#246: 2026 Hospitality Industry Outlook, 5 Trends to Watch, Hotel Bathroom Backlash, & Mews Funding | January Hot Topics — The Modern Hotelier

Join Steve Carran and David Millili as he welcomes Jon Bumhoffer, producer of The Modern Hotelier, for a deep dive into hospitality trends and industry forecasts for 2026.

In this episode, we break down everything hotel owners, operators, and travelers need to know—from group business rebounds, rising labor costs, and food & beverage innovations, to AI-driven bookings, lifestyle brands, and the latest in hotel tech investments.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

Food & beverage shifts: pop-ups, healthy options, and tech-driven dining experiences
Rising labor and operational costs impacting the hospitality industry
AI in travel: how large language models are reshaping hotel bookings
Hotel tech spotlight: MEWS secures $300M funding and what this means for cloud PMS
Controversial hotel design trends: the debate over doorless bathrooms

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Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/gDHkSaG0Wu0

Links:

For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/246

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Connect with Steve and David:
Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E...
David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil.