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.

REPORT: COVID-19 Hotel Forecast - Los Angeles
News / Distribution
REPORT: COVID-19 Hotel Forecast - Los Angeles
By PhocusWire | May 12, 2020
Differences in year-over-year RevPAR variance for March and April showed that the impact on Los Angeles was less severe than for most major markets. Read More
Amadeus revenue drops by a quarter, agency air bookings slump 50%
News / Distribution
Amadeus revenue drops by a quarter, agency air bookings slump 50%
By Kevin May | May 12, 2020
Distribution revenue almost halved at Amadeus in the first quarter of 2020 as the coronavirus pandemic slammed traveler plans around the world. Read More
Marriott sees net income fall to $31M for Q1 2020, notes trend towards hotel reopenings
News / Distribution
Marriott sees net income fall to $31M for Q1 2020, notes trend towards hotel reopenings
By Linda Fox | May 11, 2020
Marriott International boss Arne Sorenson notes encouraging signs of recovery in China and U.S. drive markets. Read More
sojern-hotel-websites
News / Online
How to digitally prepare a hotel website for reopening
By Kurt Weinsheimer - Sojern | May 11, 2020
To be ready for recovery, boutique hotels can lay the groundwork to ensure their digital ecosystem is in order before opening day - and a healthy digital ecosystem starts with the hotel website. Read More
handiscover-1.6m-grant
News / Startups
Accessible travel startup Handiscover secures €1.6M in grant funding
By Mitra Sorrells | May 11, 2020
Handiscover will use the funding to develop its online travel agency, which currently lists 35,000 accessible accommodations in more than 100 countries.    Read More
Sabre notes "massive challenge to the industry" as revenues slump by a third
News / Distribution
Sabre notes "massive challenge to the industry" as revenues slump by a third
By Kevin May | May 8, 2020
The coronavirus outbreak has hit Sabre across all of its metrics, with revenue down from $1.05 billion in Q1 2019 to $659 million in the same period in 2020. Read More
hilton q1 2020
News / Distribution
Hilton turns profit in Q1 2020 despite coronavirus
By Jill Menze | May 7, 2020
Hilton turned a profit to the tune of $18 million in the first quarter of 2020 - down from $159 million for the same period in 2019 - despite the threat of the coronavirus. Read More
travel-coronavirus-stuck-middle
News / Distribution
InPhocus, episode 9 - Stuck in the middle with you
By PhocusWire | May 7, 2020
We discuss how brands that sit between consumers and suppliers have been dealt with a number of issues relating to cash flow and appeasing their commercial partners during the coronavirus outbreak. Read More
conley-plug-and-play-keynote
News / Online
Airbnb advisor Chip Conley on leadership, liquidity and opportunities in a post-COVID travel industry
By Mitra Sorrells | May 7, 2020
The advisor to Airbnb shared his advice for travel leaders and entrepreneurs during an online event hosted by Plug and Play Tech Center. Read More
airbnb coronavirus layoffs
News / Online
Airbnb lays off 25% of staff, cuts back investment in hotels, transportation
By Jill Menze | May 5, 2020
As a result of the effects of the COVID-19 crisis, Airbnb is eliminating 1,900 jobs and cutting investment across business units. Read More
cybersecurity-travel-coronavirus
News / Technology
Experts warn companies to prepare for security breaches when travel restrictions lift
By Linda Fox | May 5, 2020
Travel companies may have seen an increase in phishing attacks due to the volume of refunds issued recently, but experts say they should brace for security breaches as restrictions lift. Read More
REPORT: COVID-19 Hotel Forecast - Boston
News / Distribution
REPORT: COVID-19 Hotel Forecast - Boston
By PhocusWire | May 5, 2020
Boston started March in better shape than New York across the board, but its downward slope accelerated much more aggressively. Read More
Travelers lack confidence in public transit, flights returning to normal
News / Online
Travelers lack confidence in public transit, flights returning to normal
By Jill Menze | May 5, 2020
According to data from Qualtrics, U.S. consumers feel largely uncomfortable about returning to business as usual. Read More
Tough decisions and new goals - Stasher's survival story
News / Startups
Tough decisions and new goals - Stasher's survival story
By Linda Fox | May 4, 2020
Stasher shares how the startup is fighting for survival and confronting how travel might be different in the future. Read More
bacarai-smartcheck-1
News / Technology
New product displays COVID-19 stats on airline, hotel and OTA websites
By Mitra Sorrells | May 4, 2020
Bacarai's new SmartCheck product pulls publicly available COVID-19 data from cities around the world. Read More
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