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.

You've spent 20 years optimizing for humans: Now it's time to optimize for AI
Opinion / Technology
You've spent 20 years optimizing for humans: Now it's time to optimize for AI
By Brennen Bliss - Propellic Travel Marketing | April 17, 2025
Brennen Bliss, CEO of Propellic Travel Marketing, shares tips and tactics to optimize travel websites for AI systems. Read More
Lighthouse adds marketing tech with acquisition of The Hotels Network
News / Technology
Lighthouse adds marketing tech with acquisition of The Hotels Network
By Linda Fox | April 16, 2025
The Hotels Network is a cloud-based platform that helps hotels attract, engage with and convert guests using real-time user behavior, predictive algorithms and artificial intelligence agents. Read More
CEO Spotlight: Fred Bean of HotelPORT
Interview / Technology
CEO Spotlight: Fred Bean of HotelPORT
By Abby Crotty | April 16, 2025
Hospitality distribution solutions company HotelPORT provides solutions for hoteliers to ensure accurate representation of property content shown through online travel agencies, tour operators and other... Read More
Latin America-based corporate travel startup Onfly raises $40M
News / Startups
Latin America-based corporate travel startup Onfly raises $40M
By Morgan Hines | April 15, 2025
Brazil-based Onfly, founded in 2018, aims to streamline and digitize corporate travel and expense management, now working with more than 2,000 companies. Read More
Cloudbeds launches lab to drive innovation
News / Technology
Cloudbeds launches lab to drive innovation
By Morgan Hines | April 15, 2025
The company’s division launches with two new solutions, Signal and Engage, built on Cloudbeds Intelligence. Read More
Sonder makes $50M in cost reductions including layoffs ahead of Marriott integration
News / Online
Sonder makes $50M in cost reductions including layoffs ahead of Marriott integration
By Abby Crotty | April 14, 2025
The short-term rental specialist will cut costs by reducing its workforce and implementing "software savings." Read More
NextTrip acquires luxury OTA Five Star Alliance
News / Online
NextTrip acquires luxury OTA Five Star Alliance
By Abby Crotty | April 14, 2025
The latest acquisition is anticipated to help NextTrip expand its reach in the luxury travel sector. Read More
Why attribute-based selling is gaining momentum
News / Distribution
Why attribute-based selling is gaining momentum
By Matthew Parsons | April 14, 2025
Hotels are using attribute-based selling more often, allowing guests to pick and choose specific characteristics based on their own preferences. Read More
HostAI becomes Conduit, raises $3.1M
News / Startups
HostAI becomes Conduit, raises $3.1M
By Morgan Hines | April 11, 2025
Conduit, which started out calling itself “Shopify for Travel,” has grown from a tool for automated guest messaging for STRs “into something much bigger.” Read More
PhocusWire's weekly travel tech news briefs: SITA, IATA, Fora Travel, Directo and more...
News / Technology
PhocusWire's weekly travel tech news briefs: SITA, IATA, Fora Travel, Directo and more...
By PhocusWire | April 11, 2025
Keep up with all the latest people, partner and product news from around the global travel industry. Read More
Kayak launches new AI tool for travel search
News / Technology
Kayak launches new AI tool for travel search
By Abby Crotty | April 10, 2025
Kayak described the new platform as its tech team's "playground for innovation" and said what works best on Kayak.ai will then become part of Kayak.com for everyone to use. Read More
Sustainability-focused travel management platform Goodwings raises nearly $3M
News / Technology
Sustainability-focused travel management platform Goodwings raises nearly $3M
By Morgan Hines | April 10, 2025
The raise will allow the Denmark-based company to create its Sustainability Suite 3.0, which will include new tools for businesses to limit their carbon footprint. Read More
Investors discuss the state of IPOs in travel
News / Distribution
Investors discuss the state of IPOs in travel
By Mark Frary | April 10, 2025
Investors discuss the current market and the potential for travel IPOs in the U.S., Asia and Europe in 2025. Read More
The path to growing alternative revenue for short-term rentals
News / Distribution
The path to growing alternative revenue for short-term rentals
By Phocuswright Research | April 10, 2025
For companies that serve short-term rentals, it is critical to understand what type of technological and ancillary tools operators are turning to. Read More
Duetto acquires hotel benchmarking platform HotStats
News / Technology
Duetto acquires hotel benchmarking platform HotStats
By Abby Crotty | April 9, 2025
The partnership is intended to provide hoteliers with a clear picture of profits, allowing them to make informed decisions that improve efficiency and guest experience, according to the companies. Read More
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