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.

Digital marketing in the age of coronavirus - what travel brands need to know
News / Online
Digital marketing in the age of coronavirus - what travel brands need to know
By Mitra Sorrells | March 12, 2020
The rapidly changing impacts of the COVID-19 coronavirus require digital travel marketers to evaluate and update their strategies. Read More
journera launches journeyvision
News / Startups
Journera launches JourneyVision to assist hotels with personalization
By Jill Menze | March 12, 2020
By combining data from hotel, air, ground and other relevant reservations, JourneyVision helps hoteliers tailor the guest experience. Read More
How I Got Here, episode 28 - Michael Driedger of Operto
Interview / Technology
How I Got Here, episode 28 - Michael Driedger of Operto
By PhocusWire | March 12, 2020
Mozio's David Litwak and Kevin May from PhocusWire talk with Micheal Driedger, co-founder and CEO of Canada-based Operto, about bringing high-end tech to private accommodation and hotels. Read More
Cloudbeds brings in $82M to “triple down” on hospitality tech
News / Technology
Cloudbeds brings in $82M to “triple down” on hospitality tech
By Steven Lerner | March 11, 2020
Cloudbeds plans to further invest in its hospitality management technology platform after landing an additional $82 million in funding. Read More
my method santa barbara
News / Online
My Method... How Visit Santa Barbara changed the DMO influencer game
By Alex Goodwin - Sparkloft Media | March 10, 2020
For Visit Santa Barbara, Sparkloft Media was able to secure strong influencer partners and social representation - without the time-consuming, costly efforts of proactively searching for appropriate... Read More
Cathay Pacific fined £500,000 after "brute force" data breach
News / Technology
Cathay Pacific fined £500,000 after "brute force" data breach
By Linda Fox | March 9, 2020
A regulator in the U.K. imposed the fine, saying that between October 2014 and May 2018, the airline’s computer systems did not have “appropriate security measures” to protect customer data. Read More
President Trump orders sale of StayNTouch to Chinese giant Shiji to be reversed
News / Technology
President Trump orders sale of StayNTouch to Chinese giant Shiji to be reversed
By Kevin May | March 6, 2020
Trump's intervention is being made on grounds of national security, a statement from the White House says. Read More
Sounding Off: Coronavirus could trigger the travel marketing overhaul many want
Interview / Online
Sounding Off: Coronavirus could trigger the travel marketing overhaul many want
By PhocusWire | March 6, 2020
Many companies in the industry have wanted a shift away from relying heavily on Google for customer acquisition. They may finally get their wish. Read More
Hostelworld 2019 earnings
News / Online
Hostelworld suffers 9% EBITDA decline in 2019, expects loss due to coronavirus
By Steven Lerner | March 4, 2020
Hostelworld Group reports a 9% decrease in EBITDA to €20.5 million for the full-year in 2019 and estimates an EBITDA loss of €3 million to €4 million in the first quarter of 2020 due to the COVID-19... Read More
modern-companies-disrupt-business-travel
From Our Partners / Online
How modern companies are disrupting business travel
By Travelstop | March 4, 2020
For decades, people had two ways to make travel arrangements. There’s the DIY approach, beloved by individual travellers for its budget-friendliness and accommodation of various preferences. And there’s... Read More
oaky funding
News / Technology
Hospitality startup Oaky raises $9.5M to develop upsell technology
By Steven Lerner | March 4, 2020
Hotel upsell platform Oaky is embarking on its next phase of growth and development following its biggest capital raise to date. Read More
COVID-19 and the global hotel industry: A roadmap to recovery, part 2
Opinion / Distribution
COVID-19 and the global hotel industry: A roadmap to recovery, part 2
By Yuki Hu, Eva Liu & George Yu - IDeaS | March 4, 2020
Although hotels can’t press the “restart” button on 2020, they can launch into “repair” mode now, despite being forced to a standstill by the big pause button that is COVID-19. Read More
Goodbooker-startup-stage
Interview / Startups
STARTUP STAGE: GoodBooker wants to end homelessness with every hotel booked
By Steven Lerner | March 3, 2020
For every hotel room booked on its platform, GoodBooker gives funding to leading homeless charities that offer shelter for those who need it. Read More
Travelzoo-earnings-2019
News / Online
Travelzoo posts declining operating profit in Q4, pins hope on acquisition of Jack’s Flight Club
By Steven Lerner | March 2, 2020
Travelzoo reported a decrease in operating profit to $818,000 in the fourth quarter of 2019 from $2.8 million in the prior-year period. Read More
Corporate travel industry could see $47B per month hit from coronavirus
News / Distribution
Corporate travel industry could see $47B per month hit from coronavirus
By Linda Fox | March 2, 2020
In a GBTA survey, two thirds of companies have cancelled a “few” meetings or events while 18% say they have cancelled “many” and 25% have cancelled “some.” Read More
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