Our Selection: The most important news in hospitality

💻 Roommaster will showcase its AI-based hospitality tools at the NoVacancy 2026 event on September 23-24 at ICC Sydney, Booth #1151. This is part of Australia's largest annual hotel industry gathering. Roommaster's platform integrates reservations, payments, and housekeeping, reducing task clicks by 60% and tripling speed with 99.95% uptime. The AI Guest Management system enhances direct bookings. Their AI suite includes Concierge and Revenue Management for streamlined hotel operations. Attendees can schedule personalized demos during the event.

💻 In the Caribbean, shifting market demands and labor pressures highlight the inadequacy of outdated hotel property-management systems (PMS). A Caribbean Hospitality Operations & Technology Survey reveals about 41% of respondents rely on manual processes for operational issues, with only 65% partially automated. Guest communication issues impact satisfaction significantly, with 67% prioritizing profitability, but only 21% achieving it well. Hoteliers must evaluate PMS for connectivity, visibility, and support to improve efficiency and guest experiences.

Itaú opens Sala Pedra Preta, a new Brazilian design lounge at São Paulo Guarulhos Airport

This article was written by Lodging Magazine. Click here to read the original article Five years ago, the hospitality franchising landscape experienced a seismic shift. In a bold, multi-billion-dollar move, Sonesta International Hotels Corporation took back more than 250 hotels from competitors who had failed to honor their agreements, acquired Red Lion Hotels Corporation, and launched its own franchise platform. Now recognized as the eighth-largest hotel company in the United States, Sonesta flags more than one thousand properties encompassing 100,000 guestrooms across 13 distinct brands. As Sonesta celebrates its five-year franchising anniversary this year, the company is reaping…

📍 Phoenix Hospitality Group (PHG), founded in 2017, officially launched at the Arabian Travel Market in Dubai. Operating over 15 hospitality destinations across the UAE, PHG's assets include Luxe Hotels and diverse dining concepts like Jodhpur Bar & Kitchen. With international expansion plans for India, Georgia, Lagos, Zanzibar, and London, PHG emphasizes creativity and market-specific strategies. CEO Manish Ahluwalia highlights a focus on sustainable growth through creativity and commercial relevance, while maintaining a guest-centered approach.

💻 U.S. hotels in Q1 2026 saw labor costs per occupied room rise 1.8%, while hours reduced 2.3% and housekeeping efficiency improved by 4.3%. Fragmented hotel technology leads to hidden labor costs, as employees manually coordinate tasks due to poor system integration. FCS Solutions, used by 2,800 properties in 70 countries, connects operations to boost efficiency—reporting 40% faster task response and 25-30% increased housekeeping efficiency. Rosen Hotels & Resorts and Caribe Royale Orlando noted improved cross-departmental communication.

📈 Pertlink challenges hospitality's emerging AI governance, noting hotels lack equivalent documentation for human decisions. Soler & Associates highlight the guest interface battle as conversational AI surpasses OTAs' previous dominance. Nayara Bocas del Toro, a 20-key Panama resort, thrives on editorial coverage with ADR over $1,500. PRISM acquires a stake in Sircle Collection, expanding international prospects. U.S. hotels achieve 21 weeks of RevPAR growth at 16.1%, adjusted for calendar shifts. Marriott signs a Ritz-Carlton in Kemer, Türkiye.

💳 Four months ago, Google announced plans for agentic commerce with features like a universal shopping cart, deal tracking, and product compatibility, set for a summer launch. Despite testing with a small user base, none of these features are currently live. Meanwhile, excitement shifts towards AI innovations from Meta and others. Google's new Universal Card aims to enhance shopping by tracking deals and compatibility issues, utilizing Google Wallet and UCP for seamless checkouts, initially rolling out in the US.

🚪 In 2024, 65% of U.S. hotels faced staffing shortages, while 76% were understaffed in May 2024. Costs rose as hotel wages increased by 20% since 2019. Service charges reached 22–26%, with fees adding 30–40% to costs. The FTC's 2025 rule mandated transparent pricing. AI-driven forecasting helped save over $100 million in food costs annually. Staffing gaps led to menu simplification, affecting service quality.

🗺 Sep 14, 2026. Guest reviews now serve multiple roles in the hotel industry: answering traveler queries, influencing booking decisions, and shaping AI recommendations. Booking.com's Property Q&A has been active since Oct 2024 in several countries, while Agoda and Google integrate AI-curated reviews into their platforms. Despite their importance, reviews are increasingly summarized by companies to reduce the need for travelers to read them. In 2024, Tripadvisor published 87.8% of 31.1 million reviews automatically, blocking AI companies without partnerships.

📈 In the hotel industry, AI now plays a crucial role in recommendations, with 82% of its data sourced from OTAs. Only 6% of hotels consistently appear in AI results. Junior sales reps using AI early may develop weaker skills; a protected framework is suggested. UK tourist taxes could impact visitor spending by up to £14.4 billion by 2027, while London leads in hotel investment with £1.4 billion in transactions. New properties and appointments were announced globally.

🏟 The 2026 Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan (September 19 – October 4) will see over 15,000 athletes competing in 500 events, boosting local accommodation demand. Hotel rates peak at JPY 48,399 for the week of September 21, 123% above the annual average, while short-term rentals hit $268, a 59% increase. Occupancy reaches 87.8% on September 20. Despite a 1% increase in demand for the opening ceremony, supply constraints drive prices up, with Nagoya's hotel prices increasing by 2% in 2026, outperforming Japan's overall 4% decline.

💸 In FY2027, U.S. lodging allowances grew: standard CONUS rate rose from $110 to $113 per night starting October 1, 2026. Since FY2020, rates increased by 18%, averaging $157 across markets. New York City saw a 100% rise to $292 since FY2020. The number of NSAs decreased from 296 to 295. Meals and incidental expenses remain at $68 daily. Significant growth in resort areas contrasts with declines in energy-driven destinations. M&IE reviews occur every 3-5 years; the next is in FY2028.

🗺 Meta's AI agent, Muse, launched on September 8, 2026, can book travel and compares hotel options on Expedia without cost. It found a New York hotel for November 1-2 for $410, noting bed type limitations. For flights, Meta pays Duffel: $0.005 per search beyond 1,500, $3 per order, 1% of order value, and $2 per paid extra. Duffel allows 15,000 free searches for ten bookings. OTA pages provide all info, bypassing hotels' direct sites.

📈 Google’s EU hotel search unit no longer displays prices, date filters, or budget tags due to Digital Markets Act compliance. This change affects hotel bookings and increases competition for Google by pushing comparison sites higher in search results. The Dutch hotel industry faces higher VAT, rising from 9% to 21%, impacting investment. U.S. GOPPAR increased by 7.8% year-to-date, while Mexico saw double-digit declines. IHG's agreement for 15 Staybridge Suites adds 2,000 rooms in Australia.

🏨 On September 8, 2026, Horwath's HTL day focused on Dutch hotel resilience. In 2025, the Netherlands saw a 2.5% ADR drop to EUR 155; Amsterdam faced a 3.7% decrease. Operating expenses rose from 64% to 68%, pressuring margins. A VAT hike from 6% to 21% led to 780,000 fewer business stays in H1 2026. Investments stalled due to tax burdens and regulatory uncertainty. To achieve resilience, hoteliers must innovate with revenue strategies, efficiency, and customer engagement.

💻 In 2026, digital privacy is crucial for hotels, influencing guest trust and revenue. Around 20% of data breaches involve public Wi-Fi, including hotel networks. Guests are more aware of data security, impacting booking decisions and reviews. Hotels must segment Wi-Fi, update router firmware, and limit data collection. Staff training and limiting unnecessary data requests are vital. Secure practices should be discreet, supporting guest experience and loyalty without being intrusive.

💸 UK hotels reported a 4.6% RevPAR growth in June 2026, despite rising payroll and operating costs. Total hotel labor costs increased by approximately 15% post-COVID. In the US, hotel construction declined by 5.4% in March 2026. Asia-Pacific saw record growth with 2,506 projects and 452,972 rooms in Q2 2026. Hotels face challenges balancing occupancy and ADR, navigating 15-25% OTA commissions, and prioritizing profit per available room over RevPAR. AI-driven productivity enhancements are explored to optimize costs and services.

📅 On June 28-29, 2026, the 10th Hospitality Finance and Economics Conference was held at Hitotsubashi University's Chiyoda Campus in Tokyo, Japan. Participants from Asia, Europe, and North America discussed AI, PropTech, and demographic changes. Keynotes by Raja Seetharaman and Professor Charles Yuji Horioka focused on technological and demographic transformations affecting real estate. The event featured research presentations and Japanese hospitality, fostering international collaboration.

🛢️ Corporate travel is evolving: companies are focusing on purposeful trips, prioritizing business outcomes over mere accommodation. Key factors include hotel location, Wi-Fi reliability, and meeting space availability, which enhance productivity and flexibility. Hotels should shift from pricing to offering broader value, addressing travel needs and reducing friction. Revenue Management should understand context, Distribution should ease bookings, and Sales should align offerings with client goals. The future lies in selling more than room nights—it's about enhancing the business travel experience.

📈 Mark Fancourt, Co-Founder & Principal Consultant at TRAVHOTECH, emphasizes multi-year business planning over traditional annual budgeting for hotels. He highlights the importance of integrating guest feedback and staff insights to inform technology investments. Technology should be treated as an enterprise capability, assessed beyond annual budget lines. This approach ensures investments align with strategic objectives, addressing capability gaps and avoiding fragmented systems. Fancourt stresses the need to evaluate ROI based on business capability rather than arbitrary financial metrics.

🏖 Nayara Bocas del Toro, located in Panama's Bocas del Toro archipelago, opened in 2022. This eco-friendly luxury resort features 20 units: 16 overwater villas and 4 bamboo treehouses, each at 1,100 sq ft. The resort maintains a 3:1 staff-to-guest ratio with 80 employees. ADR surpasses $1,500. The resort has gained recognition with awards from Condé Nast and Travel + Leisure. Future plans include a new premium villa and a treehouse spa, launching in Q3 2025.

🏨 Starboard Hotels and LaSalle Investment Management have acquired seven UK hotels from Ares and EQ Group, marking Starboard's 20th anniversary. This acquisition increases their portfolio to 28 properties, adding 913 rooms and bringing their Accor-managed hotels to 15. The transaction involves ibis and Novotel brands in cities including London and Birmingham, highlighting the demand for quality hotels in key markets. Starboard now manages over 3,000 rooms in the UK.

🏨 Warsaw, 2025: Visitor numbers reached approximately 12.1 million, slightly lower than 2024 but 20% above 2019 levels. The city handled 24.1 million airport passengers, a 13.3% increase from 2024. Bednights hit 8.7 million, up 8.8% year-on-year. Hotel occupancy neared 80%, while RevPAR grew nearly 6%. Warsaw has 22,400 hotel rooms, expanding 33% since 2016, with seven new projects adding 1,150 rooms by 2029. Poland’s GDP growth is forecast at 3.3% for 2026.

📋 Conrad New York Downtown embeds sustainability in its operations and guest experience, featuring in-suite water filtration and low-flow shower aerators since 2020. Their 1,000-square-foot rooftop garden with Brooklyn Grange produces 150 pounds of organic produce monthly from March to November. The hotel’s sustainability strategy includes partnerships with Retold Recycling and local initiatives, supported by Hilton’s LightStay platform for environmental tracking. These efforts aim to enhance brand differentiation, guest loyalty, and corporate social responsibility.

💻 Smaller independent hotels should use a property management system, channel manager, booking engine, dynamic pricing tool, payment system, and guest communication tool. Integrating these tools into a single platform reduces manual work, errors, and costs, while improving decision-making and guest experience. Lighthouse offers a comprehensive setup, with onboarding completed within two days to one week, allowing hotels to start small and expand functionalities as needed, ensuring seamless operations and greater ROI.

📈 Two days ago, Vassilis Syropoulos, CEO of Juyo Analytics, highlighted a 30-year disconnect between hotel analytics and operations. Revenue managers use complex data, while operational staff need actionable insights. Current AI can bridge this gap, translating analytics into operational language. As hotels evolve, org charts face challenges—real-time data may blur decision-making roles. The future lies in swiftly converting insight into action, demanding organizational redesign over technological advancements. Juyo Analytics offers a platform harmonizing diverse hotel data.

🏨 Otel AI, based in Dublin, Ireland, released a product video on September 4, 2026, showcasing its AI platform for hotel operations. The platform saves hotel teams 20 hours weekly on manual tasks and boosts operational actions by 200%. The Alex in Dublin saw its RevPAR rise 8.6% within three months. Expansion plans target Europe, the US, and the UAE. A redesigned website offers role-specific breakdowns for hotel teams.

📣 Live from Kensington, London, Jo Morgan, a consultant with Meliora Consultancy, shares insights on hotel operations and British guest expectations. Industry challenges, strategic growth, and the rise of fractional consulting are discussed. The focus is on balancing business planning with team well-being and guest experience, alongside adapting to the staycation trend. Hosted by Haynes MarComs, a consultancy with a decade of experience in hospitality tech, the event provides actionable insights for hoteliers.

📈 St. Louis's lodging market rebounded in 2025 after stalling in 2024, with occupancy reaching the low 60s for the first time since 2019. In May 2025, a tornado temporarily increased demand. 2026 saw legislation for downtown revitalization, including a $600M development and a new entertainment district. Major projects include a $1.7B National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency campus and a $1.8B Boeing expansion. A $230M zoo expansion is underway, and a $3B airport reconfiguration is planned.

📚 Two days ago, Joël Bracco, Accor's Director of Food and Beverage, discussed executive education for luxury international resorts. In properties with 200-400 rooms, diverse management teams must understand collective decision-making across departments. Programs should focus on improving decisions like labor redeployment and service recovery. Effective training involves real-world scenarios and measurable impact, fostering a sophisticated organizational approach. Accor operates over 5,600 hotels and resorts globally, with a diverse range of 45 hotel brands.

💸 AI has become a crucial budget focus for hotels, transitioning from experimentation to investment. Only 29% of tech leaders believe their data is AI-ready, and 60% of AI projects may fail due to poor data quality. OTA commissions can range from 10% to 40% of revenue. Direct bookings enhance loyalty and reduce acquisition costs. Effective hotel budgeting now emphasizes AI, data quality, direct revenue, digital experiences, and security, promoting sustainable growth in a rapidly evolving market.

🏨 European hotel occupancy averaged 59.9% in Q1 2026, with ADR at €107.80 and RevPAR at €64.54. Spain's occupancy rose to 56.8%, while the UK saw a decline to 62.2%. The booking window shortened to 40 days. Direct bookings yield €5 higher ADR and longer stays. AI is used by 70% of hoteliers, mainly for translation and pricing. Rooms account for 75% of revenue, with food and beverage generating €7.08 per square meter.

💰 Global growth is projected to slow to 3% in 2026, influenced by Middle East conflicts affecting energy costs. Inflation is rising to 4.7%. Business travel confidence has dropped, with only 41% optimism in April 2026. Meanwhile, international travel increased by 2% in Q1 2026, with Europe welcoming 130 million visitors. The RevPAR forecast for US hotels is revised to 4.4%, driven by luxury segments. Events such as Bruno Mars and Metallica tours are boosting hotel demand.

🍺 In London, Bar Blondie recently opened on Lonsdale Road, Queen’s Park. The venue, blending mid-century design with country-and-western flair, accommodates 45 guests. Co-founded by sommelier Alexandra Price and restaurateur Elliot Milne, it features a diverse menu led by chefs Alastair Walling and Alexander Busca. The venue's eclectic wine list is inspired by arts and culture. Collaborators include Macaulay Sinclair for design and Ryan Stanier for art curation, featuring works by Lucy Robson.

🤖 OYO parent Prism’s GM Agent is a fully autonomous AI managing hotel operations, raising concerns over liability and data processing under India's DPDP Act. At Toronto's Pembroke Inn, Cloudbeds' tools cut OTA bookings from nearly 100% to 10-15%, generating $263,000 in direct revenue and saving up to $70,000 in monthly high-season fees. This highlights AI's operational role and raises questions about accountability as AI governance lags behind deployment.

📱 Nearly half of 400 hotel guests surveyed in HotelTechReport's 2025 study prefer smartphone check-out over the front desk. Hotels with kiosk-based digital check-in report a 20-point increase in guest satisfaction. Mobile check-in and kiosks provide more control and flexibility, catering to diverse guest needs. Digital keys allow guests to bypass the front desk entirely, enhancing convenience. Self-service options also offer upselling opportunities, allowing staff to focus on high-touch services where personal interaction is crucial.

🗺 In 2018, nearly 80 million international visitors traveled to the U.S., setting a record. The goal is to reach 100 million yearly visitors by 2030, generating $81 billion more in spending and over 400,000 new jobs. The U.S. Travel President met with President Trump and travel industry CEOs at the White House to discuss leveraging successful events like the World Cup and America250 to boost tourism and position the U.S. as the world's top travel destination.

📈 Adel Gouda outlines 20 hotel revenue management rules, noting 14 don't apply across groups due to differing data practices. Hotels change GMs every 2.5 years, often due to owner conflicts. Growth is hampered by inconsistent metrics, affecting underwriting and contract retention. Operating costs exceed RevPAR growth, thinning margins. Comparing market-driven hotel rankings misleads management evaluations. Suggested actions include standardizing metrics and reviewing GM reporting time to optimize management and operational decisions.

📈 U.S. RevPAR is forecast to grow by 5.1% in 2026, driven by FIFA World Cup and strong corporate transient demand, with ADR as the key driver. A2A AI, bypassing OTAs, is set to dominate hotel distribution, while AI tools like Concur and Navan modify GDS listings before reaching corporate travelers. LARC projects 2027 RevPAR growth to moderate at 2.1% due to reduced group demand and AI-driven optimization.

🍽 July 4, 1924, Tijuana, Mexico: Italian immigrant Caesar Cardini invents the iconic Caesar salad at Caesar’s Place amidst Prohibition. Faced with supply shortages, Cardini improvises using romaine lettuce, coddled eggs, olive oil, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, Parmesan cheese, and croutons. Celebrities like Clark Gable and Jean Harlow, and icons like Julia Child, celebrated its theatrical tableside preparation. The Caesar salad, born from necessity and ingenuity, became a global culinary sensation.

💻 Since June 2026, over 100 U.S. hotels have adopted Actabl's AI Insights, boosting labor management efficiency. Daily Labor Check-In completions surged by 23%, and overtime hours dropped 13% at beta properties. One hotel reduced overtime spend by 75% in June-July. Hotel wage rates increased by 2.9% in Q1 2026, pressuring margins. AI Insights enhance decision-making by identifying labor issues early, offering actionable solutions, and improving resource allocation, according to Ting Hu of Concord Hospitality.

🍵 Sofitel collaborates with Nespresso from September 1 to November 26, 2026, at 20 Sofitel locations worldwide. This venture offers a unique croissant and coffee pairing experience in-room, blending French culinary artistry with Nespresso’s coffee expertise. The three-month event showcases exclusive La Haute Croissanterie creations, inviting guests to explore modern flavors and textures. This collaboration, led by Anne-Cécile Degenne, transforms a classic French ritual into a luxurious and personal dining encounter.

💸 Optimism among hospitality leaders fell to 35% over the next 12 months, per NIQ and Zonal's survey. Confidence dropped 16 percentage points since early 2026. Rising costs and lower footfall strained margins, with 41% experiencing declining footfall. 52% reported reduced profitability or operations at a loss. Employment costs rose by 10.7% over two years. Business optimism hinges on Prime Minister Andy Burnham, with 47% hopeful. A potential VAT cut in the autumn budget may boost confidence.

💻 [New York, 1 September 2026] – Mews launched Mews POS in the U.S. and Canada, enhancing hotel operations by integrating property management, food and beverage, and payments into a single system. Initially launched in 2024, Mews POS is operational in over 20 countries. This system eliminates manual reconciliation, saving hotels up to two hours daily, as seen with Meiser Hotels in Germany. It provides seamless guest service and efficient billing, as noted by Vanessa Mowell from Shelter Social Club.

🏨 In 2026, UK hotels are regaining investor interest, driven by improved liquidity and rising transaction volumes. JLL highlights the recovery from the 2023 trough. Cushman and Wakefield report increased Q1 2026 UK hotel transactions, despite cost pressures. Success hinges on innovative placemaking, boosting cash flow with diversified income from F&B and wellness, and maintaining occupancy. Investors must see credible business plans; flexibility in placemaking enhances value. Strong operations and adaptive legal structures are crucial for creating memorable destinations.

💸 Sep 1, 2026, Hotels.com launched a business travel mode with saved preferences like nightly rate and breakfast. Ten hotel nights a year elevate a traveler to Silver status. One Key rewards: 1% back for standard hotels, 2% for Silver/Gold, 3% for Platinum, at $236 a night. Surveyed average: 10 work nights/year, $2,360 spent, $47 earned in OneKeyCash. Expedia retiered One Key on July 28, 2026. Filters persist in the app without contracts or expense integration.

🎨 LABottega, located in Pietrasanta since 1920 and run by Serena del Soldato, was remodeled in 2011. A notable recent project, "Outsiders," involves collaboration with Copenhagen's Tableau studio. The initiative includes residencies at the La Stellata farm, where artists use local materials for creations displayed at LABottega. Vestigia 2026, hosted at Villa Marie in Vorno, features works by Jacob Egeberg and others, focusing on blending nature and creativity. The exhibition, running until September 26, 2026, challenges the definition of "collectible design.

📈 Aromar Hotels & Restaurants has chosen Cloudbeds to drive its growth and modernization efforts. This decision marks a significant step for Aromar, who plans to leverage Cloudbeds' comprehensive property management system. The collaboration aims to streamline operations and enhance guest experiences. Aromar anticipates an improvement in efficiency and guest satisfaction through this strategic partnership.

💼 Business travelers find hotel rooms essential for relaxation, with 90% considering them the only place to truly feel "off the clock." Nearly half (47%) prefer alone time over networking events. 79% believe a high-quality hotel boosts work performance, while 80% see loyalty programs as crucial. Hyatt's Essentials Portfolio focuses on comfort, offering features like reliable Wi-Fi, 24-hour food, and complimentary breakfasts. Travelers prioritize consistency, and Hyatt accommodates with dedicated workspaces and rewards through its loyalty program.