IHIF EMEA 2026: Our key takeaways from the year's conference

Image: IHIF EMEA 2026. Credit: Simon Callaghan Photography. 

Across the conference, several themes emerged which signal where the industry is heading and how investors, brands and operators can evolve to capture future value. 

One defining trend is the shift from traditional hospitality to ‘experiential’ hospitality, with travellers across generations increasingly motivated by the pursuit of unique experiences and memories. There is a growth in leisure-led travel, which is influencing everything from design and amenity planning to brand positioning and market selection. 

The role of social media in the decision‑making process for travellers is also accelerating. Guests no longer consider hotels solely based on service and quality; they assess them on shareability, authenticity and the ability to tell a story. This is creating greater demand for hotels to offer visually compelling spaces and experiences that feel rooted in their surroundings, such as through local partnerships. 

Wellness continues to expand from a niche offering into a mainstream expectation. No longer confined to spas, wellness now encompasses nutrition, movement, sleep, and recovery, and as a result, investors are treating wellness as a long‑term strategy rather than a ‘nice‑to‑have’, recognising it as a key driver of both revenue and brand identity. 

We also heard more talk about DPI (Distributed to Paid-In Capital) and alpha this year, as investors look for clearer ways to understand true performance. DPI shows what returns have actually been realised, while ‘driving alpha’ focuses on simple, smart value‑add moves such as improving space use, upgrading amenities or introducing technology. This reflects a shift toward more practical, long‑term ways of measuring and creating performance in hotels. 

Image: IHIF EMEA 2026. Credit: Simon Callaghan Photography. 

Engaging capital and steering growth: Insights from Carine Bonnejean’s session 

On Tuesday, our Managing Director – Hotels & International, Carine Bonnejean, moderated a discussion with Christian Charnaux, Executive Vice President & Chief Development Officer at Hilton, exploring how capital is reshaping the hotel market.  

A key focus of the discussion was the rise in the number of brands entering the market. While this expansion provides guests with unprecedented choice, investors must now navigate increased segmentation and ensure clarity around long term value creation.  

Image: IHIF EMEA 2026. Credit: Simon Callaghan Photography. 

The return on experience: Highlights from Pierre Ricord’s session 

On Wednesday, Pierre Ricord, our Head of Consultancy – Hotels, chaired a panel discussion on the ROI of experience, joined by leaders from Global Hotel Alliance, ERGON Foods, Beaumier, and Hilton. 

The panel discussed how travel is typically the number one thing people say they want to do in life, and how we are seeing consumers increasingly prioritise hotels that deliver exceptional, authentic, unique experiences.  

The panel explored the importance of: 

• Partnerships as performance enablers, from local artisans to global loyalty networks 
• Thoughtful amenity selection, leveraging local people, culture and talent 
• The role of F&B as a primary driver of identity and community 
• Consistency, and the ability to keep a great venue great long after opening 

Pierre also discussed the ROE (‘return on employees’) over traditional ROI, with employees being the most important people in a hotel, as well as how sometimes the most memorable guest experiences emerge not when everything goes perfectly, but when something goes wrong and is fixed with care. 

Throughout the conference, our team welcomed partners, clients and new connections, sharing insights from across Europe and discussing opportunities in the market. 

To speak with our hotel specialists about the latest trends and opportunities in the sector, get in touch at hotels@christie.com or +44 333 034 1752.