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: Hilton on an evolving digital environment for accommodation
News / Online
VIDEO: Hilton on an evolving digital environment for accommodation
By PhocusWire | January 20, 2021
With leisure travel stalled, meetings and events cancelled and short-term rentals taking the spotlight, hotel leaders are in the hot seat. Read More
WEBINAR REPLAY! How to shape your 2021 revenue strategy with forward-looking data
News / Distribution
WEBINAR REPLAY! How to shape your 2021 revenue strategy with forward-looking data
By PhocusWire | January 19, 2021
We'll show you how you can leverage forward-looking data to get ahead of the competition, align your commercial teams and better anticipate changing consumer behavior. Read More
Pana snags $3.5M investment to develop new travel manager tools
News / Online
Pana snags $3.5M investment to develop new travel manager tools
By Kevin May | January 19, 2021
The round of £3.6 million was led by RTP Ventures and included participation from investors Matt Ziskie and Dave Ambrose. Read More
Airbnb's Brian Chesky on permanent shifts in travel and need for principles in a crisis
News / Distribution
Airbnb's Brian Chesky on permanent shifts in travel and need for principles in a crisis
By Linda Fox | January 18, 2021
Following its successful IPO, Airbnb is planning for a different future where travel could be far more distributed. Read More
Fetch.ai launches AI travel agents to reduce hotel booking distribution cost
News / Distribution
Fetch.ai launches AI travel agents to reduce hotel booking distribution cost
By Linda Fox | January 15, 2021
Fetch.ai believes its AI agents can reduce distribution costs and protect hotels from security breaches. Read More
AirAsia calls itself an "OTA challenger" amid big digital travel ambitions
News / Online
AirAsia calls itself an "OTA challenger" amid big digital travel ambitions
By Linda Fox | January 15, 2021
AirAsia.com is drawing on its 75 million customer base, loyalty program and joining the data dots to build its OTA. Read More
Buy-now-pay-later for travel service Affirm valued at $24B after IPO
News / Technology
Buy-now-pay-later for travel service Affirm valued at $24B after IPO
By Kevin May | January 15, 2021
The company works with the likes of Expedia, Delta Vacations, Priceline, CheapOAir, Suiteness and others. Read More
What is the digital outlook for 2021 in business travel?
Opinion / Technology
What is the digital outlook for 2021 in business travel?
By Pascal Benn - Focus Travel Partnership | January 15, 2021
A travel management company operating in Jan 2021 will be faced with a whole new set of challenges compared to both 2020 and 2019. Read More
Trivago acquires getaway online travel agency Weekend.com
News / Online
Trivago acquires getaway online travel agency Weekend.com
By Kevin May | January 14, 2021
It is the first acquisition for Trivago since it bought TripBuddy, an AI-led personalization engine, in May 2018. Read More
book4time-serent-capital
News / Online
Book4Time secures growth investment from Serent Capital
By Mitra Sorrells | January 13, 2021
Founded in 2004, Book4Time manages booking, inventory and payment processing for hotels and resorts, as well as casinos, spas and fitness facilities. Read More
Silos must be broken down to bring diversity to the hospitality workplace
News / Distribution
Silos must be broken down to bring diversity to the hospitality workplace
By Linda Fox | January 12, 2021
Tracy Prigmore wants more of a mixture of women of all races working together in hospitality so that everyone is elevated. Read More
VIDEO: How COVID-19 accelerated digital transformation in travel
News / Technology
VIDEO: How COVID-19 accelerated digital transformation in travel
By PhocusWire | January 12, 2021
Rachel Barger, senior vice president of global enterprise sales at Cisco Systems, speaks about technology trends emerging from the periods of lockdown and what they mean for the travel industry. Read More
Research Spotlight: Meetings and events travelers eager to get back
News / Online
Research Spotlight: Meetings and events travelers eager to get back
By PhocusWire | January 12, 2021
According to a new report from Phocuswright Research, nine out of 10 travelers are willing to attend meetings and events even if COVID-19 still poses a threat. Read More
Uplift adds $68M credit line for travel payments service
News / Startups
Uplift adds $68M credit line for travel payments service
By Linda Fox | January 11, 2021
Uplift sees pent-up demand for travel later in 2021 and is also looking to expand to other sectors. Read More
VIDEO: Understanding the connected trip and what it means for travel brands
From Our Partners / Technology
VIDEO: Understanding the connected trip and what it means for travel brands
By PhocusWire | January 11, 2021
We speak to Ingenico's head of travel, Eric Liebman, about the definitions, use cases and how payments is a vital thread running through all parts of the process. Read More
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