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.

Travel + Leisure debuts travel subscription service
News / Online
Travel + Leisure debuts travel subscription service
By Jill Menze | September 8, 2021
Called Travel + Leisure Club, the subscription service offers members access to preferred pricing, concierge services, exclusive experiences and a magazine subscription for $9.95 per month. Read More
Impala unveils tech in bid to shake up hotel contracting
News / Distribution
Impala unveils tech in bid to shake up hotel contracting
By Linda Fox | September 8, 2021
Impala believes legacy systems are holding the hotel industry back and its technology can save time and costs. Read More
Hospitality's recovery: Lessons for hoteliers from aviation
From Our Partners / Technology
Hospitality's recovery: Lessons for hoteliers from aviation
By Phelim Pekaar - P3 Hotel Software | September 8, 2021
As travel reopens, there are many lessons that hotels can learn from airlines about maximizing revenue, particularly around the use of technology. Read More
VIDEO: Travel marketing under threat from Big Tech data changes
News / Technology
VIDEO: Travel marketing under threat from Big Tech data changes
By PhocusWire | September 7, 2021
Location marketing has become a useful tool for travel brands to understand where their customers are and what their purchase intent might be. But big changes are coming. Read More
H2O Hospitality signals expansion with $30M funding
News / Startups
H2O Hospitality signals expansion with $30M funding
By Linda Fox | September 7, 2021
The round, which was led by Kakao Investment, also included the state-run Korea Development Bank, Gorilla Private Equity, Intervest and NICE Investment. Read More
gbt-cvent-csr-questions
News / Online
American Express GBT, Cvent add corporate responsibility questions to hotel RFP
By Mitra Sorrells | September 6, 2021
The initiative includes 47 questions focused on sustainability, diversity, equity and inclusion that are intended to help travel managers evaluate suppliers on these issues. Read More
oyo-onboarding-self-service
News / Technology
OYO adds self-service onboarding tool to boost supply
By Mitra Sorrells | September 3, 2021
OYO says its new OYO 360 tool reduces the time it takes to bring new hotels into its system from 15 days to just 30 minutes. Read More
High-tech vs. high-touch: Emerging stronger amid crossroads of two hospitality trends
From Our Partners / Distribution
High-tech vs. high-touch: Emerging stronger amid crossroads of two hospitality trends
By Dan O'Keefe - Amadeus Hospitality | September 2, 2021
New trends offer fresh hope for hospitality as sales and operational teams prepare for the new world of travel. Read More
Investing in travel post-pandemic: An assessment
Opinion / Online
Investing in travel post-pandemic: An assessment
By Chris Hemmeter - Thayer Ventures | September 2, 2021
Thayer Ventures' Chris Hemmeter examines where the industry is now and what the next 18 months hold. Read More
VIDEO: Alternative business models for digital marketing
News / Online
VIDEO: Alternative business models for digital marketing
By PhocusWire | September 1, 2021
It's not exactly game on just yet, in the battle by brands to wean themselves off the Google machine, but there is change afoot that could last beyond the pandemic recovery period. Read More
What do Gen Z travelers want from online travel brands?
News / Online
What do Gen Z travelers want from online travel brands?
By Jill Menze | August 31, 2021
According to new research, Gen Z travelers favor online travel agencies as well as travel brands that echo their values. Read More
PhocusWire Pulse: Travel Marketing Tactics
News / Online
PhocusWire Pulse: Travel Marketing Tactics
By PhocusWire | August 31, 2021
We look at issues and trends ranging from challenges for DMOs, death of cookies, retargeting, Google, targeting niches and lots more. Read More
OTAs vs. supplier-direct bookings in Eastern Europe
News / Distribution
OTAs vs. supplier-direct bookings in Eastern Europe
By Phocuswright Research | August 30, 2021
In Eastern Europe, travel market distribution will shift online over the next four years, prompted by near-universal internet access and smartphone use. Read More
VIDEO: Focusing on the opportunities for travel's recovery
From Our Partners / Online
VIDEO: Focusing on the opportunities for travel's recovery
By PhocusWire | August 30, 2021
With mass vaccinations taking place in many countries and the industry attempting to become operational once more, attention is turning to how companies can and should take advantage of the opportunites... Read More
Hostelworld hoping for demand to return as revenues slump
News / Online
Hostelworld hoping for demand to return as revenues slump
By Kevin May | August 27, 2021
The budget accommodation online travel agency captured revenue of just €2.9 million between January and June this year, down from €12 million in the same period in 2020. Read More
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