Contact Sales

2025 Report: AI in the Hospitality Sector

A look into how artificial intelligence is transforming hospitality operations and guest experiences. An exclusive sector report in collaboration with 1,000 businesses and 8,000 consumers across six international markets.  

Key insights:  

  • Businesses waste 402 hours per year (roughly 50 working days) switching between disconnected systems 

  • 13% of operational costs lost due to unconnected systems 

  • 57% of consumers say technology has significantly improved their hospitality experience 

Read the full report to uncover how AI integration can reduce costs, save time and enhance guest satisfaction. 

The hidden cost of disconnected systems 

Our research found that hospitality businesses in the UK and Ireland waste an average of 402 hours a year switching between systems, and many can’t trust the data they receive from their current tools.  

To better understand people’s attitudes towards AI within the hospitality space, and where it is falling short, Access Hospitality surveyed:  

  • 1,000 businesses currently operating in the hospitality sector  

  • 8,000 consumers 18+ across the UK, USA, DACH region, Australia, Indonesia and India 

All respondents had recent experience dining out and staying in hotels, providing a fresh perspective on consumers’ views towards AI over traditional services.  

Contents of this report 

The systems problem

The time cost 

The financial impact 

Data confidence crisis 

Revenue impact 

AI adoption in hospitality 

The systems problem 

Systems proliferation 

While a range of tools is essential in hospitality, too many disconnected systems can quickly become a drain on efficiency, adding cost and complexity rather than reducing it.  

Our survey asked 400 hospitality businesses across the UK and Ireland how many systems they regularly use, and we found that in the UK, the average is four systems, whilst this increases to five in Ireland. The hotel sector also uses more systems than food and beverage, with hotels having an average of five systems in the UK and Ireland, whilst food and beverage use an average of four.  

The time cost 

A time waste epidemic  

Despite many businesses utilising AI systems to improve their hospitality services, the majority admit to using multiple systems, costing them both time and money.  

402 hours per person = 50 working days wasted every year 

Regional Breakdown: 

  • UK & Ireland (F&B): 350 hours lost per year 

  • United States (F&B): 402 hours lost per year 

Hoteliers in the UK and Ireland waste 453 hours per year switching between systems 

The financial impact 

Hidden cost drain 

We know that 80% of hospitality businesses across the UK and Ireland are using multiple software systems, but how is this affecting costs? 

13% of operational expenditure is wasted through unconnected systems alone 

Average business losses on general operating costs: 

  • UK: £15,000 per year 

  • Ireland: £25,000 per year 

  • Combined average: £20,000 per year 

Industry breakdown: 

  • Food-led venues: £30,000 lost vs 

  • Drink-led venues: £15,000 lost 

Data confidence crisis 

Trust breakdown 

Only 1 in 3 respondents are confident in the data they get from their current systems.

Operational impact of data distrust:  

  • Managers spending excessive time manually verifying reports 

  • Delayed decision-making while data is cross-checked 

  • Missed opportunities due to lack of confidence in insights 

  • Staff frustration and reduced productivity 

76% of operators say real-time consolidated data would aid faster decision making during busy trading periods 

Revenue impact 

Over half (56%) of operators miss out on upselling opportunities because of stock shortages.  

Industry breakdown:  

  • Hotels: 60% cite stock as biggest recurring issue  

  • Food & beverage venues: 52% report same problem 

Three key problems from poor stock visibility:  

  • Missed upselling moments – Guest orders premium drink (£15) but it’s unavailable, switches to cheaper option (£9) 

  • Frustrated customers – Stock shortages lead to poor experiences and negative reviews 

  • Lost event revenue – Unreliable stock damages trust and can lose bookings altogether 

“We have to pull reports from one place to put into another to be able to run payroll for hundreds of people. If you’ve got to manually do that, that’s a lot of labour.” 

Fragmentation leads to:  

  • Manual data entry and duplication 

  • Increased risk of errors  

  • Wasted staff time and higher labour costs 

AI adoption views 

Leading ways hospitality businesses believe AI could benefit them in the next year:  

  • Improving efficiencies: 45% 

  • Streamlining bookings: 40% 

  • Helping with routine tasks and reporting: 38% 

“There are so many pros to AI. It can move and act quicker than I can possibly imagine. I can never match that. I can never beat that. That, for me, is genius.”

Hotel Director, UK 

Consumer-business agreement:  

  • 32% of businesses expect AI to improve customer experiences 

  • 57% of consumers feel technology has significantly improved their experience 

  • UK consumers favour tech services (53%) over US consumers (38%) 

Over one-this of consumers think AI could create a better experience than staff in hospitality, yet 53% still prefer human interaction 

35% of UK consumers say AI would create a better experience than staff, yet 53% still prefer human interaction

Introducing Access Evo 

AI-integrated systems can save you time and money 

Using the positive savings from the time it used to take switching between systems means that teams can actually focus on what matters most.

From confidence in stock levels to accurately forecasting footfall, Access EVO software transforms your everyday.  

Access Evo Copilot

Spend less time searching and more time serving  

Your AI-powered personal assistant, designed to elevate hospitality operations. Gives your team instant answers, simplifies day-to-day tasks and supports smarter decisions.  

Access Evo Mobile

Your business in your pocket

Everything important, right on your phone, whether you’re on-site or managing remotely.  

Access Evo Feeds

Get clarity, speed and service on tap 

Keeps hospitality teams effortlessly in sync with tasks, approvals and key updates in one AI-powered place.  

Access Evo Spaces

Your personal command centre

Brings your team’s day-to-day together by combining essential apps into one intelligent, role-based dashboard. 

Access Evo Analytics

Know what’s coming, not just what’s happening  

Access Evo’s predictive intelligence spots opportunities before they’re obvious and flags potential issues before they impact your guests.  

Download the FULL Report Now