“We are trying to be positive, knowing there are still many challenges facing us”
Hoteliers in Bristol are “cautiously optimistic” that 2026 will be a better year for business despite continuing financial challenges.
Adam Flint, chair of Bristol Hoteliers Association (BHA), said hotels in central Bristol “struggled a little” over the festive season and end to the year, while out-of-town venues reported increased Christmas party business in November and December.
“The festive season and finish to 2025 was stable overall, ” he said, “After a generally strong Q4 for the industry, while the start of a new year is traditionally slower at first, we are hoping for some good traction again as people return to visit Bristol for work and leisure.”
Mr Flint said the sect was “always nervous” in the first quarter that meetings and events go ahead.
“It is usually the time when many companies can tighten their purse strings ahead of the end of the tax year, and also brace themselves for changes, such as increases to the living wage which will be introduced in April,” he said.
“Hotels can, of course, position themselves in readiness for occurrences such as the living wage increase – which will affect us as well as our corporate clients – but there’s no doubt that these forthcoming added pressures on our finances can make trading challenging.”
However, he said there was cause for optimism, with some events coming up which would hopefully drive an increase in business for the city’s hospitality sector.
Major annual events, such as the Bristol Light Festival in February and the Six Nations Rugby which takes place in Cardiff during February and March, usually prompt increased interest Bristol, according to the BHA.
“As we have seen in previous years with major music events in the Welsh capital, there is often a positive knock-on effect here in Bristol when events happen in Cardiff which draw huge crowds,” said Mr Flint.
“Cheltenham week also always raises a lot of interest and demand for hotel bed stock sales, which is very welcome.
“So overall, there is cause for cautious optimism, but we can’t afford to be complacent, as things like the wage increases will undoubtedly have an impact.
“Bristol has a huge amount to offer, for the corporate clients and tourists, and with a wide range of special events happening all year round, we are trying to be positive, knowing there are still many challenges facing us, but we do still hope 2026 will be a happy new year for Bristol’s hotels.”
