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.

VIDEO: Amadeus on an exciting evolution for online travel agencies
From Our Partners / Online
VIDEO: Amadeus on an exciting evolution for online travel agencies
By PhocusWire | June 5, 2019
Online travel agencies hold an important position in the ecosystem of search and buying travel products on the web. Read More
OYO talks up hospitality chain growth as it expands distribution strategy
News / Distribution
OYO talks up hospitality chain growth as it expands distribution strategy
By Kevin May | June 4, 2019
OYO Rooms now has distribution deals in place with every major online travel agency around the world. Read More
hotel-attribute-systems
Opinion / Distribution
Rethinking hotel distribution with attribute-based selling
By Simone Puorto - Simone Puorto Consulting | June 4, 2019
How the development of systems to offer room attributes might impact distribution. Read More
How Airbnb threatens to disrupt traditional hotel pricing strategies
News / Distribution
How Airbnb threatens to disrupt traditional hotel pricing strategies
By Jill Menze | June 4, 2019
A study pitted flexible-capacity Airbnb against the fixed-capacity lodging industry to uncover how the sharing economy has changed hospitality. Read More
VIDEO: Travel Ledger - Battleground pitch at Phocuswright Europe 2019
Interview / Startups
VIDEO: Travel Ledger - Battleground pitch at Phocuswright Europe 2019
By PhocusWire | June 4, 2019
Welcome to a new era of low-cost billing and payment in travel thanks to distributed ledger technology. Read More
Corporate Traveller claims there is demand for business trips in Bitcoin
News / Distribution
Corporate Traveller claims there is demand for business trips in Bitcoin
By Linda Fox | June 3, 2019
U.K. travel management company Corporate Traveller says customers, particularly in fintech, want to pay using cryptocurrency. Read More
Payments month part 1 alternative payments
News / Online
Travel payments, part 1: Beyond credit cards and cash
By Mitra Sorrells | June 3, 2019
We begin our month-long series on travel payments with a look at some of the options for paying without cash or a traditional credit card. Read More
Welcome to a new era for online travel, where any brand can get left behind
Opinion / Online
Welcome to a new era for online travel, where any brand can get left behind
By Jeff Katz - Journera | May 31, 2019
We spent the last two decades in the Transaction Era - making it easier to find and book the elements of a trip. But we are now entering the Experience Era. Read More
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Opinion / Technology
How payment tech could revolutionize travel brands in Latin America
By Howard Blankenship - CellPoint Mobile | May 31, 2019
Have fintech and alternative forms of payment had an effect on the travel sector in Latin America? The short answer is yes; in fact, the impact is significant. Read More
Are your demand channels taking more than commission?
From Our Partners / Distribution
Are your demand channels taking more than commission?
By Chinmai Sharma - DHISCO | May 31, 2019
Let me start by getting something out of the way: commissions in hospitality distribution are fair. Read More
max-kraynov-aviasales-phocuswright-europe-2019
From Our Partners / Online
VIDEO: AviaSales on Google-proofing a travel business
By PhocusWire | May 31, 2019
Russia-based metasearch engine AviaSales has been in the market for ten years, so has seen how the world of performance marketing and search advertising has evolved. Read More
Travelport completes $4.4BN sale to private equity
News / Distribution
Travelport completes $4.4BN sale to private equity
By Kevin May | May 30, 2019
Travelport has officially ended its almost five-year stint on the public markets and is now back in the hands of private equity ownership. Read More
holidaypirates-david-armstrong-2
News / Online
VIDEO: HolidayPirates on winning social media and not using Google
By Kevin May | May 30, 2019
HolidayPirates is another of the outliers in the world of online travel in Europe that probably doesn't get the attention that it deserves. Read More
VIDEO: Booking.com on where it sees opportunity for growth
News / Online
VIDEO: Booking.com on where it sees opportunity for growth
By Jill Menze | May 30, 2019
Where is there room for Booking.com - already one of the top players in online travel alongside Ctrip and Expedia - to grow? Read More
PODCAST: PhocusWire PundIT Show #17
News / Online
PODCAST: PhocusWire PundIT Show #17
By PhocusWire | May 29, 2019
The first of our podcasts recorded during Phocuswright Europe in Amsterdam earlier this month is now available. Read More
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