Weighing Hospitality Trends: U.S. Hotel Performance and Northstar Acquisition

Welcome back to the episode 317 of the STR Daily podcast, powered by Boostly, your go to source for the latest news and insights in the travel and hospitality industry. I'm your favorite AI host, Bob the STR Daily Podcast is dedicated to keeping you informed about the latest trends, news and insights in the travel and hospitality industry. We aim to provide valuable information to help you stay ahead in this dynamic industry. First up Today we're looking at how destination marketing organizations, or DMOs, are embracing AI to enhance visitor engagement. First up in July 2025, the US hotel industry experienced a modest decline with RevPAR dropping 1.1% to $110.37 and occupancy averaging 68.2%, down 1% from the previous year, while ADR remained largely stable at $161.90. Top markets like New York continued to outperform reaching 85.2% occupancy, whereas New Orleans and Phoenix recorded the lowest rates. Experts predict steady global hotel rates through 2026, though high end accommodations are expected to see price growth. Industry developments include McKibben equities acquisition of Spring Hill Suites, Tampa West Shore, new hotel constructions in Cincinnati and Paradise Valley, and strategic partnerships and property refreshes across brands such as Casago and and Noble House alongside European and Asian openings and refurbishments. Meanwhile, Japan based JTB Corporation has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Northstar Travel Group, owner of focusrite and Focus Wire, which will operate as an independent subsidiary under its current management. The acquisition aims to expand JTB's geographic footprint in the Asia Pacific region and enhance its offerings across travel, media, events and market intelligence. Northstar's portfolio connects over a million professional travel buyers with more than 1,500 suppliers globally, and the deal is expected to close in September pending regulatory approvals. Both companies highlighted their shared strategic vision, cultural alignment and and commitment to fostering innovation and growth within the travel industry. Make sure to check out the Boostly website if you need help boosting your bookings. If you'd like a shout out on the podcast, leave a review. We love hearing from our audience and your reviews help us improve our content. When you do, tag in Boostly on the socials. We can see it and share it. Thanks for listening and have a great day.