1. Reporting is getting real, EU regulations are tightening
We know – this might sound like one of those things you would rather not hear. It sounds like work. It sounds like complexity. But here is the good news: it does not have to be!
In fact, for hotels that start early, sustainability reporting can become a powerful asset – not a burden.
The Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS) will require more and more companies to disclose how they impact People and Planet.
Even if your hotel is not directly affected (yet), you might be indirectly impacted:
through corporate clients who demand reporting,
through investors who require transparency,
or through business partners who are already reporting themselves.
In short: sustainability performance will soon become part of your business credentials.
What can you do now?
- Find out where you stand today. Our Sustainability Assessment is here to guide you.
- Decide where to take action first – the areas you want to focus on and improve.
- Decide whether to walk the path on your own – or bring in professional support to make the journey smoother.
- Start tracking what truly matters – from energy and emissions (Scope 1 and 2) to your social impact.
- Choose the right framework for your journey – B Corp, Greensign or others as your starting point.
Our MAdvice: You do not need to have it all figured out. But you do need to begin.Those who build structures now will be ready – and ahead – when reporting becomes the new normal.
2. Bleisure travel is becoming the norm, not the niche
The line between work and leisure continues to blur – and bleisure travel (Business and Leisure travel = Bleisure) is becoming the norm, not the niche. In fact, the bleisure travel market is projected to nearly quadruple by 2034 (Presedence Research, 2025).
What used to be a short business trip is now often extended into a weekend getaway. Or even a “workation” in a location that inspires. Guests are looking for places where they can plug in, but also fully switch off.
What this means for hotels: You need to cater to both sides of the experience – smart and professional, warm and personal.
Think:
- ergonomic desks, great coffee and strong Wi-Fi
- co-working lounges that invite connection wellness offerings,
- flexible check-in/out, weekend extensions
- local insider tips that turn a work trip into a memory
And yes, bleisure travellers are valuable guests: They stay longer, spend more, and often return.
What you can do now?
- Review your room amenities and workspace features
- Create bleisure packages (weekend extensions, 2+ nights with special rates), such as our client B5 Boutique Hotel in Lugano
- Offer remote-work stays (weekly or monthly rates, with perks for longer stays)
- Communicate clearly to both direct guests and, where relevant, corporate partners
- Re-think your loyalty programmes for hybrid travellers who want flexibility and recognition
Our MAdvice: Design your offers around flexibility, purpose and experience – and you will win the travellers who want it all.
3. Artificial Intelligence is coming strong – but not to take your job
Forget the doom stories. In 2026, Artificial Intelligence is not coming for your jobs – it is coming for your to-do list.
From guest communication to revenue management, hotels are starting to embrace AI as a practical, powerful support system (Thynk, 2024). And we are sure: The smartest ones are not using it to replace their people – they are using it to elevate them.
Think:
- personalised email replies that actually save time
- chatbots that handle FAQs while your team focuses on real care
- automated pricing tools that take market trends into account
The key? Let technology do what it does best – so your people can do what they do best.
What you can do now:
- Explore AI tools such as chatlyn tailored for hospitality
- Start small: one task, one team, one experiment
- Train your team to work with AI, not against it
- Keep the human touch at the heart of every guest interaction
Our MAdvice: Do not fear the tech. Lead WITH it. Because the future belongs to hotels that are both human and smart.
MAp’s Bonus Tip for 2026: Be the hotel that dares
One thing we know for sure: The future belongs to the hotels that dare.
Trends are tools. But it is your stance that gives them meaning. The most exciting hotels in 2026 do not just follow the direction of the market – they sharpen it. They build with intention, communicate with courage, and turn values into real life action.
So if you are working on something in 2026, do not play it safe.
Dare to be different.
Dare to be true.
Dare to be the hotel only YOU and your team can be.
That is what guests will remember and what makes a positive impact.
We hope that this short glance ahead has provided you with empowering ideas and sustainable inspiration. Let's work together to make hotels even more innovative, sustainable, and future-proof. Thank you for joining us on our journey to shape the hotel industry of tomorrow. #onwards
ke time for prosecco