Market Trends

🏨 In 1992, the author attempted to book personalized experiences in Shanghai, Beijing, and Xi’an but succeeded only in visiting a Go school for children. The hospitality industry now thrives on personalized experiences, driven by market changes, brand commoditization, and revenue potential. Example offerings: Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park in London’s private Harrods shopping, exclusive Burj Khalifa tours by The Ritz-Carlton Dubai, and sapling planting at LUX* Resorts Mauritius. A seven-part formula for memorable hotel experiences includes novelty, quality, and personalization.

📅 February 2026, Denver: Engine launches Engine Spaces, integrating workspace booking with travel services. The platform, featuring over 40,000 meeting spaces in the U.S., partners with Choice Hotels. Engine's December 2025 poll reveals 82% of hotel meeting spaces are underutilized, booked less than half the time. Engine Spaces aims to simplify booking, offering centralized listings and direct inquiries. Choice Hotels, with 7,500 locations, supports the initiative to enhance visibility and connectivity in business travel.

🏒 Milan is seeing hotel occupancy rates peak at 85.2% for the Winter Olympics, particularly on 11 February. The opening ceremony on 6 February shows 82.9% occupancy, while the closing ceremony on 20 February dips to 71.4%. February's average occupancy is forecasted at 77.9%, potentially the highest on record, with ADR up 48.1% year-over-year. Milan’s limited hotel supply, improved transport, and international gateway status contribute to these figures, amid the upcoming Olympics and Milan Fashion Week.

🏟 In this episode, Walter Isenberg, CEO of Sage Hospitality Group, delves into "Sportspitality"—combining hotels with sports and entertainment venues. He highlights how these projects exceed traditional travel needs by boosting demand through arenas and stadiums, impacting professional sports, universities, and urban centers. Sage's McGregor Square project serves as an example. Join Josiah on February 5th for a live session about enhancing portfolio reporting.

🏠 In 2026, hospitality brands are shifting focus from location to branding, memory, and identity. Examples include Reschio in Umbria, Aman Resorts, and Soho House & Co. Reschio offers a unique narrative experience despite its remote setting. Aman emphasizes calmness and an emotionally distant experience, making the brand experience portable. Soho House prioritizes belonging and culture over iconic locations. Brands relying solely on location may struggle to differentiate themselves in the future.

🏨 Staffing Agency's "The Hotel Workforce Reset: The Year Ahead 2026" report reveals 65% of U.S. hotels face staffing shortages despite rising wages. Key insights: extended-stay hotels show resilience, luxury hotels face skill shortages, and midscale hotels struggle with labor instability affecting brand standards. Immigration constraints, demographic shifts, and alternative labor models reshape the industry. The report emphasizes stable workforce models as a competitive advantage, highlighting the importance of retention and supervisor stability over aggressive hiring strategies.

📈 Quantum physics and revenue management share similarities in perspective. The observer effect reveals that observation alters behavior, much like forecasts in revenue management. Schrödinger’s cat illustrates dual states, mirroring how hotels can be perceived differently by sales, finance, marketing, and revenue managers. Strategy versus tactics resembles wave-particle duality. Successful revenue managers balance strategic and tactical perspectives, focusing on probability over certainty, making nuanced decisions amid uncertainty. Perspective, not absolute truth, guides revenue management.

🛌 Hotels embracing doorless bathrooms as a design trend face criticism for prioritizing aesthetics over guest comfort. Katie Deighton from The Wall Street Journal highlights this issue, noting that many hotels sacrifice privacy for style. Designs like glass walls, freestanding tubs, and inadequate lighting compromise guest experiences. This aesthetic-first approach leads to increased complaints, as guests struggle with privacy and comfort. Effective design should prioritize guest needs, ensuring functionality and comfort over mere visual appeal.

🌏 Julia Birzele, a hospitality leader with over 10 years of experience, has delivered projects in 10+ countries, including the UK, USA, and Mexico. She has run iconic venues like Lío London. Lío Group marked 15 years in Ibiza with record-breaking performance. Julia emphasizes cultural adaptability, exemplified by a hotel launch in Egypt. Her approach combines global brand consistency with local flavor, aiming for emotional guest experiences. She highlights post-pandemic trends favoring immersive, health-conscious experiences with AI-augmented hospitality.