Agility Is the Advantage: How Hotels Are Selling Smarter in 2025

The U.S. hotel and resort industry is proving its resilience in 2025. After years of volatility, the sector is regaining stability—occupancy rates are climbing back toward pre-pandemic highs, average daily rates (ADR) continue to rise, and operators are once again investing in high-touch guest experiences.

But the momentum isn’t without friction.

Labor shortages, rising operating costs, and shifting guest expectations are putting intense pressure on hotel teams. Operators are being asked to do more—with less. And in that environment, agility is everything.

GoTab is helping hotels, resorts, and destination properties embrace smarter, more flexible operations that drive revenue without overextending staff. With integrations into leading property management systems (PMS) like Stayntouch, Mews, Infor, and others, we’re giving operators the tools they need to deliver premium service across every touchpoint—from in-room dining to poolside cocktails to rooftop events.

The 2025 Hospitality Landscape: Growing, But Guarded

According to industry forecasts, hotel occupancy in the U.S. is expected to reach 63.4% this year—just shy of 2019’s peak. ADR is projected to rise to $162.16, and RevPAR is pacing toward a record $102.78. These are encouraging numbers, especially for premium and luxury segments.

However, headwinds remain:

• Labor shortages are widespread, with nearly 1 million roles still unfilled across hospitality.
  
• Cost pressures (insurance, utilities, and labor) are cutting into margins.
  
• Booking behavior is shifting, with consumers demanding more convenience, personalization, and tech-enabled service.
  
• Inbound travel and lower-tier spending are softening, pushing hotels to make every interaction—and every sale—count.
  

This environment rewards operators who can pivot quickly, reduce friction in the guest experience, and maximize their revenue opportunities without increasing headcount. That’s where GoTab comes in.

Turning Every Guest Touchpoint Into a Revenue Opportunity

The days of relying solely on front desk transactions or restaurant checks are over. Today’s hotel guests expect the same flexibility they get from their favorite digital brands—mobile ordering, contactless payments, and real-time service updates. And they want it everywhere: in their room, at the pool, during events, or while lounging on the beach.

GoTab gives hotels and resorts the ability to meet that demand.

Whether guests are ordering drinks by the firepit or scanning a QR code to have late-night snacks delivered to their suite, GoTab seamlessly connects the experience to the hotel’s PMS. Guests can charge to their folio, manage tabs across outlets, and receive timely, human-centered service—without overloading your staff.

Seamless Integration with Leading Hotel Tech

GoTab’s open platform works hand-in-hand with the systems hotels already use. Through integrations with PMS partners like Mews, Stayntouch, Infor, and more, GoTab enables:

• Real-time folio posting: Orders from the GoTab point-of-sale (POS) automatically sync with the guest’s folio—no manual reconciliation needed.
  
• Cross-outlet ordering: From coffee shops to poolside bars to fine dining, guests can order from multiple venues with one simple interface.
  
• Guest verification and room charge logic: Only verified guests can charge to the room, and charges are automatically attributed to the correct folio and outlet.
  
• Staff alerts and smart routing: Orders are routed to the right kitchen, bar, or runner station with no extra effort.
  

These tools help streamline operations and reduce errors—especially valuable for large resorts with multiple service zones or limited on-site staff.

Sell More, Staff Less

In today’s labor-constrained environment, technology must not only reduce overhead—it must unlock growth. GoTab enables hotels to increase sales without adding new labor by:

• Expanding ordering hours without requiring extra servers or bartenders.
  
• Supporting hybrid service models, where guests can opt into self-service or staff interaction.
  
• Accelerating check turnaround times with mobile ordering and payment options.
  
• Automating upsell prompts, from late checkout requests to bottle service add-ons.
  

This kind of flexible, guest-friendly approach allows hotels to increase check averages, drive higher margin per labor hour, and provide elevated experiences that keep guests coming back.

Real-World Results: More Revenue, Happier Guests

We’ve seen firsthand how this model performs. Hotels and resorts using GoTab report:

• 20–30% higher check averages in poolside and event ordering
  
• Fewer chargebacks and manual errors thanks to real-time PMS sync
  
• Faster service delivery times through KDS and smart routing
  
• Improved guest satisfaction scores, particularly around speed, ease, and personalization
  

And best of all? Operators don’t need to overhaul their entire tech stack. GoTab is modular, API-friendly, and designed to complement what’s already working.

The Bottom Line

As 2025 unfolds, the hotel and resort industry isn’t just recovering—it’s evolving. Guest expectations are higher. Budgets are tighter. And labor is harder to find. The properties that thrive will be those that can adapt—offering exceptional service without overburdening staff.

With GoTab’s hospitality commerce platform and deep integrations with best-in-class PMS providers, operators gain the agility to serve anywhere, sell everywhere, and scale without compromise.

Resources:

• Occupancy (63.4%), ADR ($162.16), RevPAR ($102.78) Source: CoStar STR 2025 U.S. Hotel Forecast
  
• Slower RevPAR growth forecast (1–2%), segment disparities Source: CBRE Lodging Industry Outlook Q1–Q2 2025
  
• Goldman Sachs Hotel Sector Downgrade Pressure on Hyatt, Marriott, Hilton stock due to softened outlook Source: Investopedia - Hotel Stocks Downgraded‍
• AHLA (American Hotel & Lodging Association) Hotel labor shortage of ~1 million open roles Source: AHLA State of the Industry Report 2025