the 4,393-foot mountain is Mt. Mansfield—but to generations of winter sports enthusiasts, it’s all just plain “Stowe.” The area’s mystique attracts as many serious skiers as social ones. Stowe is a giant among eastern ski mountains thanks to its intimidating expert runs, but riders of all abilities enjoy the long, satisfying runs from the summit. Improved snowmaking capacity, new lifts, and free shuttle buses that gather skiers along Mountain Road have made it all much more convenient. Yet the traditions remain, like the Winter Carnival in January and the Sugar Slalom in April.
PHOTO: TROY WOJTASZEK/ISTOCK
46 OF 51
Shenandoah National Park
WHERE: Virginia
Shenandoah National Park may look like just a narrow stretch on the map, winding for 70 miles through the Blue Ridge Mountains, but it’s one of Virginia’s most stunning natural treasures. The park spans over 200,000 acres and is split down the middle by Skyline Drive, a 105-mile scenic route that’s often ranked among the most beautiful road trips in the United States. Along the way, you might spot bears, deer, and other wildlife crossing the road, so it’s worth taking it slow and soaking in the views. For hikers, adventure is never far, as some of the park’s 500 miles of trails (many part of the Appalachian Trail) are just steps from the road, leading to breathtaking overlooks and peaceful forest paths.
PHOTO: SUJATA JANA/ISTOCK
47 OF 51
Mount Rainier National Park
WHERE: Washington
Some say Mt. Rainier is the most magical mountain in America. At 14,411 feet, it is a popular peak for climbing, with close to 10,000 attempts per year—nearly half of which are successful. But this land of superlatives also includes about 35 square miles of glaciers and snowfields, more than 100 species of wildflowers that bloom in the park’s high meadows all summer, and absolutely dazzling hiking along 260 miles of trails through old-growth forest, river valleys, lakes, waterfalls, and rugged ridges.
PHOTO: SEAN PAVONE/ISTOCK
48 OF 51
The National Mall
WHERE: Washington, D.C.
Fondly known as “America’s front yard,” Washington, D.C.’s National Mall is a 2-mile-long green expanse in the heart of the city. Bordered by the U.S. Capitol to the east and the Lincoln Memorial to the west, it’s home to the country’s most iconic monuments and memorials, including the Washington Monument, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Korean War Veterans Memorial, World War I Memorial, and World War II Memorial. Park rangers are often on hand to share insights, and many of the Smithsonian museums line its edges east of 14th Street. The top of the Washington Monument is perhaps the best, most breathtaking place to see the city and get a good idea of its layout.
PHOTO: GARY HARTLEY
49 OF 51
New River Gorge National Park and Preserve
WHERE: West Virginia
One of the country’s newest national parks, West Virginia’s New River Gorge runs through a particularly gorgeous stretch of the Appalachian Mountains. The park includes 70,000 acres of land along the New River, which, contrary to its name, is one of the country’s oldest rivers. To take it all in, be sure to visit Grandview Visitor Center, situated 1,400 feet above the river. Already one of the most popular climbing areas in the country, New River Gorge has sheer sandstone cliffs that provide a challenge for even pro climbers.
PHOTO: MIKE TITTEL/DESTINATION DOOR COUNTY
50 OF 51
Door County
WHERE: Wisconsin
Door County, the long, narrow peninsula that juts out from Green Bay into Lake Michigan, is a year-round destination for exploring the outdoors, whether that’s hiking to take in the foliage at Peninsula State Park or visiting beaches (and quaint ice-cream shops) during the summer. The small towns that dot the peninsula, like Sister Bay and Ephraim, each have their own feel, and there’s a growing food and drink scene led by places like Thyme and Island Orchard Cider.
PHOTO: NPS/JACOB W. FRANK
51 OF 51
Yellowstone National Park
WHERE: Wyoming
The country’s first designated national park, the 2.2-million-acre Yellowstone National Park is home to more geysers and hot springs than any other place on earth with about 10,000 hydrothermal features, including active geysers like Old Faithful and many far less famous gushers. More than 1,000 miles of trails offer plenty of opportunities to see (from a mandatory distance away) bison, bighorn sheep, elk, grizzly and black bears, moose, wolves, pronghorn, and trumpeter swans; wildlife is everywhere here, especially in the less-trafficked parts of the park. You can reach Grand Prismatic Spring, Yellowstone’s largest hot spring (third-largest in the world), by following a ⅓-mile boardwalk loop.
DUHC&S | Strategic Hospitality Consulting & Advisory
We transform hospitality and tourism businesses through strategic solutions, operational efficiency, and comprehensive renovation. With over 40 years of experience working with brands like Hilton, Hyatt, Sheraton, and Sonesta, we enhance asset value and profitability through:
*Operational excellence and brand standards (GSI +90%)
*Market penetration and commercial strategies
*Key partnerships and disruptive innovation
*Hotel openings and repositioning
Proven results :
✅ 48% GOP |
✅ +120% asset valuation growth
✅ Successful projects across 6 Latin American countries
🔹 Let's connect :
📩 Email: diurugeles@gmail.com
📱 WhatsApp: +57 3153259968
🎥 YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@DUHC-S
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/diur_2000/
https://viajes-noticias-duhospitality.blogspot.com
https://viajes-duhospitality.blogspot.com
https://travel-duhospitality.blogspot.com
Disclaimer
DUHC&S shares this information for educational and informational purposes only. The news articles reproduced here are sourced from public and recognized media outlets. We are not the original authors of this content but rather its distributors. All credits go to the original sources cited in each article. If you are the legitimate owner of any material and wish to have it modified or removed, please contact us immediately at diurugeles@gmail.com, and we will address your request promptly.
Comments
Post a Comment