Hotelier Perspectives

Pets are an important part of our lives. They deserve to be treated to the same five-star experiences as we are. And there’s an emerging trend within luxury hospitality that proves it’s not only our animal friends who’ll benefit – hotels can too.

What will the guest journey look like in 2026 and beyond? As hospitality arrives at yet another critical moment, the 2026 Hospitality Industry Outlook authored by Mews explores how the rise of AI – both generative and agentic – is transforming how hotels operate, interact with guests and drive revenue.

In hospitality, we often talk about guest experience, operational excellence and creating memorable moments. But the most profound lessons in hospitality come from stories that begin far away from a hotel lobby.

We all want smarter systems. Better forecasts. Faster decisions.

Stop just discussing digital transformation. Start delivering it.

The premise of this discussion is that thought leadership can and should be developed as part of a business culture. I view thought leadership being tied to overarching business concepts like leadership, innovation, sustainability, and communication. The inferences from thought leadership in general, is to have an authoritative source share what s/he or a business see as the future and or the changes in a business sector or in the economy in general.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly moving from buzzword to business reality. It is reshaping industries from finance to healthcare. In hospitality, though, many hotel operators remain cautious, and with good reason.

In today’s landscape, where shifting guest expectations for a blended balance of autonomy and connection and advancing technology and digital concierge tools continue to influence the evolution of the hospitality sector, the question is no longer whether hotels should adopt these tools – but rather how and when can they strategically implement them in a way that enhances, rather than simply dilutes, the human connection? This will allow hotels to seamlessly blend hardware – these advancing technologies – with software – the thoughtful and personalized hospitality guests seek out.

One fascinating hospitality trend that often goes underappreciated is how regions that are experiencing high growth in travel numbers are accompanied not only by new hotel developments but also poignant industry innovations that are emulated elsewhere in the globe. And oftentimes, this innovation is led by intrepid family owners and operators who are guided by their passion rather than simply the numbers on an income statement.

Too many choices. Too little patience. Travelers are overwhelmed, and operators are under pressure to deliver flawless experiences. AI in the travel industry is the game-changer positioned to rewrite the rules.