Top 5 hospitality industry trends to watch in 2026

Luxury travelers and major eventgoers are slated to drive hotel demand this year, while rising labor costs and advancements in artificial intelligence could shift hospitality operations.

By Jenna Graber, Lara Ewen and Jen A. Miller • Jan. 7, 2026

How humanoid, AI-powered agents are reshaping hotel operations

The technology can be a strategic way for hoteliers to enhance guest satisfaction and remain competitive in a rapidly evolving hospitality landscape, writes the founder of a robotics company. 

By Filip Linek • Jan. 6, 2026

Top hospitality industry executive appointments of Q4 2025

Hyatt, Sonesta and others named new C-suite leaders in the last months of the year to drive operational changes, portfolio growth and brand strategy.

By Jenna Graber • Jan. 5, 2026

Hotel Tech-in: The platform personally pairing wine for guests in Napa Valley

At Napa Valley Marriott Hotel & Spa, Preferabli’s technology will give guests taste-based wine recommendations on-property and create custom itineraries with regional experiences.

By Jenna Graber • Dec. 22, 2025

10 impactful hospitality executive interviews from 2025

C-suite execs from Hyatt, Marriott and Choice Hotels gave insights into technology and development trends, while brand leaders and owners shed light on operations and performance.

By Jenna Graber • Dec. 19, 2025

Hospitality M&A up sequentially in Q3 as investor optimism returns: PwC

Dealmaker priorities are shifting toward properties or capabilities that merge artificial intelligence, loyalty and experiential design, per a new report.

By Jenna Graber • Dec. 16, 2025

Beyond efficiency: Why automation is the creative heart of hotel design

Integrating responsive environments and tailored, high-tech design into hotel spaces can help elevate the guest experience.

By Fabio Zaniboni • Dec. 15, 2025

Expedia names its first chief AI, data officer

Xavier Amatriain, a former Google executive, will don dual hats for the travel company. The move is a nod to data quality's criticality for IT initiatives.

By Nicole Laskowski • Dec. 3, 2025

Small hotels, big advantage: AI evens the playing field

While big chains are flexing their tech muscles, independents have the advantage when it comes to flexibility.

By Chris McPherson • Dec. 1, 2025

The revenue whisperer: How AI can provide a competitive edge in hotel revenue management

Ready to check in with stronger margins? AI helps every room earn its keep with dynamic pricing.

By Tarun Pandey and Deva Agarwal • Dec. 1, 2025

Hotel Tech-in: The cinematic drone tour showcasing New York Marriott Marquis

A drone flies through the Times Square hotel’s lobby, rooms and amenity spaces highlighting the guest journey from start to finish.

By Jenna Graber • Nov. 24, 2025

RevPAR dips, a lack of trips, Sonder’s slip and more from Q3 earnings

Despite widespread U.S. RevPAR declines amid travel turbulence, hotel CEOs are optimistic about the luxury segment, conversions and artificial intelligence.

By Jenna Graber • Nov. 17, 2025

How conversational AI is reshaping the hotel guest experience

Conversational AI tools can help reduce stress, boost guest satisfaction and increase loyalty and referral rates, according to Infobip’s Ethan Gustav.

By Ethan Gustav • Nov. 12, 2025

Apple sets sights on travel spending

The tech company is embedding its digital wallet as a method of payment at many stages in the travel process in a bid to attract more consumer use.

By Patrick Cooley • Nov. 7, 2025

Hyatt ‘confident’ as luxury drives Q3 RevPAR growth

CEO Mark Hoplamazian said he is encouraged by demand from high-end consumers, as well as pipeline, loyalty and technology developments.

By Jenna Graber • Nov. 6, 2025

Hospitality guests’ No. 1 AI concern: the loss of human touch

“When consumers express concern about losing the human touch in hospitality, they aren’t rejecting the technology; they’re rejecting cold service,” Reputation’s Liz Carter said.

By Kristen Doerer • Nov. 6, 2025

Conversions drove Marriott’s Q3 portfolio growth as US RevPAR dipped

Despite weaker demand in lower chain scales, Marriott held its full-year 2025 RevPAR growth outlook steady in the third quarter, and a record pipeline was a bright spot.

By Jenna Graber • Nov. 4, 2025

Payments are still broken in hospitality. Here’s what needs to change.

Hotel operators should focus on purpose-built payments solutions to streamline efficiency, banking expert James MacRae writes.

By James MacRae • Oct. 31, 2025

MGM Resorts revenue dragged down by continuing losses in Las Vegas

Growth in China and from its digital division helped stem Q3 losses as the company looks to fourth-quarter stabilization following the divestment of its Northfield Park operations.

By Lara Ewen • Oct. 30, 2025

Hotel Tech-in: The system recycling water at Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills

Epic Cleantec collects and treats the hotel’s wastewater, which is then reused to irrigate landscaping and vegetation at the rooftop bar.

By Jenna Graber • Oct. 30, 2025

Wyndham puts 250 AI agents into production

The hotel company’s agentic suite is providing support for guests, such as modifying bookings and offering travel recommendations.

By Lindsey Wilkinson • Oct. 27, 2025

Key hospitality industry takeaways from Lodging Conference 2025

At the annual event in October, executives shared the biggest challenges facing hotels this year as well as top opportunities for growth.

By Jenna Graber • Oct. 27, 2025

Rude awakening as AWS outage disrupts IoT-enabled beds

When the global cloud platform went down earlier this week, it wreaked havoc on beds that rely on internet connectivity. Hotels in Los Angeles and New York use the technology.

By Robert Freedman • Oct. 24, 2025

Wyndham debuts subscription program in latest loyalty play

The $95 per year Wyndham Rewards Insider platform offers cost savings “across nearly every aspect of travel,” including entertainment, via a new collaboration with Ticketmaster.

By Jenna Graber • Oct. 22, 2025

5 hotel marketing tips for crafting attractive offers and experiences

Highlighting unique, local experiences can help properties stand out from the crowd, writes Andrew O'Neall of Whereo.

By Andrew O’Neall • Oct. 21, 2025