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.

VIDEO: Deep dive on hotels and online travel agencies
News / Distribution
VIDEO: Deep dive on hotels and online travel agencies
By PhocusWire | June 11, 2018
Some say the online travel agency vs. hotel debate moves in cycles, depending on who has the biggest to axe grind during a particular period in time. Read More
Research Spotlight: Predicting a turnaround for Japanese travel
News / Distribution
Research Spotlight: Predicting a turnaround for Japanese travel
By Jill Menze | June 11, 2018
Economic growth in Japan has remained relatively static, with GDP growth at about 1% over the past four years. Read More
digital marketing part 2 social media
News / Technology
Modern travel marketing, part 2: Social media
By Jill Menze | June 11, 2018
For the second installment on modern travel marketing, we explore the power of social media and how it influences consumer behavior, as well as the tactics travel brands are using to grow their reach... Read More
VIDEO: How to succeed in Europe's online travel agency landscape
News / Online
VIDEO: How to succeed in Europe's online travel agency landscape
By PhocusWire | June 8, 2018
Europe's online travel agencies are not just about the two names that appear to capture the lion's share of attention: Expedia and Booking.com. Read More
STARTUP STAGE: TRILL turns Instagram content into bookable travel experiences
Interview / Startups
STARTUP STAGE: TRILL turns Instagram content into bookable travel experiences
By Jill Menze | June 8, 2018
With TRILL, users can turn their Instagram content into bookable experiences. By using the platform, TRILL tastemakers earn cash when people book off their content. Read More
Facebook touts benefits of people-based travel marketing
News / Technology
Facebook touts benefits of people-based travel marketing
By Jill Menze | June 7, 2018
With so many content and review site options in the travel space, there’s a likelihood people shopping for and booking travel might not even encounter certain brands’ products. This creates an... Read More
A Step in the right direction for blockchain and travel?
Opinion / Technology
A Step in the right direction for blockchain and travel?
By Arnie Weissmann - Travel Weekly | June 6, 2018
Distributed ledgers via blockchain came to most people's attention as the underlying technology supporting bitcoin. Read More
VIDEO: The future of travel packaging
News / Online
VIDEO: The future of travel packaging
By PhocusWire  | June 5, 2018
Packaging, especially in Europe, has been shifting away from its traditional model for the best part of two decades - essentially since travel embraced the web. Read More
hotels skeptical ai
Opinion / Technology
Are hoteliers too skeptical of artificial intelligence?
By Klaus Kohlmayr - IDEAS | June 5, 2018
Despite the negative depictions in science fiction and widespread public concern over privacy, security and safety, artificial intelligence presents the possibility for real positive change, human... Read More
Europe Travel Battleground 2018: Stasher
Interview / Online
Europe Travel Battleground 2018: Stasher
By PhocusWire | June 5, 2018
Anthony Collias, co-founder and chief commercial officer of Stasher, pitches the business at Phocuswright Europe 2018, then takes questions from PhocusWire Read More
Mews raises €6M to expand property management services
News / Technology
Mews raises €6M to expand property management services
By Jill Menze | June 4, 2018
Cloud-based property management system Mews has nabbed €6 million in Series A funding to develop its platform and services for hotels. Read More
Europe Travel Battleground 2018: Booklyng
Interview / Distribution
Europe Travel Battleground 2018: Booklyng
By PhocusWire | June 4, 2018
Francesco Canzoniere, CEO of Booklyng, pitches the business at Phocuswright Europe 2018, then takes questions from PhocusWire. Read More
Booking.com SimilarWeb report
News / Distribution
Booking.com leads in online traffic with market-customized strategies
By Mitra Sorrells | June 4, 2018
Booking.com is the most visited travel website in the world according to SimilarWeb, with an average of more than 420 million visit per month in the last six months. Read More
Digital marketing series part 1 SEO
News / Online
Modern travel marketing, part 1: SEO strategy
By Mitra Sorrells | June 4, 2018
Throughout June, we're looking at a variety of topics under the umbrella of digital marketing. We start with an analysis of the current state of search engine optimization, which today could be renamed... Read More
Worldpay on the mobile payment journey
News / Technology
Worldpay on the mobile payment journey
By PhocusWire | June 1, 2018
Did you know that 50% of people would be happy to provide biometric data to make a payment? Read More
The Phocuswright Conference 2026