Mental wellbeing is becoming a core expectation for hotel guests, according to research from Amadeus, signaling a shift in traveler motivations toward a greater emphasis on supporting mental health, not just for leisure. The study, based on a survey of 6,000 travelers, found that 41 percent of respondents want to return from trips calmer and less stressed.
In addition, about one-third of travelers now look for destinations that are engaging enough to reduce reliance on technology, enabling them to disconnect for some digital detox.
Entitled “Travel Dreams 2026: From Data to Delight,” the study shows guests are seeking more time, quiet, comfort and emotional safety. The research concludes that hotels where the experience is designed to reduce guest friction and allow for relaxation are better positioned to meet these evolving traveler needs.
The study also reveals nearly three-quarters (74 percent) of respondents express a looking for personalization in their hotel experiences. The six most important personalized features identified by the research are early check-in or late check-out, room view or floor selection, personalized welcome amenities, sleep optimization packages, enhanced room air quality and local experience kits or curated guides.
The study also points to the role of artificial intelligence in the hospitality sector in 2026, with nearly all surveyed hoteliers planning to invest in AI this year. The average budgets range from $320,000 per hotel, and up to $400,000 in the US, and will focus on revenue management, forecasting, automation, and customer service chatbots.
The study notes that more than two-thirds (69 percent) of travelers rely solely on AI-generated search summaries when planning trips. However, the research also indicates that travelers still value human interaction with AI operating in the background, supporting staff and personalizing guest experiences.
Sustainability, too, has become a deciding factor in selecting a property, with three-quarters of those surveyed saying that a hotel’s sustainability credentials influence their choice. In response, hotels are planning to allocate about 7 percent of their total business expenditure to sustainability initiatives in 2026, according to the survey.
