Radisson Career Fest 2026 puts AI and career mobility in focus - Get updated on what's happening in tourism!

Radisson Hotel Group will hold its global Career Fest throughout October 2026, placing particular emphasis on artificial intelligence, international career mobility and the changing skills required in hospitality. The hybrid event is aimed both at existing employees and people considering a career in the hotel industry.

The 2026 edition follows last year’s Career Fest, which attracted more than 12,000 registrations and, according to Radisson, generated a social media reach of 26.77 million people. This year, participants in more than 100 countries will have access to virtual sessions, regional activities, workshops and events at individual hotels.

Hospitality careers become less linear

One of the central themes is the changing structure of careers in the hotel industry. Radisson expects professional development to increasingly cross traditional boundaries between operational departments, management functions, countries and specialist areas.

The programme will therefore address international career opportunities, moves between different functions, leadership development and professional reinvention. Personal branding, job interviews and wider trends affecting the hospitality labour market are also included.

For Radisson, internal mobility is part of a broader strategy to retain and develop employees. The group currently has more than 75,000 employees and a portfolio of over 1,600 hotels in operation and under development across more than 100 countries.

Artificial intelligence creates new hospitality roles

Artificial intelligence will receive particular attention during Career Fest 2026. Sessions will examine how AI can support hotel employees, contribute to more personalised guest experiences and change existing roles while creating new areas of expertise.

The focus is therefore not limited to the use of individual AI applications. Radisson wants employees to develop digital capabilities and other skills that could become increasingly important as hotel operations, distribution and customer service become more technology-driven.

For an industry traditionally dependent on personal service and large numbers of employees, the combination of human skills and new technology is becoming an increasingly important workforce issue.

Workshops and leadership sessions throughout October

Career Fest will include global virtual workshops, leadership discussions, career development sessions and training dedicated to future skills. Employees and executives from different functions, brands and markets will also present their own career paths.

The programme is intended to demonstrate opportunities ranging from an employee’s first position in hospitality to international transfers, moves into different departments and progression into management.

Recruitment and retention remain strategic issues

Beyond recruitment, Career Fest forms part of Radisson Hotel Group’s approach to continuous learning, internal mobility and leadership development. By making career paths across brands, functions and countries more visible, the company aims to provide existing employees with opportunities for advancement while attracting new talent to the industry.

The 2026 focus on AI adds another dimension to that strategy. As technology changes hotel operations and guest interaction, Radisson is positioning the ability to acquire new skills and move between roles as an increasingly important part of a long-term hospitality career.

Image Credit: © AI generated illustration using material courtesy of Radisson Hotel Group