Episode Details

In this episode, Ryan Mann, Partner at McKinsey & Company, shares how "AI has become agenda item one, two, three, four, and five" for hotel leaders worldwide. Recorded at ALIS in January 2026, this conversation explores how AI has shifted from experimentation to executive priority in a matter of months.

Ryan outlines three key arenas shaping hospitality today: internal automation, on-property operational efficiency, and the high-stakes disruption of search and booking. He explains why AI is no longer a technology problem but an adoption challenge, why data readiness and trust will determine visibility in AI-driven discovery, and how leaders should think in scenarios as OTAs, suppliers, and agentic systems compete for control of the booking relationship.

This episode offers a clear framework for where to act now and how to prepare for a rapidly shifting distribution landscape.

See our previous conversation: How The World's Best Hotels Deliver Exceptional Service - Ryan Mann, McKinsey & Company

A few more resources:

• If you're new to Hospitality Daily, start here.
• You can send me a message here with questions, comments, or guest suggestions
• If you want to get my summary and actionable insights from each episode delivered to your inbox each day, subscribe here for free.
• Follow Hospitality Daily and join the conversation on YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram.
• If you want to advertise on Hospitality Daily, here are the ways we can work together.

If you found this episode interesting or helpful, send it to someone on your team so you can turn the ideas into action and benefit your business and the people you serve!

Music for this show is produced by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound: Music Identity Design for Hospitality Brands