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.

Airbnb acquires GamePlanner.AI
News / Technology
Airbnb acquires GamePlanner.AI
By Morgan Hines | November 14, 2023
Airbnb emphasizes artificial intelligence focus with a near $200 million acquisition. Read More
Travel M&A activity heats up in post-pandemic era
News / Startups
Travel M&A activity heats up in post-pandemic era
By Linda Fox | November 14, 2023
The report tracked a total of 1,758 companies sold between 2014 and Q3 2023 with the majority of the deals taking place in Europe, 42%, and the United States, 38%. Read More
Hot 25 Travel Startups for 2024: Acai Travel
Interview / Startups
Hot 25 Travel Startups for 2024: Acai Travel
By PhocusWire | November 14, 2023
Acai Travel offers large language model-based travel operation optimization products to a diverse range of travel call centers, including TMCs, OTAs, airlines, hotels and banks. Read More
Hot 25 Travel Startups for 2024: BTP Automation
Interview
Hot 25 Travel Startups for 2024: BTP Automation
By PhocusWire | November 14, 2023
BTP Automation is a SaaS enterprise solution for automating the corporate hotel sourcing process that consider actual travel patterns and changing market conditions. Read More
Hot 25 Travel Startups for 2024: Direx
Interview / Startups
Hot 25 Travel Startups for 2024: Direx
By PhocusWire | November 14, 2023
Direx is an all-in-one, cloud-based business management solution specifically designed for tourism and hospitality business owners in Africa. Read More
Hot 25 Travel Startups for 2024: Eilago
Interview / Startups
Hot 25 Travel Startups for 2024: Eilago
By PhocusWire | November 14, 2023
Eilago wants to make travel fun and connected while helping travelers save money and experience travel responsibly. Read More
Hot 25 Travel Startups for 2024: Grazzy
Interview / Startups
Hot 25 Travel Startups for 2024: Grazzy
November 14, 2023
Grazzy helps hourly employees make more money, access it the same day and save and spend in better ways. Read More
Hot 25 Travel Startups for 2024: Kabuk
Interview / Startups
Hot 25 Travel Startups for 2024: Kabuk
By PhocusWire | November 14, 2023
Kabuk is a fast-growing fintech company in the travel space, operating a subscription type service we refer to as “HafH” - Home away from Home. Read More
Hot 25 Travel Startups for 2024: Katanox
Interview / Startups
Hot 25 Travel Startups for 2024: Katanox
By PhocusWire | November 14, 2023
Katanox is a travel accommodation distribution and fintech platform bringing together travel sellers and travel accommodation providers. Read More
Hot 25 Travel Startups for 2024: SquadTrip
Interview / Startups
Hot 25 Travel Startups for 2024: SquadTrip
By PhocusWire | November 14, 2023
SquadTrip’s B2B software-as-a-service helps travel agents save time managing group with an all-in-one marketing, booking and payment platform. Read More
Hot 25 Travel Startups for 2024: Turneo
Interview / Startups
Hot 25 Travel Startups for 2024: Turneo
By PhocusWire | November 14, 2023
Turneo is an e-commerce platform for hotels and other travel brands that want to offer experiences to their guests.  Read More
Expedia Group, Booking on coming together with “one voice” to support short-term rentals
News / Distribution
Expedia Group, Booking on coming together with “one voice” to support short-term rentals
By Mitra Sorrells | November 13, 2023
Expedia Group's Tim Rosolio and Booking.com's Ben Harrell spoke about working together to address regulatory challenges, the benefits that Google provides to the sector and strategies to drive more... Read More
More than one-third of leisure travelers have used GenAI tools, report says
News / Technology
More than one-third of leisure travelers have used GenAI tools, report says
By Morgan Hines | November 10, 2023
More than half of leisure travelers who have used generative artificial intelligence planning tools booked most or all of the recommendations provided by the chatbot. Read More
How influencer content is reaping rewards for travel companies
News / Online
How influencer content is reaping rewards for travel companies
By Linda Fox | November 10, 2023
A study from Jerne, a platform connecting creators with experience providers, shows the results of a hosted influencer visit in terms of post engagement from fans and followers. Read More
OTA Insight expands capabilities through single platform, rebrands to Lighthouse
News / Technology
OTA Insight expands capabilities through single platform, rebrands to Lighthouse
By Linda Fox | November 9, 2023
Following acquisitions in 2022 and earlier this year the company felt it had outgrown the OTA Insight name. The unified platform offers wider business intelligence capabilities, including more... Read More
The Phocuswright Conference 2026