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.

qtrip-new-ota
News / Online
Industry veteran launches new boutique OTA
By Mitra Sorrells | January 16, 2020
Industry veteran Jeff Klee is launching a new online travel agency, Qtrip, that will eventually replace his original site, CheapAir. Read More
Hotels stuck in a market where online travel agency rate issues still burn
News / Distribution
Hotels stuck in a market where online travel agency rate issues still burn
By Kevin May | January 16, 2020
In a series of questions posed to participants on a recent webinar hosted by PhocusWire with wholesaler Hotelbeds, hotels indicated a range of issues that still exist around rate parity. Read More
How I Got Here, episode 20 - Bob Diener of Hotels.com
Interview / Online
How I Got Here, episode 20 - Bob Diener of Hotels.com
By PhocusWire | January 16, 2020
Long before the online travel agency world took off, Bob Diener was perfecting the merchant model that would become omnipresent in later years. He talks to Mozio's David Litwak and Kevin May from... Read More
Travel and tourism organizations push for action on climate emergency
News / Distribution
Travel and tourism organizations push for action on climate emergency
By Linda Fox | January 15, 2020
Travel companies and organizations have joined forces to take steps to reduce carbon emissions, while a report assesses the total impact of a holiday from transport to food. Read More
STARTUP STAGE: Wayfarer Points changes travel loyalty programs through gamification
Interview / Startups
STARTUP STAGE: Wayfarer Points changes travel loyalty programs through gamification
By Steven Lerner | January 13, 2020
Wayfarer Points is a portal that connects travelers with non-public deals. Read More
Hotel revenue management tool Beonprice lands €2.5M for product development, European expansion
News / Technology
Hotel revenue management tool Beonprice lands €2.5M for product development, European expansion
By Steven Lerner | January 13, 2020
This latest investment, which is all equity, brings the company's total funding to date to €5 million.   Read More
thorsen-green-travel-policy-tips
Opinion / Online
Are you ready to create and manage a green travel policy?
By Johnny Thorsen | January 13, 2020
Simplified offset processes, "carbon consciousness" as a characteristic of loyalty and buying decisions based on emission output may become some of the hallmark's of a green travel program. Read More
VIDEO: A reality check on investments and startups in travel
News / Startups
VIDEO: A reality check on investments and startups in travel
By Kevin May | January 10, 2020
In a wide-ranging and no-holds-barred interview conducted during The Phocuswright Conference 2019, Chris Hemmeter of Thayer Ventures shares some home truths about the sector and the investment world... Read More
Atta Inc image
News / Technology
Price-predicting app Atta raises $3M to strengthen Asia partnerships, marketing efforts
By Steven Lerner | January 10, 2020
Atta Inc. will also use the funding to recruit engineers and increase partnerships in the region. Read More
makemytrip-trip-ideas
News / Online
MakeMyTrip takes next step in quest to become travel super app
By Mitra Sorrells | January 9, 2020
MakeMyTrip now displays destination videos with booking links in its mobile apps, as part of its effort to be a travel super app. Read More
Yes, sustainable tourism is within reach
Opinion / Online
Yes, sustainable tourism is within reach
By Felipe Calderon Hinojosa  | January 8, 2020
A better world is the hot destination of a more sustainable tourism industry. Read More
coupa-acquires-yapta
News / Technology
Coupa Software acquires corporate travel technology provider Yapta
By Mitra Sorrells | January 8, 2020
Business spend management software company Coupa has acquired Yapta, which provides airfare and hotel price assurance technology. Read More
The digital travel revolution, next-gen consumers and the role of insurance
From Our Partners / Technology
The digital travel revolution, next-gen consumers and the role of insurance
By PhocusWire | January 6, 2020
Over the course of two interviews, PhocusWire spoke to Beth Godlin, president at the Aon Travel Practice, about a wide range of issues in the travel industry. Read More
travel-lab-asia-sustainability
News / Technology
Inside the travel startup accelerator building sustainability tech for Asia Pacific
By Mitra Sorrells | January 6, 2020
Travel Lab Asia is an initiative of ADB Ventures, PATA and Plug and Play to spur clean technology innovation in the hospitality sector in Asia Pacific. Read More
Vervotech startup stage image
Interview / Startups
STARTUP STAGE: Vervotech enables travel businesses to scale rapidly for the digital era
By Steven Lerner | January 3, 2020
Vervotech is a company that offers AI-based next-gen products built for travel businesses. Read More
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