The latest hotel industry analysis

Analysis by Kelsey Fenerty

For the past six months, Osaka has played host to the World Expo, a quinquennial event that brings together people and innovations with a focus on key global challenges. The event has historically generated substantial gains in hotel performance, a pattern that was evident in Osaka and neighboring markets in Japan.

Financial Year Performance: Performance was influenced by cyclical movements through 2024-2025. Capital and regional areas predominantly saw growth with very few markets reporting negative performance this financial year to last. 

Click to view the 2024-2025 Financial-Year Data File.

Analysis by Hannah Smith

The NFL’s announcement of Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime show comes off the tail end of the performer’s 31-show residency in Puerto Rico, which has been estimated to have brought as much as $200 million dollars into the local economy with a carryover boost for local hotels.

Analysis by Kelsey Fenerty

Despite the summer heat, hotel performance has accelerated across the six Gulf Cooperation Council countries (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates).

In August, revenue per available room (RevPAR) grew 11.7% year over year with gains in both occupancy and average daily rate (ADR). 

Analysis by Hannah Smith 

Costa Rica hotel performance over the past five years has resembled other leisure destinations frequented by Americans. Specifically, higher-end hotels and resort areas have done well, while other areas have remained flat.

Jacob Bruno, Senior Forecasting Analyst at STR, gives an overview of the 2025 U.S. hotel forecast revision.

An extended version of our U.S. Market Forecast Assumptions analysis can be found here. 

Kelsey Fenerty, Manager of Analytics at STR, gives a quick overview of the global market forecast. 

An extended version of our Global Market Forecast Assumptions analysis can be found here.

In January 2026, Amsterdam’s VAT rate for overnight accommodation is expected to increase from 9% to 21%, affecting a range of lodging options from hotels to B&Bs to short-term rentals. Heading into a year of change, hotel performance in the market has left something to be desired. 

Market Forecasts, produced by STR and Tourism Economics, provide you with the insights needed to anticipate future performance. 

Europe short-term outlook:

Short- and medium-term RevPAR projections for STR’s 31 European forecast markets have been downgraded. For 2025, RevPAR is expected to grow 0.7% for the 31 markets in aggregate, while 2026 RevPAR is projected for similar growth of 0.8%.