2024: A Successful Year with Challenges for the Hospitality Industry

The year 2024 was positively assessed by hoteliers, though its conclusion brought mixed results depending on the type of property. During the holiday season, New Year’s Eve attracted more interest than Christmas. As expected, leisure hotels outperformed business-oriented ones. Half of the leisure hotels reported occupancy rates above 70%, and nearly 47% surpassed 90% during the New Year period. Meanwhile, business hotels showed weaker performance, with 40% not offering New Year packages and only 40% exceeding 70% occupancy.

December saw lower occupancy compared to November, largely due to reduced activity in business hotels and declining performance among leisure establishments. While 50% of hotels reached an occupancy rate above 50% in December, 16% recorded rates below 30%. For 48% of properties, occupancy improved year-over-year, but 41% reported declines. Room rates maintained their growth momentum, with 65% of hotels raising prices compared to December 2023, most within a 10% range.

However, forecasts for January 2025 are notably weaker. Approximately 62% of hotels currently have occupancy below 30%, and only 9% exceed 50%. The situation is particularly challenging for business hotels, with 74% unable to surpass the 30% threshold. Leisure hotels anticipate slightly better results during the second half of January, coinciding with the start of school holidays. Still, 53% of leisure establishments report occupancy below 30%.

The Polish Chamber of Commerce for the Hospitality Industry (IGHP) highlighted that 85% of hoteliers rated 2024 positively. An online survey conducted between January 7 and 10, 2025, included 138 hotels from across the country. Most respondents were small to medium-sized businesses (91%), with urban properties comprising 74% of participants. While the results underscore market stability, they also reveal challenges associated with low bookings outside peak seasons.