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.

Fragmentation continues to shape the competitive landscape for hoteliers
News / Distribution
Fragmentation continues to shape the competitive landscape for hoteliers
By Diane Merlino | January 23, 2019
This analysis examines how the hospitality industry, from accommodation options to distribution technology, is heating up as external and internal forces ignite change in the sector. Read More
Airbnb and hotel distribution - (almost) one year in
News / Online
Airbnb and hotel distribution - (almost) one year in
By Jill Menze | January 23, 2019
As the Airbnb and SiteMinder deal nears its one-year anniversary, here's an update on how the platform's hotels business is faring. Read More
Startup Stage SBC Travel
Interview / Startups
STARTUP STAGE: SBC Travel launches crypto-friendly hotel booking platform
By Mitra Sorrells | January 23, 2019
SBC Travel is a new online travel agency that accepts cryptocurrency. It is launching with an inventory of 175,000 hotels and accommodation providers in more than 185 countries, primarily powered by... Read More
OpenTable now lets customers use points for hotels on Kayak
News / Online
OpenTable now lets customers use points for hotels on Kayak
By Christina Jelski - Travel Weekly | January 22, 2019
Booking Holdings has activated a new loyalty benefit for OpenTable, allowing diners to redeem their OpenTable Dining Points for hotel savings on Kayak. Read More
What's next for intent data in the travel industry?
Opinion / Technology
What's next for intent data in the travel industry?
By John Ardis - Conversant | January 21, 2019
As the booking process has been simplified and personalized, the travel industry hasn't been nearly as fast to harness technology for people-based marketing.  Read More
Ryanair offers direct distribution for European hotels via Siteminder
News / Distribution
Ryanair offers direct distribution for European hotels via Siteminder
By Linda Fox | January 21, 2019
One element of Ryanair's "Amazon Of Travel" strategy remains - giving European hotels a direct distribution channel for its Ryanair Rooms brand. Read More
VIDEO: Uplift - Launch pitch at Phocuswright 2018
Interview / Technology
VIDEO: Uplift - Launch pitch at Phocuswright 2018
By Kevin May | January 18, 2019
Uplift is the leading provider of flexible, seamless, pay-over-time consumer financing solutions for the travel industry. Read More
VIDEO: PerfectStay - Summit pitch at Phocuswright 2018
Interview / Startups
VIDEO: PerfectStay - Summit pitch at Phocuswright 2018
By Kevin May | January 18, 2019
Big brands can fully realize their potential for packaged travel sales with this B2B travel operator. Read More
REPORT: Dynamic travel packaging - The next game-changer
From Our Partners / Distribution
REPORT: Dynamic travel packaging - The next game-changer
By PhocusWire | January 18, 2019
Dynamic packaging has been growing and evolving for the past ten years and this trend will continue to 2020 and beyond. This in-depth report finds out why. Read More
cognitive-tech-chatbots
News / Technology
How cognitive technologies might evolve in travel in 2019
By Linda Fox | January 15, 2019
Deloitte says the use of cognitive technologies, such as natural language processing, machine learning and speed recognition, will widen in 2019. Read More
Halo Travel unveiled to bring booking and payments via voice assistant
News / Technology
Halo Travel unveiled to bring booking and payments via voice assistant
By Linda Fox | January 14, 2019
WEX and AI.io have partnered to launch Halo Travel, a voice-activated travel booking assistant. Read More
VIDEO: Zuzu Hospitality Solutions - Summit pitch at Phocuswright 2018
Interview / Startups
VIDEO: Zuzu Hospitality Solutions - Summit pitch at Phocuswright 2018
By Kevin May | January 14, 2019
Zuzu shows how a people-centric approach delivers revenue maximization from its pricing and distribution technology. Read More
3 reasons why most consumer data advice doesn’t work for travel brands
Opinion / Technology
3 reasons why most consumer data advice doesn’t work for travel brands
By Carolyn Corda - Adara | January 11, 2019
Travel marketing is a fundamentally different discipline to other forms of marketing, with consumers behaving and spending in ways that no other industry can replicate. Read More
oyo-business-travel
News / Distribution
OYO sees big growth in business travelers, eyes further expansion
By Linda Fox | January 10, 2019
OYO Hotels and Homes continues to build up its business travel segment with the recent addition of a booking service for corporates booking their own trips. Read More
Ctrip investment Yunji hotel robots
News / Technology
Ctrip invests in hotel robot manufacturer
By Mitra Sorrells | January 10, 2019
Ctrip has invested in Yunji Technology, a Beijing-based company that makes robots for a variety of industries including hotels. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.   Read More
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