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.

AI, algorithms and Uber's potential acquisitions: PhocusWire's top opinion stories of 2024
News / Online
AI, algorithms and Uber's potential acquisitions: PhocusWire's top opinion stories of 2024
By PhocusWire | December 13, 2024
This year's most popular op-eds were heavy on AI and also covered algorithms, the possible acquisition of Expedia and major incidences like the CrowdStrike outage. Read More
How increasing professionalization and technology can save STRs from anti-tourism sentiment
Opinion / Technology
How increasing professionalization and technology can save STRs from anti-tourism sentiment
By Frederik Lerche-Lerchenborg - Lavanda | December 12, 2024
Lavanda's CEO argues that professionalization in short-term rentals and technology can improve how rentals are managed and address the anti-tourism sentiment seen in popular destinations recently. Read More
Sabre CEO Kurt Ekert talks intermediary opportunity and company growth
News / Distribution
Sabre CEO Kurt Ekert talks intermediary opportunity and company growth
By Mark Frary | December 12, 2024
Sabre CEO and president Kurt Ekert doesn't believe AI is a threat to the global distribution system and can't see the demise of traditional airline distribution any time soon. Read More
Arena - Launch pitch at The Phocuswright Conference 2024
Interview / Startups
Arena - Launch pitch at The Phocuswright Conference 2024
By PhocusWire | December 11, 2024
Partnering with NEOM in Saudi Arabia, Arena has deployed two products: Trainer, a gamified platform for employee onboarding and upskilling in tourism and hospitality, and Plan It, a travel assistant for... Read More
Phocuswright turns 30: Industry veterans look back and ahead
News / Technology
Phocuswright turns 30: Industry veterans look back and ahead
By Morgan Hines | December 11, 2024
Much of how we search, book and experience travel has changed since Phocuswright was founded in 1994, and three industry veterans reflect on that evolution and offer ideas on what's to come.  Read More
BeyondBrain tests artificial intelligence travel agent Lumi
News / Startups
BeyondBrain tests artificial intelligence travel agent Lumi
By Morgan Hines | December 10, 2024
Currently in beta, the voice-activated travel assistant can be used to book hotel reservations around the globe and table reservations at certain restaurants in both Japan and in Thailand.. Read More
PhocusWire's weekly travel tech news briefs: SITA, Sabre, Amadeus and more
News / Technology
PhocusWire's weekly travel tech news briefs: SITA, Sabre, Amadeus and more
By PhocusWire | December 6, 2024
Keep up with all the latest people, product and partner news from around the global travel industry in PhocusWire's weekly roundup. Read More
Snowflake/Hightouch - Travel Innovator of the Year award winner at The Phocuswright Conference 2024
Interview / Technology
Snowflake/Hightouch - Travel Innovator of the Year award winner at The Phocuswright Conference 2024
By PhocusWire | December 6, 2024
Snowflake offers a cloud-based data platform that enables companies to share data, build applications and effectively use AI. Hightouch is a platform to sync data into tools for marketing, advertising,... Read More
How the hospitality industry can best exploit AI
Opinion / Technology
How the hospitality industry can best exploit AI
By Tim Davis - Pace Dimensions | December 6, 2024
Tim Davis of Pace Dimensions explores how the hospitality industry can take advantage of the technology across a number of front and back office processes. Read More
4 hospitality trends to watch in 2025
From Our Partners / Online
4 hospitality trends to watch in 2025
By Amadeus Hospitality | December 5, 2024
Amadeus Hospitality looks at some of the latest trends set to impact the industry in 2025 and how hospitality leaders can respond to these shifts in demand to drive revenue.   Read More
Airbnb on striving for personalization and reimagining discovery
News / Online
Airbnb on striving for personalization and reimagining discovery
By Linda Fox | December 5, 2024
Dave Stephenson, Airbnb's chief business officer, shares how the company is thinking about AI, early work with ChatGPT and its plan to use customer data to drive personalization. Read More
How continuous improvement in travel insurance services creates loyalty and peace-of-mind
News / Online
How continuous improvement in travel insurance services creates loyalty and peace-of-mind
By PhocusWire | December 4, 2024
Allianz Partners general manager for the USA, Emily Hartman, discusses how the company uses the latest technology and a focus on the customer to give travelers support and assistance when they need it. Read More
Southeast Asia's travel tech sector at pivotal moment for value creation
News / Online
Southeast Asia's travel tech sector at pivotal moment for value creation
By Yeoh Siew Hoon - WebinTravel | December 2, 2024
Southeast Asia’s early-stage investment ecosystem is also helping to create a robust pipeline of potential growth-stage travel tech companies, a factor that makes the region particularly attractive for... Read More
Mondee says no plan to appeal Nasdaq non-compliance
News / Online
Mondee says no plan to appeal Nasdaq non-compliance
By Linda Fox | November 28, 2024
Mondee delayed the filing of its third quarter earnings earlier this month and received a letter of non-compliance from the Nasdaq. CEO Prasad Gundumogula has taken a leave of absence. Read More
Googles updates search in Europe to comply with DMA
News / Online
Googles updates search in Europe to comply with DMA
By Linda Fox | November 27, 2024
Google has proposed further changes to search results pages in Europe as it seeks to comply with the DMA. Read More
The Phocuswright Conference 2026