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.

Was hotel marketing always this complicated? Part Two of Three - GDS consolidation and rise of OTAs
News / Online
Was hotel marketing always this complicated? Part Two of Three - GDS consolidation and rise of OTAs
By Viewpoints | April 24, 2013
At the onset of the new decade (1990) it became apparent that travel agents were caught in a price battle between the remaining four global distribution systems and the airlines. Read More
Hotel prices in North America - April to June 2013
News / Online
Hotel prices in North America - April to June 2013
By PhocusWire | April 24, 2013
Data trends on cheapest hotel rates as well as median rate for three months of three, four and five star hotels across some of the major cities in North America. Read More
Spotting fakes, trust issues and responding to hotel reviews [INFOGRAPHIC]
News / Online
Spotting fakes, trust issues and responding to hotel reviews [INFOGRAPHIC]
By Kevin May | April 24, 2013
As consumer browsing of online reviews to help select hotels has increased over the years, so have issues around trust, reliability and the age-old question of whether user generated content is genuine. Read More
Was hotel marketing always this complicated? Part One of Three - Birth of the GDS
News / Online
Was hotel marketing always this complicated? Part One of Three - Birth of the GDS
By Viewpoints | April 23, 2013
What was hotel marketing like before the internet? Most marketers would agree these were simpler times. Read More
Penny and Leonard having babies - AKA a smart and beautiful strategy for hotels
News / Online
Penny and Leonard having babies - AKA a smart and beautiful strategy for hotels
By Viewpoints | April 22, 2013
Cast your minds back to the pilot episode of the hugely successful US sitcom The Big Bang Theory, featuring geeky experimental physicist Leonard Hofstadter. Read More
Two-thirds of European hotels now offering free wifi to guests
News / Online
Two-thirds of European hotels now offering free wifi to guests
By Kevin May | April 19, 2013
A good sign for those campaigning (or voting with their feet) for free wifi in hotels in recent years, with news that 67% of hotels in Europe are giving wifi as a complimentary service. Read More
Six myths about SEO hoteliers are still believing
News / Online
Six myths about SEO hoteliers are still believing
By Viewpoints | April 9, 2013
Last week I took an informal survey and asked a group of hoteliers we work with what the top SEO questions they often hear. Read More
European hotel prices - February to April 2013
News / Online
European hotel prices - February to April 2013
By PhocusWire | April 8, 2013
Data trends on cheapest hotel rates as well as median rate for three months of three, four and five star hotels across some of the major cities in Europe. Read More
Secret sauce for increasing guest satisfaction in hotels: Common sense
News / Online
Secret sauce for increasing guest satisfaction in hotels: Common sense
By Viewpoints | April 8, 2013
I’ve always been a big fan of common sense - indeed, everyone should be, right? Read More
IHG unleashes (member-only) free wifi to every hotel, same as hosting population of Russia online
News / Online
IHG unleashes (member-only) free wifi to every hotel, same as hosting population of Russia online
By Kevin May | March 26, 2013
"World First" claim coming up from InterContinental Hotel Group after revealing today that each of its properties around the world will be offering up free wifi to guests. Read More
New horizon - why two different worlds must collide when running a hotel
News / Online
New horizon - why two different worlds must collide when running a hotel
By Viewpoints | March 25, 2013
Marketing and revenue management are both vital functions in the hospitality industry - but they often seem to operate in two different worlds. Read More
TripAdvisor eyes next move on travel Rubik's Cube: Mobile destination services, tours and activities
News / Online
TripAdvisor eyes next move on travel Rubik's Cube: Mobile destination services, tours and activities
By Kevin May | March 20, 2013
Think the big boys in travel are not taking tours and activities seriously? Might need to think again. Read More
Rough guide to measuring the efficiency (or not) of a hotel reservation call center
News / Online
Rough guide to measuring the efficiency (or not) of a hotel reservation call center
By Patrick Landman | March 18, 2013
A call center is a highly dynamic operation and often quite complex to manage. But do you know who your best converting reservation agent is? Read More
Black(mail?) cards are not welcome at hotels
News / Online
Black(mail?) cards are not welcome at hotels
By Viewpoints | March 12, 2013
Not deliberately trying to be controversial but the customer is always right, unless they are dead wrong. Read More
Hi-tech is not a reason to sideline high-touch - a lesson for the travel industry from a shoe seller
News / Online
Hi-tech is not a reason to sideline high-touch - a lesson for the travel industry from a shoe seller
By Viewpoints | March 4, 2013
I recently sat on a panel addressing destination marketers about just that: destination marketing today and tomorrow. Read More
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