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.

tripadvisor sponsored placements direct booking
News / Online
TripAdvisor helps hoteliers boost direct bookings through new Sponsored Placements feature
By Jill Menze | October 23, 2019
TripAdvisor is introducing a direct-booking feature to its Sponsored Placements product for accommodation providers designed to help them boost revenue. Read More
Q&A: Agoda CMO on how it tackles Southeast Asia
News / Online
Q&A: Agoda CMO on how it tackles Southeast Asia
By Jill Menze | October 23, 2019
Agoda chief marketing officer Ittai Chorev discusses how the platform tries to deliver on what customers want, how new features like Mix and Save have played out, its partnership with Grab and more. Read More
ross-veitch-wego-profile-big-chair
Interview / Online
In The Big Chair - Ross Veitch of Wego
By Mitra Sorrells | October 22, 2019
Ross Veitch is CEO of Wego, the travel marketplace he co-founded with Craig Hewett in 2005 in Singapore. Read More
Bhanu Chopra_Harmeet Singh_RateGain_CEO
News / Technology
RateGain names Harmeet Singh as CEO, plots multiple acquisitions in platform ramp-up
By Kevin May | October 21, 2019
The arrival is being heralded as a significant appointment for the travel technology provider as it seeks to grow its presence in the U.S. and continue on its recent acquisition run. Read More
Agoda CEO on moving beyond accommodation and forging unorthodox partnerships
News / Online
Agoda CEO on moving beyond accommodation and forging unorthodox partnerships
By Corinne Wan - WebInTravel | October 21, 2019
The OTA says it is focusing on finding the “best inventory” for its customers, operating with the “best tech” and fending off the intense competition in Asia armed with the “best weapons." Read More
Southeast Asia, part 3: Homegrown travel brands know consumers best but struggle to educate market
News / Distribution
Southeast Asia, part 3: Homegrown travel brands know consumers best but struggle to educate market
By Jill Menze | October 21, 2019
For the third piece in our series on Southeast Asia, we look at the distribution landscape in the area and how both B2C and B2B local players are competing for their slice of the pie. Read More
In the green room at Phocuswright with... Sam Shank
Interview / Online
In the green room at Phocuswright with... Sam Shank
By PhocusWire | October 21, 2019
In a series of interviews with executives participating at the event in Florida in November, PhocusWire finds out what makes them tick... Next up: Sam Shank of HotelTonight/Airbnb. Read More
Sounding Off: Reviews should be about quality, not quantity
Interview / Online
Sounding Off: Reviews should be about quality, not quantity
By PhocusWire | October 18, 2019
The narrative around reviews has completely changed. It's no longer about volume but relevancy - something that is much harder to do. Read More
The Phocuswright Conference 2019 preview - Hospitality in a perfect storm
News / Distribution
The Phocuswright Conference 2019 preview - Hospitality in a perfect storm
By PhocusWire | October 18, 2019
Anyone - hotels, private accommodation, system providers - who thought the hospitality sector was immune from fundamental change should think again. Read More
ZEN Rooms gets new funding from Yanolja, plots technology expansion
News / Online
ZEN Rooms gets new funding from Yanolja, plots technology expansion
By Steven Lerner | October 18, 2019
Yanolja - a self-appointed “unicorn” after Booking Holdings and GIC invested $180 million in the platform in June - is doubling down on the $15 million it invested in ZEN Rooms last year, adding to its... Read More
hotel-distribution-thomas-cook
Opinion / Distribution
Surviving Thomas Cook: Damage to hotel ecosystem shows distribution mix is vital anywhere
By Douglas Green - Duetto | October 17, 2019
For those hotels now in the eye of the Thomas Cook storm, better days could lie ahead if they get more strategic with their channel distribution. Read More
Accor and Expedia believe there's a path to save the hotel-OTA relationship
News / Online
Accor and Expedia believe there's a path to save the hotel-OTA relationship
By Marissa Trew - WebInTravel | October 16, 2019
The hotel-online travel agency relationship has always been a tricky one. The two are co-dependent and must care for each other, but not too much. Read More
Future proof, defined: 10 things to look for when considering new hotel tech
Opinion / Technology
Future proof, defined: 10 things to look for when considering new hotel tech
By David Berger - Volara  | October 16, 2019
In the hotel industry, where cost often drives decisions over value, the term "future proof" is often heard, yet equally often ignored.  Read More
travel-fraud-forter
News / Distribution
Airline fraud on the rise, finger pointed at loyalty programs and data breaches
By Linda Fox | October 15, 2019
Online fraud attacks on airlines are increasing with loyalty schemes often the target, according to a report from Forter. Read More
Corporate investors in travel: Deciphering strategy and knowing the limits
News / Startups
Corporate investors in travel: Deciphering strategy and knowing the limits
By Mitra Sorrells | October 15, 2019
Execs from Amadeus Ventures, AccorHotels and Singapore Airlines join a panel at WebInTravel, moderated by Timothy Hughes of Agoda. Read More
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