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.

Sounding Off: New innovations don't always spell the end of old ones
Interview / Technology
Sounding Off: New innovations don't always spell the end of old ones
By PhocusWire | July 23, 2021
An additional tool in a provider or traveler’s toolbox does not eliminate the need for similar solutions. Read More
Culture Trip evolves e-commerce strategy with launch of multi-day tours
News / Online
Culture Trip evolves e-commerce strategy with launch of multi-day tours
By Linda Fox | July 23, 2021
Culture Trip is combining places to stay with curated experiences for the launch of multi-day tours. Read More
VIDEO: Digital marketing to the rescue? Reevaluating best practices in travel
News / Online
VIDEO: Digital marketing to the rescue? Reevaluating best practices in travel
By PhocusWire | July 23, 2021
During Phocuswright Europe 2021, executives from Mirai and Sojern discuss the digital marketing opportunities presented by the pandemic and the clean slate travel marketers can build from. Read More
U.K. banking app Revolut launches travel booking product
News / Technology
U.K. banking app Revolut launches travel booking product
By Jill Menze | July 22, 2021
Fintech startup Revolut has launched a travel product called Stays that allows customers to book trips and receive 10% instant cash back. Read More
Bbot lands $15M for hospitality ordering and payment service
News / Startups
Bbot lands $15M for hospitality ordering and payment service
By Linda Fox | July 22, 2021
The latest raise brings Bbot's total to just over $22 million following a $4 million investment announced in January this year. Read More
modihost-startup-stage
Interview / Startups
STARTUP STAGE: ModiHost is a hotel management system using AI and blockchain
By Mitra Sorrells | July 22, 2021
ModiHost is a hotel management system that uses artificial intelligence to personalize the guest experience and blockchain and smart contracts to build in transparency and efficiency.   Read More
amadeus-ibm-health-pass
News / Technology
Amadeus launches IBM Digital Health Pass for COVID document verification
By Mitra Sorrells | July 22, 2021
Amadeus is adding the IBM Digital Health Pass to its Traveler ID for Safe Travel platform, used by airlines and other travel partners to automatically verify identification and COVID-19... Read More
How Apple’s newest features will affect hotel check-in
Opinion / Technology
How Apple’s newest features will affect hotel check-in
By Nadav Cornberg - Virdee | July 21, 2021
While a significant move to simplify digital keys, Apple Wallet only solves one part of the complex digital check-in process. Read More
VIDEO: Can the travel industry avoid a post-pandemic social divide?
News / Online
VIDEO: Can the travel industry avoid a post-pandemic social divide?
By PhocusWire | July 21, 2021
Issues range from those that do not have the ability to travel from a vaccination perspective to, in particular, those that do not have the money to resume the same types of trips that they took... Read More
VIDEO: Business travel reinvented - who gets to travel now?
News / Distribution
VIDEO: Business travel reinvented - who gets to travel now?
By PhocusWire | July 20, 2021
Business travel's return has been debated ad nauseum, but there is agreement on this: changes in corporate programs, mandates and approvals will either slow - or accelerate - proceedings. Read More
mmgy-reid-opinion-return-trends
Opinion / Online
Yes, there's crazy travel demand today. But what's next?
By Clayton Reid - MMGY | July 20, 2021
MMGY CEO Clayton Reid outlines the short- and long-term market conditions impacting the travel industry’s recovery. Read More
OYO secures $660M loan, keeps focus on post-pandemic growth
News / Online
OYO secures $660M loan, keeps focus on post-pandemic growth
By Kevin May | July 19, 2021
The India-based company initially secured the agreement in May this year for the Term Loan B, a financial mechanism whereby the amortization is set for between five and eight years. Read More
softbank invests in yanolja
News / Online
SoftBank invests $1.7B into South Korean travel platform Yanolja
By Jill Menze | July 16, 2021
According to Yanolja, despite the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, the company achieved both net growth and gains in operating profit last year. Read More
VIDEO: Fornova - Launch pitch at Phocuswright Europe 2021
Interview / Distribution
VIDEO: Fornova - Launch pitch at Phocuswright Europe 2021
By PhocusWire | July 16, 2021
FornovaHL enables hotels to update their profiles and photos on Google My Business, Tripadvisor and Facebook from a secure, centralized, easy-to-use platform. Read More
google-expands-travel-insights
News / Online
Google expands Travel Insights tools with new features, U.S. search data
By Mitra Sorrells | July 15, 2021
Following a partnership with the UNWTO announced in May, Google is now also working with Destinations International and HSMAI to hep destinations and hoteliers use travel search data more effectively. Read More
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