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.

Travelport execs share insights from new platform migration
News / Technology
Travelport execs share insights from new platform migration
By Michael B. Baker – Business Travel News | August 24, 2023
More than two years after launching Travelport Plus as a unified platform to replace its three legacy global distribution systems, CEO Greg Webb and chief product and technology officer Tom Kershaw... Read More
Lufthansa unveils Swifty, an AI assistant for business travel
News / Startups
Lufthansa unveils Swifty, an AI assistant for business travel
By Linda Fox | August 22, 2023
The technology enables business travelers to share their hotel and flight preferences via chat, select appropriate options and have them booked. Read More
Hotel payment and booking company Selfbook partners with Affirm
News / Distribution
Hotel payment and booking company Selfbook partners with Affirm
By Morgan Hines | August 21, 2023
Selfbook and Affirm are linking up to provide “flexible payment options” to hotel bookings. Read More
Transforming brand loyalty into brand love
Opinion / Online
Transforming brand loyalty into brand love
By Tim Davis – Pace Dimensions | August 18, 2023
How hotel businesses in this volatile market can evolve their loyalty programs to build brand preference and affinity.   Read More
Vervotech acquired as Constellation continues acquisition spree
News / Technology
Vervotech acquired as Constellation continues acquisition spree
By Linda Fox | August 18, 2023
Founded in India in 2018, Vervotech will continue to operate independently but be able to further develop its products through Juniper’s resources and industry experience. Read More
Wego CEO on the Middle East’s travel boom, generative AI and more
News / Online
Wego CEO on the Middle East’s travel boom, generative AI and more
By Mitra Sorrells | August 18, 2023
Wego CEO Ross Veitch explains why he's bullish on the future of tourism in the Middle East and how generative AI-powered chat interfaces could become the new "gatekeepers" for e-commerce. Read More
Despegar reports record quarter for revenue
News / Online
Despegar reports record quarter for revenue
By Linda Fox | August 17, 2023
The Latin America OTA reported its first positive quarter since 2019 with net income of $28 million. Read More
AI Insights: Generative AI in hotel search and booking
News / Online
AI Insights: Generative AI in hotel search and booking
By PhocusWire | August 17, 2023
Geneceby Demir, CTO of Otelz, answers our questions about how the company is working with generative artificial intelligence technology. Read More
Travel tech platform Mondee acquires Skypass, reports Q2 net revenue of $57M
News / Distribution
Travel tech platform Mondee acquires Skypass, reports Q2 net revenue of $57M
By Mitra Sorrells | August 15, 2023
Skypass is the fourth acquisition for Texas-based Mondee this year, as the company looks to expand both geographically and into new content and distribution channels. Read More
Trends, product updates and launch news from GBTA
News / Technology
Trends, product updates and launch news from GBTA
By PhocusWire | August 14, 2023
The gathering of the global business travel industry is getting underway in Dallas, and we’ve rounded up some of the key announcements from travel management companies and technology players. Read More
Tech's answer to the new world of hospitality platforms
Opinion / Technology
Tech's answer to the new world of hospitality platforms
By Martin Reichenbach – Apaleo | August 11, 2023
As hospitality businesses diversify like never before, it’s clear that status quo for hospitality platforms is a thing of the past, opening the doors to a world of possibilities.   Read More
Earnings roundup: Amex GBT, Sonder, Vacasa and TUI Group
News / Online
Earnings roundup: Amex GBT, Sonder, Vacasa and TUI Group
By Mitra Sorrells | August 11, 2023
As publicly traded travel companies continue to report their earnings for the three months ending in June, we round up the latest reports.   Read More
IHG reports revenue, user and download gains for its mobile app
News / Online
IHG reports revenue, user and download gains for its mobile app
By Linda Fox | August 9, 2023
The company also revealed the latest developments on attribute selling and its Guest Reservation System. Read More
Derive Ventures on small checks and strategic partnerships
News / Startups
Derive Ventures on small checks and strategic partnerships
By Linda Fox | August 8, 2023
With a fund of about $30 million, San Francisco-based Derive Ventures is looking to invest in travel startups at seed and Series A stage. Read More
HalalBooking adds $2.5M to Series B round
News / Startups
HalalBooking adds $2.5M to Series B round
By Mitra Sorrells | August 8, 2023
HalalBooking said its July sales were a record at $10 million, up 45% compared with July 2022, and it expects to reach $75 million in sales this year and $600 million in four to five years.   Read More
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