The U.S. faces a $12.5 billion shortfall in travel revenue, Selfridges gets the green light to add a members club in London, and Boutique Design seeks top talent. All that and more in this week’s Five on Friday.
Luxury retailer Selfridges joins the members club movement
Selfridges’ London flagship store; photo courtesy of Adobe Stock
UK department store Selfridges is ready to take its London flagship to the next level with the addition of a private members club. According to Bloomberg, the exclusive venue—featuring a terrace and private dining—will occupy former office space within the SWOD building, an extension added to the historic Oxford Street site in the 1930s. Slated to open this spring on Duke Street, the club is part of a broader initiative to create a high-end social and retail destination for Selfridges’ most-valued clients. The move aligns with London’s growing trend of luxury members-only spaces, driven by flexible work culture and the demand for hybrid social environments. Owned by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund and Thailand’s Central Group, Selfridges joins other property owners leveraging underused real estate for premium experiences.
U.S. sees continued decline in international tourism
Photo courtesy of Adobe Stock
International visitation to the U.S. remained sluggish in June, Skift reports. According to preliminary data from the National Travel and Tourism Office, overseas arrivals were down 3.4 percent year over year. Nearly half of the top 20 overseas markets posted declines, including the UK (down 1.1 percent), India (down 8 percent), Germany (down 3.7 percent), and France (down 5.5 percent). While countries like Japan, Brazil, and Italy saw modest increases, overall inbound tourism remains 20 percent below pre-pandemic levels from June 2019. Economic uncertainty, geopolitical tensions, and reduced federal support for tourism marketing are cited as contributing factors. With travel rhetoric and policy concerns also weighing on the U.S.’ global image, the World Travel & Tourism Council projects a $12.5 billion shortfall in expected tourism revenue for 2025. The figures follow a volatile first half of the year for inbound travel, highlighting persistent challenges for the U.S. hospitality and tourism sectors.
Tomorrowland to take over Las Vegas’ Sphere
The Sphere in Las Vegas; photo courtesy of Adobe Stock
Nearly two years after opening, the $2.3 billion Sphere in Las Vegas continues to excite. The world’s largest spherical structure hosted Irish rock band U2 for its inaugural show and residency. Since then, bands and artists like Phish, Dead & Company, Anyma, and Kenny Chesney have headlined the venue. Now, electronic dance music festival Tomorrowland and Insomniac, the electronic event promoter and music distributor behind EDC, have teamed up to present UNITY. According to Electronic Groove, the three-day immersive experience will feature headliners Chase & Status, Kaskade, and Eli Brown, as well as additional live performances, 360-degree visuals, and orchestration. The fantastical, themed universes of Tomorrowland—which debuted the MORPHO furniture collection in April—will meld with elements from Insomniac’s iconic festivals. Opening weekend is set to take place in August, with more shows scheduled for September and October.
Hotel companies hit the high seas
Luminara from the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection; photo by Edgardo Contreras
The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection has officially welcomed Luminara, its third ultra-luxury superyacht, with a christening ceremony in Monte Carlo followed by its debut voyage to Rome. With public spaces by Chapi Design Luxury Division and suites from AD Associates, the 794-foot-long vessel features 226 ocean-view suites, five dining venues from chefs like Fabio Trabocchi and Michael Mina, and a curated art collection that includes works from Andy Warhol and Alexander Calder. Following its Mediterranean season, Luminara will expand to Asia-Pacific and Alaska. Meanwhile, Hilton will enter the luxury cruise space late next year with the Waldorf Astoria Nile River Experience. The five-deck vessel will feature 29 river-view suites, a Peacock Alley bar, and Art Deco touches that echo the brand’s iconic hotel design. The experience is not part of a broader move by Hilton to enter the cruising market, instead it’s “a distinctive offering that reimagines Nile River cruising through the lens of the Waldorf Astoria brand,” says Dino Michael of Hilton.
Get noticed: Boutique Design calls for submissions
The AvroKO-designed Jay in San Francisco, winner in two categories at the 2024 Gold Key Awards; photo by Garrett Rowland
Boutique Design, HD’s sister brand, is now accepting entries for the 45th annual Gold Key Awards and nominations for this year’s Boutique 18 class. The Gold Key Awards, one of the most prestigious accolades in the hospitality industry, recognizes outstanding design from across the globe in 24 categories—from standout hotel spaces spanning all sectors to restaurants and wellness-focused venues. Boutique 18 (B18), meanwhile, recognizes 18 emerging hospitality designers for their notable contributions and achievements. The Gold Key Awards gala, where award winners will be revealed and B18 honorees will be celebrated, is set to take place on Monday, November 10th in New York during BDNY. Tickets will be available for purchase this summer. Submissions to both programs are due Friday, August 1st.
