Smart Mobility: Field & Stream Lodge Co. debuts in Bozeman

Have you ever wished you could step into the pages of Field & Stream, the magazine that was published in print from 1895 to 2015 (don’t worry, you can still enjoy its digital content)? Get ready for your dreams to come true next winter. Do you know what “maximizing travel” is? Hilton is here to tell you all. Most importantly, have you been thinking about how you can help those affected by Hurricane Helen? We have a suggestion in this week’s Smart Travel magazine.

Field & Stream Lodge Co. to open in Bozeman in winter 2025

Field & Stream Lodge Co., a new branded hotel platform for the iconic Field & Stream brand, announced the opening of its first location in Field & Stream Bozeman, Montana, a hunting and fishing lodge equipped with modern amenities. The venue has 179 rooms, ranging from king suites designed to look like fishing shacks to bunk rooms, and is now accepting reservations for winter 2025. In addition to The Backyard, there are 5,800 square feet of meeting and event space indoors and a 29,000-square-foot courtyard complete with picnic tables, umbrellas and a vintage canoe fire pit.

Field & Stream Lodge Co. specializes in scenic locations that offer a wealth of outdoor activities, such as national parks, mountains and ski towns. Field & Stream Bozeman is one mile from downtown and two hours from Yellowstone National Park, making it an excellent choice for meeting professionals who want to offer their attendees a wider range of itinerary options. Surrounded by three rivers, four mountains, and two ski resorts, the site is an all-season destination for those who want to hike, bike, fly fish, ski, and more in beautiful Bozeman land.

Barry Sternlicht, chairman and CEO of Starwood Capital, said of the project: “Field & Stream, built with its partners at AJ Capital, will provide a modern , a unique blend of affordable accommodation that fits perfectly with its surroundings while staying true to the heritage of the Field & Stream name.”

Hilton releases annual trends report, predicting 2025 will be ‘the year of maximum travel’

Hilton has released its annual trends report, revealing that travelers’ motivations are shifting from a post-COVID “big recharge” to a combination of full-scale adventure and introspective rest. Hilton President and CEO Chris Nassetta said the new data “reveals issues that have been brewing for years — the intersection of work and play; relaxation and adventure; alone but together. Travelers are more than just Want to choose their own adventure, they also want to make the most of every moment on the road… These new data reveal a fascinating dichotomy, and a growing focus on experience that will keep us on our toes and evolving to Meeting the needs of tomorrow’s travelers.”

The report was compiled from feedback from 13,000 travelers in 13 countries, more than 4,100 Hilton Team Members and in-depth interviews with dozens of Hilton travel experts. Some of the key trends taught at the conference are as follows:

• Nearly seven in 10 global travelers enjoy doing activities on the road, and one in five leisure travelers plan to go on an outdoor adventure in the next year, so consider adding walking, biking, swimming or similar to your next itinerary activities.
• About 63% of travelers said they thought it was important to have a digital room key so they could go directly to their room without stopping at the front desk. Consider this small detail likely to provide the greatest convenience for your attendees.
• Hilton Worldwide sports sales revenue tripled between 2019 and 2024, with 80% driven by youth or amateur sports. When building your itinerary, remember that when it comes to off-field sports, you can consider activities outside of the major leagues.

Amex Travel announces top ten popular destinations in 2025

From Idaho to Thailand, American Express calculated which international destinations will attract the most tourists. “Through our global travel expertise, guides like our annual Top Destinations list, and lodging programs like The Hotel Collection, we help our card members plan all types of travel and Inspire them to explore new places. This year, we’re adding more than 300 new hotels in top destinations, giving card members even more options for where to stay once they arrive.”

Based on data obtained through American Express Cardmembers’ global travel bookings and insights from the company’s global network of travel advisors, the top ten are:

1. Brisbane, Australia
2. Brittany, France
3. Franschhoek, South Africa
4. Koh Samui, Thailand
5. Macau, China
6. Moab, Utah
7. Nikko, Japan
8. paros island greece
9. sao paulo brazil
10. sun valley idaho

Hurricane Helen prompts Internova to provide relief efforts for travel professionals

The Family Bonds Foundation, the charitable arm of Internova Travel Group, is accepting grant applications from travel professionals affected by Hurricane Helene. As of October 3, this devastating storm has killed more than 200 people in the southeastern states of the United States.

“The recent devastation caused by Hurricane Helene has impacted many in our industry, their families and communities,” Family Bond Foundation President Jackie Friedman wrote in the American Society of Travel Advisors’ daily email. We want to help.”

To nominate an individual for funding, please fill out this form, or donate directly here.

Read more: Hurricane Helen: What conference professors need to know

Hyatt completes acquisition of Standard International

Standard International, the parent company of The Standard and Bunkhouse Hotels brands, has been fully acquired by Hyatt Hotels Corporation. In a deal publicly announced in August, the parties negotiated management, franchise and licensing agreements for 22 hotels, including Standard hotels in London, New York and Bangkok. This simplifies the booking process for Meetings Expert’s approximately 2,000 rooms.

The financing includes an entry fee of $150 million, with an additional $185 million to follow as more hotels are added to the portfolio. “The lifestyle space is not for the faint of heart and requires creativity and commitment,” said Amar Lalvani, president and creative director of Hyatt Hotels and former executive chairman of Standard International. “The beauty of this combination is that Hyatt respects the creativity and freedom required to deliver experiences, and we respect the value of Hyatt’s storied history, global infrastructure and best-in-class business services.”