Hotel Industry News

PhocusWire's in-depth coverage of the hotel sector, featuring news, analysis, interviews, research and more on B&Bs, hotels, guesthouses and other property types.

The hotel sector is undergoing significant transformation, powered by new technologies, evolving guest expectations, and a renewed focus on direct booking and operational efficiency. PhocusWire delivers the latest hotel industry news, covering the strategies and innovations shaping the future of global hospitality.

Hotel chain developments, hospitality trends, and market shifts

Stay updated on how hotel brands are expanding, restructuring, and embracing digital platforms to elevate the guest experience. From contactless check-in and AI-powered pricing to loyalty evolution and branded residential offerings, our coverage tracks the industry’s response to changing demand and competitive pressure.

wi-q-funding
News / Startups
U.K. startup wi-Q lands £3 million to digitalize payments in hospitality
By Jill Menze | September 8, 2022
Founded in 2014, wi-Q aims to help hospitality and leisure companies improve the guest experience via its mobile ordering and payments solutions. Read More
RatePunk main
Interview / Online
STARTUP STAGE: RatePunk is a browser extension that finds the cheapest hotel price
By Kathryn Walson | September 6, 2022
Launched in February, RatePunk scans major booking websites’ algorithms and compares hotel prices.  Read More
Looking ahead into the Middle East travel market
News / Online
Looking ahead into the Middle East travel market
By PhocusWire | September 6, 2022
According to Phocuswright’s Middle East Travel Market Report 2021-2025, the region is poised for a bright future. Read More
phocuswright-europe-2022-ssi
News / Technology
Why the travel industry should care about SSI and DID
By PhocusWire | September 2, 2022
Nick Price explains how technology to enable self-sovereign, digital identity will be commonplace in the next decade.    Read More
Vouch launches pre-arrival platform for hotels to earn revenue via upselling
News / Technology
Vouch launches pre-arrival platform for hotels to earn revenue via upselling
By Kathryn Walson | August 31, 2022
Hotels maintain full control of pricing and inventory on offerings, including room upgrades, spa packages and third-party ancillary services. Read More
hotelbeds-istanbul
News / Distribution
Hotelbeds claims travel-tech first with Istanbul airport partnership
By Jill Menze | August 31, 2022
The destination marketing campaign brings special rates to Hotelbeds customers as well as exposure to iGA Istanbul Airport services. Read More
Moliving main
Interview / Online
STARTUP STAGE: Moliving’s solar-powered mobile suites enable off-the-grid travel
By Kathryn Walson | August 30, 2022
Moliving's mobile suites are engineered to harvest enough solar energy to be fully independent from the power grid. Read More
Report: Enabling a digital experience with a guest-centric hotel tech stack
From Our Partners / Technology
Report: Enabling a digital experience with a guest-centric hotel tech stack
By Cristina Polo | August 29, 2022
Today, a PMS should not only dictate hotel operations processes but also support a guest-centric approach. Read More
wetravel-payments-sponsored-content
From Our Partners / Technology
It’s time for travel businesses to rethink how they transact
By Johannes Koeppel - WeTravel | August 29, 2022
While technology advancements have, for many years, provided non-linear transaction models for consumers and businesses, the pandemic drastically changed the way we transact – forever.   Read More
Chain4Travel blockchain
Interview / Technology
STARTUP STAGE: Chain4Travel prepares to launch blockchain run by travel industry
By Kathryn Walson | August 26, 2022
Founded by Peakwork CEO Ralf Usbeck, Chain4Travel is the facilitator of the Camino consortium blockchain and has more than 50 supporters from the travel industry. Read More
Earnings roundup: Grab, Flight Centre, Swvl
News / Online
Earnings roundup: Grab, Flight Centre, Swvl
By Linda Fox | August 25, 2022
Grab, Flight Centre and Swvl are reporting strong results amid travel industry recovery. Read More
Travel signals cautious optimism despite economic instability
News / Online
Travel signals cautious optimism despite economic instability
By Linda Fox | August 24, 2022
The travel industry remains positive despite investor warnings, rising inflation and a looming recession. Read More
siteminder acquisition
News / Online
SiteMinder acquires GuestJoy to expand hotel commerce platform
By Kathryn Walson | August 23, 2022
A SiteMinder partner since 2017, GuestJoy will be fully integrated into the SiteMinder hotel commerce platform following the completion of the acquisition. Read More
reposite-7-5-million-funding
News / Startups
Group travel planning startup Reposite lands $7.5M for tech push
By Linda Fox | August 23, 2022
Reposite is looking to capitalize on data to further grow its marketplace for the group travel segment. Read More
Shackle raises $5.5M to digitize the hotel guest experience
News / Startups
Shackle raises $5.5M to digitize the hotel guest experience
By Jill Menze | August 23, 2022
Founded in 2020, Shackle helps hotels streamline operations by integrating backend systems into its guest-facing app. Read More
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