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.

Why total profitability is the way forward for hotels
News / Technology
Why total profitability is the way forward for hotels
By Sabrina Jackson - Duetto | June 12, 2023
To achieve maximum profitability, hotels need to analyze a more comprehensive data set as revenue only tells part of the story. Read More
Differentiation through distribution when connectivity is commonplace
Opinion / Distribution
Differentiation through distribution when connectivity is commonplace
By George Dumitru - wbe.travel | June 8, 2023
The relative ease at which bedbanks connect travel sellers and hotels can cloud the picture when it comes to the cost of distribution. Read More
Trip Affiliates Network raises $4.5M
News / Startups
Trip Affiliates Network raises $4.5M
By Derek Catron | June 7, 2023
Travel industry tech solutions provider looks to accelerate adoption of its direct booking and online travel services across Asia.   Read More
Iris launches venture arm to build hospitality tech ecosystem
News / Technology
Iris launches venture arm to build hospitality tech ecosystem
By Linda Fox | June 6, 2023
Iris Tech Ventures, spearheaded by Iris CEO Mark Horne, is targeting travel and hospitality startups across the world who are working on improving the guest experience. Read More
Misterb&b adds in-app social network for LGBTQ+ travelers
News / Online
Misterb&b adds in-app social network for LGBTQ+ travelers
By Mitra Sorrells | June 5, 2023
The LGBTQ+-centric travel accommodation and experience booking platform’s new social network is intended to help users meet one another and also meet locals in destinations they are visiting.   Read More
Influencers v. advertisers - why travel marketing is transforming
Opinion / Online
Influencers v. advertisers - why travel marketing is transforming
By Noa Greenfield - Travelier | June 5, 2023
Today’s travelers are turning to social media to inspire their next trip; travel markets should adapt accordingly. Read More
Trip.com unveils Trekki NFT to unite travel and Web3
News / Online
Trip.com unveils Trekki NFT to unite travel and Web3
By Linda Fox | June 5, 2023
Later this year the Singapore-based brand plans to sell 10,000 dolphin-themed NFTs, with its benefits tied to how much the token holder travels. Read More
Kayak launches “best time to travel” tool
News / Online
Kayak launches “best time to travel” tool
By Derek Catron | June 2, 2023
The “Best Time to Travel” tool incorporates predictive data from Kayak’s billions of travel queries to forecast future flight and hotel prices, allowing travelers to compare predicted pricing against... Read More
LGBTQ+ travelers' destination choice influenced by current affairs
News / Online
LGBTQ+ travelers' destination choice influenced by current affairs
By Linda Fox | June 2, 2023
Research from Booking.com reveals that 80% of U.S. LGBTQ+ travelers say they must consider their safety, up from 65% in 2022. Read More
What travel companies can do to keep banks’ trust
News / Online
What travel companies can do to keep banks’ trust
By Bob Kaufman – ConnexPay | June 2, 2023
Banks become more conservative at times of economic unrest. The companies that bear the brunt of that conservatism are those that banks term “high risk” — and that unfortunately includes much of the... Read More
Phocuswright debuts updated interactive travel data tool
News / Online
Phocuswright debuts updated interactive travel data tool
By PhocusWire | June 2, 2023
Known as Phocal Point, the platform makes it easy for users to create custom interactive charts and interpret travel data by segment, channel, device, region and country.   Read More
3 reasons why working with a cloud partner helps travel businesses
From Our Partners / Technology
3 reasons why working with a cloud partner helps travel businesses
By DataArt | May 29, 2023
Migrating to the cloud is an essential aspect of digital transformation for travel companies, but the journey can be difficult for businesses due to a lack of technology experience and increased... Read More
4 things to know about the future of the U.S. hotel market
News / Distribution
4 things to know about the future of the U.S. hotel market
By Phocuswright Research | May 26, 2023
High demand lifted average daily rates and occupancy, leading to a record-breaking 2022 for the U.S. hotel and lodging market as room revenue swept past pre-pandemic highs.   Read More
Zuzu Hospitality checks in with $9M in funding
News / Technology
Zuzu Hospitality checks in with $9M in funding
By Linda Fox | May 25, 2023
The round for the Singapore-based company was led by SoftBank Ventures Asia with Atinum Partners and existing investors Wooshin Venture Investment, Visor Ventures and JG Digital Equity Ventures also... Read More
6 ways visual UGC is evolving in the travel sector
Opinion / Online
6 ways visual UGC is evolving in the travel sector
By Damien Mahoney - Nosto | May 25, 2023
Authentic, visual user-generated content shared on the likes of TikTok, Instagram and other social channels is becoming central to how travel companies are marketing themselves. Read More
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