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.

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
Credit card safety and cyber attacks in travel - everyone must take responsibility
News / Online
Credit card safety and cyber attacks in travel - everyone must take responsibility
By Stephen Joyce | June 5, 2012
Cyber attacks and data breaches are on the rise, with some reports showing that restaurants, retail, and hospitality were top targets for criminals for the fourth year in a row. Read More
Philips gives augmented reality view of hotel rooms
News / Online
Philips gives augmented reality view of hotel rooms
By Kevin May | May 31, 2012
Maybe this is one of the novel ideas to emerge in the mix of hotels and technology: an application that gives property owners a view of what hi-tech entertainment-focused rooms will look like. Read More
What is driving the online impulse hotel buyer? [INFOGRAPHIC]
News / Online
What is driving the online impulse hotel buyer? [INFOGRAPHIC]
By Kevin May | May 30, 2012
Listen to the likes of Hotel Tonight in the US and Blink Booking in Europe and they will tell you that you the same-day booking via mobile model is becoming a major force. Read More
How to pre-open a hotel [Part Two of Two - distribution, revenue management, sales]
News / Online
How to pre-open a hotel [Part Two of Two - distribution, revenue management, sales]
By Patrick Landman | May 30, 2012
In the first part of this article we discussed tips for pre-opening a hotel, focussing on PR, the website and SEO. Read More
What Else? Thistle-Guoman joy, Rixos-TrustYou, Wego India, RateTiger changes
News / Online
What Else? Thistle-Guoman joy, Rixos-TrustYou, Wego India, RateTiger changes
By PhocusWire | May 30, 2012
Thistle and Guoman feel mobile bounty, Rixos signs with TrustYou, Wego launches in India, RateTiger strengthens management roles... What else is happening in travel tech around the world. Read More
Social media-loving Ibiza clubbers can now pay at their hotel using fingerprints
News / Online
Social media-loving Ibiza clubbers can now pay at their hotel using fingerprints
By Kevin May | May 29, 2012
Lavished with praise and envy in equal measure by some last year for its RFID tag-driven, social media frenzy for clubbers, Ushuaia Ibiza Beach Hotel is at it again. Read More
Asia hotel prices - May to July 2012
News / Online
Asia hotel prices - May to July 2012
By PhocusWire | May 28, 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
How to pre-open a hotel [Part One of Two - social media and digital marketing]
News / Online
How to pre-open a hotel [Part One of Two - social media and digital marketing]
By Patrick Landman | May 23, 2012
The pre-opening phase of a new hotel is both a big challenge and a great opportunity at the same time. Read More
Last night a DJ saved my... hotel?
News / Online
Last night a DJ saved my... hotel?
By Kevin May | May 21, 2012
While some hotel chains focus on Facebook and other social media channels for promotions, W Hotels is taking a different approach by making use of its entertainment offering. Read More
Blink Booking raises $2.5M from Brent Hoberman group and investment A-Listers
News / Online
Blink Booking raises $2.5M from Brent Hoberman group and investment A-Listers
By Kevin May | May 18, 2012
Another illustration that mobile and hotel distribution is changing with news that Europe-based same-day booking service Blink Booking has raised money from a string of web luminaries. Read More
Why affiliate deals on online travel agencies are making hotels angry
News / Online
Why affiliate deals on online travel agencies are making hotels angry
By Viewpoints | May 17, 2012
A declaration of war such as that of John Guscic, managing director of Australian online booking platform Webjet, cannot be any clearer: Read More
European hotel prices - May to July 2012
News / Online
European hotel prices - May to July 2012
By PhocusWire | May 17, 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
The battle for small: Is West Africa tougher for hostel OTAs than for the big boys?
News / Online
The battle for small: Is West Africa tougher for hostel OTAs than for the big boys?
By Viewpoints | May 17, 2012
Earlier this year I made a booking for a small, independent property called Eshu in Cape Coast, Ghana. Read More
How to unlock Big Data to make it big in value for the travel industry
News / Online
How to unlock Big Data to make it big in value for the travel industry
By Viewpoints | May 16, 2012
Data is always plural, and it can be big in many ways. Huge, enormous, gigantic, epic - you get the idea. Read More
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