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.

Few "travel innovations" get the thumbs up by corporate travelers on the go
News / Technology
Few "travel innovations" get the thumbs up by corporate travelers on the go
By Linda Fox | July 10, 2019
Research from CWT reveals how much business travelers like the technology they use versus how much they use it. Read More
hotel-metasearch-marketing-channel-2
Opinion / Distribution
How metasearch became the most important marketing channel in travel
By Pablo Delgado - Mirai | July 10, 2019
Six years on from their early phases, metasearch engines now dominate, exceeding investment in other ads in 2017 and growing even faster ever since. Read More
Travelport brings in ex-Sabre exec Greg Webb to replace CEO Gordon Wilson
News / Distribution
Travelport brings in ex-Sabre exec Greg Webb to replace CEO Gordon Wilson
By Kevin May | July 9, 2019
In his most recent role, Webb spent just a year as senior vice president and general manager for hospitality at Oracle. Read More
Forget tech - Hoteliers are struggling with the law
From Our Partners / Technology
Forget tech - Hoteliers are struggling with the law
By Renee Robbie - SiteMinder | July 8, 2019
This September, another European standard known as PSD2 (the second Payment Services Directive) and requiring Strong Customer Authentication (SCA) will come into play, changing online payments as we... Read More
India, part 1: A vast travel opportunity, now led by digital
News / Online
India, part 1: A vast travel opportunity, now led by digital
By Mitra Sorrells | July 8, 2019
For part 1 in our month-long look at India we explore the overall travel market and implications of the country's growing, young and socially-active population. Read More
Industry innovation: Insider perspectives on how to make hospitality better
Opinion / Technology
Industry innovation: Insider perspectives on how to make hospitality better
By Voyager HQ | July 5, 2019
While it’s certainly not guaranteed that the hospitality industry will maintain its decade-long period of growth, technology continues to be a vital part of the story. Read More
In The Big Chair LIVE - Gloria Guevara of WTTC
Interview / Online
In The Big Chair LIVE - Gloria Guevara of WTTC
By Mitra Sorrells | July 5, 2019
The former-Sabre executive and minister of tourism in Mexico has been president and CEO of the WTTC since 2017. Read More
My Method... Pegasus/Travel Tripper on using predictive analytics to find corporate business
News / Technology
My Method... Pegasus/Travel Tripper on using predictive analytics to find corporate business
By Alexander Ryll and Dean Ismael | July 4, 2019
Phocuswire asked Alexander Ryll and Dean Ismael of Pegasus/Travel Tripper to explain the thinking behind the geoanalytics platform as well as the benefits it brings to hotels. Read More
Why travel marketers must be always on and multichannel
Opinion / Online
Why travel marketers must be always on and multichannel
By Stephen Taylor - Sojern | July 4, 2019
To be successful in this era of convergence, travel providers must think more strategically, not just about inventory, but about how they’re selling entire experiences. Read More
cozycozy-funding
News / Startups
Cozycozy lands €4M in funding to launch accommodation search service
By Linda Fox | July 4, 2019
France-based accommodation startup Cozycozy is a metasearch for hotels, vacation rentals and other types of stay. Read More
Bringing on content and the network effect for GDS hotel platforms
News / Distribution
Bringing on content and the network effect for GDS hotel platforms
By Linda Fox | July 3, 2019
The global distribution companies have evolved away from their traditional airline focus to bring accommodation into the mix. But there's more to it than that. Read More
meituan-siteminder
News / Distribution
Meituan ramps up super-app's overseas hotel distribution, signs SiteMinder deal
By Kevin May | July 3, 2019
If the so-called "super-apps" are going to offer as much travel-related content to their users as they can, then sourcing product will be high on the list of priorities. Read More
How independent hotels can win direct bookings
Opinion / Distribution
How independent hotels can win direct bookings
By Max Starkov - NextGuest Digital | July 3, 2019
Here are the action steps independent hoteliers must undertake in order to win the direct booking of travel consumers... Read More
ratehawk-emerging-travel-funding
News / Distribution
Emerging Travel Group raises $10M to expand RateHawk B2B hotel platform
By Linda Fox | July 3, 2019
The round is led by technology entrepreneur Lev Leviev and the family office of Igor and Dmitri Bukhman, co-founders of game development company Playrix.  Read More
salesforce-connected-customers
News / Online
Hang up the phone, travelers want a connected experience
By Linda Fox | July 2, 2019
The State of the Connected Customer report shows how much expectations of brands have changed. Read More
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