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.

Amex GBT launches cross-industry benchmarking tool to measure travel manager performance
News / Technology
Amex GBT launches cross-industry benchmarking tool to measure travel manager performance
By Jill Menze | March 6, 2019
American Express Global Business Travel's new Peer Travel Insights service will rank companies within their peer group. Read More
Ctrip ticks $4.5B annual revenue level for the first time
News / Online
Ctrip ticks $4.5B annual revenue level for the first time
By Kevin May | March 5, 2019
Ctrip cited "robust growth momentum" in its international business during 2018, but despite the uptick in overall annual revenue, Ctrip saw a decline of 19% in fourth quarter revenues to $1.1... Read More
TripAdvisor opens hotel Sponsored Placements
News / Online
TripAdvisor expands Sponsored Placements for hotels, adds new features
By Mitra Sorrells | March 5, 2019
TripAdvisor's Sponsored Placements for accommodations are now available to any property that provides rates and availability on the platform. Read More
Fornova buys hospitality intelligence platform HotelsBI
News / Distribution
Fornova buys hospitality intelligence platform HotelsBI
By Kevin May | March 4, 2019
HotelsBI was created in January 2016 by Leon Vaidman and includes tools for hotels to increase direct bookings and retain customers. Read More
Ditching direct: It may be time to reconsider your GDS and OTA connections
From Our Partners / Distribution
Ditching direct: It may be time to reconsider your GDS and OTA connections
By Kyle Moore - RateGain | March 4, 2019
The cost and effort of maintaining a direct connect to the GDS may have been more than hotels had bargained for. So we examine a few that of those hidden headaches. Read More
Sounding Off: Voice-enabled devices in travel need to be given time
Interview / Technology
Sounding Off: Voice-enabled devices in travel need to be given time
By PhocusWire | March 1, 2019
A touch of the "information superhighway - it'll never catch on"-type reactions to voice tech failures should be put to one side. Read More
marriott-financials-2018
News / Distribution
Marriott data security breach costs the company $28M so far
By Linda Fox | March 1, 2019
Marriott revealed that the data breach disclosed in November 2018 cost the company $28 million in the fourth quarter. Read More
Startup Stage Gaffl main
Interview / Startups
STARTUP STAGE: GAFFL connects solo travelers to plan trips, split costs
By Mitra Sorrells | March 1, 2019
GAFFL, or, Get a Friend for Life, is intended to help solo travelers find others planning similar itineraries to travel together and share costs.   Read More
4 tips to help hoteliers create an effective distribution strategy
From Our Partners / Distribution
4 tips to help hoteliers create an effective distribution strategy
By Diane Merlino | February 28, 2019
Hoteliers who want to gain and hold a competitive edge in today’s fragmented marketplace need to implement a diverse distribution strategy that makes it easy for potential customers to find them.  Read More
Amadeus reports growth across distribution and IT solutions units in 2018
News / Distribution
Amadeus reports growth across distribution and IT solutions units in 2018
By Linda Fox | February 28, 2019
Amadeus sees revenue growth across businesses in 2018, hitting almost €5 billion total for the full year in 2018. Read More
WeChat 2018 rankings Dragon Trail Interactive
News / Online
Airlines, cruise lines see big gains in WeChat engagement
By Mitra Sorrells | February 28, 2019
According to a report from Dragon Trail Interactive, the top 10 airlines and cruise lines saw significant increases in WeChat activity in 2018. Read More
Booking Holdings breaks down private accommodation revenues for first time, now at 20% of total
News / Distribution
Booking Holdings breaks down private accommodation revenues for first time, now at 20% of total
By Mitra Sorrells | February 27, 2019
As part of its fourth quarter and full-year 2018 financial report, Booking Holdings is disclosing details on Booking.com's alternative accommodations business, which now accounts for 20% of the... Read More
Sabre brings a dose of reality to artificial intelligence
News / Technology
Sabre brings a dose of reality to artificial intelligence
By Linda Fox | February 27, 2019
Sabre's chief scientist says AI can solve very specific problems but is at its very early stages. Read More
Do not disturb: Not all hotel guests want Amazon's Alexa as a roommate
News / Technology
Do not disturb: Not all hotel guests want Amazon's Alexa as a roommate
By Christina Jelski - Travel Weekly | February 27, 2019
Maybe this won't surprise anyone, but it turns out that some hotel guests are not happy about having listening devices in their rooms, even if the device in question is there to help them. Read More
IHG-guest-reservations-system
News / Technology
IHG pilots attribute pricing as next stage of reservation system kicks in
By Linda Fox | February 27, 2019
IHG begins phase two of its Amadeus-built Guest Reservation System development, four years after the project first started. Read More
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