Hospitality Asset Managers Association (HAMA) Shares Spring 2026 Conference Industry Outlook Survey Results
HAMA's survey of 86 asset managers shows 60% expect to exceed RevPAR budgets in 2026, with 90% planning renovations and recession fears continuing to decline.
The Hospitality Asset Managers Association (“HAMA”) today provided the results of its Spring 2026 Industry Outlook Survey. The semi-annual report shared the combined opinions, experiences and predictions of 86 HAMA members on topics ranging from RevPAR expectations to segment outlooks.
Released during HAMA'S 2026 Annual Spring Meeting that was held in Washington, D.C., the survey findings were presented to media and then followed by a Q&A session via online conferencing. In total, 86 asset managers, comprising approximately one-third of membership, participated in the survey.
HAMA members continue to have a positive view of the hospitality industry. After the strong performance of the first quarter, nearly 60% of our members are expecting the hotels in their portfolios to exceed budgeted RevPAR for the full year. And owners are reinvesting in the industry, with nearly 90% planning hotel renovations and more than 70 percent of our members actively seeking acquisitions
Dina Winder, HAMA President
Highlighted results include:
The top three most concerning issues are demand, Iran War/Conflict and wage increases.
Recession concerns continue to fade for the third year in a row, with just over 16% worried the US will enter recession in 2026, a decrease from 37% in the Fall 2025 survey and 49% in the Spring 2025 survey.
Cap Rate trends seem to be the most perplexing issue, with nearly equal factions thinking it will decrease less than 25 basis points (40%) and believing it will increase 25 basis points (35%).
Click here to download a copy of the survey findings
2025 HAMA Student Competition Award Winners
For the 20th year in a row, the HAMA Education Committee created a real-world scenario offering student participants attending colleges/universities with a hospitality program the opportunity to assess a fictitious management company transition for a 1,200-room convention hotel. Students compared and evaluated three RFP responses to make an informed management company selection. This year, seven undergraduate and seven graduate universities submitted entries.
The winners this year were the Boston University undergraduate team, comprised of Amru Mahmoud, Jonathan Bear, John Sherburne, Devon Karras and Richard Lohnes, and the Florida International University graduate team, made up of Sophia Mayo, Jacob Reeder, Yasmin Bryan and Marc Velson Jerome. Boston University made their decision based on the selected management company generating a higher market value, stronger EBITDA and lower execution risk. Florida International University also selected the same company and noted it would maintain the continuity of the sales pipeline, avoid brand-conversion disruption and downtime and with a larger key money contribution from the brand, reduce owners net exposure.
Each year, we are more and more impressed with the quality of the submissions and the next generation of hospitality asset managers. Over 30 HAMA members participated as mentors to guide the students or judge the submissions. Through our student competition, HAMA continues to build that bridge between the academic and practical sides of our industry. These are well thought-out, insightful opinions that demonstrate a deep understanding of the hotel landscape and what it takes to succeed in today’s marketplace. The future of the industry is in good hands
John Paulsen, HAMA Education Chair