Output
1) Preliminary Research Report
The preliminary research report will provide a comprehensive analysis of how artificial intelligence (AI) can optimize key processes in the hotel industry across the APEC region, assessing both opportunities and challenges. To achieve this, information will be gathered through a review of academic literature and sectoral reports, interviews with industry experts (including hotel managers, technology developers, and public policy makers), AI market research, and analysis of representative case studies from APEC economies. Additionally, publicly available data from organizations such as UN Tourism, ILO, and the APEC Forumwill be used tocontextualize the socioeconomic impact and existingtechnological gaps between developed and developing economies within the region.
The report will be approximately 30 pages long (excluding annexes) and follow a logical and practical structure, beginning with an introduction that frames the digital transformation in APEC and its impacton the hotel sector. The first section will analyze key operational processes (bookings, front desk, energymanagement, others), identifying inefficiencies and associated costs. A second section will present a catalog of applicable AI technologies, supported by regional success cases. A third section will address the impact on human capital,examining risks of labor displacement and opportunities for reskilling. Finally, the document will include a summary of existing public policies and preliminary recommendations, supplemented with appendices containing comparative data and lists of technology providers.
This initial study primarily aims to define the research scope and establish a conceptual foundation for deeper futureanalysis. The preliminary research will conclude in April 2026.
2) 2-Day In-Person Workshop
The General Information Circular (GIC) prior to the workshop will include an executive summary of the main findings from the Preliminary research report. Additionally, this documentwill be shared with APEC economies as an annexto the GIC.
The primary objective of the workshop is to disseminate the key findings of the preliminary research report and facilitate a multisectoral dialogue to prioritize challenges and solutions in adopting AI within APEC’shotel industry. The event will bring together hotel managers, technology developers, government officials, academics, and international organizations to analyze AI-based solutions, case studies, discusslabor impacts, and co-create practicalrecommendations (approx. 80 participants). The workshop will feature demonstrations of AI technologies applicable to hospitality, roundtable discussions, and participatory exercises where attendees will develop concrete proposals to address regulatory, and labor competency gaps. Participation will prioritize APEC economies where tourism contributes significantly to GDP and with high labor informality. A proceedings document will be produced to consolidate inputsfor the APEC Publication.
Tentative Workshop Agenda Day 1:
- Opening Ceremony
- Keynote Address: Key Findings from the Preliminary Research Report 3.Multisectoral Panel: Opportunities and Risks of AI
4.Technology Demonstrations: AI Solutions for Hospitality 5.Thematic Working Sessions
(A pre-workshop survey will assess participants’ baseline knowledge.)
Day 2:
1.Synthesis Presentation: Day 1 Takeaways 2.Participatory Workshop: Deep-Dive into Challenges 3.Participatory Workshop: Drafting Recommendations 4.Closing Ceremony: Reflective Wrap-Up
(A post-workshop survey will evaluate participants’ knowledge gains.)
The participation of all 08 experts throughout the full 2 days of the workshopis essential to achievethe project's objectives. Their continuous presenceensures consistent, high-level guidance and facilitates the progressive development of discussions, from problem identification to the co-creation of solutions. The tentative allocation of roles is as follows:
Day 1:
-5 experts will serve as panelists and moderators in the 'Multisectoral Panel: Opportunities and Risks of AI'.
-3 experts will lead the practical technology demonstrations in the 'Technology Demonstrations: AI Solutions for Hospitality' session.
-All 8 expertswill participate activelyin the 'Thematic Working Sessions' to enrich the debate with their specialized perspectives.
Day 2:
-All 8 expertswill participate in and facilitate the 'Participatory Workshop:Deep- Dive into Challenges' and 'Drafting Recommendations' sessions, guiding attendees in the development of concrete proposals.
The workshop will be held on August 15 and 16, 2026, in the city of Beijing (China) on the margins of APEC SOM 3.
As a main outcome, the preliminary conclusions are expected to be validated. The contributions gatheredwill be incorporated into the APEC Publication.
3) Final Report (APEC Publication)
The APEC Publication will consolidate the preliminary research and workshop findings into a single document specifically targeted at three key groups: policy decision-makers, hotel industrystakeholders, and labor training organizations. Its structure must include at least 50 pages (excluding annexes) with four core sections (without prejudice to the inclusion of additional relevantsections resulting from the research):
1) A catalog of AI solutions applicable to key hotel processes, organized by functional areas (front office, back office, sustainability, among others), level of technological complexity, and representative casesimplemented in APECregion hotels (highlighting adaptations for SMEs), with impact information and lessons learned.
2) Labor impact analysis, identifying positions at highest risk of automation and new emerging positions, with focus on areas with high women and youth participation. This section will incorporate proposals for transforming traditional hotel positions into new roles according to the technological and labor context of APEC economies, plus successful modelsof digital skillsreconversion developed by economies in the region.
3) Differentiated public policy recommendations according to the technological development level of APEC economies (advanced and emerging economies), potentially identifying best practices such as trainingprograms, fiscal incentives, regulatory frameworks, among other proposals highlighted by expertsduring the workshop.
4) Appendices: A directory of regional technology providers with scalable solutions for SMEs,expert interviews (hotel managers, technology developers, government officials, academics and international organizations), identification of new challenges to address for future research, amongothers. Additionally, it will include an executive summary with the main conclusions and recommendations from the research.
The report will be completed by 31 October 2026, and distributed to APEC
economies, tourism ministries and international organizations, aiming to influence domestic policies and regional cooperation agreements.
Outcome
1) The research will strengthen the capabilities of stakeholders through a theoretical-practical approach (literature reviews, expert interviews, and participatory workshops) in key areas such as AI implementation in operational processes (bookings, energy management, customer service), labor impact analysis (role transformation and digital skills development), and evaluation of public policies for technology adoption in APEC economies.
The main stakeholders (hotel managers, technology developers, and policy makers) and other beneficiaries will gain access to updated information about AI applications in the industry, enabling them to identify both opportunities and risks.
2) The research will enhance the region's available information by producing a comprehensive assessment of AI in APEC's hospitality sector, with special emphasis on: reducing technological gaps between developed and emerging economies; optimizing workforce reskilling with gender and age considerations; and designing differentiated public policies for responsible AI adoption.
This initiative will contribute to collective knowledge by compiling and systematizing scattered data, providing policymakers with key inputs to identify effectivelabor-related solutions (such as trainingprograms, fiscal incentives, among others). When distributed to governments, businesses, and training institutions, the research will become a practical tool highlighting AI's role in modernizing the sector and promoting more sustainable and resilient tourism.
Beneficiaries
Direct Beneficiaries:
1) Private Sector
a) Hotel industry companies in APEC economies: They will benefit from identified scalable AI solutions, with a focus on MSMEs, to optimise operational processes, improving their competitiveness, reducing costs, and increasing guest satisfaction.
It is desirable to secure the participation of mid-to-senior-level managers from these companies, particularly from MSMEs. These individuals should possess a minimum of 3 years of experience-making related to technology.
b) Technology companies offering artificial intelligence (AI) solutions: They will be able to adap their products to the real needs of the hotel sector in the APEC region, expanding their market. The project will provide them with insights into unmet demands and opportunities for collaboration with hotels and governments for pilots or large-scale implementations.
Participation is desirable from roles such as Business Development Managers, Product Managers, or Innovation Leads. These participants should have experience in the tourism on hospitality sector and at least 3 years of experience in AI solution design or implementation.
2) Government Entities
a) Tourism sector agencies: They will be able to design evidence-based policies to promote AI adoption, aligned with competitiveness and sustainability objectives.
b) Organisations promoting competitiveness of MSMEs, sustainability and social empowerment: They will find in the report best practices and examples of digital skills training programs, fiscal incentives and regulatory frameworks.
3) Decision-Makers
a) Public policy makers and regulators: They will be able to implement evidence-based policies to support the digital transition of the hotel sector.
Indirect Beneficiaries: Academic and Scientific Sector
a) Researchers and Academics: They will have an updated reference guideline of best practices on AI applied to tourism, based on regional evidence, which will facilitate new interdisciplinary research lines (technology, labor economies, public policies)
b) Students in Tourism and Technology Sectors: They will access case studies and practical recommendations that will enrich their training, preparing them for new emerging roles in the hotel industry.
c) Training Institutions: They will obtain key inputs to modernise their educational programs, ensuring the workforce develops skills aligned with the industry's real needs.
Groups with Untapped Economic Potential: Hotel sector works (women and youth): It will propose professional reconversion paths towards less automatable roles, strengthening training programs in basic and advanced digital skills, considering their employability in the new economy. Additionally, policies will be promoted to ensure their participation in the benefits generated by AI productivity.
