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.

The travel industry can be absurd, so don't add to the suck factor - do something crazy instead
News / Online
The travel industry can be absurd, so don't add to the suck factor - do something crazy instead
By Sarah Kennedy Ellis | January 9, 2013
It was like a breath of fresh air and a punch in the face all at the same time, if that’s possible. Read More
Room 77 takes $30M injection, Expedia involved, as meta arms race heats up
News / Online
Room 77 takes $30M injection, Expedia involved, as meta arms race heats up
By Sean O'Neil | January 3, 2013
Room 77 has closed $30.3 million in Series C financing with participation by Expedia, with total capital raised at $43.8 million. The US startup's metasearch tool is merely a year old. Read More
Can hotels chill out when it comes to multi-device websites?
News / Online
Can hotels chill out when it comes to multi-device websites?
By Viewpoints | January 3, 2013
Imagine for a second that someone is trying to make a hotel reservation for the same evening, but has already left the house so all they can use are mobile devices. Read More
GDS news from Travelport, Amadeus, Sabre, Abacus - December 2012
News / Online
GDS news from Travelport, Amadeus, Sabre, Abacus - December 2012
By PhocusWire | December 31, 2012
Product news, releases, projects and more from the global distribution systems during December 2012 - all here, in one easy read. Read More
Middle East hotel prices - December 2012 to February 2013
News / Online
Middle East hotel prices - December 2012 to February 2013
By PhocusWire | December 19, 2012
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 the Middle East. Read More
TipAdvisor or even StripAdvisor - TripAdvisor does not care who has a fondness for its name
News / Online
TipAdvisor or even StripAdvisor - TripAdvisor does not care who has a fondness for its name
By Kevin May | December 17, 2012
Picking names that are close to those of other brands often ends in tears (or at least lawyers trousering some money), but user review giant TripAdvisor appears to have a relaxed attitude to it all. Read More
How to love the Doctor Evil of the hotel world
News / Online
How to love the Doctor Evil of the hotel world
By Viewpoints | December 17, 2012
In previous years, European tour operators would book entire hotels so they could accommodate the passengers on their planes. Read More
Google tests Flight Explorer platform to bring inspiration into the search equation
News / Online
Google tests Flight Explorer platform to bring inspiration into the search equation
By Kevin May | December 13, 2012
It's been a while since Google did one of its "experiments" around its Flight Search - but this latest one is quite a departure from what has come before it. Read More
Top ten tips for hotels to improve their search engine presence
News / Online
Top ten tips for hotels to improve their search engine presence
By Viewpoints | December 13, 2012
So even if we're now agreed that hotel search on engines such as Google is not about to disappear any time soon, there is still plenty that hotels can do to improve their performance in the channel. Read More
How real are challenges to dethrone Google as king of hotel distribution?
News / Online
How real are challenges to dethrone Google as king of hotel distribution?
By Viewpoints | December 12, 2012
For years now hotel marketers have claimed that search engines are on the way out as a viable marketing and distribution channel in hospitality. Read More
Hotel prices in Asia - December 2012 to February 2013
News / Online
Hotel prices in Asia - December 2012 to February 2013
By PhocusWire | December 10, 2012
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 Asia. Read More
Airbnb moving in to tours and activities? An obvious strategy to continue its disruptive model
News / Online
Airbnb moving in to tours and activities? An obvious strategy to continue its disruptive model
By Daniele Beccari | December 10, 2012
Airbnb, the most talked about travel startup of 2012, is taking a close look at adding local activities to run alongside the home booking service. Read More
Yeah, yeah, yeah, the internet is great for hotels - but please do not neglect the telephone
News / Online
Yeah, yeah, yeah, the internet is great for hotels - but please do not neglect the telephone
By Patrick Landman | December 10, 2012
Are hotel businesses spending too much time concentrating on their digital channels at the expense of others? Read More
European hotel prices - December 2012 to February 2013
News / Online
European hotel prices - December 2012 to February 2013
By PhocusWire | December 5, 2012
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
TripAdvisor reveals some secret sauce for hoteliers to increase user engagement
News / Online
TripAdvisor reveals some secret sauce for hoteliers to increase user engagement
By Kevin May | December 4, 2012
TripAdvisor has crunched a heap of data to find out what increases the interaction between a hotelier and guests that leave reviews on the site. Read More
The Phocuswright Conference 2026