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.

China part 4 distribution
News / Distribution
China, part 4: The digital distribution model
By Mitra Sorrells | February 25, 2019
For the final piece in our China theme month, we explore the diverse digital distribution landscape. Read More
oyo japan launch
News / Distribution
OYO teams up with Yahoo to launch home rental business in Japan
By Jill Menze | February 22, 2019
OYO is expanding its affordable housing services to Japan, in a joint effort with Yahoo dubbed OYO Life. Read More
Travelport posts final full-year results ahead of sale to private equity
News / Distribution
Travelport posts final full-year results ahead of sale to private equity
By Kevin May | February 22, 2019
Travelport passed the $2.5 billion annual revenue mark for the first time in its history during 2018. But it will soon head back to the land of private equity ownership. Read More
Accor goes down experiences route as it unveils All loyalty platform
News / Distribution
Accor goes down experiences route as it unveils All loyalty platform
By Linda Fox | February 22, 2019
Accor has unveiled its new loyalty platform All combining its loyalty program and distribution. Read More
sojern state of the industry 2019
News / Online
What's on the minds of 600+ travel marketers? Personalization - and Facebook
By Jill Menze | February 21, 2019
Sojern's massive survey of more of travel marketers identifies key challenges and priorities for advertisers in 2019. Read More
Ctrip hotel marketing training
News / Online
Ctrip expands its "Hotel University" training program to hoteliers worldwide
By Mitra Sorrells | February 21, 2019
The travel giant is growing its in-person marketing training - dubbed Ctrip Hotel University - to hotels outside China. Read More
The mobile-first world holds tremendous revenue potential for hoteliers - here's why
Opinion / Online
The mobile-first world holds tremendous revenue potential for hoteliers - here's why
By Max Starkov - HEBS Digital | February 20, 2019
As the travel planning process increases in complexity, hoteliers need to find ways to engage their best potential guests across multiple touch points and across all devices, especially mobile. Read More
Egencia adds hotel chat, package booking features to business travel platform
News / Online
Egencia adds hotel chat, package booking features to business travel platform
By Jill Menze | February 20, 2019
Egencia is rolling out platform updates to benefit both business travelers and travel managers. Read More
The false promise of hospitality technology integration
News / Distribution
The false promise of hospitality technology integration
By Gaurav Singh - RateGain | February 19, 2019
The industry should do more to give hoteliers a seamless end-to-end experience for them to distribute their rooms, with a lot less work. Read More
Distributed ledger technology can bring rate parity to hotel distribution
Opinion / Technology
Distributed ledger technology can bring rate parity to hotel distribution
By Nadim El Manawy - Arise Travel | February 15, 2019
We ask if distribution technology in use today has been designed with goals that are out of alignment with hotelier’s best interests Read More
hilton-q4-2018-direct-channels
News / Distribution
Hilton maintains focus on direct relationships as growth outstrips agency channel
By Linda Fox | February 14, 2019
Hilton boosted its loyalty program by 14 million members in 2018 and continues to focus on direct relationships. Read More
Regulators vs. online travel agencies - a level playing field coming for hotels?
Opinion / Online
Regulators vs. online travel agencies - a level playing field coming for hotels?
By Sam Weston - 80 Days | February 14, 2019
Breaking down what the recent rulings mean for the web intermediary and hotel ecosystem - and which player can capitalize. Read More
Shiji continues buying spree with acquisition of visual distribution platform Ice Portal
News / Distribution
Shiji continues buying spree with acquisition of visual distribution platform Ice Portal
By Jill Menze | February 14, 2019
To help its hotel clients curate and distribute visual content, Shiji Group has acquired Ice Portal. Read More
travelport-business-travel-tech
News / Technology
Business travelers happy with tech and human hybrid approaches to services
By Linda Fox | February 13, 2019
Travelport research reveals the technologies business travelers are adopting, with support growing for alt-human interfaces. Read More
webinar-february-2019-amadeus-hospitality-4
News / Technology
Building blocks of the group experience - considering needs of planners, groups and guests
By Amadeus | February 13, 2019
The changing face of “groups” is an interesting case study in how hotels must be on top of industry trends, consumer technology preferences, enterprise innovations, business and leisure travel patterns,... Read More
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