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.

Shiji consolidates hotel customer data with single guest profile
News / Technology
Shiji consolidates hotel customer data with single guest profile
By Linda Fox | September 25, 2024
The functionality built into Shiji’s property management system allows guests to share their data on a local or global level, which then enables hotels to remove duplicate profiles and get a truer... Read More
The travel labor shortage should be over, so why are we still worried?
News / Online
The travel labor shortage should be over, so why are we still worried?
By PhocusWright Research | September 25, 2024
Phocuswright research has found that the hospitality industry is facing staffing challenges due to low pay, long hours, lack of remote work and declining interest. Read More
Snowflake expands its data cloud platform with capabilities tailored for travel
News / Technology
Snowflake expands its data cloud platform with capabilities tailored for travel
By Morgan Hines | September 24, 2024
 Snowflake already works with clients including Hyatt, Tripadvisor, Booking.com, JetBlue and Marriott.   Read More
Q&A: Amadeus CTO on tech priorities, cloud and generative AI
News / Technology
Q&A: Amadeus CTO on tech priorities, cloud and generative AI
By Linda Fox | September 24, 2024
PhocusWire talks to Sylvain Roy, CTO of Amadeus, about prioritizing technology projects and implementing generative AI internally and externally. Read More
OYO is acquiring Motel 6 parent G6 Hospitality for $525M
News / Distribution
OYO is acquiring Motel 6 parent G6 Hospitality for $525M
By Linda Fox | September 23, 2024
Earlier this year OYO raised $174 million in Series G funding. G6 has a network of about 1,500 properties across the United States and Canada.   Read More
Norwegian airline and Strawberry hotels create shared loyalty currency
News / Online
Norwegian airline and Strawberry hotels create shared loyalty currency
By Mitra Sorrells | September 23, 2024
The two brands have created a joint venture – Spenn – that will offer a common loyalty currency with no exchange fees and, eventually, a wide range of partners that provide earning and redemption offers... Read More
Phocuswire's weekly travel tech news briefs: Amadeus, Thayer Ventures, Sabre, Cloudbeds and more
News / Distribution
Phocuswire's weekly travel tech news briefs: Amadeus, Thayer Ventures, Sabre, Cloudbeds and more
By PhocusWire | September 20, 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
The travel industry payment gap
News / Online
The travel industry payment gap
By Phocuswright Research | September 20, 2024
The travel industry historically struggles with emerging trends and technologies, and the topic of payments is no exception.  Read More
Agoda’s co-founder Rosenstein: AI will widen the gap between haves and have-nots in travel
News / Technology
Agoda’s co-founder Rosenstein: AI will widen the gap between haves and have-nots in travel
By Yeoh Siew Hoon - WiT | September 19, 2024
Robert Rosenstein said that while smaller companies can be faster and more nimble, the fact is the biggest benefit of AI right now to increase productivity and cut staff plays to the big companies. Read More
Hotel Engine raises $140M, rebrands to Engine
News / Technology
Hotel Engine raises $140M, rebrands to Engine
By Linda Fox | September 19, 2024
The company plans to use the funding to support product development, including the launch of flight and rental car bookings on its platform in October.   Read More
Marriott CEO on shifting loyalty from transactional to emotional
News / Online
Marriott CEO on shifting loyalty from transactional to emotional
By Morgan Hines | September 19, 2024
Hotel loyalty programs have traditionally been focused on room nights as the primary redemption offering, but Marriott CEO Anthony Capuano believes Bonvoy can go far beyond traditional expectations. Read More
Hospitality experiences platform Turneo raises $2M seed investment
News / Online
Hospitality experiences platform Turneo raises $2M seed investment
By Mileva Sapic | September 18, 2024
Travel tech startup, Turneo, plans to further expand its global footprint and enable more hotels to offer in-destination activities to guests with the investment led by Bessemer Venture Partners. Read More
Smartvel acquires Avuxi to expand destination content and AI capabilities
News / Technology
Smartvel acquires Avuxi to expand destination content and AI capabilities
By Mileva Sapic | September 17, 2024
Smartvel's acquisition of Avuxi strengthens its existing position in the market and enables it to widen its offering. Read More
Hyatt looks to Oracle for property management system
News / Technology
Hyatt looks to Oracle for property management system
By Linda Fox | September 17, 2024
The move will help the company streamline operations and manage data as well as provide an improved experience for guests. Read More
SiteMinder sees platform evolution in revenue management
News / Technology
SiteMinder sees platform evolution in revenue management
By Linda Fox | September 17, 2024
The company is launching its revenue management technology Dynamic Revenue Plus in Australia and New Zealand and plans to offer the technology globally next year. Read More
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