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.

airbnb-loan-one-billion-dollars
News / Online
Airbnb takes further COVID-19 protection measures with $1B loan
By Kevin May | April 15, 2020
The support comes just a week after it announced a funding round - a combination or debt and equity securities - from Silver Lake and Sixth Street Partners, also to the tune of $1 billion. Read More
videc-barometer-coronavirus
News / Online
More than 530,000 travel and tourism industry workers laid off or furloughed
By Mitra Sorrells | April 15, 2020
A new online tool is tracking layoffs, furloughs and pay cuts across the global travel and tourism industry. Read More
Destination X - Rebounding from the fear of coronavirus on tourism
News / Online
Destination X - Rebounding from the fear of coronavirus on tourism
By PhocusWire | April 14, 2020
Imagine how difficult it must be for travelers, many of whom will have an even bigger sense of unease about returning to the skies or hotels or places to visit, once the world and the industry try to... Read More
hotel-forecast-singapore-coronavirus
News / Distribution
REPORT: COVID-19 Hotel Forecast - Singapore
By PhocusWire | April 14, 2020
Singapore provides an excellent example of how the hotel industry is impacted by the interplay of viral spread, government policy and social behavior – both at home and outside its borders. Read More
This too shall pass - but travel will need to adjust
Opinion / Online
This too shall pass - but travel will need to adjust
By Kaushal Gandhi - FABgetaways | April 13, 2020
With all the uncertainty around, the industry braces itself for the only certain outlook: change. We are about to witness massive shifts in travel patterns and consumer behavior. Read More
us-survey-coronavirus-april
News / Online
Survey: 45% of U.S. travelers still have trips planned for second half of 2020
By Mitra Sorrells | April 13, 2020
A recent survey finds nearly half of respondents still have travel plans for the period June to December 2020. Read More
InPhocus, episode 5 - Showing your value when a crisis hits
News / Technology
InPhocus, episode 5 - Showing your value when a crisis hits
By PhocusWire | April 9, 2020
Miriam Moscovici of BCD Travel discusses what's at stake for business travel, the importance of sustainability and why face-to-face meetings will make a return. Read More
Airbnb decides to ban bookings in the U.K. after all
News / Online
Airbnb decides to ban bookings in the U.K. after all
By Kevin May | April 9, 2020
Airbnb has temporarily halted bookings on the platform in the U.K., except for key workers and those with "essential stays." Read More
Airbnb hopes hosts will turn away guests who shouldn't be traveling during coronavirus outbreak
News / Online
Airbnb hopes hosts will turn away guests who shouldn't be traveling during coronavirus outbreak
By Kevin May | April 8, 2020
The company has so far shied away from turning off the ability to book completely, despite many countries around the world having locked down citizens during the outbreak of the coronavirus. Read More
tod-7-stages-coronavirus-wit
Opinion / Online
The 7 stages to the "new normal" in travel
By Timothy O'Neil-Dunne - 777 Partners | April 8, 2020
Timothy O'Neil-Dunne, principal at 777 Partners, shares his take on how and when the travel world begins to return to a normal, steady state. Read More
REPORT: COVID-19 Hotel Forecast - New York City
News / Distribution
REPORT: COVID-19 Hotel Forecast - New York City
By PhocusWire | April 7, 2020
Over the coming months, Phocuswright and the data science team at LodgIQ will evaluate a swath of hotel-related and other data across key metropolitan areas, beginning with New York City. Read More
Destination X - Five coronavirus recovery strategies for the tourism industry
News / Technology
Destination X - Five coronavirus recovery strategies for the tourism industry
By PhocusWire | April 7, 2020
The industry has the chance to reset and rethink as it looks to a future beyond COVID-19 - Destination X is a way to understand that opportunity. Read More
Tracking declines in online travel web traffic as restrictions hit across the globe
News / Online
Tracking declines in online travel web traffic as restrictions hit across the globe
By Linda Fox | April 6, 2020
SimilarWeb has marked a "pivot point" in website traffic to online travel companies when consumer and business behavior changed and traffic declined sharply. Read More
trivago ceo interview covid recovery
News / Online
Q&A: Trivago CEO shares vision for “moment in time” when travel resumes in a post-crisis world
By Steven Lerner | April 6, 2020
Trivago CEO Axel Hefer discusses his outlook for travel, how Trivago is preparing for the future and the role of metasearch during the recovery.   Read More
InPhocus, episode 4 - A jolt to make us all think
News / Online
InPhocus, episode 4 - A jolt to make us all think
By PhocusWire | April 3, 2020
WebInTravel's Yeoh Siew Hoon discusses the impact of COVID-19 and how its arrival is giving brands and workers the opportunity to consider how they might emerge in better shape. Read More
The Phocuswright Conference 2026