United Kingdom
•
16 Jun, 2025
How UK hospitality operators are using AI to save time and improve service
AI is no longer a future concept. It’s already helping restaurants, pubs, and hotels across the UK reduce admin, improve booking accuracy, and deliver better guest experiences.
But how are operators actually using it day to day and what do consumers think of it?
This report explores how AI is being adopted across the sector, what challenges it’s helping to solve, and what operators can expect next. Based on Access Hospitality’s 2025 research, we break down the key findings and what they mean for your business.
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Here's a sneak peek of what you can find in Access Hospitality's 2025 AI in Hospitality Report:
Report Contents
- The systems problem
- The time cost
- The financial impact
- Data confidence crisis
- Revenue impact
- AI adoption in hospitality
Key findings from the 2025 AI in Hospitality Report
✅ 76% of frequent hospitality guests are comfortable with AI tailoring their experience✅ 53% of guests say technology improves their overall visit
✅ 35% believe AI can reduce mistakes and improve speed
✅ 75% of operators say their data is incomplete or missing
✅ 56% miss upsell opportunities due to stock or scheduling issues
✅ 37% spend 1–2 hours daily switching between systems
The systems problem
While a range of tools is essential in hospitality, too many disconnected systems can quickly become a drain on efficiency, adding cost and complexity rather than reducing it.
Our survey asked 400 hospitality businesses across the UK and Ireland how many systems they regularly use, and we found that in the UK, the average is four systems, whilst this increases to five in Ireland. The hotel sector also uses more systems than food and beverage, with hotels having an average of five systems in the UK and Ireland, whilst food and beverage use an average of four.
The time cost
Despite many businesses utilising AI systems to improve their hospitality services, the majority admit to using multiple systems, costing them both time and money.
The research found that hospitality businesses in the UK and Ireland waste an average of 286 hours a year switching between systems, and many can’t trust the data they receive from their current tools.
286 hours per person = 36 working days wasted every year.
The financial impact
We know that 80% of hospitality businesses across the UK and Ireland are using multiple software systems, but how is this affecting costs?
13% of operational expenditure is wasted through unconnected systems alone.
Data confidence crisis
Only 1 in 3 respondents are confident in the data they get from their current systems.
Operational impact of data distrust:
- Managers spending excessive time manually verifying reports
- Delayed decision-making while data is cross-checked
- Missed opportunities due to lack of confidence in insights
- Staff frustration and reduced productivity
76% of operators say real-time consolidated data would aid faster decision making during busy trading periods
Revenue impact
Over half (56%) of operators miss out on upselling opportunities because of stock shortages.
Industry breakdown:
- Hotels: 60% cite stock as biggest recurring issue
- Food & beverage venues: 52% report same problem
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AI adoption views
Leading ways hospitality businesses believe AI could benefit them in the next year:
- Improving efficiencies: 45%
- Streamlining bookings: 40%
- Helping with routine tasks and reporting: 38%
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Download the full AI in Hospitality report
Want to see the full findings and explore how AI could work for your business? Download the full 2025 AI in Hospitality report below.
If you would like further support with any of the tools recommended within the report, our team our here to guide you, so don't hesitate to book a demo and chat to us.
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