Ever wished you could step inside the pages of Field & Stream, the magazine published in print from 1895 until 2015 (don’t worry, you can still enjoy its digital content)? Get ready for your dream to come true in winter of next year. Know what a “travel maximizer” is? Hilton is here to tell you all about it. And, most critically, have you been contemplating how to help those affected by Hurricane Helene? We’ve included a suggestion in this week’s edition of Smart Travel.
Field & Stream Lodge Co. to Open Field & Stream Bozeman in Winter 2025
The iconic Field & Stream brand’s new branded hospitality platform, Field & Stream Lodge Co., has announced the upcoming debut of its first location, Field & Stream Bozeman in Montana, where hunting and fishing lodges will be outfitted with modern conveniences. The venue, which boasts 179 guest rooms ranging from king suites designed to look like a fishing lodge to bunk rooms, is now accepting reservations for winter 2025. Indoors, 5,800 sq. ft. of meeting and event space is available in addition to The Backyard, a 29,000-square-foot courtyard with picnic tables, umbrellas and vintage canoe fire pits.
Field & Stream Lodge Co. focuses on locations with bounties of Great Outdoors activities enjoyed in stunning landscapes, such as national parks, mountains and ski towns. Field & Stream Bozeman will be located one mile from downtown and two hours from Yellowstone National Park, making it a great option for meeting profs looking to offer a wider range of itinerary options to attendees. Three rivers, four mountain ranges and two ski resorts surround this venue, which is a four-seasons destination for those seeking to hike, bike, fly fish, ski and more in beautiful Bozeman.
Barry Sternlicht, chairman and CEO of Starwood Capital, said of the project, “Built together with our partners at AJ Capital, Field & Stream will deliver a unique blend of modern, affordable lodging that perfectly complements the environment surrounding it while staying true to the legacy of the Field & Stream name.”
Hilton Releases Annual Trends Report, Projects 2025 Will Be the ‘Year of the Travel Maximizer’
Hilton has released its Annual Trends Report, revealing that travelers’ motivations are shifting away from the post-Covid-era “Great Recharge” toward a blend of all-out adventure and introspective downtime. Chris Nassetta, president and chief executive officer of Hilton said the new data “revealed what has been simmering for years—the intersection of work and play; of relaxation and adventure; of being alone but together. Travelers don’t just want to choose their own adventure—they want to maximize every moment of their time away…This new data reveals a fascinating dichotomy and growing focus on experiences that will keep us on our toes, constantly evolving to meet the needs of tomorrow’s traveler.”
The report was compiled by 13,000 travelers across 13 countries, feedback from over 4,100 Hilton team members and in-depth interviews with dozens of Hilton travel experts. Some key trends takeaways for meeting profs are:
- Nearly seven in 10 global travelers enjoy being active while on the road and one in five leisure travelers is planning an outdoor adventure within the next year, so consider including a stroll, bike, swim or something similar on your next itinerary.
- Roughly 63% of travelers reported they felt having the option of a digital room key was important, so they can go straight to their room without stopping at the front desk. Consider that this small detail might maximize convenience for your attendees.
- Between 2019 and 2024, Hilton Worldwide Sport Sales revenue tripled in volume, 80% of which was driven by youth or amateur sports. When building your itinerary, remember you can think outside the big leagues when it comes to off-site sports activities.
Amex Travel Announces 2025’s Top Ten Trending Destinations
From Idaho to Thailand, American Express has done the math on which international destinations will attract the most travelers. Audrey Hendley, president of American Express Travel, said in a statement, “Through our global travel expertise, guides like our annual Trending Destinations list and our lodging programs like The Hotel Collection, we help our Card Members plan all types of trips and inspire them to explore new places. This year, we’ve added more than 300 new properties in top destinations to The Hotel Collection, so Card Members have even more options for where to stay when they get there.”
Based on data acquired through global American Express card member travel bookings as well as insight from the company’s global network of travel advisors, the top ten are:
- Brisbane, Australia
- Brittany, France
- Franschhoek, South Africa
- Koh Samui, Thailand
- Macau, China
- Moab, Utah
- Nikko, Japan
- Paros, Greece
- São Paulo, Brazil
- Sun Valley, Idaho
Hurricane Helene Spurs Relief Efforts for Travel Pros by Internova
The Family Bonds Foundation, the charitable arm of Internova Travel Group, is accepting grant applications to travel professionals affected by Hurricane Helene, the devastating storm that has left over 200 dead across America’s southeastern states as of October 3.
Jackie Friedman, president of The Family Bonds Foundation, wrote in the daily email of the American Society of Travel Advisors, “The recent devastation from Hurricane Helene has impacted many individuals in our industry, along with their families and communities. We want to help.”
To nominate an individual for a grant, fill out this form—or simply make a donation here.
Read More: Hurricane Helene: What Meeting Profs Need to Know
Acquisition of Standard International by Hyatt Completed
Standard International, parent company of The Standard and Bunkhouse Hotels brands, has been fully acquired by the Hyatt Hotels Corporation. In a deal publicly announced in August, the two parties negotiated management, franchise and license agreements for 22 hotels, including Standard hotels in London, New York and Bangkok. This streamlines meeting profs’ booking process for roughly 2,000 rooms.
Financing included a $150 million entry price, followed by an additional $185 million as further hotels join the portfolio. “The lifestyle segment isn’t for the faint of heart, it takes creativity and commitment,” said Amar Lalvani, Hyatt’s president and creative director, and former executive chairman of Standard International. “The beauty of this combination is that Hyatt respects the creativity and freedom required to deliver the experiences we do, and we respect the value of Hyatt’s storied history, global infrastructure and best-in-class commercial services.”
