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.

Hotels: What are some of you guys smoking?
News / Online
Hotels: What are some of you guys smoking?
By Patrick Landman | June 25, 2012
I just have to get this of my chest, and share my latest experiences with you. Read More
Kayak gets in on same-day mobile hotel booking groove
News / Online
Kayak gets in on same-day mobile hotel booking groove
By Kevin May | June 25, 2012
As Priceline, Hotel Tonight, Blink Booking et al battle for the PR with launches of same-day bookings for hotels, Kayak quietly introduced the same thing six weeks ago. Read More
Mining the network - Facebook works out the most popular places on earth from user check-ins
News / Online
Mining the network - Facebook works out the most popular places on earth from user check-ins
By Kevin May | June 20, 2012
Facebook has spent the best part of the past 22 months letting people populate their profile pages with location check-ins made via their mobile devices. Read More
Feeding The Beast in travel might work for startups but is not helping in the long term
News / Online
Feeding The Beast in travel might work for startups but is not helping in the long term
By Viewpoints | June 20, 2012
We constantly monitor the technologies used and products offered by travel brands worldwide - and have found some striking oddities. Read More
How to drive more business to hotels with TripAdvisor destination forums
News / Online
How to drive more business to hotels with TripAdvisor destination forums
By Viewpoints | June 19, 2012
Are you seeking more guests for your hotel or customers for your tourism-related business? Read More
Priceline: Why the online agency model still works for us, especially in Asia-Pacific
News / Online
Priceline: Why the online agency model still works for us, especially in Asia-Pacific
By Viewpoints | June 19, 2012
The secret to The Priceline Group’s success may not be evident from watching William Shatner’s outings as the Priceline Negotiator. Read More
Hotel prices in North America - June to August 2012
News / Online
Hotel prices in North America - June to August 2012
By PhocusWire | June 15, 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
Hoteliers finally get it - using social media and understanding the guest experience works
News / Online
Hoteliers finally get it - using social media and understanding the guest experience works
By Josiah Mackenzie | June 14, 2012
The guest experience is often mentioned over and over by CEOs and senior hotel executives as the key to success in today’s market. Read More
Treovi claims first completely free web booking and listing system for hotels
News / Online
Treovi claims first completely free web booking and listing system for hotels
By Kevin May | June 13, 2012
A bold statement from Switzerland-based Treovi, a startup which is about to take the covers of a service which it says has a business model "very different" from other online reservation services. Read More
Hipmunk adds $15M to its coffers with new funding round
News / Online
Hipmunk adds $15M to its coffers with new funding round
By Kevin May | June 12, 2012
More funding news for travel startups with US-based air and hotel search service Hipmunk capturing a new round of financing to the tune of $15 million from Institutional Investment Partners. Read More
Are large hotel chains on the back foot when it comes to providing technology for guests?
News / Online
Are large hotel chains on the back foot when it comes to providing technology for guests?
By Viewpoints | June 12, 2012
For many years all that people wanted when they went on holiday was a comfortable bed in a nice, quiet, reasonably-priced place that was well located for whatever it was they wanted to do whilst... Read More
Tnooz-ITB Academy webinar VIDEO: Hotels and mobile – What is next?
Webinars / Online
Tnooz-ITB Academy webinar VIDEO: Hotels and mobile – What is next?
By Kevin May | June 7, 2012
Not many hoteliers or other travel brands would want to be labelled pirates - but that is exactly what the late Steve Jobs often said when describing disruption. Read More
China opens up again as state-owned TravelSky inks hotel distribution deal with Abacus
News / Online
China opens up again as state-owned TravelSky inks hotel distribution deal with Abacus
By Kevin May | June 7, 2012
Further evidence that the Chinese government-backed TravelSky is looking outward for partners with news that it has signed a hotel distribution deal with Abacus. Read More
How to optimise travel websites by watching how customers behave online
News / Online
How to optimise travel websites by watching how customers behave online
By Viewpoints | June 6, 2012
Travel is about choice. Where do you want to go today? What kind of experience do you want? Who do you want to take with you? Read More
Why do consumers follow or like travel brands in social media? For the discounts, alas
News / Online
Why do consumers follow or like travel brands in social media? For the discounts, alas
By Kevin May | June 6, 2012
Social media gurus (is that term trademarked now?) are often telling the industry that the social world is all about engagement with customers and creating communities, etc. Read More
The Phocuswright Conference 2026