Data from American Express Global Business Travel (Amex GBT) suggests that worldwide hotel prices look set to remain relatively stable over the coming year, despite notable exceptions.
The AMEX GBT business travel price index shows that year-on-year costs are up 2.6% in the second quarter of 2025. Average prices for hotels account for 25% of the index, while air fares make up 65% and car rentals and rail fares 5% each.
Room prices in Paris are set to rise in line with the predicted average, while Copenhagen’s will increase slightly lower than that at 2.4%. Those in Barcelona and Milan will be up 5.1%, and Amsterdam’s are predicted to soar by 11%.
Prices in Edinburgh look set to rise 5.7% and, elsewhere in Britain, hotel rates in Manchester are predicted to increase 3.9%.
Room rates in London are set to increase by 4.2% at a time when 80 hotel projects and 14,987 rooms are set for delivery. A leading global destination for both business and leisure travel, London is assessing the merits of introducing a tourist tax.
Hotel rates are predicted to rise by 4% in New York City, which remains the world’s top destination for business travel and meetings despite the projected softening of demand for inbound US travel due to factors such as uncertainty over tariffs.
Prices for rooms across India are set to outstrip average rises both regionally and globally. The tech and AI hub Bengaluru recorded India’s highest occupancy and average room rates in the first quarter of 2025.
Dan Beauchamp, Vice President of Consulting at Amex GBT, said: “This year’s forecast reveals a nuanced global environment where geopolitical uncertainties are tempering hotel rate increases. These insights allow businesses to make more informed travel decisions in an increasingly complex landscape. Understanding local market conditions will help companies optimise their travel budgets and strategies.”
