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.

Replyable launches to help hospitality businesses with online reputation
News / Startups
Replyable launches to help hospitality businesses with online reputation
By Linda Fox | February 12, 2024
Launched by ex-Google Maps and Amazon engineers, Replyable uses artificial intelligence to help businesses monitor and reply to customer reviews Read More
Startup travel planner Layla acquires AI-itinerary builder Roam Around
News / Startups
Startup travel planner Layla acquires AI-itinerary builder Roam Around
By Mitra Sorrells | February 12, 2024
Roam Around founder Shie Gabbai is now chief operating officer at Layla, a startup that launched last fall with backing from travel veterans Andy Phillipps, Barry Smith and Brent Hoberman. Read More
Jeff Katz on Journera’s shutdown and why a connected trip still matters
Opinion / Startups
Jeff Katz on Journera’s shutdown and why a connected trip still matters
By Jeff Katz - Journera | February 12, 2024
Jeff Katz shares his lessons from trying to build Journera and why he still believes in the need for the industry to break down silos in a traveler’s journey. Read More
Jeff Katz is shutting down Journera, his startup that tried to create a connected trip
News / Startups
Jeff Katz is shutting down Journera, his startup that tried to create a connected trip
By Mitra Sorrells | February 8, 2024
The founder of Orbitz created Journera in 2016 with the goal of creating a secure, real-time data exchange for creating more seamless travel journeys. Read More
Let’s not love our favorite destinations to death!
Opinion / Online
Let’s not love our favorite destinations to death!
By Gaurav Bhatnagar - TBO.com | February 8, 2024
TBO.com co-founder Gaurav Bhatnagar says the travel industry needs to stop pointing fingers at governments and tourism boards and instead take responsibility - and action - to reduce overtourism. Read More
Duetto focuses on groups and events with acquisition of Micerate
News / Technology
Duetto focuses on groups and events with acquisition of Micerate
By Linda Fox | February 7, 2024
The Micerate platform brings revenue optimization tools to hotels, makes the quoting process more efficient and creates personalized meeting and event space booking engines for properties. Read More
Trivago counting on increased marketing spend to improve results
News / Online
Trivago counting on increased marketing spend to improve results
By Linda Fox | February 7, 2024
Full year revenue for the hotel metasearch service came in at €485 million, down 9% versus 2022, and €92 million for the quarter, down 13% year over year. Read More
Travel early adopters share lessons after year with generative AI
News / Technology
Travel early adopters share lessons after year with generative AI
By Derek Catron | February 7, 2024
PhocusWire is checking in with some of travel's early adopters in using generative artificial intelligence, beginning with three startups, to find out what they have learned from their first year of... Read More
New report identifies four elements of an effective travel loyalty program
News / Online
New report identifies four elements of an effective travel loyalty program
By Mitra Sorrells | February 6, 2024
Sustainability, lifestyle rewards, personalization and integration of fintech tools stand out in iSeatz’ survey of consumers and loyalty program managers.   Read More
Google sunsets two ad products designed to help hotels during COVID
News / Online
Google sunsets two ad products designed to help hotels during COVID
By Mitra Sorrells | February 6, 2024
Google said the products are being eliminated in part because they rely on third-party cookies, which will be phased out later this year, and also because usage has declined as travel volumes have... Read More
Former BWH Hotel Group CEO David Kong on going beyond the “D” in DEI
News / Online
Former BWH Hotel Group CEO David Kong on going beyond the “D” in DEI
By Mitra Sorrells | February 5, 2024
Since retiring after 17 years as CEO of BWH Hotel Group, David Kong has been focused on inspiring success among future leaders. We talked to him about that effort as well as his thoughts on how the... Read More
Assessing the effectiveness of influencer marketing in travel
News / Online
Assessing the effectiveness of influencer marketing in travel
By Morgan Hines | February 1, 2024
Windstar Cruises is the latest company to bolster its influencer marketing strategy, recently announcing a partnership with Jerne, which helps to facilitate connections with influencers. Read More
How guest apps became the virtual concierge of today’s hospitality landscape
Opinion / Technology
How guest apps became the virtual concierge of today’s hospitality landscape
By Sjeel Koster – HolidayHero | January 31, 2024
With guest apps, the future of hospitality is becoming more personalized, convenient and interconnected than ever before.   Read More
Mews acquires hospitality cloud software provider Frontdesk Anywhere
News / Technology
Mews acquires hospitality cloud software provider Frontdesk Anywhere
By Mitra Sorrells | January 31, 2024
The acquisition marks the eighth for Mews since its founding in 2012 and its third in just the past 12 months. Read More
Hilton expands on-property messaging in response to traveler preferences
News / Technology
Hilton expands on-property messaging in response to traveler preferences
By Derek Catron | January 30, 2024
By the end of 2024, guests across the Hilton portfolio of more than 7,000 properties worldwide will be able to text for on-property requests. Last year, 3,618 Hilton properties used the system.   Read More
The Phocuswright Conference 2026