- Moscone Center events are expected to generate 670,000 hotel room nights in 2025, up 70% from 2024.
- Major events like Dreamforce, Microsoft Ignite, and the Game Developers Conference are fueling the rebound.
- International travel to the U.S. is forecast to decline by 5.1% in 2025, a $64B loss, reversing earlier growth projections.
- San Francisco hotel occupancy is projected to hit 64.4%, with RevPAR growing 4.8% year-over-year.
Convention Comeback Drives Recovery
San Francisco’s hotel market is gaining momentum in 2025. The main driver? A major rebound in convention activity.
According to GlobeSt, the San Francisco Travel Association (SF Travel) expects nearly 670,000 hotel room nights tied to Moscone Center events this year. That’s a 70% increase from 2024’s total of 400,000. While it’s still below the pre-pandemic high of 800,000, the growth marks a strong comeback.
The convention calendar is full. February’s NBA All-Star Weekend kicked things off. Big-name events like the Game Developers Conference, RSAC cybersecurity summit, Microsoft Ignite, HumanX AI conference, and Dreamforce are still to come.
These events are helping bring more visitors downtown. They also support restaurants, retailers, and other local businesses that rely on foot traffic from large-scale gatherings.
International Travel Faces Setbacks
Despite strong domestic demand, international travel is heading in the opposite direction.
Tourism Economics recently revised its 2025 forecast. Instead of an expected 8.8% increase in international arrivals, it now predicts a 5.1% decline. The drop is tied to several factors: a strong US dollar, stricter visa requirements, and growing geopolitical tensions. These headwinds could cost the US $64B in lost travel spending.
Canada, traditionally the largest source of international visitors, is seeing a steep decline. Travel from Canada is projected to fall 15% this year. The downturn follows political tensions and fewer cross-border trips by both road and air.
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Hotel Performance Inches Up
Despite international pressure, San Francisco hotels are showing signs of improvement.
SF Travel forecasts 2025 hotel occupancy at 64.4%. Average daily rate (ADR) is expected to reach $233. Revenue per available room (RevPAR) should hit $150, up 4.8% from last year.
Pebblebrook Hotel Trust CEO Jon Bortz remains optimistic. He says group bookings are strong through 2028. That points to growing confidence in San Francisco’s convention business.
Why It Matters
Conventions are playing a major role in reviving San Francisco’s hotel sector. But challenges in international travel may slow broader recovery. For now, domestic events are driving the comeback—and keeping hotels busy.
