Data Story - Travel by the numbers: 2025 in review, 2026 in focus

In this episode, Blake Reiter and Daniel Foreman review seven data driven travel and hospitality trends that defined performance in 2025 and outline ten signals shaping the outlook for 2026. Drawing on Lighthouse data and third party research, they examine how uneven consumer spending power widened performance gaps between luxury and midscale hotels, why travel intent remained resilient despite tighter budgets and how pricing recovery diverged across the US, Asia and Europe.

The discussion also explores the growing role of artificial intelligence in travel planning and booking, the shift toward total profit optimization and how automation is reshaping hotel operations amid ongoing labor pressure. Looking ahead, they unpack how volatility, traveler taxes, demand dispersion and value led destination shifts will influence pricing and commercial strategy in 2026.