This page brings together our editor’s selection of the most relevant and interesting posts shaping the hotel industry right now. It reflects what we believe matters most today, from strategic shifts to emerging trends, with each article chosen for its insight and relevance. Our goal is to bring the best and most important news to you to explore further by reading the full articles directly on the original websites.
The Margin Defense Strategy: Why Operational Efficiency is Your Competitive Advantage
💸 At The Lodging Conference in Phoenix last month, leaders highlighted stagnant revenues and rising expenses. ADR lagged inflation in 23 of the last 36 months, with GOP per available room down 3.6% year-to-date, per CBRE. Utility costs are a major concern; water conservation can…
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2026 Is Not About Adding AI to Hotels
🏨 In 2026, hotels will face a structural shift as AI changes decision-making. The guest journey moves from websites to AI-driven answers, prioritizing data certainty over visibility. AI will initiate many bookings, making machine-readable data essential. Hotels must integrate AI…
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What’s Next for Hospitality in 2026?
📈 In 2025, the hospitality industry saw a modest growth in average daily rates, while occupancy weakened. AI adoption increased revenue by 7.2%. 67% of family travel decisions are influenced by children. Luxury hotels' RevPAR grew by 5.3% year-over-year, while the economy segment…
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PwC Report: AI at the heart of tourism and hospitality – powering personalisation, efficiency and growth
💻 PwC's latest report highlights AI's transformative impact on the Middle East's tourism and hospitality sectors. With 91% of industry leaders piloting AI, only 3% have achieved full deployment due to legacy issues and talent gaps. AI drives efficiency, with 85% seeing cost…
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A detailed review of the Top Ten of the Hospitality Awards 2025
🏨 The Hospitality Awards 2025 recognized ten Corporate category winners for their innovation and best practices in hotel management. The awards showcase global hotel groups' efforts and achievements, emphasizing the importance of their work. The jury reviewed numerous applications,…
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Indian Hotel Sector: 2025 in Review
🏨 In 2025, India's hotel sector thrived on domestic tourism, driven by short breaks, pilgrimages, and social events. Coldplay's concerts and the Maha Kumbh Mela attracted millions. The sector signed over 47,000 keys by November, a 31% increase from the prior year. GST reform aimed to…
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What Phocuswright’s 2026 predictions mean for hotel operators
📰 Jan 8, 2026 – AI and shifting demand are set to redefine the hotel industry. AI tools are becoming essential for hotel discovery and booking, emphasizing the need for visibility in AI-driven flows. Hotels with structured data and rich content will excel as AI agents recommend…
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Hunter Advisors Debuts Strategic Rebranding
📈 Hunter Advisors launched a strategic rebrand in 2024, simplifying its name from Hunter Hotel Advisors. This rebrand includes a new visual identity and websites, HunterAdvisors.co and HunterConference.co, unifying its advisory and conference platforms. Teague Hunter, CEO, emphasized…
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Hotel distribution in 2026: what is structurally changing
📈 Jan 7, 2026, Whitesky identifies 25 trends impacting hotel distribution. Key shifts include AI as integral infrastructure for pricing decisions, fragmented distribution channels requiring multi-touchpoint management, and increased pricing regulation. Central reservation systems…
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LodgIQ Unveils Advanced Pickup Analytics in Winter Release, Citing Double-Digit RevPAR Gains in Boutique Hotel Case Study
📈 LodgIQ, based in Silicon Valley, launched Advanced Pickup Analytics in their Winter 2025-2026 update, enhancing year-round booking visibility and strategic revenue management. A case study highlighted a boutique hotel achieving double-digit RevPAR growth, over 20% ADR increases on…
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The Impact of AI on Hotel Labor Is All About Continuous Quick Wins
💻 Who? Hospitality industry professionals. When? Ongoing. Where? Hotels globally. What? Incorporating AI for efficiency and profitability. How? Through small, incremental improvements called 'quick wins'. AI helps automate tasks like scheduling, procurement, and guest communications,…
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Authenticity after abundance
📷 Who? Adam Mosseri. When? 2023, looking forward to 2026. Where? Instagram. What? The rise of AI-generated content challenges authenticity, traditionally valued in creator content. How? AI improves, creating indistinguishable fake media; authenticity becomes scarce. Why? Trust in…
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The Invisible Architect: How Technology in Hospitality Design is Redefining Spaces
💻 AI technology is revolutionizing hotel design. Digital twins and generative AI predict guest flow and optimize layouts before construction, transforming lobby design from art to science. Sensor-driven "switch-less" architecture and Power over Ethernet reduce clutter. IoT sensors…
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The Hospitality Industry Needs Conversation Engineers. Here's Why: If you're in hospitality and haven't heard of a "Conversation Engineer" yet, you will soon. As AI agents move from experimental… | mathias coudert
💻 In 2026, the hospitality industry is increasingly reliant on Conversation Engineers, specialists who design AI-driven guest interactions. As AI becomes operational in hotels and restaurants, these engineers are essential for bridging technical capabilities with guest expectations.…
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Repositioning for Value: The Strategic Role of Hotel Turnarounds in Thailand
🏨 Thailand's hospitality sector is evolving, with over 83,000 rooms in Bangkok and 751 new keys by 2025. As new luxury and lifestyle hotels emerge, older hotels face higher costs and uneven performance. Strategic turnarounds focus on cultural optimization, lifestyle repositioning,…
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Booking.com’s new review scoring explained: What hoteliers need to know in 2026
📈 In December 2024, Booking.com revamped its review scoring, shifting to a dynamic model focused on recent reviews. Key data shows a hotel’s score, which was static at 8.8 for 480 days (2023-2024), rose to 9.3 by August 2025 after the change. This new approach led to 15 score changes…
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Mag HON 362-363: Luxury clients are deploying new behaviors
💰 Luxury clientele has diversified, with 35% of the market now consisting of Mass Affluents and Luxury Seekers, whose wealth ranges from USD 100,000 to USD 1 million. Millionaires Next Door (USD 1 to 5 million) and HNWIs (USD 5 to 30 million) prioritize non-ostentatious luxury,…
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Share Your Insights: The 2026 Profitability Playbook Survey
🏨 Otelier, Agilysys, and Sage invite you to the 2026 Hotel Operations Index study to enhance hotel efficiency. Participate in a 5-7 minute survey to improve data access and automation for over 10,000 hotels globally. Insights contribute to a comprehensive benchmark report. Otelier,…
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Our crystal ball: What is in store for 2026? 1. AI: The ‘blabbing’ is non-stop. But what are you doing about it? If you are an owner or a GM, ask your team to put together an action plan… | Larry Mogelonsky, P. Eng.
📱 2026 predictions highlight AI's integration in hospitality, urging owners to develop action plans. Wellness shifts beyond massages, demanding spa updates. 5-star hotels thrive, while 4-star counterparts struggle. Younger guests favor mocktails over wine, shifting focus. The…
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Hospitality.today™Top 50 of 2025
📅 2025 was significant for the hospitality industry with AI becoming integral in search, pricing, and customer service. Distribution evolved with APIs and AI-driven systems. Brands gained importance as independent hotels focused on pricing and loyalty. The guest journey became…
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The Zeitgeist of Hospitality News 2025
📈 Hotel trends in 2025 show a heightened focus on real-time U.S. market performance, indicating industry vigilance. AI interest decreases but evolves, while guest experience and design remain constants. Acquisitions and consolidation dominate brand headlines. Booking.com maintains…
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What Japan travel looks like after the comeback
🗺️ Japan, 2025: Strategic tourism policies focus on sustainability, dispersal, and experience. New measures like visitor caps, fees, and taxes are implemented to protect cultural sites and residents. Rail extensions and regional promotions aim to distribute tourist flow beyond…
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Fire forces evacuation at Hove’s Imperial Hotel
🔥 Hove, December 23, 2025, Imperial Hotel: A fire broke out at 3:11 PM on the fourth floor. East Sussex Fire and Rescue responded with multiple engines. Guests and staff were evacuated; one person was treated for injuries. Firefighters used an aerial ladder and breathing apparatus.…
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Vilnius Named European Hospitality City 2025
🏨 Vilnius, Lithuania, awarded the European Hospitality City 2025 on November 17 by the European Hotel Awards, hosted a gala at the Grand Hotel, Vilnius. The event recognized Vilnius’ creativity and growth in hospitality. Honorees included Radisson Collection Astorija (Hotel of the…
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#hoteltech #hospitalityinnovation #guestexperience #hoteloperations #hospitalitytechnology #hotelmanagement #traveltech #hotelindustry #efficiency #automation #contactlessguestexperience… | Omri Halak
📱 Over the past few months, DialZero has emerged as a vital tool in global hotel operations. Developed to address labor shortages and guest service demands, it replaces traditional in-room phones with a guest messaging platform. Guests scan QR codes for service requests, which are…
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THN’s Best of 2025: The Blog Posts Hoteliers Read, Shared, and Acted On
📈 In 2025, Lighthouse acquired The Hotels Network, integrating AI-driven personalization into its platform. Hotels can tap into the growing power of AI, like ChatGPT, to enhance bookings. Small teams benefit from Vibe Marketing automation, while The Sofia Hotel blends AI and…
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HVS Global Perspectives – Year-End 2025
📈 U.S., 2025: Hotel transactions slow initially, but a significant increase is anticipated in 2026. Cap rates for Q4 2025 fall as buyers focus on renovation potential, with 8% as the average stabilized asset cap rate. Occupancy is predicted to rise by 0.5% in 2026, with ADR…
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In-House vs. Outsourced Revenue Management: The 2026 Decision Guide
📈 A 50-room boutique hotel could benefit from outsourcing, accessing a six-figure Revenue Director's expertise for less. Outsourced agencies provide year-round coverage, avoiding "single point of failure" risks when in-house managers are unavailable. However, it can lead to…
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How Mews transformed hospitality in 2025: the year in review
📈 Mews transformed the hospitality industry in 2025. Through key acquisitions—Clarity in APAC and the UK, Flexkeeping in September, and DataChat in October—Mews expanded operational strength and AI capabilities. With $75M from Tiger Global, Mews powered over 12,500 hotels across 85+…
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Andean as a Boutique Collection with All the Hallmarks of Purposeful Travel
🗺️ Peru's hospitality scene is evolving with boutique hotels led by Ignacio Masias, CEO of Andean. By mid-July 2025, Andean's Tinajani Canyon hotel joins its five other Peruvian locations. These properties capture the essence of Peru, offering immersive cultural experiences.…
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The best of Mirai’s Blog in 2025: our most read posts
📖 In 2025, Mirai's top blog posts focused on AI's impact on hospitality. Key topics included AI's role in marketing, guest interactions, and hotel operations, with insights by Pablo Delgado and others. Google Ads' AI Max revolutionized hotel marketing, while Booking.com's U.S. credit…
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U.S. hotel performance for November 2025
🏨 U.S. hotel occupancy in November 2025 dropped to 57.9%, a 2.8% decrease from November 2024, according to CoStar. The average daily rate increased slightly by 0.6% to $153.77, while revenue per available room fell by 2.3% to $88.97. Tampa saw significant declines in occupancy…
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New on the Menu: Kingfish crudo and a caviar Martini
🍴 Bret Thorn is the Senior Food & Beverage Editor at Nation’s Restaurant News since 1999, and hosts the podcast "In the Kitchen with Bret Thorn." He won the 2006 Jesse H. Neal Award and was IFEC president in 2005. Thorn's career includes roles at The New York Sun, Asia Times, and…
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Tambourine Partners with Ted Turner Reserves, Launches New Website Showcasing the Brand’s Conservation Mission
🌎 Ted Turner Reserves launched a new website, developed by Tambourine, to promote its conservation mission across 1.1 million acres in New Mexico, including properties Vermejo, Sierra Grande, Armendaris, and Ladder. This site enhances digital storytelling and encourages eco-conscious…
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SiteMinder: World Cup Draw Leads to Strong Booking Activity for U.S. Hotels
🏆 U.S. hotels in host cities for the 2026 FIFA World Cup are seeing a surge in bookings and average daily room rates (ADR). As of December 12, 2025, bookings for the U.S. vs. Paraguay match in Los Angeles on June 12 rose 80.5%, with ADR up 21.4%. For the England vs. Croatia match in…
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World Cup 2026 booking data reveals sharp demand shifts across host cities – Key Data
🏆 Santa Rosa Beach, Fla., 18 December 2025 — The FIFA World Cup 2026 match schedule release on December 5 spiked short-term rental bookings in host cities by an average of 29% YoY. From June 11 to July 19, 2026, nights sold rose by 298%, revenue by 533%, and ADR by 63%. Notable…
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The Future of Hotel Asset Management in Europe
🏨 Hotel asset management (HAM) has evolved since the 1970s by separating property ownership and operations, initially thriving in the U.S. and gaining traction in Europe over the last 20 years. Analyzing 22 interviews, findings reveal 100% of property owners and 90% of asset managers…
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“If We’re Not Using Technology, We’re Done”: A CEO’s Wake-Up Call for Hospitality – Agnelo Fernandes, Cote Hospitality
💻 Agnelo Fernandes, CEO of Cote Hospitality, shares insights from a recent trip to Northern California on the evolving role of technology in the hospitality industry. He emphasizes the critical shift towards AI-driven personalization and its impact on operational efficiency. With…
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The Ashes Tour pushed Perth occupancy to 96%, Adelaide rooms nearly fully booked
🏈 Perth's Ashes Test (21-25 Nov) peaked on the second night: occupancy at 96.0%, ADR AUD409.36, RevPAR AUD393.03, with 46.9% and 50.3% growth, respectively. Brisbane's Test (4-8 Dec) saw 90.3% occupancy initially; peak ADR AUD406.16, RevPAR AUD363.85 on the third night, up 55.7% and…
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For years, the travel industry has measured success by looking backwards. Arrivals, occupancy, spend, satisfaction – all of these tell us what's already happened. But in 2026, tracking who’s arrived… | Jeremy Jauncey | 29 comments
🌍 In 2026, the travel industry is shifting from tracking past metrics to focusing on predictive analytics. Key trends include save rates on social content, TikTok travel trends, AI travel queries, and Pinterest wishlists. Notably, Pinterest recorded over 1 billion travel searches and…
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Strategic partnerships that help your independent hotel stand out from the competition
🛁 Local or regional DMOs can boost a hotel's visibility through expansive marketing campaigns and insights into travel trends. Technology partners streamline operations for better efficiency and decision-making. Collaborating with local suppliers enhances guest experience and…
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From sustainability to sleep tourism and convenience to connectivity: five essentials shaping the future of the Middle East’s hospitality sector
📈 In December 2025, FHS World in Dubai gathered 1,600 hospitality leaders from 70+ countries, featuring 250 investors managing $5.5 trillion in assets. $975 million in business opportunities were presented, with 12 major agreements made. The event underscored the rise of integrated…
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Hotelogix caps 2025 with strong growth, market leadership, and turns EBITDA positive
📈 Hotelogix, Singapore, 17 December 2025: Surpassed 400,000 rooms in India and 15,000 keys in the Philippines, capturing 15% of India's hotel inventory. 2025 marked 35% revenue growth from 2024, achieving EBITDA positivity through AI efficiencies and enhanced customer support.…
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Google says AI search optimization mirrors traditional SEO
📈 Dec 17, 2025, Google emphasizes that AI-powered search in the hospitality industry relies on traditional SEO fundamentals like strong content and clear information. No special "AI SEO" exists; successful strategies still depend on high-quality content and trustworthy websites. AI…
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WTTC Recognized China’s Strategic Initiatives Driving Growth in Travel & Tourism
🗺️ Chinese Travel & Tourism, 2025: Harbin hosts the Global Tourism Economy Forum, spotlighting China's key role. WTTC reports the sector's $1.9TN economic contribution and 15.8% growth. Inbound visitor spending projected at $144.1BN, with domestic spending near $968BN.…
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PwC: Q3 M&A Deal Volume Increased 40 Percent in Hospitality and Leisure Sector
📈 PwC's Hospitality & Leisure: US Deals 2026 Outlook reported a 40% increase in deal volume in Q3 2025 compared to Q1 and Q2. Although deal volumes mirror 2024, average transaction size fell by 55%. Key trends in late 2025 included focus on luxury, digital segments, and gaming. AI…
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Hotel overbooking: strategies, benefits and risks for hoteliers
📅 In the hotel industry, overbooking strategies involve selling more rooms than available to counter no-shows, cancellations, and early departures. Intentional overbooking, driven by data and forecasting, maximizes occupancy and revenue. Accidental overbooking, often due to…
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Atriis announces Travelport launch of…
💻 Atriis and Travelport successfully launched Travelport NDC within the Atriis ecosystem, enhancing corporate travel booking. The integration, now available to all Atriis customers, offers full NDC booking and servicing capabilities, including search, booking, seat selection, and…
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Hospitality is broadening its definition
🏨 Dec 16, 2025, leaders from Airbnb, Marriott, and Casago highlight a shift in hospitality. Hotels, homes, rentals, services, and experiences are converging into a single guest journey, focusing on matching traveler needs with appropriate stays. Brands are reshaping strategies,…
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Todd English partners with chef Olivia Ostrow for global kosher hospitality group
🍴 Celebrity chefs Todd English and Olivia Ostrow are launching a global kosher hospitality group under Ostrow Global Inc. 🌍 Debuting December 18 in Miami at Maison Ostrow, the project includes restaurants in Miami, New York, Tel Aviv, Dubai, Paris, and London. The first dinner…
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