Report: APAC leads Americas in hotel bookings

HOTEL BOOKING VALUES in Asia-Pacific rose 23 percent in early 2025, far outpacing the 2 percent growth in the Americas, according to commerce media firm Criteo. APAC travel demand exceeded retail sales by over 12 index points from July to October 2024, indicating sustained off-season interest.

Criteo’s Spring 2025 Travel Pulse Global Report found hotel bookings in APAC rose 10 percent and air travel 7 percent in the first quarter of 2025. In contrast, hotel bookings fell 10 percent in the Americas, while air travel rose 1 percent.

“Today’s travellers are more intentional, tech-savvy and value-driven than ever before,” said Medhavi Singh, Criteo India’s country head. “As highlighted in Criteo’s Spring 2025 Travel Pulse Report, consumers are planning their journeys well in advance, guided by AI insights, flexible itineraries and a strong preference for bundled deals via online travel platforms.”

The report, based on data from over 14,000 global consumers, found affluent APAC travelers are twice as likely to buy luxury goods while traveling, with makeup and perfume purchases up 102 percent and 113 percent, respectively, compared to peers in the Americas.

Food tourism was a key motivator, with 60 percent of international travelers from APAC ranking food-related attractions as a top priority. The report also notes increased use of AI for travel planning, especially for local activity and excursion recommendations.

As global travelers weigh costs, environmental concerns and geopolitical shifts, many are adjusting budgets rather than canceling plans. The trend reflects continued demand, driven by value, flexibility, and experience-focused spending.

Singh said travel marketers have a critical opportunity to engage audiences with the right message, at the right moment, across the right channels.

Criteo’s report combines commerce data from hundreds of travel platforms, including airlines and hotel chains, with insights from over 7,500 shopper survey respondents.

A recent World Travel & Tourism Council report projects U.S. international travel spending will drop 22.5 percent from the 2019 peak, falling to under $169 billion in 2025 from $181 billion in 2024—a $12.5 billion loss.