Hospitality professionals visit the Shandong Hotel Supply Chain Expo in Qingdao, Shandong province on April 10. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

More than 600 industry leaders, scholars, and hospitality executives from across China gathered in Qingdao, Shandong province, from April 9 to 11 for a conference exploring technology-driven transformation in the hotel sector.

The event focused on supply chain innovation and regional collaboration, addressing urgent industry challenges such as rising operational costs and AI disruption, while emphasizing high-quality development in the hotel industry.

The conference featured keynote speeches and roundtable discussions on resource-sharing models and next-generation consumer experiences.

"Market saturation, the evolving needs of guests, and tightening regulations are forcing hotels to innovate quickly," said Xin Tao, secretary-general of the China Tourist Hotel Association. "While AI and technology offer solutions, funding gaps and talent shortages remain critical bottlenecks, compelling hospitality sector players to accelerate upgrades," she added.

Tao Xingcheng, deputy secretary-general of Qingdao municipal government, highlighted the city’s multi-tiered hotel ecosystem, where local brands coexist with international flagships and boutique properties. "This diverse hotel landscape drives the growth of Shandong’s tourism," he said.

Coinciding with the conference, the Shandong Hotel Supply Chain Expo demonstrated exhibitors’ solutions for streamlined procurement—a direct response to the industry’s demand for cost efficiency.