Hotel Booking Trends Revealed: How Leisure and Group Business Is Evolving Globally

From leisure getaways to large-scale meetings, how people book hotels is shifting fast and not always in predictable ways. One month, your suites are packed with multi-gen families on a “bucket list” vacation. Next, planners are pulling back on attendance projections because of geopolitics or rising airfares.

Across the globe, one thing’s clear: flexibility, value, and personalization are driving decisions. While some trends are fun (hello, noctourism), others signal deeper changes like shortened booking windows and higher planner expectations.

So what should hotels, venues, and destinations actually do with all this? In this blog, we’re unpacking the latest data on booking behaviors (both leisure and group) so you can adapt your strategy, connect with today’s travelers, and stay one step ahead of the competition.

Big-picture booking shifts

Before we discuss leisure and group-specific trends, let’s consider the big swings shaping bookings across the board. These shifts are happening regardless of region or traveler.

1. Shorter lead times are the new normal

Gone are the days of year-ahead bookings being the standard. Thanks to economic uncertainty, changing policies, and a desire to stay nimble, travelers and planners are waiting longer to confirm. Hotels need to rethink forecasting and stay flexible to capture last-minute demand.

2. Bleisure isn’t a trend. It’s a given

Business trips that double as vacations aren’t niche anymore. Guests are adding days, bringing family, and expecting the same level of experience whether they’re on the clock or not. Properties that offer packages, perks, or flexible check-ins for these hybrid stays are winning more bookings.

3. Experience is everything

When travelers and attendees book rooms, they’re booking a vibe. Whether it’s an on-site cooking class or a post-conference sunset cruise, guests want something memorable and share-worthy. Hotels that partner with local vendors or offer curated experiences have a clear edge.

4. Guests want to feel good about where they stay

Whether it’s sustainability, DEI, or ethical business practices, people are paying closer attention to how you operate, not just what you offer. Transparency matters. Guests want to know your values, not just your rates.

5. Value beats price every time

Cost is absolutely top of mind, but that doesn’t mean travelers or planners are always going for the cheapest option. They’re looking for value: thoughtful inclusions, seamless service, and clear ROI. If you can show why your property is worth it, they’ll pay for it.

5 leisure booking trends

The leisure traveler has changed. They’re savvier, more selective, and chasing more than just sun and sleep. Here’s what’s shaping leisure bookings right now:

1. One-night stays dominate, but longer means more revenue

In 2024, nearly 4 in 5 travelers stayed for just one night, according to Siteminder’s latest research. While this suits some city hotels or business-adjacent properties, it’s a missed revenue opportunity for others. Encouraging longer stays (through perks, automated upsells, or package deals) can increase revenue per guest and smooth out occupancy patterns.

2. Local experiences sell rooms

Whether it's cooking classes in Chiang Mai, wine tastings in the Cape Winelands, or street art tours in Montreal, leisure guests are booking hotels that connect them to the place. Generic doesn’t cut it anymore. Properties that show off their location and offer experiences tied to it see stronger direct bookings.

Booking.com revealed that 77% of travelers seek authentic experiences that are representative of local culture.

3. New channels are climbing, fast

55% more booking source newcomers entered the Top 12 in 2024 compared to the year before, according to Siteminder. Experience-focused Klook made waves in Malaysia and Thailand. Hopper popped into Canada. WebBeds appeared in Mexico and Indonesia. 

This shift underscores how dynamic and fragmented the leisure booking journey has become. Guests are discovering hotels through a growing mix of B2C, B2B, and B2B2C channels, often favoring platforms that bundle experiences or offer strong deals. Hotels that stay agile and open to new partnerships are the ones primed for incremental growth.

6. Direct bookings are more profitable

According to Siteminder, hotel websites are having a moment. In 2024, they generated 60% more revenue per booking than OTAs, thanks to longer stays, higher-value rooms, and more add-ons. 

With direct bookings pulling in an average of US$519 per guest, guests are clearly responding to better user experience, seamless payments, and more secure experiences. While third-party channels still play a role, the growth of direct is too big to ignore in 2025.

5. Sustainability drives loyalty

Leisure travelers, especially in EMEA and increasingly in APAC, are actively seeking out properties that walk the sustainability talk. They’ll pick the hotel with refillable water stations and solar power over the one with flashy ads and single-use plastics. North America is trailing here, but pressure is building.

Booking.com’s latest Travel and Sustainability Report revealed that 84% of travelers consider sustainability important. And 53% of travelers are now conscious of tourism’s impact on local communities and the environment. 

Group booking trends (by region and trend type)

While global demand for group bookings remains strong, the driving forces behind it are shifting. Economic pressures, changing planner priorities, and evolving social and political climates are shaping how, why, and where events are booked. Here's what hotels need to know, broken down by region.

Note: The data in this section is based on Cvent's proprietary data from the North America, EMEA, and APAC Meetings Industry PULSE Surveys.

North America: Flexibility and frictionless planning win

Trend 1: Political shifts are disrupting meetings

More than 60% of planners say U.S. politics is affecting their events mostly through economic uncertainty. International and government attendance is down, and planners are being extra cautious.

Trend 2: High costs + high stakes

While rising costs continue to lead planners’ list of challenges, broader issues like weather disruptions and geopolitical risk are gaining traction. Hotels that can offer flexibility in cancellation policies, weather-related contingencies, or travel partnerships may stand out.

Trend 3: Face-to-face still wins

Despite the challenges, North American planners still see strong value in in-person meetings. This is a crucial signal to hotels: investing in experience-rich group offerings like networking lounges, unique F&B concepts, and technology for hybrid attendees can deliver ROI even in a cautious market.

Trend 4: DEI still matters, sustainability lags

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) commitments remain steady among North American organizations, especially in how they design group events. However, interest in sustainability trails significantly behind other regions. For hotels, emphasizing inclusion over carbon metrics may resonate more, at least for now.

APAC: A complex but growing group market

Trend 1: Destination variety surges

APAC planners are spreading the love. They are sourcing events across a wide range of destinations. Thailand (61%) and Singapore (56%) lead the pack, followed by Indonesia, Japan, and Vietnam. Hotels in these regions should ramp up destination marketing and unique experience packaging to stay competitive.

Trend 2: Networking stays king but revenue is rising

While networking is still the top reason for meetings, planners in APAC are placing increased emphasis on revenue generation and educational value. That means content-rich events, strategic sponsorships, and upselling premium meeting services are becoming more valuable than ever.

Trend 3: Supplier pain points emerge, but satisfaction stays high

Rising costs for rooms, F&B, and airfares are testing patience but APAC still reports the highest satisfaction with hotel partners globally. That’s a competitive advantage worth maintaining. Quick RFP turnarounds, flexible pricing, and proactive communication can turn occasional frustrations into loyalty.

Trend 4: Event pipeline remains strong

The APAC event calendar looks healthy, whether short-term or long-term. Hotels should keep group sales teams engaged year-round and ensure availability is optimized for high-demand periods across diverse markets.

EMEA: Events gain value as budgets stay flat

Trend 1: Events are more valuable than ever

EMEA planners increasingly view business events as essential. In fact, 41% say events are now significantly more valuable than other business initiatives, double the number from last year. Hotels should lean into this sentiment by emphasizing how their spaces drive business results, not just fill room nights.

Trend 2: Early sourcing and steady budgets

Almost 40% of planners are sourcing events 12+ months out, offering stability for hotels that can forecast and price accordingly. And while budget pressure persists, concern levels are largely flat year-on-year—suggesting a plateau in cost-related anxiety.

Trend 3: DEI Is steady, sustainability stands out

EMEA planners remain committed to DEI and continue to lead globally in sustainable event practices. Hotels in the region should prioritize showcasing green initiatives, carbon reporting, and eco-certified partnerships, especially as APAC starts to close the gap.

Trend 4: Political and cultural factors gain influence

More planners are weighing political, social, and cultural considerations when choosing venues. That means hotels must stay attuned to the broader social climate and ensure their spaces and teams reflect inclusivity, safety, and professionalism at every touchpoint.

Smarter travel, smarter strategy

Leisure travelers are booking higher-value rooms through hotel websites, extending their stays when it’s easy to do so, and bouncing between emerging booking channels as they hunt for value and experiences. 

At the same time, group planners across every region are navigating rising costs, geopolitical concerns, and changing attendee expectations. This is while still pushing forward with packed pipelines and a renewed focus on ROI.

The message for hoteliers and venues? It’s time to meet both segments where they are:

• For leisure guests, that means frictionless direct booking, flexible stay options, and compelling reasons to stay longer or spend more.

• For group business, it means deeper alignment with planner goals whether that’s driving revenue in APAC, delivering value amid North American attendance dips, or showcasing sustainability in EMEA.

To keep your finger on the pulse of changing planner sentiment, bookmark the Cvent Pulse today.