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.

Airbnb takes aim at Marriott and other hotel chains
News / Online
Airbnb takes aim at Marriott and other hotel chains
By Bernadette Giacomazzo | November 23, 2017
Airbnb is on the warpath - with a number of hotel chains receiving letters from the company this week. Read More
stocks-travel
News / Online
VIDEO: What the heck happened to online travel stocks?
By Kevin May | November 22, 2017
It was obvious to anyone who was there that the mood changed considerably about half way through the event. Read More
Best Western Tech Improvements
News / Technology
Best Western says only smart tech will do
By Bernadette Giacomazzo | November 21, 2017
Chief digital officer Greg Adams shares the hotel franchise's plans for an improved tech infrastructure. Read More
pundit-show-microphone
News / Startups
VIDEO: PhocusWire PundIT Show - Episode 6
By Kevin May | November 20, 2017
Redeam was the talk of the show - at least the first half of it - at The Phocuswright Conference 2017. Read More
google-football
News / Online
Where are Google's travel search ambitions?
By Kevin May | November 17, 2017
It’s beginning to feel like a different era when Google bought ITA Software in 2010 for $700 million. Read More
fist-bumps
News / Startups
VIDEO: PhocusWire PundIT Show - Episode 5
By Kevin May | November 16, 2017
Fresh from selling Trip.com to Ctrip, Travis Katz joins the PundIT Show with two other luminaries to discuss various matters of state. Read More
In The Big Chair - Sean Menke of Sabre
Interview / Distribution
In The Big Chair - Sean Menke of Sabre
By Kevin May | November 16, 2017
  The new boss has been in the job less than a year - but with a wealth of experience in the world of airlines and elsewhere, he knows what needs to be done in areas as varied as NDC, AI and... Read More
india-mumbai
News / Online
VIDEO: Being hyper-competitive in an emerging market
By Kevin May | November 16, 2017
MakeMyTrip has seen it all in its home market of India - but the sector is changing rapidly. Read More
New Expedia report explores rise of “bleisure” travelers
News / Online
New Expedia report explores rise of “bleisure” travelers
By Bernadette Giacomazzo | November 15, 2017
A new study suggests that bleisure trips are on the rise—and hotels can capitalize on the trend. Read More
travel-search-laptop-desk
Opinion / Online
Time for travel search engines to up their game
By Gilad Berenstein - Utrip | November 15, 2017
With the advent of search engines like Google and Yahoo! almost two decades ago, accessing information became incredibly easy. Read More
startup-user-experience
News / Startups
VIDEO: PhocusWire PundIT Show - Episode 4
By Kevin May | November 14, 2017
After a day of pitches from startups, PhocusWire's PundIT Show returns to take the temperature of three delegates at The Phocuswright Conference. Read More
english-gerstner-hafner
News / Technology
VIDEO: English, Gerstner and Hafner - Next Big Thing
By Kevin May | November 14, 2017
A petri dish of testosterone? Three of the leading lights of online travel of the past decade or so gaze into their crystal balls? Read More
airbnb-hammock-family
News / Online
Airbnb usage slowing, OTAs should seize opportunity
By Kevin May | November 13, 2017
Adoption of Airbnb has started to flatten sooner than some analysts have expected, with online travel agencies tipped as likely beneficiaries. Read More
car-travel-mobile
News / Online
Travelers will embrace personalization and AI for a better travel experience
By Bernadette Giacomazzo | November 13, 2017
Google claims that the "friction in travel" makes it ideal for new technology and artificial intelligence-led services to come in and make improvements. Read More
Accor axes independent hotel web strategy
News / Online
Accor axes independent hotel web strategy
By Kevin May | November 10, 2017
It lasted less than two and a half years - Accor's ambitious attempt to create a marketplace for independent hotels is officially at an end. Read More
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