Davidson CEO Optimistic About 2026 Amid Global Growth and US Events

Hotel operator notes 2025 didn't meet broad industry expectations but sees positives ahead

Published on Mar. 1, 2026

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Davidson Hospitality Group President and CEO Thom Geshay remains optimistic about the hotel industry's prospects in 2026, citing factors both within his company, like laying the groundwork for international growth, and a better backdrop for travel-inducing events in the U.S. such as the FIFA World Cup and America's 250th anniversary. Geshay acknowledges that 2025 was not what the industry had hoped for, but believes the big events and a calming of political rhetoric will help boost demand that was dampened by factors like government cuts and the absence of Canadian travelers.

Why it matters

The hotel industry's performance is a key indicator of broader economic health and consumer confidence. Davidson's outlook provides insights into the industry's recovery trajectory and the factors that could drive a rebound in 2026 after a disappointing 2025.

The details

Geshay said Davidson is ramping up its third-party management platforms in the Caribbean and Europe, which he believes hold a lot of promise for the company. He noted that the company has had a team in the UK for almost two years to study and learn the market before making any moves, as deals tend to move slower in those regions compared to the US.

  • The FIFA World Cup and America's 250th anniversary are the biggest drivers of optimism among US hoteliers in 2026.
  • Davidson has had a team in the UK for almost two years to study and learn the market before expanding its third-party management platforms there.

The players

Thom Geshay

President and CEO of Davidson Hospitality Group.

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What they’re saying

“I actually think [events will live] up to the hype. There's been a lot of factors that have sort of tamped down performance. The big events are going to help, but I also think some of the noise is going to get out. [In 2025 we had] DOGE and government cuts and government shutdown. So government business is about 4% of the demand. So you take that basically out of the market, then our closest neighbor to the north basically has sworn off coming to the United States. ... I believe they're going to want to come back. But it's also an election year, so I believe that some of the rhetoric has to calm down to make people feel a little steady, so I think we're going to get back some of the demand that we normally had.”

— Thom Geshay, President and CEO, Davidson Hospitality Group (CoStar)

What’s next

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The takeaway

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