2026 will be about the "why" of travel, and other trends (with Hilton's Jess Petitt)

DeShaun Wise Porter, vice president of strategic pathways and recognition at Hilton, says education and mentorship are key tools for new hotel owners. She joins the podcast this week to talk about Hilton's Unlocking Doors program and the value of expanding the pool of hotel owners.

CoStar News' Stephanie Ricca and Trevor Simpson share the main takeaways from this year's Lodging Conference in Phoenix. Topics include why persistent uncertainty is a real factor and how brave buyers are getting hotel deals jump-started again.

Hilton's newly released 2026 Trends Report describes 2026 as the year of the "Whycation", projecting travelers will focus more on the reasons behind their desire to hit the road. Hilton's Senior Vice President of Strategy, Insights and Full Service Brands Jess Petitt joins the podcast to talk about that and the many other trends that will define the upcoming year.

Hotels reliant on seasonal workers have to regularly content with federal caps on H-2B visas, a problem that is a keen focus for Ashley McNeil, vice president of federal government affairs at the American Hotel and Lodging Association, and chair of the H-2B Workforce Coalition. While she's hopeful for a long-term solution, she notes there are pressing issues across the federal government that could get in the way in the near future.

With lighter demand and rising costs, hoteliers have been challenged to maintain profitability. Alicia Carr, Charlestowne Hotels' vice president of finance, joins the podcast to talk about how her company is tackling that challenge and navigating that while starting a new role.

Weather events like typhoons are currently affecting portions of Asia, and STR's Jesper Palmqvist joins the podcast to talk about how storm season in the region differs from patterns in regions like the Caribbean — along with other Asia-Pacific hotel trends.

In this episode, Crestline Hotels & Resorts President and CEO James Carroll talks about his company's 25th anniversary, how the company has evolved over the years and shares his insights into what's going on in the industry today.

In recognition of National Housekeeping Week, the podcast focuses on the importance of housekeepers. Davidson Hospitality Group executives Harry Carr and Robert Morse talk about their experience in housekeeping and how it has helped elevate their careers.

In this episode, Andrea Stokes, hospitality practice lead at J.D. Power, shares details on the company's newest report that found guests are satisfied with rooms and service, but are less happy with property maintenance and food and beverage concepts.

In a podcast interview, First Hospitality's Jenna Fishel talks about her company's transition to a commercial strategy model and how it's navigating the current demand environment.