Welcome to the Technology Buying Guide 2026 – your essential handbook for choosing hospitality software

The pace of technological change in the hospitality sector is so quick that if you haven’t updated your tech stack within the last year, your venue or estate could get left behind when it comes to meeting both customer demands and operational efficiency.

Both hardware and software can unlock extra revenue and profit margin, with everything from AI that automates menial invoicing tasks to the latest electronic point of sale devices that create speedy and frictionless customer experiences.

But it can be daunting to find a system that fits your business, so we have put together the Technology Buying Guide 2026 to give you all the essential information you need. 

There’s insight from operators on how they have chosen software, what’s essential and what isn’t, and practical advice on how to roll out new tech. All the information you need to help you improve operations and drive your business forward over the next 12 months and beyond is contained below, so read on for your essential hospitality technology handbook.

The Technology Buying Guide 2026

• AI: How to use artificial intelligence to take away tedious tasks
• Booking tools: Software that eases the path to the final click
• EPoS: Ways to make your electronic payment system work for you
• Guest experience: How to make the most of the digital touchpoints
• Property management systems: A practical guide to choosing your next PMS
• Workforce management systems: Organise shifts, take care of HR and look after your staff

Sponsored content

• How hoteliers are rethinking PMS with Apaleo
• Focus Group: AI – the quiet force powering hospitality’s next leap
• Rezcontrol – the listening PMS
  
• Reimagining hospitality: How Shiji powers hotels day and night
• Stampede – all your guest engagement tech in one seamless platform
• Dines: The POS that chose service over bots