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.

Despegar rolls out generative AI trip planner, starting in Argentina
News / Technology
Despegar rolls out generative AI trip planner, starting in Argentina
By Mitra Sorrells | September 27, 2023
Travelers can use the planner to receive customized itineraries, put together packages that combine flights, accommodations and car rentals and receive recommendations of what to do in their... Read More
2 months after split with Expedia, Hopper adds hotel inventory from Hotelbeds and WebBeds
News / Online
2 months after split with Expedia, Hopper adds hotel inventory from Hotelbeds and WebBeds
By Mitra Sorrells | September 27, 2023
The new "long-term" strategic partnerships with Hotelbeds and WebBeds add more than 700,000 hotels around the world to Hopper's platform. Read More
Ireland’s Shackle raises £12M for digital hospitality platform
News / Startups
Ireland’s Shackle raises £12M for digital hospitality platform
By Mitra Sorrells | September 26, 2023
The startup provides contactless tools to manage hotel services such as check-in, room entry, food ordering and payments and last year raised $5.5 million in seed funding.     Read More
Poor security, clunky processes driving online hotel booking abandonment
News / Online
Poor security, clunky processes driving online hotel booking abandonment
By Linda Fox | September 25, 2023
Most important to consumers when booking accommodation online is an easy and secure booking and payment experience, 53%, followed by video and images of rooms and the property, 50%. Read More
Amex Ventures makes strategic investment in travel risk platform Sensible Weather
News / Startups
Amex Ventures makes strategic investment in travel risk platform Sensible Weather
By Mitra Sorrells | September 25, 2023
Sensible Weather said the funding advances its goal to support travel, event and outdoor businesses in the face of growing weather uncertainty.   Read More
Booking.com dominates review market share but is losing ground to Google
News / Online
Booking.com dominates review market share but is losing ground to Google
By Linda Fox | September 20, 2023
The Shiji Reviewpro Guest Experience Benchmark for Q2 2023 found overall consumer satisfaction with hotels is up but still trails 2019 levels.   Read More
HotelRunner acquires point-of-sale system PayPad
News / Technology
HotelRunner acquires point-of-sale system PayPad
By Mitra Sorrells | September 19, 2023
Founded in 2011, this is HotelRunner’s third acquisition, and the company said it is a “significant milestone” as its first product for on-premises sales and payments for hotels. Read More
AI Insights: Generative AI to enhance the guest booking and stay experience
News / Technology
AI Insights: Generative AI to enhance the guest booking and stay experience
By PhocusWire | September 19, 2023
The Ascott's Tan Bee Leng answers our questions about the areas the hotel and serviced apartment company is applying generative artificial intelligence technology to. Read More
Optimizing profits and customer experience for online travel purchases
From Our Partners / Online
Optimizing profits and customer experience for online travel purchases
By Cristina Polo | September 19, 2023
Travel suppliers can drive more revenue and provide a better experience for their customers if they understand what those customers want. Read More
How booking sites and travel agencies can maximize e-commerce profitability
From Our Partners / Online
How booking sites and travel agencies can maximize e-commerce profitability
By Carl Bleich - Bloomreach | September 18, 2023
Discover effective strategies for booking sites and agencies to maximize e-commerce profitability. Learn how to boost revenue through upsell campaigns, building customer loyalty and minimizing... Read More
Flightroutes24 adds hotels as it continues global expansion
News / Online
Flightroutes24 adds hotels as it continues global expansion
By Yeoh Siew Hoon – Web In Travel | September 15, 2023
Flightroutes24, a global B2B marketplace for flight content, has launched a hotel booking channel to offer a one-stop “flight + hotel” product.   Read More
Caravelo raises €3.5M in Series A round
News / Online
Caravelo raises €3.5M in Series A round
By Morgan Hines | September 14, 2023
 Subscription-focused travel company Caravelo is looking at expanding into new markets with its series A round. Read More
CEO Spotlight - Johannes Thomas of Trivago
Interview / Online
CEO Spotlight - Johannes Thomas of Trivago
By Linda Fox | September 14, 2023
PhocusWire talks to Trivago CEO Johannes Thomas about coming back to the metasearch platform, his first 100 days in the role and priorities going forward. Read More
Tripla acquires BookandLink to boost hotel guest experience technology
News / Technology
Tripla acquires BookandLink to boost hotel guest experience technology
By Linda Fox | September 13, 2023
The acquisition will enable Tripla to speed up its development in Asia while boosting revenue for each company in their respective markets. Read More
French company CDS Groupe acquires Germany-based Corporate Rates Club
News / Online
French company CDS Groupe acquires Germany-based Corporate Rates Club
By Morgan Hines | September 11, 2023
CDS Groupe is continuing its international expansion, bringing its total to nearly 300 employees across France, Poland, Italy, Croatia and Germany. Read More
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