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.

Orbitz launches microsite geared toward LGBTQ travelers
News / Online
Orbitz launches microsite geared toward LGBTQ travelers
By Jill Menze | August 25, 2020
The brand's new Pride microsite lists LGBTQ-welcoming hotels that meet specific inclusivity standards. Read More
reddoorz-wit-covid-recovery
News / Online
RedDoorz CEO chases profitability, sees opportunities for travel companies to IPO
By Yeoh Siew Hoon - WebInTravel | August 25, 2020
As Airbnb prepares for its much-anticipated IPO, RedDoorz co-founder and CEO Amit Saberwal predicts there will be more strong companies that emerge out of COVID and want to go public. Read More
What will bring back confidence in travel?
From Our Partners / Distribution
What will bring back confidence in travel?
By Kyle Moore - Travelport | August 25, 2020
Travelers, before they book, need reassurance that travel is safe. COVID-19 has rocked traveler confidence, and we now need to know: what will restore it? Read More
porter-sail-acquires-futurekey
News / Online
Porter & Sail acquires hotel credit competitor FutureKey
By Mitra Sorrells | August 24, 2020
Porter & Sail will expand the portfolio of its "Hotel Credits" program with the acquisition of FutureKey. Read More
Why 1989 holds the key to hospitality's recovery
From Our Partners / Distribution
Why 1989 holds the key to hospitality's recovery
By Chinmai Sharma - RateGain | August 23, 2020
This was the year when the hospitality industry went through a "democratization" as hotel chains joined forces to create the first electronic distribution company, THISCO, changing the industry forever. Read More
How-i-got-here-travis-katz-trip-com-2
Interview / Online
How I Got Here, episode 38 - Travis Katz of Trip.com
By PhocusWire | August 20, 2020
Travis Katz brought Gogobot through a crowded field of social trip planning sites to an eventual sale to one of the biggest names in online travel. He tells the story to Mozio's David Litwak and Kevin... Read More
Does your hotel need a commercial strategist?
Opinion / Online
Does your hotel need a commercial strategist?
By Sharad Kapur | August 20, 2020
Here's why hotels should consider a "commercial strategist" role as the lead-in position for all commercial operations. Read More
Airbnb files for IPO despite crisis year for the travel industry
News / Online
Airbnb files for IPO despite crisis year for the travel industry
By Kevin May | August 19, 2020
The question of when Airbnb would move towards its long-awaited IPO has followed the company long before the coronavirus pandemic hit the industry in early-2020. Read More
Enough is enough - global travel brands make desperate plea for state help with pandemic recovery
News / Technology
Enough is enough - global travel brands make desperate plea for state help with pandemic recovery
By Kevin May | August 18, 2020
A joint letter, sent on their behalf by the WTTC today to the G7 countries and Australia, South Korea and Spain, asks governments to convene a COVID-19 global summit in a bid to "rescue the world... Read More
Why hotel marketing strategies should include LGBTQIA travelers
Opinion / Online
Why hotel marketing strategies should include LGBTQIA travelers
By Expedia Group | August 18, 2020
As destinations reopen, industry experts expect to see the LGBTQIA community be among the first to hit the road. Here’s how to market to this key demographic. Read More
REPORT: COVID-19 Hotel Forecast - Phuket
News / Distribution
REPORT: COVID-19 Hotel Forecast - Phuket
By PhocusWire | August 18, 2020
Despite Thailand and Phuket having every economic incentive to restart tourism as quickly as possible, the government has set public health as the top priority and has acted prudently regarding... Read More
VIDEO: New Reality With... Rohit Talwar of Fast Future
News / Technology
VIDEO: New Reality With... Rohit Talwar of Fast Future
By PhocusWire | August 17, 2020
The next guest on the New Reality With... series is Rohit Talwar, CEO at Fast Future, one of the world's leading organizations looking at the fields of futures and foresight. Read More
Boosting customer experience comes ahead of providing pandemic information to travelers
News / Technology
Boosting customer experience comes ahead of providing pandemic information to travelers
By Kevin May | August 17, 2020
Big data and analytics also scored the highest among the 11 technology-related options for brands, both in terms of previous impact and most likely to affect the business between now and 2025. Read More
Sounding Off: State-industry alliances could be the best pandemic recovery route to take
Interview / Online
Sounding Off: State-industry alliances could be the best pandemic recovery route to take
By PhocusWire | August 14, 2020
The idea of governments, regional authorities and other public bodies getting involved in strategic decisions and running the infrastructure that could underpin a reemerging sector is one that should be... Read More
Phocuswright Europe 2020 preview: Out of Office with… Guido Becher
Interview / Online
Phocuswright Europe 2020 preview: Out of Office with… Guido Becher
By PhocusWire | August 14, 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: Rappi Travel's Guido Becher. Read More
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