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.

PhocusWire's weekly travel tech news briefs: Cendyn, Daytrip, Shiji, TUI and more...
News / Technology
PhocusWire's weekly travel tech news briefs: Cendyn, Daytrip, Shiji, TUI and more...
By PhocusWire | March 7, 2025
Keep up with all the latest people, partner and product news from around the global travel industry.... Read More
Booking.com shares progress on AI initiatives
News / Technology
Booking.com shares progress on AI initiatives
By Linda Fox | March 7, 2025
Booking.com's senior vice president of accommodations shared details of the company's strategy for using AI and what is has planned for the future. Read More
Travel websites littered with accessibility issues
News / Online
Travel websites littered with accessibility issues
By Morgan Hines | March 6, 2025
The 2025 Digital Accessibility Index found an average of 297 accessibility issues per webpage during Q4 of 2024 across 400,000 pages on 15,000 websites in different industries including hospitality. Read More
Selina properties being converted to Socialtels under new owner
News / Technology
Selina properties being converted to Socialtels under new owner
By Jeffrey Weinstein - Hotel Investment Today | March 5, 2025
Collective Hospitality is reimagining the "digital nomad" brand it bought out of insolvency with a new name, a smaller footprint and a goal to partner with a big brand. Read More
Trip.com Group, WTTC provide glimpse of future technology game changers
News / Technology
Trip.com Group, WTTC provide glimpse of future technology game changers
By Linda Fox | March 5, 2025
The Trip.com Group/WTTC study is divided into four trend areas-digital technologies, financial technologies, future of mobility and breakthrough innovations- and evaluates why the trends are important... Read More
Mews raises $75M to expand in U.S., Europe
News / Technology
Mews raises $75M to expand in U.S., Europe
By Morgan Hines | March 4, 2025
The funding was led by Tiger Global, with input from existing investors including Kinnevik, Battery Ventures and Goldman Sachs Alternatives. Read More
Alexa+ could earn “top-of-the-funnel” spot in travel research
News / Technology
Alexa+ could earn “top-of-the-funnel” spot in travel research
By Morgan Hines | March 4, 2025
Travel brands including Tripadvisor and Uber have partnered with Amazon for the debut of its reimagined voice assistant. Read More
Phocuswright and WiT return to the Middle East as the region's tourism grows
News / Technology
Phocuswright and WiT return to the Middle East as the region's tourism grows
By PhocusWire | March 3, 2025
Phocuswright and WiT Middle East is returning to the Grand Plaza Movenpick Media City in Dubai on April 25. Read More
Amadeus delivers double-digit growth in 2024
News / Distribution
Amadeus delivers double-digit growth in 2024
By Linda Fox | February 28, 2025
Highlights for the company in 2024 include a partnership to provide a central reservations system to Accor and the acquisitions of biometrics tech company Vision-Box and payments specialist Voxel.  Read More
DerbySoft acquires Arise to boost travel agent-hotel relationship
News / Technology
DerbySoft acquires Arise to boost travel agent-hotel relationship
By Linda Fox | February 28, 2025
DerbySoft said the deal supports its strategy around streamlining and automating elements of the supplier-distribution relationship in business travel. Read More
Technology and politics reshape the travel deals landscape
News / Technology
Technology and politics reshape the travel deals landscape
By Matthew Parsons | February 27, 2025
When it comes to the merger and acquisition (M&A) landscape, technology and political issues appear to be playing more of a role in the decisions being made by authorities. Read More
Property management provider Apaleo creates marketplace for hospitality AI agents
News / Technology
Property management provider Apaleo creates marketplace for hospitality AI agents
By Morgan Hines | February 26, 2025
Apaleo said it has created Agent Hub to help hoteliers and tech developers share, adopt, discover and build solutions based on AI. Read More
Flywire acquires hospitality payments specialist Sertifi for $330M
News
Flywire acquires hospitality payments specialist Sertifi for $330M
By Linda Fox | February 26, 2025
Sertifi offers an SaaS platform for the hotel and hospitality industry that enables global brands and independent hotels groups to securely sign contracts, exchange payment details and complete... Read More
Trip.com Group reports Q4 bookings growth for international and inbound travel
News / Online
Trip.com Group reports Q4 bookings growth for international and inbound travel
By Linda Fox | February 25, 2025
The China-based online travel agency said outbound bookings have recovered to 120% of pre-COVID levels. Read More
A look at how U.S. travelers plan and book lodging
News / Online
A look at how U.S. travelers plan and book lodging
By Phocuswright Research | February 25, 2025
It seems many travelers start planning with a specific place in mind (almost six in 10), but one-third need to narrow down their choice from a few options. Read More
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