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.

Changes in consumer booking patterns reshape distribution strategies for hoteliers
From Our Partners / Distribution
Changes in consumer booking patterns reshape distribution strategies for hoteliers
By Diane Merlino | March 18, 2019
As hoteliers grapple with implementing diverse distribution strategies, emerging trends around channel development and how consumers interact with direct and indirect channels are adding new dimensions... Read More
Ground transportation part 3 autonomous vehicles
News / Technology
Ground innovation, part 3: A driverless future in travel and tourism
By Mitra Sorrells | March 18, 2019
In the third part of our series on ground transportation we consider the impact of autonomous vehicles on the travel industry. Read More
Sounding Off: The dilemmas that face growing companies
Interview / Online
Sounding Off: The dilemmas that face growing companies
By PhocusWire | March 15, 2019
The long road ahead of Airbnb after its HotelTonight acquisition is a familiar one that many brands experience as they push the button to accelerate the business. Read More
sabre-hospitality-intelligent-retailing
News / Distribution
Sabre takes inspiration from Spotify to help hotels sell more
By Linda Fox | March 15, 2019
Sabre Hospitality plans to release technology later this year enabling hotels to sell rooms and other services in a more flexible way. Read More
hilton-sabre-hotels-ITB
News / Technology
Hotel experts warn data should not just be considered a "hobby"
By Linda Fox | March 14, 2019
Hotel experts talk about the role of AI in improving the guest experience, with words of warning to consider. Read More
The push and pull of travel advertising
News / Online
The push and pull of travel advertising
By Phocuswright Research  | March 14, 2019
Products have their strengths, and travel brands need to diversify their ad channel mix to maintain a balance of brand awareness tactics, direct-response offerings and a foray into emerging technologies... Read More
fliggy-alibaba-flyzoo-hotel
News / Technology
Fliggy packs Alibaba technology into debut FlyZoo hotel
By Linda Fox | March 13, 2019
Fliggy sets up FlyZoo hotel with automated services to improve the guest experience. Read More
Reality check: Airbnb still has a long way to go after HotelTonight deal
Opinion / Online
Reality check: Airbnb still has a long way to go after HotelTonight deal
By Max Starkov - HEBS Digital | March 12, 2019
The hoopla over the Airbnb purchase of HotelTonight needs further analysis, with more challenges than opportunities ahead for the new owner if it wants to become an OTA. Read More
Airbnb-HotelTonight - a deal at the right time for both
News / Online
Airbnb-HotelTonight - a deal at the right time for both
By Kevin May | March 11, 2019
Three experts covering the accommodation sector share their reaction to the deal by Airbnb to buy online travel agency HotelTonight. Read More
Google Flights and Hotel search updates
News / Online
Google enables flight destination search by price
By Mitra Sorrells | March 11, 2019
Google has made updates to its Flights and Hotel search, enabling new filters and options. Read More
Marriott CEO Sorenson Senate panel cyber breach
News / Technology
Marriott CEO: Source of attack still unknown, encryption and decentralization may be future solution
By Mitra Sorrells | March 7, 2019
Marriott CEO Arne Sorenson testified before a U.S. Senate subcommittee regarding the cyber attack on Starwood's guest reservation system. Read More
Airbnb to acquire online travel agency HotelTonight
News / Online
Airbnb to acquire online travel agency HotelTonight
By Kevin May | March 7, 2019
The deal for the OTA gives it the chance to "accelerate our work to build an end-to-end travel platform that serves everyone." Read More
google-assistant-voice-book-hotel-1
Opinion / Technology
Time to talk - using Google Assistant to book a hotel room
By Pablo Delgado - Mirai | March 7, 2019
It is becoming clearer that using voice commands to search for and book hotels is going to be disruptive in the hotel industry and will soon be changing the rules of the game. Read More
Booking.com pivots BookingSuite into a hotel tech app store
News / Technology
Booking.com pivots BookingSuite into a hotel tech app store
By Kevin May | March 6, 2019
The BookingSuite App Store is a collection of currently 45 different services provided by software companies in the industry that cover a range of tools to help hoteliers with their day-to-day... Read More
In the Big Chair - Patrick Bosworth of Duetto
Interview / Technology
In the Big Chair - Patrick Bosworth of Duetto
By Linda Fox | March 6, 2019
Learning the trade at a number of hotels and resorts in the mid-2000s, the often outspoken Patrick Bosworth co-created Duetto in 2011 in the U.S. Read More
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