TOP NEWS

💻 Dubai has launched a revolutionary citywide contactless hotel check-in system, backed by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism. This system allows guests to upload IDs, complete biometric scans, and confirm details before arrival. It offers a seamless experience without the need for reception desks or paperwork. Unlike partial solutions in other cities, Dubai's full-stack system requires no hardware overhaul, echoing its advanced biometric use in airports. This sets a global standard in hospitality.

💰 MIAMI—In December 2025, Gencom, Argent Ventures, and Highgate acquired the 607-key InterContinental New York Times Square in Midtown Manhattan. This second Gencom purchase in NYC within 18 months emphasizes their faith in the city's appeal. The hotel will transition from IHG management to a franchise, led by Highgate, which recently invested in the 1,331-room Row NYC. Monroe Capital financed the acquisition, while Eastdil Secured facilitated the transaction.

📖 00:00 - Intro, 02:51 - Growing Up in a Family Hotel, 06:14 - Following Emotion Into a Creative Career, 07:59 - The First Restaurant That Changed Everything, 08:24 - Why Story Matters More Than Style, 09:20 - Designing for Wonder and Escape, 11:24 - Balancing Grit and Beauty, 13:47 - What Theatre Teaches Hospitality, 16:31 - Empathy as a Design Tool, 19:19 - Designing Spaces That Feel Alive, 22:19 - Where to Remove Risk—and Where to Add It, 23:54 - Emotion Is Good Business, 25:39 - Hospitality in an AI-Driven World, 30:09 - Designing from Story and Place, 35:13 - Designing with the Market in Mind, 35:59 - What Being an Owner Changed About His Work, 37:59 - Leading Creative Teams, 44:11 - Social Wellness and the Future of Hospitality.

🏨 University of South Carolina researchers developed a Career Mobility Checklist for the lodging industry, funded by AHLA. It features 21 factors crucial for employee retention and satisfaction, with data from 470 current and 522 potential employees. Important factors include job security, salary raises, and benefits, although the industry's performance is rated lower than their perceived importance. Recommendations for improvement include enhancing leadership development, job rotation, empowerment, and aligning industry image with employee values. Career mobility is linked to employee loyalty and reduced turnover.

📊 In 2025, hotel labor dynamics saw significant shifts. Wages, headcount, and overtime were examined, with overtime cut by 50% through strategic tools and housekeeping training. Peter’s Playbook emphasized part-time hiring, cross-training, and flexibility. Department-level productivity improvements focused on guest services, housekeeping, and management. Wage growth and labor cost per occupied room varied by role, with overtime trends signaling future labor strategies for 2026. Aligning labor with real-time demand became crucial.

📈 U.S. Travel Association forecasts a decline in international inbound travel, with visits dropping from 72.4 million in 2024 to 67.9 million in 2025, a 6% decrease. Domestic traveler spending is projected at $1.2 trillion for 2025. Las Vegas expects a 5.8% visitor decline. Restaurants rely heavily on travelers; 47% report decreased tourism-related sales in 2025. Fine dining sees 41% sales from visitors. 2026 may see a rebound due to events like the FIFA World Cup.

📈 2025, Cayuga Hospitality Consultants' Annual Conference predicted significant changes in hospitality. AI becomes essential, while human oversight guides decisions. Rising interest rates and refinanced ownership lead to consolidation. Insurance costs increase, but coverage shrinks. Labor shortages prompt a career rebranding in hospitality. Hotel schools need to evolve. Outsourced expertise will transform operations, with a focus on conversions over new developments. Wellness and community are key for guests. Human judgment remains crucial, blending tech with emotional intelligence.

🏨 Bruce White, founder of White Lodging, will be posthumously awarded the 2026 Pioneer Award on January 27, 2026, at the Americas Lodging Investment Summit (ALIS). White, who founded White Lodging in 1985, transformed the hospitality industry with innovations like dual- and tri-brand hotels in the U.S. He developed over 225 hotels before his passing in early 2023. The Pioneer Award, established in 1996, recognizes trailblazers in the hospitality field.

🏨 In 2025, average wages for non-supervisory workers hit $22.70 per hour. The hospitality industry faced turnover rates 4 to 7 times the national average, costing $3,500 to $5,000 per replacement. Las Vegas union contracts reduced room quotas and enhanced safety. AI handles 70% of repetitive tasks, while automation may impact 25% of roles by 2030. Managerial pay rose 40%. Training transforms roles from line cooks to sous chefs, earning $55,000 to $75,000 annually.