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.

Viator sees revenue and booking volume gains in Q2 2025
News / Online
Viator sees revenue and booking volume gains in Q2 2025
By Linda Fox | August 7, 2025
Tripadvisor Group revenue, which includes Viator, brand Tripadvisor and theFork, increased 7% year over year to $529 million while net income was $36 million. Read More
Airbnb reports high customer satisfaction with Services, Experiences
News / Online
Airbnb reports high customer satisfaction with Services, Experiences
By Abby Crotty | August 6, 2025
The short-term rental giant said the response has been “overwhelmingly positive,” with experiences and services receiving higher ratings than homes. Read More
TourRadar unveils $1M fund to reward travelers and creators for content
News / Online
TourRadar unveils $1M fund to reward travelers and creators for content
By Linda Fox | August 6, 2025
The RISE fund follows the launch of TourRadar Moments, an in-app feature that enables trips to be booked from content uploaded by travelers and creators. Read More
Trivago reports double-digit growth in Q2, completes acquisition of Holisto
News / Online
Trivago reports double-digit growth in Q2, completes acquisition of Holisto
By Abby Crotty | August 5, 2025
The company reported a significant increase in advertising spend, with the number anticipated to increase during the summer travel season. Read More
Hotel groups grow loyalty membership despite 'points fatigue'
News / Online
Hotel groups grow loyalty membership despite 'points fatigue'
By Linda Fox | August 5, 2025
Accor and Marriott have seen recent gains in loyalty program members as well as increases in other loyalty growth metrics. Read More
Hospitality loyalty startup Journey raises $7.7M to fuel expansion
News / Online
Hospitality loyalty startup Journey raises $7.7M to fuel expansion
By Abby Crotty | August 4, 2025
Founded last year, Journey allows travelers to earn AI-curated rewards from independent hotels and rentals. Read More
CEO Spotlight: Peter O’Donovan of CarTrawler
Interview / Online
CEO Spotlight: Peter O’Donovan of CarTrawler
By Morgan Hines | August 4, 2025
Peter O'Donovan, CEO of CarTrawler, opened up about the connected trip, artificial intelligence, challenges he faces and more in a CEO Spotlight interview. Read More
The evolution of CRM in hotels
News / Technology
The evolution of CRM in hotels
By Linda Fox | August 1, 2025
Executives from Penta Hotels and Smart Host discussed customer relationship management and the challenges of merging legacy data with new data in the PhocusWire studio. Read More
PhocusWire's weekly travel tech news briefs: Casago, GuideGeek, Booking.com and more...
News / Technology
PhocusWire's weekly travel tech news briefs: Casago, GuideGeek, Booking.com and more...
By PhocusWire | August 1, 2025
Keep up with all the latest people, partner and product news from around the global travel industry. Read More
Amadeus looks to future with ‘steady growth’ in first half of 2025
News / Distribution
Amadeus looks to future with ‘steady growth’ in first half of 2025
By Linda Fox | July 31, 2025
The company reported positive earnings for the second quarter of 2025 on the heels of a profit increase during Q1, despite global and economic uncertainty. Read More
Why digital transformation in travel is more than a tech upgrade
From Our Partners / Technology
Why digital transformation in travel is more than a tech upgrade
By PhocusWire | July 30, 2025
Ubique Digital's Archana Yadav discusses what it takes to move beyond patchwork fixes toward a truly traveler-centric commerce model.  Read More
TakeUp scores $11M to advance revenue optimization for independent hotels
News / Startups
TakeUp scores $11M to advance revenue optimization for independent hotels
By Linda Fox | July 29, 2025
TakeUp says its technology uses causal inference AI models to continuously fine-tune pricing based on guest behavior. Read More
Startup Stage: Hotelwise wants to help Canadian travelers find the right hotel
Interview / Startups
Startup Stage: Hotelwise wants to help Canadian travelers find the right hotel
By Abby Crotty | July 29, 2025
Hotelwise was founded earlier this year by Andres Collart who previously founded Trip Ninja. Read More
Travel startup funding and M&A trends in Q2 2025
News / Startups
Travel startup funding and M&A trends in Q2 2025
By Linda Fox | July 29, 2025
Headlines surrounding tariffs, political uncertainty and global conflict may have tempered travel startup funding in the second quarter of 2025. Read More
How micro-moments can identify hidden patterns in traveler behavior
From Our Partners / Online
How micro-moments can identify hidden patterns in traveler behavior
By PhocusWire | July 29, 2025
Learn how Zartico helps destinations translate signals into strategy and moments into measurable results.   Read More
The Phocuswright Conference 2026