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.

research spotlight asia ota
News / Distribution
Research Spotlight: Asia Pacific's fast-growing OTA landscape
By PhocusWire | February 19, 2018
In the Asia Pacific region, aggregate gross bookings via online travel agencies are projected to jump 68% from 2017 to 2012. Read More
QOTW: Something about putting pieces in the Troogle jigsaw
News / Technology
QOTW: Something about putting pieces in the Troogle jigsaw
By PhocusWire | February 16, 2018
Quote from Gino Engels, co-founder and chief commercial officer of OTA Insight. Read More
TripAdvisor 2018 strategy hotels attractions mobile
News / Online
TripAdvisor bets on TV advertising, improved UX to restore profit in hotel segment
By Mitra Sorrells | February 15, 2018
TripAdvisor will expand its television advertising spending to $100 to $130 million for its hotel segment during 2018, with new creative and new markets, while simultaneously reducing online marketing... Read More
Wyndham Worldwide offloads European rental brands for $1.3 billion
News / Online
Wyndham Worldwide offloads European rental brands for $1.3 billion
By Kevin May | February 15, 2018
James Villa Holidays, Landal GreenParks and Hoseasons are under new ownership after Wyndham Worldwide finalized a deal to sell its European vacation rental business to Platinum Equity. Read More
OTA Insight on Google and Airbnb
News / Distribution
Google, Airbnb and the evolving distribution landscape
By Mitra Sorrells | February 15, 2018
Airbnb and Google made notable announcements in the first week of February – the former opening its platform to hotel distribution and the latter rolling out updates to expand and simplify travel... Read More
sawydays necessary evil
News / Online
Why small property owners see OTAs as a "necessary evil"
By Jill Menze | February 15, 2018
The codependent nature of small property owners and their booking partners has its upsides, but primarily, it’s viewed by the underdogs as a “necessary evil.” Read More
TripAdvisor earnings full year 2017
News / Online
TripAdvisor has revenue elsewhere to thank as hotel growth remains flat
By Mitra Sorrells | February 14, 2018
TripAdvisor turned in modest 5% growth in total revenue for 2017 but a notable 24% increase in revenue in its non-hotel category.    Read More
Duetto raises massive $80 million to push hotel tech platform
News / Technology
Duetto raises massive $80 million to push hotel tech platform
By Kevin May | February 14, 2018
Duetto can boast $143.2 million in funding rounds to date after landing a huge Series D investment of $80 million this week. Read More
Q&A: How blockchain is helping Webjet improve efficiency, cut costs for hotel bookings
News / Technology
Q&A: How blockchain is helping Webjet improve efficiency, cut costs for hotel bookings
By Mitra Sorrells | February 14, 2018
When Microsoft announced in November 2016 that it was working with Australia-based online travel agency Webjet to build a blockchain proof-of-concept solution, the term “blockchain” was still relatively... Read More
outdoorsy rv marketplace funds
News / Startups
Peer-to-peer RV marketplace Outdoorsy drives away with $25M
By Mitra Sorrells | February 13, 2018
Outdoorsy, a sharing economy startup connecting owners of recreational vehicles with interested renters, has raised $25 million in Series B funding. Read More
Hotels admit steep reliance on online travel agencies
News / Distribution
Hotels admit steep reliance on online travel agencies
By Kevin May | February 13, 2018
Hotels have a high dependency on online travel agencies to distribute their inventory, with almost every other channel deemed to be low on same scale. Read More
Blockhain travel loyalty programs
News / Technology
Decoding blockchain, part 2: Travel loyalty programs
By Mitra Sorrells | February 12, 2018
If we think of loyalty program rewards as a currency, it becomes easy to see why the current system is not ideal and why most programs are struggling to achieve their ultimate goal: to influence... Read More
Expedia splashed out record $5.3 billion on marketing in 2017
News / Online
Expedia splashed out record $5.3 billion on marketing in 2017
By Kevin May | February 12, 2018
Expedia Inc spent a record $5.3 billion on marketing in 2017 - a figure that continues to trouble investors amid its full year financial results. Read More
Travel ledger blockchain billing
News / Startups
Travel tech entrepreneur launches blockchain system for non-airline services
By Mitra Sorrells | February 12, 2018
A new blockchain-based travel billing and settlement platform is in the works.    Read More
quote of the week 9
News / Distribution
QOTW: Something about the beginning of a new battle
By PhocusWire | February 9, 2018
Quote from Airbnb in its plea to hotels. Read More
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