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.

Travalyst begins standardization for accommodation certification suppliers
News / Online
Travalyst begins standardization for accommodation certification suppliers
By Linda Fox | August 29, 2024
The organization has defined three initial criteria, including publicly available standards and third-party audit, by which to measure the compliancy of accommodation certification suppliers. Read More
How hotels can capture demand for sustainable stays
Opinion / Online
How hotels can capture demand for sustainable stays
By Alina Arnelle - BeCause | August 28, 2024
Alina Arnelle of BeCause writes that sustainability data management can give travelers confidence that a hotels’ actions toward the environment are genuine. Read More
Report: The power of affiliate marketing to drive customer acquisition for travel brands
From Our Partners / Online
Report: The power of affiliate marketing to drive customer acquisition for travel brands
By Diane Merlino | August 27, 2024
Affiliate marketing has long been associated with end-of-the-funnel conversion, but with the proliferation of digital partners available for campaigns, that is no longer the case. Read More
MultiOn targets travel use cases for its AI agent
News / Technology
MultiOn targets travel use cases for its AI agent
By Mitra Sorrells | August 26, 2024
Backed by General Catalyst, Amazon Alexa Fund, Maven Ventures, Samsung Next and individuals from OpenAI, MultiOn is rapidly developing its AI agent technology for travel and other applications. Read More
PhocusWire's weekly travel tech news briefs: Sabre, Hotels.com, Hospitable and more
News / Online
PhocusWire's weekly travel tech news briefs: Sabre, Hotels.com, Hospitable and more
By PhocusWire | August 23, 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
Is the multi-day tour industry ready for digital transformation?
Opinion / Online
Is the multi-day tour industry ready for digital transformation?
By Ragnar Fjolnisson - Kaptio | August 23, 2024
Ragnar Fjölnisson, founder of Kaptio, writes that by fully embracing digital transformation, multi-day tour operators can enhance customer satisfaction, drive economic growth and contribute to a more... Read More
Travel social content sways some consumers more than others
News / Online
Travel social content sways some consumers more than others
By Linda Fox | August 23, 2024
Converting looks and likes on social media to actual bookings is a challenge for travel marketers, but Phocuswright research has interesting insights on those consumers most likely to convert. Read More
Agilysys acquires spa management software solution Book4Time for $150M
News / Online
Agilysys acquires spa management software solution Book4Time for $150M
By Mileva Sapic | August 22, 2024
Canada-based Book4Time offers spa management software and ancillary revenue for hotels, resorts and other types of properties in more than 100 countries worldwide.  Read More
Canary Technologies brings guest management system to BWH Hotels
News / Technology
Canary Technologies brings guest management system to BWH Hotels
By Linda Fox | August 22, 2024
The partnership between BWH Hotels and Canary Technologies will enable the hotel company to increase revenue and engage with guests across multiple touchpoints.   Read More
Besty AI lands $1.5M to drive guest communications platform forward
News / Startups
Besty AI lands $1.5M to drive guest communications platform forward
By Linda Fox | August 22, 2024
The funds will be used for further growth with plans to enhance platform and double the size of the team in the next few months. Read More
Hospitality retailing tech looks to fulfill “ultimate guest experience”
News / Technology
Hospitality retailing tech looks to fulfill “ultimate guest experience”
By D.J. Catron | August 22, 2024
The combination of new technology and deep data resources is opening opportunities for hoteliers to digitally offer concierge-like recommendations and bookings of a wide variety of products and... Read More
Alaska Airlines launches new accommodations platform with Expedia Group
News / Distribution
Alaska Airlines launches new accommodations platform with Expedia Group
By Morgan Hines | August 21, 2024
“Stays by Alaska Vacations” is the airline's latest expansion of the airline's travel product offering and tie-up with its loyalty program. Read More
CEO Spotlight: David Woolenberg of Duetto
Interview / Technology
CEO Spotlight: David Woolenberg of Duetto
By Mitra Sorrells | August 21, 2024
Duetto provides a suite of cloud applications for more than 6,000 hotels to help them increase efficiency, revenue, and profitability. David Woolenberg has been Duetto's CEO since January 2020. Read More
Sonder writes new chapter with Marriott licensing deal, new funding
News / Distribution
Sonder writes new chapter with Marriott licensing deal, new funding
By Linda Fox | August 19, 2024
Sonder, which has faced challenges recently including a delisting from the Nasdaq and job cuts, will have access to $146 million to drive growth as well as help with the integration of its... Read More
Blackstone acquires hotel accounting tech specialist M3
News / Technology
Blackstone acquires hotel accounting tech specialist M3
By Linda Fox | August 16, 2024
M3, which was founded in 1998, provides a back-office accounting software platform as well as labor management and business intelligence tech to more than 8,000 properties in North America. Read More
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