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: Is Asia a model for global travel recovery?
News / Online
VIDEO: Is Asia a model for global travel recovery?
By Jill Menze | December 17, 2020
At The Phocuswright Conference, a panel of experts discusses how local trends in Asia are impacting the global travel marketplace. Read More
Can the convergence of revenue performance and guest intelligence propel the future of travel?
From Our Partners / Technology
Can the convergence of revenue performance and guest intelligence propel the future of travel?
By Vivek Bhogaraju and Antonio Figueiredo | December 16, 2020
We can already see travel coming back in some form and shape in certain parts of the world. In this evolving environment here are some key observations of where we are today. Read More
sevenrooms-op-ed
Opinion / Online
Uncovering and understanding the modern hotel guest
By Joel Montaniel - SevenRooms | December 16, 2020
As hoteliers implement new technologies and prioritize health and safety initiatives, they should not forget the value of traditional pillars of hospitality such as personalization and great food and... Read More
VIDEO: Getting meaningful strategies and direction from travel data
News / Technology
VIDEO: Getting meaningful strategies and direction from travel data
By Linda Fox | December 15, 2020
Speaking at The Phocuswright Conference, 3Victors CEO Rick Seaney explains how travel brands can best derive meaningful insights from data. Read More
FareCompare acquired by fellow travel search brand Turismocity
News / Online
FareCompare acquired by fellow travel search brand Turismocity
By Kevin May | December 15, 2020
FareCompare was created by Rick Seaney and Graeme Wallace in 2006, joining the U.S. market at the same time as Kayak, SideStep, FareCast and a string of other metasearch startups.  Read More
WEBINAR REPLAY! Reimagining travel payments for stronger 2021 recovery
News / Technology
WEBINAR REPLAY! Reimagining travel payments for stronger 2021 recovery
By PhocusWire | December 14, 2020
Join our travel payments experts and gain valuable insights about redesigning your global payments strategy for a faster and stronger recovery. Read More
VIDEO: OYO on doubling down on what works during a pandemic
News / Online
VIDEO: OYO on doubling down on what works during a pandemic
By Kevin May | December 14, 2020
OYO's strategy to get into the rental accommodation business could eventually be seen, once the dust settles on the pandemic, as a bit of a lifeline for the business. Read More
Sounding Off: Battle of the "best" in online travel is just getting started
Interview / Online
Sounding Off: Battle of the "best" in online travel is just getting started
By PhocusWire | December 11, 2020
Let's not, for a moment, dampen the mood that has started creeping into the psyche of leaders in the online travel market in recent weeks. Read More
InPhocus, episode 30 - Who'd be a business travel startup in a pandemic?
News / Distribution
InPhocus, episode 30 - Who'd be a business travel startup in a pandemic?
By PhocusWire | December 11, 2020
In a crazy year for business travel, Phocuswright managing director Pete Comeau caught up with Tripkicks' CEO Jeff Berk. Read More
wttc-biometric-identity-report
News / Technology
WTTC proposes best practices for biometric digital identities to speed recovery
By Mitra Sorrells | December 11, 2020
The report provides detailed steps to create and implement biometric-enabled digital identities that could be used to secure and expedite travel around the world. Read More
Projecting travel trends for a COVID-19 Christmas
From Our Partners / Technology
Projecting travel trends for a COVID-19 Christmas
By Eric Bamberger - Zeta Global | December 11, 2020
In addition to being health-conscious, the few people who do travel this Christmas season will be more price conscious and impulsive (i.e. more likely to book at the last minute) than ever before. Read More
VIDEO: Travel marketing experts on pandemic behavioral shifts and opportunities
News / Distribution
VIDEO: Travel marketing experts on pandemic behavioral shifts and opportunities
By Linda Fox | December 10, 2020
The pandemic has changed travel marketing, with brands needing to stay relevant to those that are traveling and inspire those that are not. Read More
Airbnb rings the bell to herald its arrival on public markets
News / Online
Airbnb rings the bell to herald its arrival on public markets
By Kevin May | December 10, 2020
The private accommodation giant's shares will list on the NASDAQ trading floor, just short of four months after announcing its intention to seek an Initial Public Offering of the business. Read More
Expedia Group CEO wants to be "the best travel tech platform in the world"
News / Online
Expedia Group CEO wants to be "the best travel tech platform in the world"
By Jill Menze | December 10, 2020
At Expedia Group’s virtual Explore event, CEO Peter Kern outlined how playing to Expedia Group’s strengths will help the company and its partners recover from the impact of the coronavirus crisis. Read More
December 9th, 2020 11 am Eastern _ 8 am Pacific
News / Technology
WEBINAR REPLAY! Tips for addressing burn-out with smaller teams and unpredictable demand
By PhocusWire | December 9, 2020
It’s critical for hotels to spot burn-out signals, proactively boost morale, and leverage technology to drive occupancy. A healthy team can steer your property towards profitability, but a drained... Read More
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