In the EHL Insights Report: Hospitality Outlook 2026 we are exploring the evolving landscape of our industry and examine five major trends that are shaping the future of hospitality. Drawing on in-depth research, the expertise of EHL faculty, and insights from EHL’s broad network of industry leaders, this report provides a clear perspective on where hospitality is headed in the years to come. Through its key findings and analysis, it aims to spark innovation, reinforce the importance of human-centric approaches and collaboration, and empower hospitality professionals with a solid understanding of emerging opportunities and challenges.

     

    The Five Trends for 2026 and the coming years:

    AI Agents in Hospitality: Driving Innovation, Well-Being, and Personalized Guest Experiences 

    The Future of Food: From Sustainability in Foodservice to Tech Innovations in Food Production
    A New Era of Leadership: Human-Centric Leadership as the Future of Work

    Hospitality leading the Immersive Experience Economy

    Regenerative Hospitality: Embedding People, Place, and Planet

    Facts & Figures about the hospitality industry

    $4.90

    trillion

    The global hospitality market grew from $4.67 trillion to $4.90 trillion in 2024 (Source: Hospitality Global Market Report 2024) 

    5.3%

    estimated annual market growth

    Future projections estimate the market will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.3% (Source: Hospitality Global Market Report 2024)

    $7,011.13

    billion by 2029

    The projected growth of the global hospitality market is set to soar to $7,011.13 billion by 2029 (Source: Hospitality Global Market Report 2024) 

    10.3%

    of the world's economy

    Travel & tourism contributes $11.7 trillion to the global economy, accounting for 10.3% of global GDP (Source: WTTC) 

    371

    million employees worldwide

    The hospitality sector employs approximately 371 million people worldwide (Source: WTTC)

    1 in 8

    jobs globally

    Within the next decade hospitality jobs are expected to comprise one in eight jobs globally, totaling more than 460 million (Source: WTTC) 

    $9.90

    trillion in travel spending

    Travel & Tourism contributed just over $9.9 trillion to the global economy in 2023. In the next decade international visitor spending will reach about $ 2.9 trillion (CAGR 3.4%) and domestic spending will grow to $7.7 trillion with a CAGR of 3.3% (Source: WTTC)

    Trend1

    AI Agents in Hospitality: Driving Innovation, Well-Being, and Personalized Guest Experiences

    Artificial Intelligence is reshaping hospitality by streamlining operations, enhancing personalization, and supporting staff well-being. Rather than replacing humans, AI serves as an empowering tool that boosts efficiency and guest satisfaction. The next frontier are AI agents: Autonomous systems that anticipate needs, make decisions in real time, and execute complex tasks. When implemented responsibly and with a people-first mindset, these technologies can elevate service quality while preserving the human touch that defines hospitality.

    Discover how AI Agents are shaping the future of hospitality.  

    Trend2

    The Future of Food: From Sustainability in Foodservice to Tech Innovations in Food Production

    Food has become a powerful expression of cultural identity, sustainability, and societal values. Across hospitality, sustainability and innovation are driving a transformation in how food is sourced, prepared, and experienced —from blockchain transparency to advanced cooking methods like sous-vide. These developments and innovations reveal how hospitality can lead a global movement toward more sustainable, tech-enabled, and meaningful food experiences.

    Find out how this trend is reshaping the F&B landscape.  

    Trend3

    A New Era of Leadership: Human-Centric Leadership as the Future of Work

    Today’s leaders are embracing vulnerability, authenticity, integrity, transparency, and human-centric values. This new approach in leadership focuses on a more collaborative and human-centric leadership culture. As the industry faces talent shortages and competition for Gen Z talent, this human-centric leadership style is becoming essential to building workplaces where teams feel valued, engaged, and inspired.

    Find out more about this new leadership style. 

    Trend4

    Hospitality leading the Immersive Experience Economy

    In the evolving experience economy, hospitality businesses have the opportunity to create meaningful, immersive moments for their guests through technology, storytelling and sensory experiences. From immersive journeys, culinary experiences to AR and VR, guests are seeking experiences that are memorable, immersive, personalized and meaningful. As guest expectations evolve, hospitality continues to lead this shift through human connection, creativity, and innovation in order to create unique, memorable and immersive experiences for their guests.

    Discover how immersive experiences are redefining guest journeys 

    Trend5

    Regenerative Hospitality: Embedding People, Place, and Planet

    Regenerative hospitality marks a shift from merely reducing harm to actively creating positive impact, moving beyond sustainability’s net-zero goals toward net-positive outcomes that restore ecosystems and strengthen communities. Rooted in place- and people-based intelligence, this approach integrates environmental, social, and cultural systems into hotel operations. Pioneering hospitality operators are applying these principles through local partnerships, biodiversity initiatives, and wellness programs, offering a new vision of what sustainability can mean for the industry.

    Discover how regeneration is redefining sustainability in hospitality.