News

2026 Hotel Yearbook Launches at HITEC, Only 16% of Hotels Appear in AI Recommendations, AI vs. Staffing Reaches a Breaking Point

Tuesday brought the launch of the 2026 Hotel Yearbook at HITEC in San Antonio, hard data showing only 16% of hotels appear in AI-generated recommendations, and a World Panel viewpoint framing AI adoption as a direct threat to global hospitality employment. Oracle, Shiji, and RateGain all announced AI infrastructure expansions, and a bumper day of property openings stretched from Rwanda to Stockholm.

Michael Levie Says Hotels' Real Problem Is Humans Acting Like Robots, AI Visibility Tools Multiply at HITEC, Wellness Economy Hits $6.8T

Monday opened HITEC week with citizenM co-founder Michael Levie flipping the automation debate on its head, a wave of AI visibility and infrastructure launches from vendors arriving in San Antonio, and fresh data putting the wellness economy at $6.8 trillion. A commercial AI framework from HSMAI and a sharp argument that AI is a capability to build rather than a product to buy rounded out a dense content day.