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.

startup-stage-jurny
Interview / Startups
STARTUP STAGE: Jurny provides contactless tech solutions for hotels and short-term rentals
By Mitra Sorrells | September 3, 2020
The company launched in June, has raised more than $4.9 million and has 370 units on its platform and more than 2,500 additional units in the pipeline. Read More
MCR buys StayNTouch for $46M, six months after Trump nixed Shiji deal
News / Technology
MCR buys StayNTouch for $46M, six months after Trump nixed Shiji deal
By Kevin May | August 31, 2020
StayNTouch had originally been sold to Chinese digital giant Shiji Information Technology in September 2018 for an undisclosed fee. But Trump had other ideas. Read More
Airbnb claims 1.2M listings are on enhanced cleaning program
News / Online
Airbnb claims 1.2M listings are on enhanced cleaning program
By Kevin May | August 31, 2020
The program was launched in June in a bid to showcase properties that had demonstrated enhanced hygiene standards and cleaning, or set booking buffers between guests. Read More
raul gonzalez headshot
Interview / Online
Phocuswright Europe 2020 preview: Out of Office with... Raúl González
By PhocusWire | August 31, 2020
In a series of interviews with executives participating in the online event in September, PhocusWire finds out what they have learned from the COVID-19 crisis. Read More
Pricing principles to help hotels maximize revenue during COVID-19
Opinion / Distribution
Pricing principles to help hotels maximize revenue during COVID-19
By Vikram Singh | August 31, 2020
Hotels need a "back-to-basics" approach to pricing management, with a focus on facts not feelings. Read More
hotel-empty-space-coronavirus
Interview / Technology
Sounding Off: Hotels should think what to do with their empty space
By PhocusWire | August 28, 2020
Recovery is uncertain, perhaps long-term, so thinking "smaller and smarter" is likely the best strategy for any part of the travel ecosystem through the rest of the year and into 2021. Read More
InPhocus, episode 21 - Travel inspiration for those stuck on the couch
News / Online
InPhocus, episode 21 - Travel inspiration for those stuck on the couch
By PhocusWire | August 28, 2020
In this week's episode of InPhocus we find out how a publisher had to rethink his world of travel media for a readership that cannot travel any time soon. Read More
webinar-august-2020-sabre-ota distribution-efficiency
News / Distribution
WEBINAR REPLAY! Driving efficiencies in OTA distribution
By PhocusWire | August 28, 2020
Join Sabre and Expedia Group to hear about the technology solutions being developed today that will change how the hotel industry does business in the future. Read More
hotelogix-axisrooms-repup
News / Technology
AxisRooms, Hotelogix and RepUp star in hotel technology merger
By Linda Fox | August 27, 2020
AxisRooms, Hotelogix and RepUp are looking to provide a full technology service to hotels, from booking to post check-out, following a three-way merger. Read More
How I Got Here, episode 39 - Martin Rastellino of Despegar
Interview / Online
How I Got Here, episode 39 - Martin Rastellino of Despegar
By PhocusWire | August 27, 2020
Martin Rastellino and four friends co-founded Despegar in Argentina. The story of its birth, growth and eventual IPO is told to Mozio's David Litwak and Kevin May of PhocusWire. Read More
jerome-wise-pcwe-preview
Interview / Distribution
Phocuswright Europe 2020 preview: Out of Office with... Jerome Wise
By PhocusWire | August 27, 2020
In a series of interviews with executives participating in the online event in September, PhocusWire finds out what they have learned from the COVID-19 crisis. Next up: TravelClick's Jerome Wise. Read More
VIDEO: New Reality With... Elliott Ferguson of Destination D.C.
News / Online
VIDEO: New Reality With... Elliott Ferguson of Destination D.C.
By PhocusWire | August 26, 2020
The next guest on the New Reality With... series is Elliott Ferguson, CEO of Destination D.C, one of the most high-profile destination and tourism organizations in the world. Read More
google-assistant-hotels
News / Technology
Google expedites launch of contactless guest system for hotels in response to COVID
By Mitra Sorrells | August 26, 2020
The solution has been a pilot since 2018 but Google says it expedited the global launch because of the pandemic. Read More
WEBINAR REPLAY! Power your payments – Shining light on how customers pay for flights, hotels, holidays and ground transport
News / Technology
WEBINAR REPLAY! Power your payments – Shining light on how customers pay for flights, hotels, holidays and ground transport
By PhocusWire | August 26, 2020
We discuss key insights from a survey of 33,000 people across 12 countries to find out how they pay for travel and the importance of payments in the booking experience. Read More
greg-webb-pcwe-preview
Interview / Distribution
Phocuswright Europe 2020 preview: Out of Office with... Greg Webb
By PhocusWire | August 25, 2020
In a series of interviews with executives participating in the online event in September, PhocusWire finds out what they have learned from the COVID-19 crisis. Next up: Travelport's Greg Webb. Read More
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