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.

travel-payments-evolution
Opinion / Technology
How online payment trends are impacting the travel industry
By Morten Larsen - Booking.com | July 25, 2018
The world of online payments is undergoing a rapid transformation. Whereas once customers had scant options - primarily credit cards and bank transfers - to make bookings over the internet, they now... Read More
virtual-reality-tours
News / Technology
Virtual reality is still finding its space at the customer experience table
By Linda Fox | July 25, 2018
Virtual reality hasn't gone mainstream, but barriers to content creation are coming down so it could still build momentum in travel. Read More
Lola adds desktop book on behalf
News / Online
With latest updates, Lola aims to solve the pain points for business travel managers
By Mitra Sorrells | July 24, 2018
The Lola travel platform is making what might seem like an unusual move - shifting from a mobile-only strategy to now offering a desktop version of its travel management app. Read More
nordic choice hotel room
Interview / Technology
Q&A: Nordic Choice Hotels on how innovation drives the customer experience
By Nordic Choice Hotels & ALICE | July 24, 2018
ALICE co-founder and president Alex Shashou sat down with Nordic Choice head of business Christian Lunden to discuss innovation at Nordic Choice properties and how the influence of other industries... Read More
How AccorHotels uses biometrics to unlock travelers' wants and needs
News / Technology
How AccorHotels uses biometrics to unlock travelers' wants and needs
By Linda Fox | July 24, 2018
Le Club AccorHotels is looking to gain deeper insight on customers through Seeker, an initiative that uses biometrics to track responses and get closer to what travelers want. Read More
STARTUP STAGE: Swayy helps hotels manage influencer campaigns at scale
Interview / Startups
STARTUP STAGE: Swayy helps hotels manage influencer campaigns at scale
By Jill Menze | July 23, 2018
Swayy is a tool for hotels to find, book and maintain relationships with social media influencers. It matches hotels with pre-vetted, relevant influencers, and Swayy’s closed-loop system allows both... Read More
QOTW: Something about the reality of innovation
News / Online
QOTW: Something about the reality of innovation
By PhocusWire | July 20, 2018
Quote from Brian Solis, principal analyst and futurist at Altimeter, in an article on PhocusWire this week. Read More
Data, data and more data - the most valuable currency in hospitality
Opinion / Technology
Data, data and more data - the most valuable currency in hospitality
By Carson Booth - SnapShot | July 20, 2018
With massive amounts of data now available to hotels, it’s safe to say that all future technologies will rely on data and integrations. Read More
Secret Escapes unlocks new investment round of £52M
News / Online
Secret Escapes unlocks new investment round of £52M
By Kevin May | July 19, 2018
Secret Escapes has landed another funding round - the second time in the space of eight months that its secured a $50 million investment. Read More
Booking.com tests marketplace offering third party technology
News / Technology
Booking.com tests marketplace offering third party technology
By Linda Fox | July 19, 2018
Booking Holdings is piloting a service that offers access to third party technology platforms for its hotel customers. Read More
conversational hospitality op-ed Benbria
Opinion / Technology
We need to talk: Conversational hospitality and the guest experience
By Jordan Parsons - Benbria | July 18, 2018
In 2016, Chris Messina, the inventor of the hashtag, published a post on Medium dubbing a new trend called “Conversational Commerce.” Read More
expedia package bookings
News / Distribution
Package bookings drive higher ADR, have longer booking windows
By Jill Menze | July 18, 2018
Analyzing data on package bookings vs. standalone hotel bookings, Expedia Group found that for full year 2017, package bookings delivered higher average daily rates and had longer booking windows,... Read More
Startup Stage TransferTravel generic
Interview / Startups
STARTUP STAGE: TransferTravel.com wants to be the "eBay" of travel
By Mitra Sorrells | July 18, 2018
TransferTravel.com is a peer-to-peer marketplace designed to help people sell their unwanted tickets and reservations to travelers looking for bargains.  Read More
In The Big Chair - Jane Sun of Ctrip
Interview / Online
In The Big Chair - Jane Sun of Ctrip
By Jill Menze | July 17, 2018
Jane Sun joined Ctrip in 2005 and took the reins as CEO in 2016. As Ctrip grows globally, Sun sees opportunities in tours and activities for Chinese travelers and hopes to see international business... Read More
Who won the FIFA World Cup? Private Accommodation FC
News / Online
Who won the FIFA World Cup? Private Accommodation FC
By Kevin May | July 16, 2018
France secured their second FIFA World Cup in two decades last weekend - but victory also came to the private accommodation sector during the tournament. Read More
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