2025 will be full of challenges for the hospitality sector. The trends that will define the new year are increasingly found outside rather than inside hotels. New technologies, unique experiences, more sustainable environments, and hotels that are much more than hotels are what the future holds for us.

From the blend of business and leisure, known as bleisure, to those returning to the city for work but seeking leisure, to brand-led travel or the need to reconnect with biophilic design, we analyze some of the trends that will shape the next season in hospitality.

 

 

Bleisure, much more than business trips

Bleisure is a term created from the combination of the English words business and leisure. Thus, bleisure travel means taking a business trip and complementing it with a private stay to explore the destination or relax. In fact, according to data from Future Market Insights, at least 8 out of 10 people who travel for business plan leisure activities. This trend promises to continue growing in the next decade.

Considering that more and more people are working remotely, an increase of over 19% in this type of guest is expected in the next decade. This translates into the need to offer spaces where they can enjoy personalized experiences, relaxing areas, and zones that serve as hubs for work relationships.

Corporate leisure will be another trend that will flourish in 2025. High-speed wifi connections or places where one can work comfortably and then relax will define the preferences of this type of tourism.

 

 

Top commuters, the exodus to the city

After the pandemic, we witnessed the great exodus to the countryside; now this group misses the city and returns not only to work but also to enjoy everything it has to offer. They are the so-called top commuters (a term coined by the New York Times).

These are clients who live near large cities and need to travel there for work. They will return to the city not only to work but also to enjoy it and its leisure activities. Thus, loyalty programs and environments where they can make the most of their days away from home will be key to finding that leisure side in their trips.

 

 

Playful stage, when experience defines the destination

The concept of play, as we understood it in childhood, will become a very important idea when designing hotel interiors, not only in aesthetics but also in practical terms. These types of experiences will become a way to relieve stress and promote positive emotions. Hedonistic luxury will continue to set the trend in hotels that offer unique experiences.

In 2025, accommodations that evoke emotions will be key to attracting customers, like Barbie’s Malibu house or Shrek’s swamp (which we talked about in this post). This type of tourism aims to attract an audience knowledgeable in design and looking to discover new forms of expression, which will involve the introduction of interactive elements and digital worlds with a playful purpose, as well as textures and materials with touches of fantasy and humor that provide a positive response.

 

Health continues to define the market

In 2025, wellness tourism will continue to set the course for hospitality. On one hand, many people travel to enjoy medical or wellness treatments, and now these individuals seek to extend and continue these physical and mental benefits.

In 2025, idleness will be claimed in its most positive sense, considering its benefits for cultivating creativity and helping in problem-solving. In this sense, spirituality also counts. In hotel interiors, this translates into combinations of dark and changing colors, as well as tones that invite relaxation.

 

Brand-led travel, the brand market settles in hotels

In 2025, people will seek combined experiences, in this case related to retail. Thus, shoppable hotels, which were already a trend a couple of years ago, will gain ground in the luxury sector and serve establishments to highlight the value of their entire property.

These types of hotels become the new showrooms, where everything can be sold and bought, becoming a new business model and reducing losses. In these establishments, guests can purchase the products they use during their stay, while brands enjoy a platform to sell more effectively. Activities like pop-ups from major brands will also highlight the hotel’s identity.

 

 

Rewilded hospitality, when hotels rewild

The climate emergency we are experiencing is gaining importance, and stays are becoming as sustainable as possible. One of the trends we will see reflected in hospitality in 2025 is called rewilded hospitality or rewilding; in other words, putting nature first.

With the rise of biophilic design that we have already seen in past years, the advancement to a biodiverse design will make nature the antidote to everyday stress. Turning rooftops or garages into more natural spaces, where these biophilic designs prevail, will be key in 2025. Here, noble materials like wood in its most natural state and tactile experiences will make environments more comfortable and close. Of course, without abandoning the benefits that hotels provide. Nature, yes, but with the comfort of these establishments.

 

As you can see, in 2025, people are at the center of all strategies. More exclusivity, immersive experiences, and physical and mental well-being will conquer hospitality. How will you apply these six trends in your next project?