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.

Revenge travel is here: Three ways digital CX can help recovery
Opinion / Online
Revenge travel is here: Three ways digital CX can help recovery
By Kahlil Dumas - Khoros | August 18, 2021
To prepare for revenge travel and secure long-term brand loyalty, travel brands should tap into digital CX. Read More
hopper-175m-august-21
News / Online
Hopper raises another $175M, will add 500 employees
By Mitra Sorrells | August 17, 2021
Five months after a $170 million fundraise, Hopper is doing it again – this time $175 million in Series G financing, bringing its total raised to date to $585 million.   Read More
Hyatt acquires Apple Leisure Group for $2.7B
News / Online
Hyatt acquires Apple Leisure Group for $2.7B
By Kevin May | August 16, 2021
Included in the deal are all of ALG's subsidiaries, including the Trisept Solutions travel technology wing that provides tools for leisure travel operators. Read More
nick-price-digital-identity
News / Technology
Q&A: The potential of decentralized digital ID in travel
By Mitra Sorrells | August 16, 2021
Decentralized digital identity solutions could dramatically change distribution, marketing, cybersecurity and more in the travel industry. Read More
mews-acquires-hotel-perfect
News / Technology
Mews acquires Hotel Perfect for U.K. hotel tech push
By Linda Fox | August 13, 2021
The acquisition boosts the growth of Mews in the U.K. market. Read More
Airbnb revenue jumps 300% in Q2 2021
News / Online
Airbnb revenue jumps 300% in Q2 2021
By Jill Menze | August 12, 2021
The home-share giant was also profitable on an adjusted EBITDA basis for the second quarter of 2021. Read More
emarketer-travel-ad-spend
News / Online
U.S. travel digital ad spending to remain pared down for years
By Mitra Sorrells | August 12, 2021
According to eMarketer, no other industry declined as fast or spent as little on digital ads in 2020. Read More
perimeterx-magecart-op-ed
Opinion / Technology
The many ways Magecart can hack travel sites
By Avishai Shafir - PerimeterX | August 12, 2021
Magecart is taking off, but OTAs and travel sites can save themselves grief and major financial risk by acting in advance to ground this threat.   Read More
SendSquared raises $1M for guest communications platform
News / Startups
SendSquared raises $1M for guest communications platform
By Linda Fox | August 11, 2021
SendSquared will put the seed funding toward product development and expanding its sales, marketing and product teams. Read More
HotelPlanner merges with Reservations.com, plans public listing via SPAC
News / Online
HotelPlanner merges with Reservations.com, plans public listing via SPAC
By Jill Menze | August 10, 2021
The two online travel companies plan to go public through the SPAC Astrea Acquisition Corp. Read More
IHG reports $138M profit, plans luxury and lifestyle brand
News / Distribution
IHG reports $138M profit, plans luxury and lifestyle brand
By Linda Fox | August 10, 2021
IHG reports gradual improvement, especially in the U.S. and China with groups, meetings and events beginning to book. Read More
wheel-the-world-2m-funding
News / Startups
Accessible travel OTA Wheel the World raises $2M
By Mitra Sorrells | August 10, 2021
Founded in 2018, Wheel the World’s site offers accommodations, things to do and trips in more than 50 destinations worldwide. Read More
How Booking.com gained market share while we were in lockdown
Opinion / Online
How Booking.com gained market share while we were in lockdown
By Marta Romero - Mirai | August 9, 2021
Given the current situation, where many channels are still not appearing and we don’t know if they will be activated this season, Booking.com has become the basket where most of a hotel's distribution... Read More
VIDEO: Maintaining trust in shopping and booking travel
News / Technology
VIDEO: Maintaining trust in shopping and booking travel
By PhocusWire | August 9, 2021
Travel companies have a golden opportunity to rebuild confidence by building trust in their payment processes. Read More
VIDEO: The Big Picture for travel payments
News / Technology
VIDEO: The Big Picture for travel payments
By PhocusWire | August 6, 2021
In some respects the payments element of the travel, tourism and hospitality sector operates regardless of the number of travelers. Think again. Read More
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