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.

VIDEO: Midnightdeal - Launch pitch at Phocuswright Conference 2021
Interview / Distribution
VIDEO: Midnightdeal - Launch pitch at Phocuswright Conference 2021
By PhocusWire | December 10, 2021
Midnightdeal has built a unique next-generation gamified hotel marketplace where both hoteliers as well as travellers get the best deal. Read More
What steps can tourism take after COP26?
News / Technology
What steps can tourism take after COP26?
By Kevin May | December 9, 2021
Some argue that the travel, tourism and hospitality industry has, for the most part, avoided tackling the climate crisis in a meaningful way. But there are ways to change that. Read More
Agoda launches Beds Network to help hotels distribute wholesale rates
News / Distribution
Agoda launches Beds Network to help hotels distribute wholesale rates
By Jill Menze | December 9, 2021
With Beds Network, properties gain access to Booking Holdings’ 10,000-plus affiliate partners through Agoda’s network. Read More
MCR acquires housekeeping management platform Optii
News / Technology
MCR acquires housekeeping management platform Optii
By Jill Menze | December 7, 2021
Optii will remain a standalone company with its existing management team intact. Read More
VIDEO: Hotels and rentals - divide, conquer or converge?
News / Distribution
VIDEO: Hotels and rentals - divide, conquer or converge?
By PhocusWire | December 7, 2021
Alternative accommodation may have notched up a headstart over hotels, when lockdown restrictions began to ease - but no-one is saying that the momentum for the sector is likely to continue in the long... Read More
amadeus-microsoft-cloud
News / Technology
Amadeus touts cloud benefits for travel
By Linda Fox | December 7, 2021
The partnership with Microsoft was positioned as a move to the cloud within three to five years as well as collaboration on new products and services through an innovation program. Read More
What is Booking Holdings up to with its big 2021 spending spree?
News / Online
What is Booking Holdings up to with its big 2021 spending spree?
By Kevin May | December 6, 2021
PhocusWire asked a range of executives and experts for their perspective on what might be motivating the buying spree at Booking Holdings and what it means for their competitors, others and the future. Read More
VIDEO: MyStay - Summit pitch at Phocuswright Conference 2021
Interview / Startups
VIDEO: MyStay - Summit pitch at Phocuswright Conference 2021
By PhocusWire | December 6, 2021
85% of guests are asking for a new concept of reception based on contactless access, so why there are only 3% of properties with online check-in, payments, e-keys? Read More
selina-ipo-spac
News / Startups
Selina plots public listing via SPAC
By Linda Fox | December 3, 2021
Selina, which was launched in 2015, is combining with existing SPAC New York-based BOA Acquisition Corp. with gross proceeds of $285 million anticipated from the deal. Read More
VIDEO: ATPCO's Alex Zoghlin on travel retailing and a life in digital
News / Distribution
VIDEO: ATPCO's Alex Zoghlin on travel retailing and a life in digital
By PhocusWire | December 3, 2021
Zoghlin joined us in the PhocusWire Studio to discuss the latest developments in the progress toward a retail-based future for airline distribution and reflect on some of those other jobs in the last... Read More
Hotel Engine secures $65M for innovation and recruitment
News / Startups
Hotel Engine secures $65M for innovation and recruitment
By Linda Fox | December 2, 2021
The investment in Hotel Engine, which was led by existing investor Telescope Partners with participation from Blackstone, values the company at $1.3 billion. Read More
kayak-leads-life-house-seriesc
News / Startups
Kayak leads $60M Series C for Life House
By Mitra Sorrells | December 2, 2021
Life House and Kayak have been working together since last spring with the opening of Kayak Miami Beach, a hotel managed by Life House. Read More
Q&A: Cvent CEO Reggie Aggarwal on hybrid futures and going public again
News / Technology
Q&A: Cvent CEO Reggie Aggarwal on hybrid futures and going public again
By Donna Airoldi - BTN | December 1, 2021
Cvent founder and CEO Reggie Aggarwal spoke with BTN in late November and says the company planned to be listed on the Nasdaq exchange the morning of December 9. Read More
VIDEO: Kayak on placing strategic bets during a pandemic
News / Online
VIDEO: Kayak on placing strategic bets during a pandemic
By PhocusWire | December 1, 2021
Like most businesses in travel, Kayak suffered during the pandemic but is now plotting a path to some form of recovery. But CEO and co-founder Steve Hafner feels the worst is behind us. Read More
VIDEO: IDEAS on how hotels can do more with less through automation
News / Technology
VIDEO: IDEAS on how hotels can do more with less through automation
By PhocusWire | December 1, 2021
Klaus Kohlmayr of IDeaS explains how automating revenue management can help hotels faced with labor shortages. Read More
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