More than 400 leaders from the luxury hotel world came to Prague this month for INSPIRE, the annual conference organized by the International Luxury Hotel Association.

It was the first time the event took place in Europe — and it sold out immediately. Sessions were held at the Czech National Bank Congress Center and the Hyatt Andaz Prague.

ILHA President Barak Hirschowitz said the choice of Prague was easy. In his words for Prague Morning, the city already stands among top global destinations, with strong history, architecture, culture, and high-quality food and service.

What the city still lacks, he noted, is enough large meeting space inside five-star hotels, which is why INSPIRE split its program between Andaz and the CNB venue.

For many hotel owners, investors, and senior executives, this was their first time visiting the Czech capital. The conference introduced Prague to a network that usually meets in the US, opening doors for new hotel development, investment, and partnerships.

It also helped position Prague more firmly as a premium MICE destination. The ILHA’s online community — currently the largest B2B travel group on LinkedIn — will continue to push Prague’s visibility among thousands of travel agencies.

Speakers discussed several trends shaping luxury hospitality today. One of the biggest is the shift toward local experiences: guests want food, design, and culture that reflect the city they’re in, rather than the same hotel formula everywhere. Sustainability is becoming a standard expectation, with travelers paying attention to how hotels treat local communities and the environment.

Wellness is now part of the basics too — from fitness options to healthy menus. And technology standards are rising fast. As Hirschowitz put it, “Guests compare hotels to their homes,” meaning USB-C chargers, wireless charging, and smooth connectivity are now minimum expectations.

INSPIRE also experimented with its networking setup. Participants were split from their usual colleagues and placed into small groups for activities such as Black Orchid and Le Petit Chef, which pushed people to talk to new faces. “If you know everyone at your table, you’re not really networking,” Hirschowitz said.

Looking ahead, organizers want to return to Prague in 2026 and build on the city’s position in the luxury travel sector. As Hirschowitz summed it up, Prague has everything it needs to become one of Europe’s key hubs for high-end hospitality.

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