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.

google-covid-updates
News / Online
Google adds hotel and flight availability data and ‘free cancellation’ filter
By Mitra Sorrells | August 13, 2020
Google's travel search results will now show the percentage of available hotels and flights and also enable users to filter properties that offer free cancellation. Read More
Hostelworld plots strategy beyond core product as bookings fall by two-thirds
News / Online
Hostelworld plots strategy beyond core product as bookings fall by two-thirds
By Kevin May | August 13, 2020
The "sharp drop" in its trading performance led the company to pursue a debt facility and subsequent equity raise of £13.8 million in June. Read More
How I Got Here, episode 37 - Rajesh Magow of MakeMyTrip
Interview / Online
How I Got Here, episode 37 - Rajesh Magow of MakeMyTrip
By PhocusWire | August 13, 2020
Mozio's David Litwak and Kevin May of PhocusWire talk with Rajesh Magow about the meteoric rise of India-based MakeMyTrip, one of the country's first online travel agencies to emerge in the 2000s. Read More
meka-morris-opinion-cashless-payments
Opinion / Technology
How cashless payments can help hotels on the road to recovery
By Meka White Morris - Tappit | August 13, 2020
Digital payment systems provide better hygiene than cash and can provide hotels with valuable data. Read More
manifest-escapes-launch
News / Online
Manifest travel club launched by ex-CEO of Frontier Airlines
By Kevin May | August 12, 2020
Manifest connects its members to getaways and activities in exclusive destinations around the U.S. via private planes. Read More
marriott-q2-earnings-2020-2
News / Distribution
Marriott believes worst is over, global occupancy at 30%
By Christina Jelski | August 11, 2020
Around 9% of Marriott's properties worldwide currently remain closed, versus a high of more than 25% shuttered hotels back in April. Read More
Technology and governments (sorry) have vital roles to play in tourism's recovery
News / Technology
Technology and governments (sorry) have vital roles to play in tourism's recovery
By Kevin May | August 11, 2020
The role of digital services, governments and regional organizations will be forced to come to the fore if the globe is to get back to the $9 trillion tourism economy it had pre-pandemic. Read More
phocuswright-europe-julie-white
Interview / Online
Phocuswright Europe 2020 preview: Out of Office with… Julie White
By PhocusWire | August 11, 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
splitty-acquires-cancelon
News / Startups
Hotel booking platform Splitty acquires assets of Cancelon
By Mitra Sorrells | August 11, 2020
Splitty says the deal will create a "distinctive OTA" with low expenses and high value for consumers. Read More
AirAsia and Trip.com Group unite in digital travel services pact
News / Online
AirAsia and Trip.com Group unite in digital travel services pact
By Kevin May | August 10, 2020
Flights, hotels, airport transfers and activities are included in the sharing of inventory across both platforms, with Trip.com Group's premium members getting "upgraded privileges" when they book... Read More
Sounding Off: Social media shouldn't sugar-coat the mid-crisis travel experience
Interview / Online
Sounding Off: Social media shouldn't sugar-coat the mid-crisis travel experience
By PhocusWire | August 7, 2020
The travel experience is going to be disruptive (health checks) or weird (everyone wearing masks) for a while so ensuring the message does not ignore those facts will be beneficial in the... Read More
Sabre revenue slumps to less than a tenth from the same period in 2019
News / Distribution
Sabre revenue slumps to less than a tenth from the same period in 2019
By Kevin May | August 7, 2020
Distribution and technology giant Sabre is using the pandemic to "right-size" the business in the wake of the huge disruption to passenger and service volumes. Read More
Booking Holdings feels "full impact" of coronavirus as gross bookings plunge 91% in Q2 2020
News / Online
Booking Holdings feels "full impact" of coronavirus as gross bookings plunge 91% in Q2 2020
By Jill Menze | August 6, 2020
CEO Glenn Fogel believes it will be years and not quarters before the travel market returns to pre-COVID dollars. Read More
WEBINAR REPLAY! The digital customer journey is broken. Let’s fix it.
News / Technology
WEBINAR REPLAY! The digital customer journey is broken. Let’s fix it.
By PhocusWire | August 6, 2020
There has never been a more urgent time for travel sellers to reimagine their digital customer journeys. And the way they achieve that is as Complete Retailers. Read More
hilton-q2-2020
News / Online
Hilton lost $432M in Q2 2020 but says occupancy now recovering in most markets
By Mitra Sorrells | August 6, 2020
Hilton's occupancy levels were up about 20 percentage points in the United States and 15 percentage points in Asia between April and June.   Read More
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