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.

Sabre indicates "modest" recovery signs but air bookings still slammed
News / Distribution
Sabre indicates "modest" recovery signs but air bookings still slammed
By Kevin May | June 25, 2020
"The environment remains uncertain, with reductions in airline capacity and a volatile macro environment," Sabre says in an unscheduled update to investors this week. Read More
How I Got Here, episode 30 - Adam Goldstein of Hipmunk
Interview / Online
How I Got Here, episode 30 - Adam Goldstein of Hipmunk
By PhocusWire | June 25, 2020
The co-founder and CEO of travel search platform Hipmunk, Adam Goldstein, joins Mozio's David Litwak and Kevin May from PhocusWire to talk about its creation, challenges and eventual sale to SAP Concur. Read More
Trip.com Group launches $500M partner fund as part of Travel On initiative
News / Distribution
Trip.com Group launches $500M partner fund as part of Travel On initiative
By Linda Fox | June 25, 2020
The $500 million war chest will help its travel partners get back on their feet in the aftermath of the coronavirus pandemic. Read More
Airbnb won't take IPO off the table for 2020 despite business collapse
News / Online
Airbnb won't take IPO off the table for 2020 despite business collapse
By Kevin May | June 24, 2020
"We spent 12 years building Airbnb's business and lost almost all of it in the matter of four to six weeks." Read More
Traveler safety and hygiene emerge as the dominant themes at TravelScrum hackathon
News / Technology
Traveler safety and hygiene emerge as the dominant themes at TravelScrum hackathon
By Linda Fox | June 24, 2020
The three themes for the marathon coding event were Health & Hygiene, Travel & Experiences and Sustainability & Relief. Read More
tripadvisor-covid-protocol-tools
News / Online
Tripadvisor adds new COVID-response filters, prompts travelers to share safety details in reviews
By Mitra Sorrells | June 24, 2020
Tripadvisor is launching a new suite of “Travel Safe” tools to help consumers find, filter for and validate health and safety information.   Read More
Travel payment standard sees early traction, aims to rebuild trust
News / Technology
Travel payment standard sees early traction, aims to rebuild trust
By Linda Fox | June 22, 2020
The Open Payment Alliance removes friction from B2B payments but still allows for payment flexibility via a standard. Read More
Road trips become a big option for travel sellers
News / Technology
Road trips become a big option for travel sellers
By Kevin May | June 22, 2020
Travel Compositor's "Routing" platform was created in two months and allows users to add and book services along a particular road trip, all with a single payment point. Read More
When it comes to planning trips, Black consumers feel “shut out” of the travel market
News / Online
When it comes to planning trips, Black consumers feel “shut out” of the travel market
By Jill Menze | June 22, 2020
For years, Black travelers have been voicing concern about the challenges they face planning and going on trips. Is the industry ready to listen? Read More
eDreams adds hotels to Amazon-style subscription service
News / Distribution
eDreams adds hotels to Amazon-style subscription service
By Linda Fox | June 19, 2020
The Spain-based online travel brand is now three years into its Prime membership service, with other companies also exploring the subscription model to inspire customers to travel. Read More
What an antitrust case against Google could mean for travel
Opinion / Online
What an antitrust case against Google could mean for travel
By Mario Gavira | June 19, 2020
Evidence suggests the U.S. Department of Justice will soon file an antitrust lawsuit against Google that will most likely target the ad technology used to buy, sell and serve online and mobile display... Read More
Recovery of retailing… or retail to recovery?
Opinion / Distribution
Recovery of retailing… or retail to recovery?
By Eric Lanier - Travelport | June 18, 2020
Systems created to enable a personalized travel shopping experience are now being used to address consumer concerns about travel due to COVID-19. Read More
Black Travel Alliance urges travel companies to address Black representation in the industry
News / Distribution
Black Travel Alliance urges travel companies to address Black representation in the industry
By Linda Fox | June 17, 2020
The group of Black travel content creators is asking the travel industry to publicize metrics on Black representation. Read More
akia-funding-contactless
News / Startups
Hotel tech startup gets $1M to develop contactless communication tools
By Mitra Sorrells | June 17, 2020
 Akia, founded in 2018 by former Facebook engineers, has received capital to expand its contactless communication products for hotels. Read More
How travel brands can capture - and welcome - the LGBTQ family market
News / Online
How travel brands can capture - and welcome - the LGBTQ family market
By Jill Menze | June 17, 2020
Brands such as Booking.com are investing in training to make the travel industry more inclusive to LGBTQ family travelers. Read More