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: Biometrics lead the way for fast, contactless identification in travel
News / Technology
VIDEO: Biometrics lead the way for fast, contactless identification in travel
By PhocusWire | May 27, 2021
Paravision CEO Doug Aley explains the benefits of biometric systems for identification and security and what’s next for this technology.   Read More
Sabre partners with ByHours to sell hotel rooms by the hour
News / Distribution
Sabre partners with ByHours to sell hotel rooms by the hour
By Jill Menze | May 27, 2021
The agreement makes Sabre the first global platform to offer by-the-hour hotel reservations. Read More
In The Big Chair - Sankar Narayan of SiteMinder
Interview / Distribution
In The Big Chair - Sankar Narayan of SiteMinder
By Linda Fox | May 26, 2021
Sankar Narayan took up the reins at SiteMinder's first CEO in late 2018, joining from Xero, a cloud accounting software company. He previously held roles at technology and travel brands including Virgin... Read More
MakeMyTrip optimistic of domestic recovery in second half of 2021
News / Online
MakeMyTrip optimistic of domestic recovery in second half of 2021
By Linda Fox | May 25, 2021
The company has seen gains from domestic tourism in the third and fourth quarter of its 2021 fiscal year but it expects the impact of the second wave of COVID-19 on its financial results to be greater... Read More
The push for direct bookings: Hotels can have it both ways
News / Distribution
The push for direct bookings: Hotels can have it both ways
By PhocusWire | May 24, 2021
Numerous reports suggest that hotels have seen a swing toward consumers booking direct as lockdown restrictions ease and travel resume. Read More
Sounding Off: The travel industry must not be a turn-off for those with ideas
Interview / Online
Sounding Off: The travel industry must not be a turn-off for those with ideas
By PhocusWire | May 21, 2021
Nurturing new ideas and attracting bright people to the sector, in spite of the issues that will be in place for some time, should be a challenge that those with the means to help must grasp. Read More
payment-transformation-amadeus
News / Technology
How the COVID-19 crisis is accelerating transformation of travel payments
By Mitra Sorrells | May 21, 2021
A new study from Amadeus finds trends that were emerging pre-pandemic – especially related to the adoption of alternative payment methods – are quickening across all sectors of travel. Read More
Buoyed by vaccine passports, travel managers are “optimistic” about return of business travel
News / Distribution
Buoyed by vaccine passports, travel managers are “optimistic” about return of business travel
By Jill Menze | May 21, 2021
According to report from GBTA, three in four travel buyers feel their employees are willing to travel thanks in part to digital health passports. Read More
STARTUP STAGE: Washbnb offers a tech-enabled linen solution for short-term rental hosts
Interview / Startups
STARTUP STAGE: Washbnb offers a tech-enabled linen solution for short-term rental hosts
By Jill Menze | May 20, 2021
Founded in 2020, Washbnb’s tech-enabled linen solution simplifies rental, logistics and laundry through an environmentally sustainable service. Read More
Expedia, Booking.com and Airbnb differ on marketing tactics as recovery begins
News / Online
Expedia, Booking.com and Airbnb differ on marketing tactics as recovery begins
By Kevin May | May 19, 2021
Three giant brands in online travel are attempting to capture the pent-up demand for trips as lockdowns ease in some markets around the world. Read More
Trip.com Group points to "full recovery" in domestic travel
News / Online
Trip.com Group points to "full recovery" in domestic travel
By Kevin May | May 19, 2021
The company, operator of the Ctrip, Skyscanner and Trip.com brands, says the group's overall revenues were mainly due to a "strong recovery" in March 2021. Read More
PhocusWire Pulse: Decoding Travel Security
News / Technology
PhocusWire Pulse: Decoding Travel Security
By PhocusWire | May 19, 2021
Our fourth PhocusWire Pulse looks at the current state and future of security in travel, examining issues ranging from biometrics, system breaches, listing fraud and blockchain. Read More
Black hospitality employees disproportionately lost jobs during COVID, remain under-represented in leadership
News / Online
Black hospitality employees disproportionately lost jobs during COVID, remain under-represented in leadership
By Jill Menze | May 19, 2021
According to a study from the Castell Project, Black employees lost share of hospitality industry employment and remained under-represented in leadership over the past year. Read More
Can technology help hospitality labor shortages?
News / Technology
Can technology help hospitality labor shortages?
By Linda Fox | May 18, 2021
Hotels are dealing with huge staff shortages because of the pandemic, technologies are emerging to help and some say it's a short-term issue. Read More
VIDEO: Research Spotlight - Middle East travel report and recovery progress
News / Online
VIDEO: Research Spotlight - Middle East travel report and recovery progress
By PhocusWire | May 18, 2021
Online travel bookings fell by 64% in the Middle East during 2020 - a signal that the region faired somewhat better than others around the world. Read More
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