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.

Will the world end (or the travel industry survive) without NFC in the new iPhone5?
News / Online
Will the world end (or the travel industry survive) without NFC in the new iPhone5?
By Glenn Gruber | September 13, 2012
Apparently so - if you believe what you hear on Twitter and some of the tech press. Read More
Hotel asset management is not just about costs - it MUST include internet marketing
News / Online
Hotel asset management is not just about costs - it MUST include internet marketing
By Patrick Landman | September 12, 2012
Traditionally, hotel asset management has been focused on operations and cost control as the main elements to consider. Read More
Hotel prices in North America - September to November 2012
News / Online
Hotel prices in North America - September to November 2012
By PhocusWire | September 11, 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 North America. Read More
What are hoteliers talking about when it comes to online reputation management?
News / Online
What are hoteliers talking about when it comes to online reputation management?
By Josiah Mackenzie | September 10, 2012
We have collected some of the most popular questions hoteliers and others have about how to handle social media and the steps needed to implement a successful strategy. Read More
What can travel companies learn from other online retailers? [hint: at least four things]
News / Online
What can travel companies learn from other online retailers? [hint: at least four things]
By Viewpoints | September 7, 2012
Order a book on Amazon that you already own. What happens? Amazon reminds you politely that the book is in your possession and asks if really want to buy it again. Read More
What people in 1899 thought would happen to travel technology [hint: we failed them]
News / Online
What people in 1899 thought would happen to travel technology [hint: we failed them]
By Kevin May | September 4, 2012
Predicting how technology will evolve over the course of the next 12 months (as Tnooz tries every year) is tricky enough - but what about 100 years into the future? Read More
Kids back to school? Now back to work with a seven-point technology checklist for travel agents
News / Online
Kids back to school? Now back to work with a seven-point technology checklist for travel agents
By Viewpoints | September 3, 2012
As vacations come to an end and kids get ready to go back to school, it’s time to focus on you instead. Read More
To increase scores and bookings, hotels must respond to guest reviews
News / Online
To increase scores and bookings, hotels must respond to guest reviews
By Viewpoints | August 31, 2012
Responding to online reviews from guests is crucial. It makes them feel heard, and it is one of the best ways to improve customer satisfaction and guest loyalty post-stay. Read More
Middle East hotel prices - August to October 2012
News / Online
Middle East hotel prices - August to October 2012
By PhocusWire | August 31, 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
The truth about online hotel star ratings [CARTOON]
News / Online
The truth about online hotel star ratings [CARTOON]
By Kevin May | August 28, 2012
In the Good Old Days (there's probably a trademark for that in the travel industry), hotel star ratings were normally worked out in a variety of ways. Read More
Beyond social media - A rough guide to Employee Generated Content in the travel industry
News / Online
Beyond social media - A rough guide to Employee Generated Content in the travel industry
By Viewpoints | August 28, 2012
While many hotels are still looking for that elusive social ROI, recent Panda and Penguin updates to Google (and Bing, too) suggest that direct bookings from social might not always be the right goal. Read More
TripBirds swaps travel tips platform for social media-led hotel booking service
News / Online
TripBirds swaps travel tips platform for social media-led hotel booking service
By Kevin May | August 28, 2012
Back in December 2011, TripBirds was one of many (many, many) so-called social travel sites, created so users can get tips from their friends using the social graph. Read More
WebJet error offers seven-day Bali trip for less than price of a coke
News / Online
WebJet error offers seven-day Bali trip for less than price of a coke
By Nick Vivion | August 27, 2012
A dream vacation at a resort hotel in Bali is most certainly on many a bucket list. But how about living the dream for just AUS $0.08 a night? Read More
Hotel door tech provider moves to crack down on lock hacker
News / Online
Hotel door tech provider moves to crack down on lock hacker
By Kevin May | August 27, 2012
An electronic hotel lock provider has issued a series of fixes to its technology after a cheeky developer used a major conference to demonstrate a hack to open doors. Read More
W Hotels and Intel announce co-branded screenplay writing competition, actual writers cringe
News / Online
W Hotels and Intel announce co-branded screenplay writing competition, actual writers cringe
By Nick Vivion | August 24, 2012
W Hotels and Intel have announced the latest round in their promotion of the new Ultrabook line of computers: the Four Stories short film competition. Read More
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