AccomNews: 20 most-read stories of 2025 counting down to the biggest story of the year!

If 2025 taught us anything, it was how to keep moving in a year that didn’t sit still. Operators leaned into AI, smarter systems and new technology, all while juggling workforce pressures, rising costs, cyber risks and guests with higher expectations than ever.

What stood out in our analytics was what you gravitated to most. You love stories with heart and grit. You want sharp insights you can use, honest reflections from real operators and big-picture shifts that help you plan for what comes next.

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You kept clicking on pieces that unpacked risk, resilience, reinvention, guest behaviour and tech disruption. You also embraced heartfelt regional stories that reminded you why this industry has soul, right alongside policy debates, legal risks and operational lessons that help you steer your busines.

Let’s revisit the stories that kept you reading, thinking and sharing. Here are the Top 20 AccomNews articles of 2025, counted down from twenty to the most-read story of the year.

Let the countdown begin….

20. How physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually challenging is the industry

This reflective piece for Resort News by Marion Simon, Owner/Operator, Boulevard North Holiday Apartments, invited operators and workers to acknowledge the personal strain behind the scenes of the industry.

It helped open discussions about wellbeing and long-term industry sustainability.

19. Hospitality’s roadmap for recovery: Accommodation Australia calls for action ahead of Federal Election

Readers turned to this article for clear direction in an uncertain political climate. James Goodwin, CEO of Accommodation Australia summarised the sector’s key asks.

It gave us practical snapshot of what the industry hoped to see from Canberra.

18. True crime tourists: Erin Patterson trial puts Morwell in dark tourism spotlight

A surprising entry in the top twenty. This feature looked at how a high profile criminal case influenced visitation and public interest in a regional town.

It sparked questions about the ethics and impacts of dark tourism.

17. Negotiating with confidence: Time and motion studies for fair remuneration

A Resort News report… With management rights operators seeking greater transparency, this practical explainer mapped out how time and motion studies can support fair pay and clear expectations.

It provided a structured approach to negotiations.

16. Family focus and fresh starts: Tim and Andie’s shift from race track to resort life at Talisman Apartments

A profile about a couple who traded the motorsport world for resort operations. Their story in Resort News resonated with both new and seasoned operators for its honesty and optimism.

Readers always love seeing the human side of the accommodation industry.

15. Schoolies celebrations surge but staff sickies hit Queensland hotels hard

This story hit during one of the toughest staffing periods of the year. Absenteeism soared and properties scrambled to keep operations running smoothly.

Using data from workforce platform Deputy, the article was widely read for its insight into one of the sector’s annual pinch points.

14. “Be brave and own your bookings”: RoomStay founder’s call to operators

At this year’s NoVacancy, Mandy Clarke sat down with Declan Mimnagh, Founder of RoomStay for this interview and it struck a chord with operators tired of rising commission costs. It encouraged greater control of direct bookings and stronger long-term loyalty strategies.

Its strong readership reflected the growing appetite for independence in distribution.

13. Top 10 mistakes to avoid as a new management rights owner

Newcomers to management rights flocked to this practical guide written for Resort News. It outlined the common errors that can derail early operations and offered clear corrective advice.

Its popularity confirmed the demand for trusted, experience based education.

12. Australia’s hotel sector in 2025: A year of opportunity for owners

A look at national performance and investment confidence, with insights from CBRE’s latest Hotels Australia Overview and Outlook report.

11. Time to fall back in love again with mid market hotels

A celebration of an often underestimated segment, this opinion piece reminded readers why mid market hotels continue to deliver strong value, especially when economic conditions become unpredictable. 

It also reflected a familiar trend in our analytics. JLL’s Ross Beardsell’s opinion pieces are always widely read and trusted within the industry, and this article was no exception.

10. Who are the top 10 hotel owners and operators in Australia and New Zealand?

This ranking became one of the year’s most referenced articles. It offered a clear view of the major players shaping the region’s hotel landscape.

With insights from CBRE’s second annual Australia and New Zealand Top Owners & Operators report.

9. AI cuts acquisition costs 19 percent amidst soaring media spend according to Cendyn

According to the Cendyn Hotel Digital Marketing Performance Index 2025, marketing costs continued to rise in 2025. This article showed how AI could deliver much needed relief. It explained how smarter campaigns and predictive tools are reshaping guest acquisition.

8. Travelling deeper: Why 2026 will be the year guests seek connection over comfort

This Minor Hotels research driven feature explored the rise of emotionally meaningful travel. Guests are looking for experiences that resonate, not just amenities.

7. Meriton enters QLD management rights market with triple Brisbane acquisition

A major turning point for the management rights sector. Meriton’s move into Brisbane signalled growing confidence and accelerated conversations about consolidation.

Readers followed this story closely for what it might mean for future market dynamics.

6. Can hospitality rise to the challenge: Turning Australian Open visitors into repeat guests

Large events offer major revenue potential, but only if operators convert once off visitors into returning guests. This article analysed Melbourne’s performance during the Australian Open.

Craig Dennington, Regional Director for AU & NZ at Agilysys, highlighted the importance of leveraging advanced technology and curated experiences to meet guest expectations during high-demand periods.

5. Eight key hospitality trends set to drive revenue and redefine guest experiences in 2025

One of the year’s foundational trend pieces. It unpacked the forces shaping guest expectations, workforce evolution and revenue opportunities.

It’s a go to resource for operators planning ahead.

4. Sustainability tech at the table: The key hospitality trends for 2025

Sustainability matured in 2025 and this article showed exactly how. Smart kitchens, efficient systems and waste conscious tech featured strongly.

It landed with readers who wanted practical, future ready solutions.

3. A father’s love brings a unique themed motel to Chinchilla

A moving story about turning personal loss into a creative and meaningful hospitality project. This themed motel became a symbol of memory, resilience and community.

2. Waterfalls Estate: The Bay of Islands motel & campground built on New Zealand’s first hotel site

From Aotearoa, New Zealand, this is a story about people, heritage, place and reinvention. Waterfalls Estate captured readers attention with its blend of history and fresh vision, it’s the most read regional stories of the year.

And, the number one most-read AccomNews story of 2025 is…..

1. From cheeky chargebacks to cyber fraud: Scams that cost the industry

The clear standout of 2025.

This investigation cut straight to one of the sector’s most urgent threats.

Chargeback abuse, phishing, identity fraud and sophisticated cyber scams continued to escalate, costing operators both time and money.

It was the story that highlighted one of the biggest concerns of 2025 and the conversation that will continue into 2026.