In this episode of Hospitality Hot Topics, Steve Carran, David Millili, and Jon Bumhoffer break down the latest trends and insights from February in the hospitality industry. From rising midscale hotel rates to the booming luxury market, they explore what’s shaping travel in 2026 and beyond.

What we cover in this episode:

• Why the $150 midscale hotel room is disappearing and what travelers are paying now
• How inflation, rising operating costs, and labor expenses are changing hotel pricing
• The shift towards AI-driven personalization and dynamic hotel packages
• Opportunities for Airbnb hosts during the World Cup and the changing landscape of long-term stays
• Tips for getting better hotel rates: price matching, direct bookings, and leveraging technology

Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c0pidWSZCog

For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/257

Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-...

Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn page

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

What does the future of hospitality look like in an AI-driven world?

Join David Millili at ITB Berlin for a deep dive into the future of hospitality technology with Darko Bosancic, Senior Vice President of Travel & Hospitality at Sirma.

In this episode, we explore how hotels can move beyond fragmented tech stacks, leverage AI agents, and build connected ecosystems that enhance operations, guest experiences, and data security.

In this episode, you’ll learn about:

• How AI agents are transforming hotel operations and guest communications
• Strategies for integrating multiple hotel technology systems without disruption
• Ways to scale tech platforms globally while maintaining data security and compliance
• How Sirma acts as an “embedded technology partner” to accelerate innovation
• What autonomous AI agents could mean for the future of hotel management

Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/2DVQYIqP9Ok

Links:
Darko on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darkobosancic/
Sirma: https://sirma.com/
Sirma.AI Enterprise: https://sirma.ai/

For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/256

Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-...

Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn page

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

What’s Next for the Hospitality Industry?

Join David Millili and Steve Carran as they sit down with Rosanna Maietta, CEO of the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA), to discuss the state of the hospitality industry, labor challenges, AI in hotels, and the incredible ways hotels give back to their communities.

In this episode, you'll learn about:

• The hospitality trends for 2026 and guest spending forecasts
• How the industry is addressing labor shortages and workforce development
• The role of AI and technology in enhancing hotel operations without losing the human touch
• Inspiring stories of hotels supporting their local communities

Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/v9M5gyx9fi0

Links:
Rosanna on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rosanna-maietta-669a9151/

AHLA: https://www.ahla.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/americanhotelassociation/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hotelassociation

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheAHLA

For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/255

Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-...

Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn page

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