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.

phocuswright europe google
Interview / Technology
Phocuswright Europe 2018 Preview: Q&A with Google's Richard Holden
By PhocusWire | April 30, 2018
Ahead of the event, he discusses how Google has no plans to become an OTA, the importance of search and more. Read More
Expedia Group ticks solid start box for 2018, helped by HomeAway
News / Online
Expedia Group ticks solid start box for 2018, helped by HomeAway
By Mitra Sorrells | April 26, 2018
Expedia Group recorded a 15% increase in total gross bookings and a 15% increase in revenue to $2.5 billion for the first quarter of 2018 compared to the same period last year. Read More
Past, present and a bright future for revenue management
Opinion / Technology
Past, present and a bright future for revenue management
By Dan Skodol - Rainmaker | April 26, 2018
In 1972, an employee of British Overseas Airways Corporation by the name of Ken Littlewood provided the genesis of what has become today's revenue management discipline. Read More
Trivago Q1 2018 financial results
News / Online
Trivago reports increase in qualified referrals, slight drop in revenue in Q1
By Mitra Sorrells | April 25, 2018
Despite a 7% increase in qualified referrals, hotel metasearch platform Trivago recorded a drop in total revenue in the first quarter of 2018 - though relatively slight at 3% - compared to the same... Read More
SDL AI machine learning content creation
News / Technology
How AI is rewriting content creation for travel
By Mitra Sorrells | April 25, 2018
Content is the foundation of a brand’s interaction with its customers. Whether in the form of a website, mobile app, emails, or a social campaign, the words a brand uses provide both information and... Read More
marriott home rental
News / Distribution
Marriott enters home-rental market with new trial program
By Danny King - Travel Weekly | April 24, 2018
Marriott International on Monday debuted a home-rental trial program with UK-based Hostmaker. Read More
HRS AI for corporate travel
News / Technology
How AI is changing corporate travel management
By Mitra Sorrells | April 24, 2018
Corporate travel is big – really big – business. According to a July 2017 report from the Global Business Travel Association, global business travel spend approached $1.3 trillion in 2016, and it’s... Read More
Culture Trip brings in $80M to build online travel agency
News / Startups
Culture Trip brings in $80M to build online travel agency
By Kevin May | April 24, 2018
Who said travel content sites were dead in an age dominated by large players such as TripAdvisor and long-standing niche sites already in the market? Read More
Ctrip and AccorHotels expand partnership to enhance services for Chinese travelers
News / Distribution
Ctrip and AccorHotels expand partnership to enhance services for Chinese travelers
By Mitra Sorrells | April 23, 2018
The more than 300 million registered users that book trips through online travel agency Ctrip will now have more personalized options and service from AccorHotels.  Read More
AI series part 4 marketing
News / Technology
AI analysis, part 4: Digital marketing
By Mitra Sorrells | April 23, 2018
According to the Salesforce’s 2017 “State of Marketing” report, artificial intelligence is the leading technology where marketers expect the most growth in the next two years.  Read More
Nor1 buys texting platform Stay Delightful to boost ancillary sales
News / Technology
Nor1 buys texting platform Stay Delightful to boost ancillary sales
By Jill Menze | April 20, 2018
Hospitality merchandising technology company Nor1 has acquired Stay Delightful, a mobile-messaging platform. Read More
airbnb event planning tool
News / Online
Airbnb makes foray into events with meeting planner tool
By Jill Menze | April 19, 2018
Airbnb is out to conquer yet another corner of the travel market with the launch of a new tool for meeting and event planners. Read More
Aruba blockchain Winding Tree3
News / Technology
Can blockchain help a tiny, travel-dependent island reinvent its economy?
By Mitra Sorrells | April 18, 2018
On the tiny Dutch Caribbean island of Aruba – population just over 100,000 – tourism is the foundation of the economy, contributing about 88% of its gross domestic product and accounting for 90% of its... Read More
Marriott ramps up tours and activities, new loyalty program plays a role
News / Online
Marriott ramps up tours and activities, new loyalty program plays a role
By Kevin May | April 18, 2018
Plenty of attention on Marriott this week as it introduces a new loyalty package - but other efforts to coincide with the launch illustrate a maturing of another sector. Read More
phocuswright europe 2018 citizenm hotels
Interview / Distribution
Phocuswright Europe 2018 Preview: Q&A with CitizenM Hotels' Michael Levie
By PhocusWire | April 17, 2018
Ahead of the event, he discusses the importance of data, what it means to be a mobile traveler and more. Read More
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