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.

It's the end of the hotel metasearch model as we know it
Opinion / Online
It's the end of the hotel metasearch model as we know it
By Max Starkov - HEBS Digital | October 30, 2018
The very promise to compare rates on hundreds of sites for the same hotel is what makes hotel metasearch inherently flawed. Read More
Metasearch part 4 startup challenges
News / Distribution
The metasearch model, part 4: Startup space
By Mitra Sorrells | October 29, 2018
Compared to other aspects of travel, metasearch has not seen as much activity from startups. For our final piece in this series, we explore the question of why, with insights from a venture... Read More
phocuswright-gender-survey
News / Technology
TAKE A SURVEY: Gender parity in travel and technology
By PhocusWire | October 26, 2018
Phocuswright is engaging its community to help find out where the industry stands on gender parity. Read More
revinate hotel marketing
News / Online
The hotel email marketing trends that can help boost ROI
By Jill Menze | October 26, 2018
Compared to other marketing channels such as social media, direct mail or paid search, email delivers the highest returns on investment for hoteliers. But the contents - and timing - of emails sent by... Read More
Expedia Q3 earnings 2018
News / Distribution
Expedia records another positive quarter, double-digit growth in revenue and bookings
By Mitra Sorrells | October 25, 2018
Expedia Group saw its gross booking increased $2.5 billion, or 11% year-over-year, in the third quarter of 2018, fueled by growth in Brand Expedia, HomeAway, Hotels.com and Expedia Partner Solutions.... Read More
snapshot-travel-industry-2018-2
Opinion / Technology
Bots, bottled water and search - a varied snapshot of industry issues in 2018
By Simone Puorto | October 25, 2018
Here is a fairly unknown fact: the Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International is as old as Mount Rushmore in the U.S. Read More
OYO launches Indonesia, OYO Living brand
News / Startups
OYO launches in Indonesia, will invest $100 million and reach 35 cities
By Mitra Sorrells | October 24, 2018
Indian hospitality startup OYO has launched in Indonesia, starting with 30 properties operated under lease or franchise agreements in three cities.   Read More
google-brand-protection-hotel-2
Opinion / Online
How hotels can manage brand protection changes on Google
By Marta Lopez - Mirai | October 23, 2018
A few days ago, Google informed users that it will change the brand-protection policy on its text adverts on Google Ads (what used to be known as AdWords). Read More
SevenRooms gets voice tech boost from Amazon Alexa Fund
News / Startups
SevenRooms gets voice tech boost from Amazon Alexa Fund
October 22, 2018
SevenRooms has received investment from Amazon’s Alexa fund to develop voice-enabled technology for restaurants. Read More
Kaizen report marketing content
News / Online
Interactive content most effective marketing tool for travel brands
By Mitra Sorrells | October 19, 2018
Travel brands looking to maximize their search engine optimization strategy should focus on creating interactive content since it ranks higher than all other forms of content for URL ratings, social... Read More
Three ways hoteliers are kicking silos of technology for good (finally)
Opinion / Technology
Three ways hoteliers are kicking silos of technology for good (finally)
By Klaus Kohlmayr - IDEAS | October 18, 2018
Stop me if you’ve heard this before: In the age of OTAs and industry disruption, effectively managing a complex channel and distribution strategy is critical to a hotelier’s bottom line. Read More
The true cost of hotel brand participation online
Opinion / Distribution
The true cost of hotel brand participation online
By Peter O’Connor - Essec Business School | October 16, 2018
There’s a common misconception in our industry that brands are cheap and online travel agencies are expensive. And no-one knows when it started. Read More
The metasearch model, part 2: The transition to meta-book
News / Distribution
The metasearch model, part 2: The transition to meta-book
By Mitra Sorrells | October 15, 2018
In the early days of metasearch, roughly the first decade of the 21st century, the model was strictly one of price comparison and referral.    Read More
How to get smart with hotel distribution during the low season
News / Distribution
How to get smart with hotel distribution during the low season
By Gino Engels - OTA Insight | October 12, 2018
Peaks and troughs are the perennial features of every hotelier’s annual revenue graph. This is unlikely to change. Read More
google hotels whats next
News / Online
What's next for Google's foray into hotels?
By Christina Jelski - Travel Weekly | October 11, 2018
Google's recent efforts to expand further into the online travel space could result in a pivotal change for the hospitality industry. Read More
The Phocuswright Conference 2026