Ten Predictions for the Hospitality Industry in 2026 and Beyond
At Cayuga Hospitality Consultants' Annual Conference 2025, leaders across hotels, resorts, F&B, and events compared notes on what's next. The takeaways were clear: efficiency wins, experience sells, and the teams who move first get the margin.
Here are ten predictions for 2026-and the actions that will matter for operators, owners, and event professionals.
1) AI becomes the default operating layer
AI shifts from pilot projects to embedded tools in PMS, RMS, CRM, POS, and maintenance. Expect automated forecasting, pricing, scheduling, and guest messaging to run in the background while teams focus on service and sales.
- Audit your tech stack: where can AI cut time (RFPs, group pricing, pick-up, F&B ordering, housekeeping turns)?
- Set data rules: permissions, retention, and model training. No clean data = noisy outputs.
- Upskill frontline leaders on prompts and QA. If it touches guests or revenue, humans review.
2) Staffing rebalances around flexibility and skills
Operators lean into flexible scheduling, smaller core teams, and cross-training. The goal: fewer handoffs, more multi-skill roles, and faster onboarding.
- Build 2-in-1 roles (e.g., events + sales support, barista + bartender, rooms + banquets).
- Offer shift swaps and part-time tracks to keep talent you'd otherwise lose.
- Tie training to wage ladders so people see the next step, not just the next shift.
3) Insurance stays expensive-and picky
Underwriting remains tight, with higher deductibles and exclusions tied to severe weather, liability, and cyber. Insurers reward properties that can prove risk prevention, not just promise it.
- Install leak, freeze, and vibration sensors in high-risk areas; log inspections digitally.
- Update incident reporting and staff training; close the loop on every near-miss.
- Ask brokers about parametric options and multi-year programs to stabilize costs.
4) Meetings and events get more produced and more measurable
In-person demand is strong, but expectations are higher: better AV, content capture, and flexible formats. Planners want clear ROI-attendance, engagement, leads, and post-event reach.
- Package events with studio-grade AV, recording, highlight reels, and analytics.
- Create modular room sets that flip fast: keynote to breakouts to sponsor activations.
- Offer content licensing and distribution as an add-on revenue stream.
5) Sustainability becomes a cost strategy, not a brochure line
Owners fund what pays back: heat pumps, LED + controls, induction in kitchens, smart meters, and waste tracking. Claims need proof-third-party standards and data.
- Prioritize projects with 18-36 month paybacks using utility rebates.
- Meter by area (kitchens, laundry, back-of-house) to find the real leaks.
- Use recognized frameworks (e.g., LEED/BREEAM) to validate progress.
6) Experience design beats square footage
Underused space gets monetized through activations, memberships, and day-use passes. Think lobby pop-ups, wellness corners, creator-friendly meeting kits, and weekday coworking.
- Track revenue per square foot by time of day, not just occupancy.
- Rotate monthly concepts with local partners to keep it fresh.
- Bundle parking, F&B credits, lockers, and fast Wi-Fi in a single "day access" product.
7) Safety and compliance go tech-first
Employee safety devices, trafficking awareness, guest verification, and OT cybersecurity move up the priority list. Many markets now expect proof of compliance, not policy binders.
- Roll out property-wide safety devices and log usage for audits.
- Standardize trafficking training across hotels and partners.
- Patch and segment building systems (locks, HVAC, cameras) like you would guest Wi-Fi.
8) Total revenue replaces room-only thinking
Revenue teams price everything: meeting space, early check-in, parking, spa, dining, experiences, and attributes. The advantage goes to properties that connect demand signals across channels.
- Shift KPIs to GOPPAR, TRevPAR, and RevPOR across departments.
- Introduce attribute-based offers (views, floors, desk type) with clear upsides.
- Use first-party data to personalize without creeping guests out.
9) Owner-operator deals get more performance-driven
Expect tighter alignment on fees, transparency on data, and incentives tied to NOI. Asset-light wins, but only with measurable value to the P&L.
- Share live dashboards with owners: forecast vs. actuals, risks, and actions.
- Pilot fee structures with clawbacks/bonuses tied to agreed metrics.
- Consider adaptive reuse where new builds don't pencil.
10) CapEx timing stretches-maintenance gets smarter
FF&E costs and lead times stay high. Teams push lifespan with better care, predictive maintenance, and smart replacements instead of full refreshes.
- Instrument high-wear assets (HVAC, laundry, elevators) and plan by condition, not age.
- Swap materials to durable, cleanable options guests still love.
- Pre-buy critical spares and lock in vendor SLAs before peak seasons.
What operators and event teams can do this quarter
- Pick two workflows to automate end-to-end (e.g., group proposals and BEO updates).
- Stand up a cross-training plan for your top three bottleneck roles.
- Bundle an "Event Pro" package: room, studio AV, recording, content edits, analytics.
- Run a utility and insurance risk audit; prioritize fixes with clear ROI.
- Move to total revenue reporting and review it weekly with sales and operations.
If you're building AI skills across your team, explore practical training paths by role here: Complete AI Training - Courses by Job.
For broader industry research and trend data, see AHLA Research.
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