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.

Female Founders in Hospitality builds community of support
News / Online
Female Founders in Hospitality builds community of support
By Mitra Sorrells | January 12, 2024
Nina Kleaveland, creator of the group Female Founders in Hospitality, and former Expedia executive and group member Melissa Maher discuss the purpose and structure of the organization and how women can... Read More
Record online direct bookings are driving innovation in hospitality, survey finds
News / Technology
Record online direct bookings are driving innovation in hospitality, survey finds
By Morgan Hines & Derek Catron | January 11, 2024
The hotel industry is making strides when it comes to digitalization, but there's still plenty of room to grow, according to a recent report from H2c. Read More
Travel app downloads, time spent on mobile up in 2023
News / Online
Travel app downloads, time spent on mobile up in 2023
By Mitra Sorrells | January 10, 2024
According to Data.ai's "State of Mobile 2024" report, in 2023 travel app downloads numbered just more than 3 billion – up 13% from 2.7 billion in 2022.  Read More
Tripadvisor's Goldberg talks strategy, AI potential and digital marketing
News / Online
Tripadvisor's Goldberg talks strategy, AI potential and digital marketing
By Linda Fox | January 10, 2024
At The Phocuswright Conference 2023, Tripadvisor CEO Matt Goldberg discussed the importance of the brands working together and how its generative AI initiatives are developing. Read More
AI-powered travel content platform Lokalee raises $5.6M
News / Startups
AI-powered travel content platform Lokalee raises $5.6M
By Morgan Hines | January 9, 2024
Lokalee plans to accelerate its product development and its expansion into European markets with the new funding. Read More
What travel companies should consider for their generative AI strategy
From Our Partners / Online
What travel companies should consider for their generative AI strategy
By PhocusWire | January 9, 2024
Oliver Wyman advises travel companies to analyze their data, listen to customers and interact with them early on in the travel planning stages as part of their generative AI strategy. Read More
Travel tech isn’t cheap. Falling behind may be even costlier
News / Technology
Travel tech isn’t cheap. Falling behind may be even costlier
By Derek Catron | January 9, 2024
Given the growing importance and availability of data, experts say it’s more important than ever for travel companies to be current in their technology.   Read More
Operto acquires guest experiences tech provider Dack
News / Technology
Operto acquires guest experiences tech provider Dack
By Linda Fox | January 8, 2024
The acquisition of Dack follows Operto's acquisition of VRScheduler in 2021 and STAYmyway in 2022. Read More
How global consumer trends are impacting travel
News / Distribution
How global consumer trends are impacting travel
By Linda Fox | January 8, 2024
We look at how Euromonitor's global consumer trends are playing out in the travel industry. Read More
AI platform translates hotel guests’ speech into actionable data and insights
News / Technology
AI platform translates hotel guests’ speech into actionable data and insights
By Arvindh Yuvaraj - WebinTravel | January 5, 2024
Founded in 2019, Aiello has three products that work together and use artificial intelligence to “understand” hotel guests the way a human staff member would. Read More
Opportunities for hospitality to embrace digital transformation
From Our Partners / Technology
Opportunities for hospitality to embrace digital transformation
By PhocusWire | January 4, 2024
Yanolja chief investment officer Chanseok Choi discusses the company’s growth, why acquiring and investing in other companies has been a key part of that strategy and trends that are driving the... Read More
Uber and Rappi on travel strategies and “super app” ambitions
News / Distribution
Uber and Rappi on travel strategies and “super app” ambitions
By Mitra Sorrells | January 3, 2024
Rappi’s global head of travel, Guido Becher, and Uber’s head of growth and new products for airports and travel, Loren Kosloske, discussed their companies' travel ambitions during a session at The... Read More
Mobi - Launch pitch at The Phocuswright Conference 2023
Interview / Technology
Mobi - Launch pitch at The Phocuswright Conference 2023
January 2, 2024
Mobi founder and CEO Anna Jaffe explained the company's agent-facing collaborative artificial intelligence platform during the Launch competition at the Phocuswright Conference. Read More
Phocuswright analysts share their travel industry predictions for 2024
News / Online
Phocuswright analysts share their travel industry predictions for 2024
By Morgan Hines | January 2, 2024
As Phocuswright analysts look ahead, they share a myriad of predictions for 2024 including some regarding business travel, pricing and much more. Read More
Top Travel Industry Predictions for 2024
News / Online
Top Travel Industry Predictions for 2024
By Morgan Hines | January 2, 2024
Leaders from across the travel industry share their thoughts on what the industry should be watching and working on in 2024. Read More
The Phocuswright Conference 2026