Regulatory and Legal Affairs

📊 Key Data's Q1 2026 report shows U.S. vacation rental operators adjusting strategies amid late bookings. January's occupancy is 6% lower YoY, narrowing to 3% by March. ADR increases 2% in January, 4% in February and March. Regional highlights: Mid-Atlantic and New England see 18% RevPAR growth, Western U.S. sees 8%. Airbnb captures 54% of reservations in Q4 2025. Direct bookings fall to 21% of reservations but still account for 28% of revenue.

📅 Berlin, March 23-25, 2026: The International Society of Hospitality Consultants (ISHC) is now accepting nominations for the Young Leader Award at Questex’s International Hospitality Investment Forum (IHIF EMEA). Candidates must be 35 or younger, born on or after April 1, 1991, and active in hospitality. The nomination deadline is midnight GMT, February 2, 2026. Nominees need a sponsor from their organization or direct work experience. More details can be found on the ISHC Young Leader Award webpage.

🛫 Nearly 20 state bills introduced since early 2023 could impact travel tech by 2026. These bills aim to restrict AI in pricing based on consumer data, possibly increasing costs and hindering revenue strategies. The conflicting state laws raise legal uncertainties, affecting dynamic pricing for travel services. Travel Tech is monitoring these developments and advising industry stakeholders. Engaging early is crucial to mitigating risks and informing policymakers about potential adverse effects on the travel industry.

🏨 In 2026, Hyatt's strategic approach to growth focuses on governance rather than operation. Expanding to over 1,400 properties, Hyatt emphasizes identity arbitration over standardization. Key brands like Park Hyatt, Thompson, and Alila maintain distinct identities, balancing creative freedom within clear constraints. This model streamlines decision-making and preserves brand character, allowing Hyatt to thrive globally without diluting luxury. By clarifying authority, Hyatt ensures continuity, not repetition, across diverse cultural expectations.

🏨 Jan 22, 2026, China: Despite record travel volumes, China's hotel sector struggles with stagnant room yields. Hoteliers blame pricing pressure from Trip.com Group Ltd, which controls 56% of China’s online travel market. Alleged forced discounts of 15% or more and exclusive arrangements are under antitrust investigation. Major brands like Marriott and Hilton report revenue declines. Rapid capacity expansion and competitive pressures further impact profitability. Reduced visibility on Trip.com occurs without offering lowest rates.

📈 U.S. hotel occupancy in 2025 dropped to 62.3% (-1.2%), with RevPAR at $100.02 (-0.3%). New York City led with 84.1% occupancy, $333.71 ADR, and $280.71 RevPAR. San Francisco's ADR rose 6.0% to $225.82, with an 11.8% RevPAR increase. St. Louis occupancy climbed 6.5% to 61.7%. Houston saw the largest occupancy drop (-8.6% to 58.9%), while Las Vegas faced ADR and RevPAR declines of 4.3% and 10.9%, respectively.

📈 In December 2025, the UK hospitality sector employed 8,784 fewer people than November and 20,014 fewer than September. The decline coincided with typically busy festive hiring. Rising employment costs and changes to employer National Insurance contributions are cited as reasons. UKHospitality urges government action to increase the business rates discount to 20p to mitigate April's scheduled business rate hikes. Chief executive Allen Simpson warns of the sector's potential stifled by increased tax burdens, risking further job losses and closures.

🏨 Over 130 hotel and holiday park operators, including Hilton and Marriott, urge the Chancellor for a hospitality-wide business rates solution due to impending hikes. By UKHospitality analysis, rates could rise 115% over three years, reaching £205,200, endangering jobs and investment. The coalition warns of costs passed to consumers worsening the cost-of-living crisis. They highlight a need for comprehensive sector support beyond pubs to sustain business viability and counter inflationary pressures.

📝 By 2029, the UK plans to end using hotels to house asylum seekers. As of September 2025, over 36,000 asylum seekers reside in hotels, with costs projected to reach £15.3 billion over the next decade. Migrant arrivals via small boats reached 41,472 in 2025. The government aims to collaborate with local authorities for alternative accommodations, yet challenges remain due to housing shortages and planning constraints. Hotel reliance reflects deeper systemic issues, questioning the feasibility of the 2029 deadline.

🛌 UK, 2026: Chronic housing shortages and asylum processing backlogs have made hotels central to asylum accommodation. The hospitality industry faces a 2029 deadline to transition away from this model, raising concerns about feasibility. As hotels take on this role, questions about the industry's capacity and the government's plans for sustainable solutions become increasingly urgent. Reading time for this article is approximately 12 minutes.