What hoteliers should watch this fall: luxury-led investment and F&B competition

Hotel Dive rounds up trends for hoteliers to watch in fall 2026. Despite rising costs and macro uncertainty, consumers were eager to travel this summer, and hotel companies touted widespread Q2 RevPAR gains, helped in part by the FIFA World Cup, alongside conversion-fueled portfolio growth. Investors continue to concentrate on the upper end of the market, with luxury hotels seen as a 'compelling' opportunity; the U.S. led a record global hotel construction pipeline in Q2 2026, with conversions and luxury dominating. Food and beverage is playing a more competitive role in where travellers stay, with 60% of travellers this summer saying they booked a hotel specifically for its restaurant.