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.

trustdata-hotels-online
News / Online
China online hotel channels getting a boost by youth travelers
By Linda Fox | September 5, 2019
China's online hotel platforms are attracting younger demographics with diverse expectations. Read More
fornova-AO-funding
News / Technology
Fornova lands $7M in funding, plots rollout of business intelligence tech for hotels
By Linda Fox | September 4, 2019
Hotel distribution and business intelligence specialist Fornova has announced funding of $7 million led by A/O Proptech. Read More
Marriott picks BookingPal as exclusive tech partner for home-rental unit
News / Technology
Marriott picks BookingPal as exclusive tech partner for home-rental unit
By Jill Menze | September 3, 2019
Marriott International has selected BookingPal as the exclusive technology partner for its Homes & Villas vacation rental division. Read More
oyo-acquires-danamica
News / Technology
OYO acquires data shop Danamica to help drive dynamic pricing in rentals
By Linda Fox | September 3, 2019
OYO is seeking to refine its dynamic pricing capabilities for vacation rentals through the acquisition of Danamica. Read More
Q&A: Ritz-Carlton founder Horst Schulze on tech's role in luxury hotels
News / Technology
Q&A: Ritz-Carlton founder Horst Schulze on tech's role in luxury hotels
By Mitra Sorrells | September 3, 2019
Ritz-Carlton co-founder Horst Schulze shares his views on how the luxury category has changed, the best ways to integrate technology and his changing views on online intermediaries and crowd-sourced... Read More
Hostelworld invests $3M in accommodation tech provider Tipi
News / Technology
Hostelworld invests $3M in accommodation tech provider Tipi
By Kevin May | September 2, 2019
The investment is the first major strategic initiative at Hostelworld since Gary Morrison took over as CEO in mid-2018, following the departure of Feargal Mooney. Read More
Mews brings in $33M to help take hotel tech platform to U.S.
News / Technology
Mews brings in $33M to help take hotel tech platform to U.S.
By Kevin May | August 29, 2019
Battery Ventures is leading a $33 million Series B investment in the business, bringing its total so far to $41.6 million over three rounds. Read More
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Opinion / Technology
Are you really doing data-driven marketing or do you just think you are?
By Volkan Çağsal - Adphorus | August 28, 2019
By definition, data-driven marketing is the strategy of gathering and analyzing audience insights for optimal and targeted media buying and creative messaging.  Read More
Startup Stage: Anyplace wants to make flexible-term housing as easy to book as hotels
Interview / Startups
Startup Stage: Anyplace wants to make flexible-term housing as easy to book as hotels
By Jill Menze | August 27, 2019
Anyplace is a B2C marketplace where travelers can book fully furnished accommodations on a monthly basis. Read More
Zhiketong raises $42.5M to develop WeChat-led hotel marketing tool
News / Online
Zhiketong raises $42.5M to develop WeChat-led hotel marketing tool
By Kevin May | August 27, 2019
The service is designed entirely around using the WeChat social media platform for brands. The latest round brings its total raised to date in the region of $53 million. Read More
OYO looks to recruit 1,000 in Europe as part of €300M investment in vacation arm
News / Online
OYO looks to recruit 1,000 in Europe as part of €300M investment in vacation arm
By Linda Fox | August 26, 2019
The vacation rental arm came into being following OYO’s acquisition of @Leisure for €360 million in May this year. Read More
Why loyalty programs are key to meeting business travelers' demands
Opinion / Online
Why loyalty programs are key to meeting business travelers' demands
By Phil Seward - Collinson | August 23, 2019
With demand for business travel only continuing to increase, airlines, airports and hotels are turning towards their loyalty programs to address the needs of these frequent fliers. Read More
How I Got Here, episode 1 - Gareth Williams of Skyscanner
Interview / Online
How I Got Here, episode 1 - Gareth Williams of Skyscanner
By Kevin May | August 22, 2019
For the debut of the How I Got Here weekly podcast, hosted by PhocusWire's Kevin May and David Litwak from Mozio, we talk to Gareth Williams, one of the co-founders, ex CEO and now chairperson at... Read More
Choice Hotels is the latest chain suffering data breach exposing customer details
News / Technology
Choice Hotels is the latest chain suffering data breach exposing customer details
By Linda Fox | August 19, 2019
Choice Hotels has suffered a security breach said to involve 700,000 customer records. It blames a third-party vendor that “copied the impacted data from our environment without authorization." Read More
RedDoorz opens $70M round, has big plans for $115M raised this year
News / Online
RedDoorz opens $70M round, has big plans for $115M raised this year
By Kevin May | August 19, 2019
The Singapore-based hotel brand is aiming for new markets and will invest in a number of other areas of the business after securing another sizeable funding round. Read More
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