Welcome to the January edition of ET Compass, setting the direction for smarter hotel tech decisions in 2026
With 2026 planning underway, clarity matters more than ever. This issue looks at the momentum that shaped ExploreTECH in 2025, from platform growth and new capabilities to how hoteliers researched, compared, and shortlisted technology with real intent, turning insight into confident decisions for the year ahead.
Are your technology decisions keeping pace with how the market is evolving?
This edition brings together top leadership perspectives on AI’s impact from Cendyn, Hotelogix, and IDeaS through our new Leaders Pulse feature, alongside practical revenue ideas for 2026 with Canary Technologies, and a deeper look at AI-powered personalization with insights from Blastness, IRIS, and Plusgrade.
You’ll also find fresh viewpoints from Protect Group and Hotellab, plus a look at where you can connect with ExploreTECH through the TECH Pavilion in the months ahead.
Shaping smarter tech decisions starts here.
Have you helped select, replace, or procure hotel technology in the past 12-24 months as a decision-maker or influencer?
Take our 5-minute survey and help us uncover what’s really shaping hotel tech decisions today - from discovery and evaluation to stakeholder alignment and final selection.
Complete the survey to receive early access to the final white paper ahead of public release.
To thank you for sharing your time and insights, participants will receive a USD 60 gift reward upon completion.
Our 2025 by the numbers
Before we move fully into the new year, we’ve captured a short visual snapshot of the tools, enhancements, and platform momentum that helped hospitality teams research, compare, and choose technology with greater clarity throughout 2025.
In 2025, hospitality professionals used ExploreTECH to actively evaluate solutions, generating 245K total users year-to-date, 65,000+ average monthly active users, and more than 3.7 million platform interactions.
Have a quick look at what’s new, what’s improved, and what’s already taking shape to support your 2026 planning.
ExploreTECH at Arabian Travel Market, Dubai 4 to 7 May 2026 | Dubai World Trade Centre
TECH Pavilion by ExploreTECH will once again take part in Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2026, one of the region’s most influential gatherings for the global travel and hospitality industry.
This year, the TECH Pavilion by ExploreTECH returns as a dedicated space for hospitality technology, bringing together solution providers and hotel decision-makers to explore what’s next in smarter, more connected hotel operations.
Across four days, attendees can expect practical demos, real conversations, and innovations designed to help hospitality businesses improve performance and enhance guest engagement.
Planning to attend ATM 2026?
Visit the TECH Pavilion and connect with the partners shaping hospitality’s next chapter.
ExploreTECH growth snapshot
Q4 brought meaningful growth to ExploreTECH, with 160 new vendors and 261 new products added to the platform. This expansion gives hospitality teams even more choice and stronger visibility when researching solutions, comparing vendors, and refining shortlists for 2026.
If you’re reviewing your tech roadmap, now is a great time to explore what’s new and see how the market is evolving across key categories.
Browse solutions on ExploreTECH.io
A leadership view on AI’s impact in 2026, featuring Cendyn, Hotelogix, and IDeaS.
From upsells to AI-driven personalization, with perspectives from Canary Technologies.
