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.

Where are they now? Catching up with the Hot 25 Travel Startups for 2020
News / Startups
Where are they now? Catching up with the Hot 25 Travel Startups for 2020
By Mileva Sapic | October 7, 2024
AllFly, Mize, Questo, Magpie and FutureStay update PhocusWire on what they've been up to since they were named part of PhocusWire's Hot 25 Travel Startups for 2020. Read More
Blockskye ready for the long journey to transformation
News / Technology
Blockskye ready for the long journey to transformation
By Michael B. Baker - BTN | October 4, 2024
With a handful of publicly announced customers, the Kayak for Business Enterprise tool - a collaborative effort of Blockskye and Kayak - is taking a selective approach in bringing on new clients. Read More
PhocusWire's weekly travel tech news briefs: Booking.com, Delta, Qatar Airways and more
News / Distribution
PhocusWire's weekly travel tech news briefs: Booking.com, Delta, Qatar Airways and more
By PhocusWire | October 4, 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
As pressures mount on corporate travel to improve sustainability, progress is challenging
News / Online
As pressures mount on corporate travel to improve sustainability, progress is challenging
By Morgan Hines | October 4, 2024
Corporate travel is dealing with pressure from employees, a more stringent government and regulatory environment and stronger climate science as it continues to look for ways to operate more... Read More
Decentralized Identity Foundation hackathon kicks off with track focused on travel solutions
News / Technology
Decentralized Identity Foundation hackathon kicks off with track focused on travel solutions
By Mitra Sorrells | October 3, 2024
Developers entering the “Hospitality and Travel Challenge” have to demonstrate how decentralized identity technology combined with traditional travel technology can create a more frictionless,... Read More
The future of hospitality lies in the perfect balance between data and service
Opinion / Technology
The future of hospitality lies in the perfect balance between data and service
By Alan Young - Infor | October 3, 2024
Hospitality businesses need to walk a line between the use of data analytics to inform decisions and providing good service to guests. Read More
Priceline adds voice capabilities from OpenAI to "Penny" chatbot
News / Technology
Priceline adds voice capabilities from OpenAI to "Penny" chatbot
By Morgan Hines | October 2, 2024
Priceline's Penny chatbot can “hear” and understand user questions, predict needs based on historical interactions and "speak" its response. Read More
Hype versus reality: How fast is generative AI changing the travel industry?
News / Technology
Hype versus reality: How fast is generative AI changing the travel industry?
By Morgan Hines | October 2, 2024
Industry leaders from Accor, Sabre, Cloudbeds, Navan, MakeMyTrip and more share their thoughts on generative AI and whether it has lived up to expectations thus far. Read More
Hotelverse receives €5 million to further develop its digital twin technology
News / Startups
Hotelverse receives €5 million to further develop its digital twin technology
By Morgan Hines | October 1, 2024
Founded in 2020, Hotelverse provides its digital twin technology to dozens of hotels including some that are part of Hyatt, RIU Hotels and Radisson Hotel Group.   Read More
Cendyn builds out platform with acquisition of Knowland
News / Technology
Cendyn builds out platform with acquisition of Knowland
By Linda Fox | October 1, 2024
Cendyn said the pairing of Knowland's meeting and event data with its own sales CRM, proposals and Grouprev technologies will enable hotels to drive group bookings from a single solution.   Read More
HotelRunner widens distribution offering with Bookingate acquisition
News / Distribution
HotelRunner widens distribution offering with Bookingate acquisition
By Linda Fox | October 1, 2024
The acquisition broadens HotelRunner's offering, enabling it to help travel agencies, tour operators and destination management companies solve challenges with distribution as well as direct and offline... Read More
Travel startup funding in Q3 dominated by earlier rounds
News / Startups
Travel startup funding in Q3 dominated by earlier rounds
By Linda Fox | October 1, 2024
Check out who received investment and the deals that were done in PhocusWire's Q3 roundup of funding and M&A activity. Read More
What the travel industry is learning about effectively implementing AI
From Our Partners / Technology
What the travel industry is learning about effectively implementing AI
By PhocusWire | September 30, 2024
DataArt's senior vice president of travel and hospitality explains why effective use of generative AI requires companies first deal with their technical debt and ensure they have a modern data... Read More
PhocusWire's weekly travel tech news briefs: TravelPerk, Serko, Expedia, Sabre and more
News / Technology
PhocusWire's weekly travel tech news briefs: TravelPerk, Serko, Expedia, Sabre and more
By PhocusWire | September 27, 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
Mews brings in $100M in new financing to accelerate growth
News / Technology
Mews brings in $100M in new financing to accelerate growth
By Mitra Sorrells | September 26, 2024
The Amsterdam-based hospitality technology company said it will use the fresh capital to become more aggressive with mergers and acquisitions to accelerate growth of its business. Read More
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