A new report, released by The Staffing Agency titled Beyond the Boom: Canada’s Hospitality Labor Market in 2025 and the Road to 2030, shows spending in Canada hit $104 billion in 2025, with employment higher than pre-pandemic levels in 2019. Dining rooms are full again and travel has returned, yet the industry is still struggling to hold on to workers.

The Canada-focused report shows that hospitality operators are hiring, but not securing long-term staff. Termed as ‘labor paradox’, the report states that margins are getting strained by part-time roles where students, newcomers and temporary workers fill critical shifts. That keeps operations running, but drives turnover and weakens reliability.

Costs are compounding the issue. Labor is no longer just hourly pay. It now includes higher wage floors, added premiums in expensive cities, benefits and the ongoing cost of turnover and training. Margins are tightening even as demand holds. “In Canada, the wage increase isn’t a threshold; it’s the new baseline,” said Steven Kamali, CEO of The Staffing Agency. “The question now isn’t if we can pay more, but if we can make the model work.”

Another trend revealed in the report is that housing has emerged as the defining fault line. In major cities such as Toronto, Vancouver or Montreal, workers can’t afford to live near their jobs. So, commute becomes longer and shits go unfilled. Union activity is also rising in urban centers, reshaping scheduling, pay structures, and operations.

Kamali adds, “The pressure is not limited to Canada. In the United States also, wage growth is outpacing productivity in many markets, while housing constraints continue to shape labor availability. Canada’s reliance on international talent adds another layer of sensitivity to policy changes.”

The path forward should be to build a more reliable talent pipeline, address housing near job centers, and tailor workforce strategies by region. Without this, growth will remain uneven. You can view the full report here.

SAN FRANCISCO — May 6, 2026 — Duetto, a leading provider of revenue and profit software for the hospitality industry, today announced the appointment of Michael Schäffner as Chief Sales Officer (CSO). Previously Senior Vice President of Global Sales, Schäffner will now lead Duetto’s global commercial organization as the company accelerates adoption of its Revenue & Profit Operating System (RP-OS) across leading hotel brands, groups, and casino resorts worldwide.

In his new role, Schäffner will drive global go-to-market strategy, expand enterprise and brand relationships, and continue building a high-performance sales engine to support Duetto’s category-defining RP-OS vision.

“We’re not just scaling a sales organization, we’re building the commercial engine behind a new category,” said Michael Schäffner, CSO of Duetto. “The industry has optimized for revenue for decades. The next chapter is about profit, and that requires a fundamentally different approach. Revenue without profit is only half the picture. The winners in the next decade will be the ones who connect every commercial decision directly to profit outcomes. That’s exactly the shift we’re driving with the RP-OS.”

“I’ve had the privilege to grow with Duetto through every phase, from startup to scale, through new ownership and the HotStats acquisition,” Schäffner added. “Having grown up in this industry and worked across both hospitality and technology, I’ve seen firsthand where the gaps are. What excites me most now is the opportunity ahead, partnering with the world’s leading brands to rethink how commercial performance is managed. We’re just getting started.”

The right leader for the next stage of growth.

Schäffner brings a unique blend of hospitality and technology experience, having worked across leading industry organizations including The Leading Hotels of the World, Relais & Châteaux, and Design Hotels, as well as high-growth technology companies such as Nor1. This combination of operational understanding and commercial leadership enables him to bridge strategy and execution across complex enterprise environments.

His appointment comes as Duetto sharpens its focus on enterprise and brand partnerships, where long-term value creation, consistency, and trust are critical success factors.

A pivotal moment for Duetto and the industry.

The hospitality industry is entering a new phase of commercial complexity. Rising distribution costs, margin pressure, and increasing investor scrutiny are shifting the focus from revenue optimization to total profitability.

Duetto’s RP-OS is built for this shift, connecting revenue strategy with profit outcomes in a single platform and enabling operators to make faster, smarter, and more holistic commercial decisions.

“Michael has been instrumental in building Duetto’s commercial foundation and consistently delivering results at scale,” said Alex Zoghlin, CEO of Duetto. “As we expand our global footprint and deepen our relationships with enterprise customers, his leadership will be critical in establishing Duetto as the performance platform the industry relies on.”

Schäffner’s appointment marks another key step in Duetto’s continued investment in leadership and growth as the company advances its RP-OS vision.

ARLINGTON, Va. – 1 May 2026 – At the end of the first quarter, the Americas was the only world region to show a decrease in hotel pipeline activity, according to CoStar’s March 2026 data. CoStar is a leading provider of online real estate marketplaces, information and analytics in the property markets.

Europe

• In construction: 185,419 rooms (+6.6%)
• Final Planning: 77,253 rooms (0.0%)
• Planning: 193,351 rooms (+9.7%)
• Total Under Contract: 456,023 (+6.7%)

The United Kingdom led Europe in total rooms in construction (26,458), closely followed by Germany (23,748).

Asia Pacific

• In construction: 492,970 rooms (-7.7%)
• Final Planning: 74,487 rooms (+70.2%)
• Planning: 415,172 rooms (+6.5%)
• Total Under Contract: 982,629 (+1.6%)

Among countries in the region, China (278,283) led in construction activity, followed by Vietnam (43,858) and India (43,290).

Middle East & Africa

• In construction: 107,653 rooms (+4.5%)
• Final Planning: 29,290 rooms (+3.8%)
• Planning: 94,998 rooms (-2.9%)
• Total Under Contract: 231,941 (+1.3%)

Most of the region’s pipeline activity is focused in the Middle East. Saudi Arabia (51,513) and the United Arab Emirates (16,072) have the most rooms in construction.

Americas

• In construction: 193,145 rooms (-2.1%)
• Final Planning: 282,246 rooms (-7.9%)
• Planning: 402,723 rooms (-5.0%)
• Total Under Contract: 878,114 (-5.3%)

The U.S. (333,467) holds the majority of rooms in construction in the region. After the U.S., Mexico (15,267), Canada (9,589) and the Dominican Republic (6,190) show the highest number of rooms in construction.

For more information about the company and its products and services, please visit www.costargroup.com.

Vancouver, B.C. – April 29, 2026 – Fairmont Waterfront is pleased to announce the completion of the first phase of its comprehensive, multi-year renovation. This initial phase marks the transformation of 96 guest rooms across the hotel’s top four floors, introducing a refined design that reimagines the property’s signature Pure Coastal Luxury identity.

The full renovation, scheduled for completion by the end of 2029, will thoughtfully refresh all guest rooms and hotel amenities, further elevating the guest experience while remaining true to the hotel’s distinctive West Coast setting.

Since July 1991, Fairmont Waterfront has remained a cornerstone of Vancouver’s luxury hospitality scene, with panoramic harbour and city views showcased across all 489 guest rooms. Defined by its distinctive West Coast aesthetic, the hotel’s heated rooftop pool, pioneering bee program, and vibrant downtown setting have cemented its reputation as one of the city’s most iconic luxury destinations.

Many of the hotel’s much-loved offerings will be updated throughout the four-year project, including all 489 guest rooms, Fairmont Gold, the hotel lobby, pool area and ARC Restaurant + Bar.
Guest rooms have been thoughtfully reimagined to reflect Vancouver’s unique blend of waterfront and forest, drawing inspiration from the natural beauty that surrounds the property. Enhancements include 65” HD flat-screen TVs, elevating both comfort and convenience. In place of a traditional desk, each room features an elegant table with versatile seating options, creating a flexible, multi-functional space for working, dining, or unwinding.

Guests will also enjoy the Fairmont Signature Bed, designed for exceptional comfort and support, featuring the Fairmont Sealy Stearns & Foster® Luxury Euro Plush Pillowtop mattress, alongside elevated Fairmont’s distinctive Le Labo bath products.

“At Fairmont Waterfront, every guest moment matters,” said Randall Williams, General Manager of Fairmont Waterfront. “This renovation reflects our dedication to elevating those moments through thoughtful design, enhanced comfort, and an enduring sense of Pure Coastal Luxury. We are proud of the work completed so far, and we look forward to welcoming guests into refreshed spaces that feel truly inspired by the remarkable Pacific Northwest.”

The exciting transformation has been brought to life through a partnership with Montreal-based design company CAMDI, who bring over 40 years of expertise to the transformation.

The hotel’s waterfront setting has thoughtfully inspired the layout and design, reflected in a calming palette of coastal blues, greens, and soft greys. A carefully curated mix of natural woods, stone-inspired finishes, woven textiles, and layered fabrics brings the outdoors in, creating a sense of depth, texture, and understated warmth throughout the space.
“The guest rooms have been reimagined as restorative sanctuaries,” said Karine Bannon, Designer and Senior Project Director at CAMDI. “The transformation focuses on spatial clarity, enhanced comfort, and stronger visual connection to the harbour, mountains, and skyline. Layouts feel more intentional and fluid, furnishings are refined and contemporary, and the atmosphere is calmer and more immersive. The result is a space that supports both relaxation and productivity — reflecting the hotel’s role as a destination for both leisure and corporate travelers.”

The second phase of the renovation will resume in Fall 2026, with the next collection of guest rooms set to be unveiled and available for booking in Spring 2027.

All guestrooms included in this first phase of the renovation are now available for booking: fairmont-waterfront.com.