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.

paul-english-deets-app
News / Startups
Kayak co-founder prepares to launch hotel reviews and booking in new app
By Mitra Sorrells | February 17, 2023
Paul English says his goal is to have restaurant, hotel and event reviews and bookings available in the Deets app for 15 cities across the United States by the end of 2023. Read More
marriott-tech-investment
News / Technology
Marriott boosting app and wider digital investment in 2023
By Linda Fox | February 15, 2023
The hotel giant says investment in its Bonvoy loyalty program app and other digital products are key to engagement with guests. Read More
Hotelbeds sets up innovation lab with Wayra
News / Startups
Hotelbeds sets up innovation lab with Wayra
By Linda Fox | February 15, 2023
The two companies plan to work together, as well as with startups, over the next 15 months, to uncover technology that changes how we travel. Read More
evtol vertical taxis
Opinion / Online
Could flying taxis leave hotels up in the air?
By Alex Barros - BEONx | February 14, 2023
Hoteliers take note: The advent of eVTOL could mean dozens of points of departure and arrival in a city instead of just one major airport. Read More
linkedin-audio-chatgpt
News / Technology
How ChatGPT will transform the travel industry - a PhocusWire LinkedIn Audio event
By Mitra Sorrells | February 14, 2023
Join us for PhocusWire's debut LinkedIn Audio Event as we discuss this topic with Microsoft's Shane O'Flaherty, Expedia Group's Rajesh Naidu and Kayak co-founder Paul English. Read More
itb-berlin-2023
From Our Partners / Online
ITB Berlin returns in-person for first time since 2019
By ITB Berlin | February 14, 2023
ITB Berlin returns to Messe Berlin March 7 to 9 with travel tech providers from more than 30 countries. Read More
TBO acquires 100 percent BookaBed
News / Online
TBO acquires 100% stake in Bookabed
By Kathryn Walson | February 14, 2023
Founded in 2004, Bookabed will remain under the leadership of CEO Karl Tyrrell CEO. Read More
travel Santorini
Opinion / Online
January bookings indicate growing traveler confidence for 2023
By Melanie Brown - Key Data | February 13, 2023
Vacation rental bookings made in the first three weeks of January saw a dramatic increase compared with 2022.  Read More
EV Hotels Crypto Ballroom
Interview / Technology
Q&A: EV Hotels’ vision to serve “technology travelers”
By Derek Catron | February 9, 2023
EV Hotels bills itself as the first smart hotel brand with experiences in crypto and NFT.   Read More
Trivago sees big opportunity in direct hotel booking
News / Online
Trivago sees big opportunity in direct hotel booking
By Linda Fox | February 8, 2023
Trivago says that the “value of metasearch has increased” in the current environment as consumers are more interested in comparing offers and searching for savings. Read More
travel searching with map
Opinion / Online
From AI to Google: 5 truths for travel marketers in 2023
By Jared Alster - Dune7 | February 8, 2023
Generative AI can be a friend - or a foe - and don't look for Google to be unseated as the top search engine for travelers. Read More
Mobile gross bookings projected to surge in NE Asia led by South Korea
News / Distribution
Mobile gross bookings projected to surge in NE Asia led by South Korea
By Phocuswright Research | February 7, 2023
South Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Macau are preparing for a travel rebound with the rebuilding of air connectivity across Asia Pacific markets. Read More
makemytrip-q3-2023-earnings
News / Online
MakeMyTrip optimistic about future as India invests in airports, highways
By Mitra Sorrells | February 7, 2023
MakeMyTrip's gross bookings for the past quarter were valued at $1.74 billion, an increase of more than 64% year-over-year. Read More
Future traveler segments and the forces forging them
News / Technology
Future traveler segments and the forces forging them
By Linda Fox | February 7, 2023
A new Amadeus study defines different groups of travelers and gauges their attitudes toward travel in 2033. Read More
Increased business travel and spending anticipated in 2023
News / Distribution
Increased business travel and spending anticipated in 2023
By Linda Fox | February 6, 2023
Business travel spending is at 68% of pre-COVID levels for domestic bookings and 58% for international. Read More