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.

Travel by B Corp launches citizen science toolkit for travel companies
News / Online
Travel by B Corp launches citizen science toolkit for travel companies
By Cathy Walsh | April 29, 2026
Developed with Nova School of Business and Economics, the guide outlines how travel brands can structure guest participation in scientific research. Read More
Booking Holdings’ play to keep travelers in ecosystem with AI
News / Finance
Booking Holdings’ play to keep travelers in ecosystem with AI
By Morgan Hines | April 28, 2026
The company shared strong Q1 results, AI updates and its outlook on the conflict in the Middle East. Read More
Travel loyalty has a customer measurement problem—payments data is the fix
News / Online
Travel loyalty has a customer measurement problem—payments data is the fix
By Prashant Shah - Galileo Financial Technologies | April 27, 2026
Prashant Shah, VP of product management at Galileo Financial Technologies, argues travel loyalty programs must use payments data beyond credit cards to identify and retain high-value customers. Read More
PhocusWire's travel tech news briefs: Virgin Atlantic, GetYourGuide, ATPCO and more...
News / Technology
PhocusWire's travel tech news briefs: Virgin Atlantic, GetYourGuide, ATPCO and more...
By PhocusWire | April 24, 2026
Keep up with all the latest people, partner and product news from around the global travel industry. Read More
How the 2026 Middle East conflict is reshaping travel demand
From Our Partners / Online
How the 2026 Middle East conflict is reshaping travel demand
By John Matson, Propellic | April 23, 2026
Find out how search data can help travel sellers know what to do next. Read More
Hotels risk invisibility as AI reshapes travel discovery
News / Technology
Hotels risk invisibility as AI reshapes travel discovery
By Cathy Walsh | April 23, 2026
Research points to a gap in hotel AI visibility, driven by fragmented data, thin content and inconsistent signals across the web. Read More
CEO Spotlight: Jeremy Sampson of The Travel Foundation
Interview / Online
CEO Spotlight: Jeremy Sampson of The Travel Foundation
By Linda Fox | April 22, 2026
Jeremy Sampson of The Travel Foundation shares where the industry is with its sustainability attitudes and efforts. Read More
What it takes to make AI work at scale in travel
From Our Partners / Technology
What it takes to make AI work at scale in travel
By Gaëlle Bristiel, Amadeus | April 21, 2026
As AI reaches an inflection point in travel, success will depend on reliable execution, neutral orchestration and systems built to operate accurately at scale. Read More
The AI cost trap: Why travel's big bet is getting expensive
News / Technology
The AI cost trap: Why travel's big bet is getting expensive
By Matthew Parsons | April 21, 2026
AI can improve efficiency in travel, but rising costs are complicating the value equation. Read More
Fliggy launches FlyAI developer platform for AI-powered travel applications
News / Technology
Fliggy launches FlyAI developer platform for AI-powered travel applications
By Cathy Walsh | April 20, 2026
The platform gives developers access to live travel data and a way to earn commissions from AI-driven bookings. Read More
Hyatt opens up ChatGPT to employees
News / Technology
Hyatt opens up ChatGPT to employees
By Linda Fox | April 20, 2026
Employees across finance, marketing and operations can access the artificial intelligence (AI) platform's capabilities to improve the customer experience. Read More
Startup Stage: First Wave AI automates hotel guest communications and revenue intelligence
Interview / Startups
Startup Stage: First Wave AI automates hotel guest communications and revenue intelligence
By Cathy Walsh | April 20, 2026
The startup offers an AI platform that manages guest interactions across channels while providing staff support and operational insights. Read More
PhocusWire's travel tech news briefs: Omio, Mews, Spotnana and more...
News / Technology
PhocusWire's travel tech news briefs: Omio, Mews, Spotnana and more...
By PhocusWire | April 17, 2026
Keep up with all the latest people, partner and product news from around the global travel industry. Read More
The biggest AI skills gap hotel teams can't afford to ignore
News / Technology
The biggest AI skills gap hotel teams can't afford to ignore
By Florian Montag - Apaleo | April 17, 2026
Florian Montag, SVP of revenue at Apaleo, argues that hotels must close the AI skills gap to adopt agentic AI successfully. Read More
Timeshifter raise brings jet lag app’s total funding to $5.3M
News / Online
Timeshifter raise brings jet lag app’s total funding to $5.3M
By Morgan Hines | April 16, 2026
The raise should speed the company’s expansion to healthcare and shift work but it remains committed to the jet lag vertical. Read More
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