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.

Hotel Treats, Nowadays named People's Choice winners at the 2024 Global Startup Pitch
News / Startups
Hotel Treats, Nowadays named People's Choice winners at the 2024 Global Startup Pitch
By PhocusWire | October 21, 2024
The competition began in the spring with more than 200 startups, and the attendees at WiT Singapore picked the winners at the event last week. Read More
Where are they now? Catching up with the Hot 25 Travel Startups for 2022
News / Startups
Where are they now? Catching up with the Hot 25 Travel Startups for 2022
By Mileva Sapic | October 21, 2024
Flyzy, KIDO Dynamics, MyStay, RoomPriceGenie and Travala update PhocusWire on what they've been up to since they were named part of PhocusWire's Hot 25 Travel Startups for 2022. Read More
PhocusWire's weekly travel tech news briefs: Sabre, Navan, Amtrav and more
News / Online
PhocusWire's weekly travel tech news briefs: Sabre, Navan, Amtrav and more
By PhocusWire | October 18, 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
How commerce media is catching on in travel
News / Online
How commerce media is catching on in travel
By Linda Fox | October 17, 2024
United, Expedia, Booking.com, Agoda, Priceline, Marriott and Uber have all established media networks in recent years and are earning significant revenue from them. Read More
Hilton partners with Be My Eyes to assist blind and low-vision guests
News / Online
Hilton partners with Be My Eyes to assist blind and low-vision guests
By Mileva Sapic | October 15, 2024
The Be My Eyes app directly connects Hilton guests who are blind or have low vision with a team of trained agents who can view the guest's surrounding through the mobile device's camera. Read More
Hotel tech provider RoomRaccoon acquires Lobbi PMS
News / Technology
Hotel tech provider RoomRaccoon acquires Lobbi PMS
By Mitra Sorrells | October 14, 2024
RoomRaccoon said the acquisition will add more than 300 properties to its client base in the Benelux region. Read More
Where are they now? Catching up with the Hot 25 Travel Startups for 2021
News / Startups
Where are they now? Catching up with the Hot 25 Travel Startups for 2021
By Mileva Sapic | October 14, 2024
Beachy, Chekin, Kyte, Vouch and Zartico update PhocusWire on what they've been up to since they were named part of PhocusWire's Hot 25 Travel Startups for 2021. Read More
PhocusWire's weekly travel tech news briefs: Guesty, FCM Meetings and Events, Holibob, Civitatis and more
News / Online
PhocusWire's weekly travel tech news briefs: Guesty, FCM Meetings and Events, Holibob, Civitatis and more
By PhocusWire | October 11, 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
Airlines are pushing ancillaries to boost revenue, but new offerings slow to come
News / Technology
Airlines are pushing ancillaries to boost revenue, but new offerings slow to come
By Morgan Hines | October 11, 2024
Ancillary services including baggage fees, meal upgrades, change fees and seat selection help boost airline profits, but why haven't airlines expanded their product catalog? Read More
The similarities - and differences - of the early days of SaaS and GenAI
Opinion / Technology
The similarities - and differences - of the early days of SaaS and GenAI
By Arden Agopyan - HotelRunner | October 10, 2024
The founder of HotelRunner explains why differentiation and problem-solving are key in an investment landscape where there is an over-supply of GenAI startups, not unlike SaaS more than a decade... Read More
Marriott agrees to pay $52M, improve cybersecurity to settle multiple data breaches
News / Technology
Marriott agrees to pay $52M, improve cybersecurity to settle multiple data breaches
By Mitra Sorrells | October 9, 2024
The three data breaches, dating back to 2014, affected hundreds of millions of customers of both Marriott and its subsidiary Starwood. Read More
New hospitality certification taps into wellness travel trend
News / Online
New hospitality certification taps into wellness travel trend
By Mitra Sorrells | October 9, 2024
The certification is based on a 100-point evaluation that considers properties based on five categories: healthy eating, holistic healing, nature, movement and local impact. Read More
Could the latest tech turn social influencers into kings and queens of travel?
Opinion / Online
Could the latest tech turn social influencers into kings and queens of travel?
By Craig Everett - Holibob | October 8, 2024
Holibob's CEO and co-founder, Craig Everett, speaks on influencers' potential impact on the travel industry if they begin selling products through social media posts. Read More
Flexible living drives hospitality and residential technology convergence
News / Technology
Flexible living drives hospitality and residential technology convergence
By Matthew Parsons | October 8, 2024
The growing number of mixed-use properties creates gaps for a new breed of tech-enabled hospitality companies, in particular non-hotel brands, to enter new markets. Read More
STARTUP STAGE: B0arding is a booking site that rewards users for video reviews
Interview / Startups
STARTUP STAGE: B0arding is a booking site that rewards users for video reviews
By Mileva Sapic | October 7, 2024
B0arding invites travelers to submit video reviews of hotels and short-term rentals they've stayed in and rewards them with a $20 travel credit for a future trip booked on its platform.  Read More
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