Reflections from ALIS 2025: AI, Market Outlooks, and an Industry in Transition

AI & Investing Panelists

At the end of January, I had the pleasure of attending the ALIS Conference in Los Angeles, where industry leaders gathered to discuss the evolving hospitality landscape. From thought-provoking panel discussions to invaluable networking opportunities, the conference reaffirmed why ALIS remains one of the most influential events in hotel investment.

One of the highlights of my experience was speaking on the “AI & Investing” panel. It was an incredible opportunity to exchange ideas with forward-thinking industry leaders on how AI is reshaping hotel investments and operations. The conversation touched on data security concerns, build-versus-buy decisions for AI tools, and the need for experimentation—all while recognizing that AI isn’t a new concept, but one that is rapidly evolving. As Stuart Greif aptly put it during our discussion:

“Even Google’s algorithm wasn’t great in the beginning.”

The key takeaway? Now is the time to experiment with AI, but also to make quick decisions on whether a tool is worth the time and resources it demands. With hotel margins tightening and operational challenges mounting, leveraging technology efficiently will be a critical advantage.

Conference Takeaways: A Market in Transition

Beyond some of the great one-on-one conversations, here are a few insights that stood out to me:

Tech & AI’s Expanding Role in Hospitality: AI is no longer a future concept—it’s actively shaping hotel underwriting, investment decisions, and operations. The ALIS Tech Challenge showcased innovative tools like Diald AI, reinforcing the importance of leveraging AI for efficiency, qualitative analysis, and better decision-making. The key takeaway? Experiment, but move quickly on

what proves valuable.

Market Optimism Meets Harsh Realities: While deal flow expectations for 2025 are improving from last year’s slowdown, and economic challenges persist. With less than 2% RevPAR growth projected for 2025 and 2026, rising insurance and operational costs pose serious threats to profitability. Surprisingly, luxury and group travel segments are expected to be bright spots in an otherwise uncertain landscape.

Uncertainty Is the Only Certainty: From economic shifts to new policies,industry sentiment felt like a collective shoulder shrug—most predictions came with caveats and could change rapidly. Many executives acknowledged that market expectations hinge on external factors beyond the industry’s control, requiring flexibility and strategic adaptability in the year ahead.

Looking Ahead

Leaving ALIS, I’m reminded that the hospitality industry has always found a way to navigate uncertainty and can truly thrive through continued adaptability and innovation. While economic headwinds and policy uncertainties remain, there is also a clear appetite for technology-driven solutions and strategic growth opportunities.

At Jane Hotel Group, we are committed to staying ahead of these shifts—leaning into

technology efficiencies, identifying value-add opportunities, and embracing

innovation to drive long-term value.

Here’s to a year of navigating uncertainty, seizing opportunities, and pushing hospitality forward—let’s see where 2025 takes us.