Hilton CEO says travelers are in 'wait-and-see mode'

Core Insights - Travelers are currently in a "wait-and-see mode" due to softened American travel demand, leading to a cautious approach in booking [1][2] - Hilton's revenue per available room (RevPAR) grew by 2.5% year-over-year, but the company expects flat RevPAR for the second quarter compared to the same period last year [1][3] - Broader macroeconomic uncertainty has negatively impacted leisure travel demand, with short-term bookings remaining roughly flat year-over-year [2][4] Company Performance - Hilton downgraded its annual guidance for RevPAR growth to a range of 0% to 2%, down from a previous forecast of 2% to 3% [3] - The company reported solid performance in January and February, but this was overshadowed by weaker trends observed in March and continuing into the second quarter [1][2] Industry Trends - The travel industry is experiencing a slowdown after a post-pandemic boom, with Americans pulling back on travel amid economic uncertainty [4] - Airlines have also reported weaker demand, leading to cuts in summer flight schedules and adjustments in annual forecasts [4] - Experts indicate that consumers are now more focused on value and are booking trips last-minute, reflecting a shift in behavior due to financial pressures [6][7]