Hospitality management platform Cloudbeds has observed a moderate (1%) uptick in medium-term stays globally in 2023, accompanied by a slight decline of 2% in short stays.  The findings come from Cloudbeds’ 2024 ‘State of Independent Lodging Report’, which suggests the surge in three to four-night stays may be an indication of the rising popularity of “bleisure” or blended travel, as more travellers take advantage of the flexibility of remote work to extend their stays.

The technology provider says the return of international tourism could also play a role in the shift towards longer stays, as inbound tourists tend to stay longer and spend as much as 90% more than domestic travellers.

Adam Harris, co-founder and CEO of Cloudbeds, said: “Longer stays are a boon for hoteliers. When guests stay longer, they’re more likely to spend on additional experiences and services. By increasing revenue per guest, boosting occupancy rate, and reducing room turnover costs, hoteliers benefit. But this isn’t just about the bottom line. When travellers stay longer, they foster deeper relationships with the staff and have a better guest experience because of it, contributing to the hotel’s long-term success.”

Overall, the data reveals average length of stay patterns in 2023 showed relative consistency with previous years. Almost three-quarters of bookings at independent hotels were for stays of one to four nights, with 43% of booked room nights being one or two- night stays and 30% being three or four nights.

Cloudbeds’ findings are grounded in data from a sample of 10,000+ independent properties, encompassing boutique hotels and guest houses, B&Bs, and hotel groups in over 100 countries across North America, Latin America, Europe, and the APAC region