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.

Tripadvisor execs on AI strategy, brand trust and memberships
News / Online
Tripadvisor execs on AI strategy, brand trust and memberships
By Abby Crotty | June 12, 2025
Tripadvisor Group CEO Matt Goldberg and new Viator president Pepijn Rijvers sat down to discuss the changing travel landscape and its evolving strategy. Read More
Top investors in travel tech 2025
News / Technology
Top investors in travel tech 2025
By Linda Fox | June 11, 2025
For the second year in a row, we have compiled data on the top venture capital investors in travel technology and asked some of those investors to share details on their strategies and outlook. Read More
Introducing the winners of the 2025 Global Startup Pitch
News / Startups
Introducing the winners of the 2025 Global Startup Pitch
By PhocusWire | June 11, 2025
Nine travel tech startups will now travel to Singapore for showcase presentations at WiT Singapore in October. Read More
Speakspots launches white-label AI agent
News / Technology
Speakspots launches white-label AI agent
By Morgan Hines | June 11, 2025
The AI agent, which marks Speakspots' B2B entry, should help hotels  automate guest communications and drive incremental revenue.  Read More
The future is hybrid: Navigating the ‘length of stay’ challenge in STRs
Opinion / Online
The future is hybrid: Navigating the ‘length of stay’ challenge in STRs
By Shay Many - Guesty | June 10, 2025
Shay Many, senior director of product management at Guesty, highlights the need for a hybrid approach to LOS pricing. Read More
The top investors in travel tech in 2025
News / Technology
The top investors in travel tech in 2025
By Linda Fox | June 10, 2025
For the third consecutive year, PhocusWire has tracked the top investors in travel tech as a barometer of the ecosystem's health and a gauge of market sentiment. Read More
Global study finds majority of travelers ready for AI to book trips
News / Technology
Global study finds majority of travelers ready for AI to book trips
By Abby Crotty | June 9, 2025
Accenture's survey of 18,000 consumers in 14 countries found that 80% of travelers are now using generative AI tools and most would trust agents to plan and book trips.  Read More
Rapid Fire with Adebayo Adedeji of Wakanow
News / Online
Rapid Fire with Adebayo Adedeji of Wakanow
By Morgan Hines | June 9, 2025
As we count down to Phocuswright Europe, PhocusWire is shining the spotlight on a selection of conference speakers in a series of Q&As. Read More
Travel industry readies itself for the arrival of agentic commerce
News / Technology
Travel industry readies itself for the arrival of agentic commerce
By Matthew Parsons | June 9, 2025
The groundwork for agentic commerce is being done. The question is: How prepared is the travel sector? Read More
PhocusWire's weekly travel tech news briefs: Uber, eDreams Odigeo, SITA and more...
News / Technology
PhocusWire's weekly travel tech news briefs: Uber, eDreams Odigeo, SITA and more...
By PhocusWire | June 6, 2025
Keep up with all the latest people, partner and product news from around the global travel industry. Read More
Does Airbnb’s ‘Services’ take unfair advantage of hosts?
News / Online
Does Airbnb’s ‘Services’ take unfair advantage of hosts?
By Morgan Hines | June 5, 2025
Industry experts have criticized Airbnb’s plan to allow travelers to book hotel-like services on hosts' properties without compensating those hosts. Read More
From concept to curbside: Zoox and Resorts World's hospitality-driven autonomous mobility
Opinion / Technology
From concept to curbside: Zoox and Resorts World's hospitality-driven autonomous mobility
By Alex Bainbridge, Autoura | June 4, 2025
As Zoox is named the official robotaxi partner of Resorts World Las Vegas, Alex Bainbridge, Autoura founder and CEO, explores the integration of hospitality and mobility. Read More
Cloudbeds CEO on experimenting with AI across the organization
News / Technology
Cloudbeds CEO on experimenting with AI across the organization
By Linda Fox | June 4, 2025
Many travel companies are developing consumer- or partner-facing AI tools, but Cloudbeds is also trying to push the boundaries with the technology internally. Read More
Hotel Communication Network acquires Crave Interactive
News / Online
Hotel Communication Network acquires Crave Interactive
By Morgan Hines | June 3, 2025
HCN, which provides AI-powered, in-room guest engagement solutions, has acquired digital guest experiences platform Crave Interactive. Read More
The Phocuswright Conference 2026