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.

Google rolls out new hotel search service
News / Online
Google rolls out new hotel search service
By Kevin May | November 10, 2017
Google is tightening its grip on the hotel search marketplace with the roll-out of a new platform this week. Read More
marriott-hotel-thailand
News / Technology
Hotel mega-merger assisted by digital overhaul of 19M words
By Bernadette Giacomazzo | November 9, 2017
The combination of Starwood and Marriott created the world’s largest hotel chain, with multiple areas of the business needing a digital overhaul. Read More
VIDEO: Asia leads the pack of digital travelers
News
VIDEO: Asia leads the pack of digital travelers
By Kevin May | November 8, 2017
India, China and Indonesia have come out on top in a list of countries with the most digitally savvy travelers. Read More
VIDEO: How startups can make a mark (but rarely do)
News / Startups
VIDEO: How startups can make a mark (but rarely do)
By Kevin May | November 8, 2017
It's a tough world out there for travel startups - with failure rates far higher than the number of success stories. Read More
In The Big Chair - Mike Ford of SiteMinder
Interview / Distribution
In The Big Chair - Mike Ford of SiteMinder
By Kevin May | November 5, 2017
  The man who helped get SiteMinder off the ground in 2006 has plenty to say about the direct-booking debate, intermediaries becoming tech vendors and his style as a boss. Read More
travel technology planning
News / Online
Eight technology takeaways to make travel better
By Staff - Web In Travel | October 26, 2017
From opportunity markets to product innovation to new tech, a lot was discussed at the Web In Travel Conference in Singapore. Read More
YouTube addicts are prime customers for travel brands
News / Online
YouTube addicts are prime customers for travel brands
By Staff - Web In Travel | October 24, 2017
Travelers watch on average about two hours of videos a day, travel five times a year, and spend $3,657 a year on trips. Read More
Travel-Ticker returns, then disappears again via sale to HotelPlanner
News / Distribution
Travel-Ticker returns, then disappears again via sale to HotelPlanner
By Kevin May | April 11, 2017
Just 12 months or so after coming back from a three-year hiatus, Travel-Ticker has been sold to HotelPlanner... and immediately closed once more. Since its return, Travel-Ticker has been based in U Read More
Starkov's technology and marketing resolutions for hoteliers (part one)
News / Technology
Starkov's technology and marketing resolutions for hoteliers (part one)
By Viewpoints | January 6, 2017
There was an obvious and substantial emphasis on ‘book direct’ marketing strategies in 2016, with hoteliers looking to drive more direct business via loyalty member-only rates, special incentives, uni Read More
Build trust with your hotel guests in four steps
News / Distribution
Build trust with your hotel guests in four steps
By Viewpoints | July 29, 2015
Hotel guests today expect their interactions with brands to be personal and relevant to their interests. In fact according to AgilOne, 70% of consumers expect more personalized services from brands. Read More
Startup pitch: RoomsTonite joins last-minute hotel booking frenzy
News / Technology
Startup pitch: RoomsTonite joins last-minute hotel booking frenzy
By Martin Cowen | April 20, 2015
Bangalore-based RoomsTonite places itself under the startup pitch microscope with a refreshingly straightforward proposition - it connects travellers looking for a room with hotels in India which have Read More
Pushing the boundaries in peer-to-peer marketplaces
News / Online
Pushing the boundaries in peer-to-peer marketplaces
By Patrick Landman | September 12, 2013
Do you know who is sleeping in your hotel room? Social travel platforms are changing the hotel distribution landscape forever but a few might be taking the peer-to-peer travel concept a bit far Read More
A brief history of travel technology - from its evolution to looking at the future
News / Online
A brief history of travel technology - from its evolution to looking at the future
By Stephen Joyce | September 12, 2013
It is said that necessity is the mother of all invention - and we need look no further than the travel industry to see this proverb in practice. Read More
Losing control - a worrying vision of the future for hotels
News / Online
Losing control - a worrying vision of the future for hotels
By Viewpoints | September 11, 2013
This article is an economic theory drawn from my own imagination: not based on any real data but common sense and observing the relationship in a parallel industry. Read More
Hotel rate parity campaigner backs away with final poke at regulators (and a cheeky website)
News / Online
Hotel rate parity campaigner backs away with final poke at regulators (and a cheeky website)
By Kevin May | September 10, 2013
The travel executive who triggered the long-running investigation into alleged bullying by major online travel agencies over hotel pricing is giving up his fight. Read More
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