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.

PhocusWire's weekly travel tech news briefs: Accelya, Hotelrunner, Riyadh Air and more...
News / Technology
PhocusWire's weekly travel tech news briefs: Accelya, Hotelrunner, Riyadh Air and more...
By PhocusWire | October 10, 2025
Keep up with all the latest people, partner and product news from around the global travel industry. Read More
Why AI agents fall short in fragmented hospitality tech—And how MCP fixes this
News / Technology
Why AI agents fall short in fragmented hospitality tech—And how MCP fixes this
By Stephan Wiesener - Apaleo | October 10, 2025
Apaleo founder and CTO Stephan Wiesener says MCP is the breakthrough that will turn AI agents from concept into practical, daily operations. Read More
How gen AI will reshape travel and why the industry needs a data-first approach
From Our Partners / Technology
How gen AI will reshape travel and why the industry needs a data-first approach
By PhocusWire | October 8, 2025
DataArt's Greg Abbott explains why the industry still lags behind peers like finance and retail on data readiness and what it will take to close the gap. Read More
ChatGPT brings apps into chat, starting with Expedia and Booking.com
News / Technology
ChatGPT brings apps into chat, starting with Expedia and Booking.com
By Morgan Hines | October 7, 2025
OpenAI said the system is using Model Context Protocol (MCP) to enable ChatGPT to connect to external tools and data. Read More
How AGI is building the tech for AI agents to book travel
From Our Partners / Technology
How AGI is building the tech for AI agents to book travel
By PhocusWire | October 7, 2025
The San Francisco-based startup has partners and investors including Visa, Point 72, Menlo Ventures and Anthropic. Read More
Travel trends in the Middle East: Experiences, Gen Z and technology
News / Online
Travel trends in the Middle East: Experiences, Gen Z and technology
By Abby Crotty | October 7, 2025
According to Phocuswright data, in 2024, the travel market in the Middle East exceeded pre-pandemic levels by 23%, with gross total bookings reaching $101.2 billion. Read More
Expedia partners with Perplexity for Comet launch
News / Technology
Expedia partners with Perplexity for Comet launch
By Morgan Hines | October 6, 2025
Expedia is offering Silver status in its OneKey loyalty program in exchange for users downloading Comet’s recently launched browser. Read More
Plusgrade acquires Oaky, plans unified upsell platform
News / Technology
Plusgrade acquires Oaky, plans unified upsell platform
By Linda Fox | October 6, 2025
Plusgrade's deal to acquire Oaky is its third in recent years following its acquisition of UpStay and Points.com. Read More
Hotel chains struggle with AI strategy, independents see fast ROI
News / Technology
Hotel chains struggle with AI strategy, independents see fast ROI
By Marisa Garcia | October 3, 2025
Separate studies from H2c and TakeUp capture perspectives on artificial intelligence usage from more 370 hoteliers worldwide, encompassing luxury chains, mid-market brands and small, independent hotels. Read More
RateGain to acquire Sojern for $250M
News / Online
RateGain to acquire Sojern for $250M
By Morgan Hines | October 2, 2025
The companies aim to create an AI-focused, digital marketing and distribution platform to help the travel industry boost guest acquisition, retention and engagement. Read More
Rapid fire with Paul Jacobs of Kayak
News / Online
Rapid fire with Paul Jacobs of Kayak
By Morgan Hines | October 2, 2025
As we approach The Phocuswright Conference in San Diego, PhocusWire is highlighting a number of conference speakers in a series of Q&As. Read More
Airlines are evolving their innovation mindset
From Our Partners / Online
Airlines are evolving their innovation mindset
By Cara Whitehill - Thayer Investment Partners | October 2, 2025
Airline corporate venture capital teams are adopting a different line of sight when looking at investment and innovation, engaging outside their traditional aviation footprint and tapping into... Read More
From SEO to GEO, hotels confront the future of digital discovery
News / Online
From SEO to GEO, hotels confront the future of digital discovery
By Matthew Parsons | October 2, 2025
Hospitality brands and independent properties are trying to figure out how best to appear directly in the detailed answers large language models are returning. Read More
HTS adds AI-powered support tool for travel sellers
News / Technology
HTS adds AI-powered support tool for travel sellers
By Morgan Hines | October 1, 2025
HTS Assist is meant to offer end-to-end autonomous customer support through voice and chat communications. Read More
Tracking Q3 travel startup funding
News / Startups
Tracking Q3 travel startup funding
By Linda Fox | October 1, 2025
PhocusWire tracks the large and small travel startup funding rounds in Q3 as well as M&A activity in the space. Read More
The Phocuswright Conference 2026