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.

COVID-19 and the global hotel industry: A roadmap to recovery, part 1
Opinion / Distribution
COVID-19 and the global hotel industry: A roadmap to recovery, part 1
By Yuki Hu, Eva Liu & George Yu - IDeaS | March 2, 2020
Amid the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak, here are actionable steps for hotels to take now to proactively begin the road to recovery: Read More
Jubel act II
Interview / Startups
STARTUP STAGE - ACT II: Jubel reveals its recent challenges and success with hiring
By Steven Lerner | February 28, 2020
Trip-planning platform Jubel discusses its progress and challenges over the past year. Read More
blockchain-loyalty
News / Technology
How blockchain is reinventing travel loyalty programs for both brands and consumers
By Mitra Sorrells | February 28, 2020
Companies such as Loyyal, Qiibee and Kornchain are accelerating development of blockchain solutions for loyalty and rewards, and executives say they expect widespread adoption in the next five to 10... Read More
Q&A: Collinson's Phil Seward on co-brand cards, travel subscriptions and empowering consumers
News / Online
Q&A: Collinson's Phil Seward on co-brand cards, travel subscriptions and empowering consumers
By Jill Menze | February 27, 2020
Phil Seward, senior vice president of loyalty strategy, Americas, at Collinson, explains the evolution of the co-branded credit card, if subscription models in travel are viable and how brands can put... Read More
amex-gbt-rest-assured-hotels
News / Technology
American Express GBT unveils unified accommodation platform
By Linda Fox | February 26, 2020
The travel management company aims to curb rogue hotel spend with the launch of its Rest Assured Solutions technology. Read More
mgm-resorts-security-incident
News / Online
MGM Resorts falls victim to data breach
By Linda Fox | February 24, 2020
MGM Resorts was the victim of a security breach affecting the personal details of millions of guests in the summer of 2019, according to reports. Read More
The new guest-centric look of loyalty for hotels
News / Online
The new guest-centric look of loyalty for hotels
By Mitra Sorrells | February 24, 2020
Hospitality companies both large and small are revamping their loyalty programs to focus on serving the needs of their guests. Read More
Accor talks up loyalty deals, seeks new partners for some business elements
News / Distribution
Accor talks up loyalty deals, seeks new partners for some business elements
By Linda Fox | February 21, 2020
Accor highlights big plans for loyalty partners as it announces full-year results for 2019. Read More
aviasales-op-ed-loyalty
Opinion / Online
It’s time to skip loyalty and start chasing retention in travel
By Max Kraynov - Aviasales | February 21, 2020
Rather than loyalty, travel brands should pursue retention by capitalizing on unusual patterns in travel research and booking. Read More
Travel reservations in China down 79% amid coronavirus scare
News / Online
Travel reservations in China down 79% amid coronavirus scare
By Jill Menze | February 21, 2020
According to data analyzed by TravelgateX, travel reservations in China fell 79% in January and are down 90% so far in February. Read More
Lessons learned from a failed travel loyalty startup
News / Startups
Lessons learned from a failed travel loyalty startup
By Steven Lerner | February 20, 2020
Without the cooperation or support of hotels, airlines, banks or credit card companies, developing a loyalty startup is challenging. Read More
Hotel loyalty bookings in U.S. reach all-time high
News / Distribution
Hotel loyalty bookings in U.S. reach all-time high
By Donna M. Airoldi  | February 20, 2020
According to Kalibri Labs, loyalty-related U.S. hotel bookings in 2019 increased 7.6% year-over-year to 56.2%, the highest figure on record. Read More
How a travel club can better connect brands to their users
Opinion / Online
How a travel club can better connect brands to their users
By Mike Putman - Custom Travel Solutions | February 19, 2020
In order to improve a brand’s loyal base and increase engagement, it needs to key in on the valuable offers from which users feel the most benefit or improve their connection to your brand. Read More
travel-brands-super-apps
News / Distribution
Where travel brand loyalty sits in a super app world
By Linda Fox | February 18, 2020
It’s hard for major travel brands to ignore super apps given the huge volume of consumers that they attract and their high-frequency usage. Read More
STARTUP STAGE: Amenitiz helps independent hotels tackle a digital world
Interview / Startups
STARTUP STAGE: Amenitiz helps independent hotels tackle a digital world
By Steven Lerner | February 18, 2020
Amenitiz is an all-in-one platform that allows independent hoteliers and vacation rental owners to address all digital needs in a centralized tool. Read More
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