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.

Airbnb's Reserve Now, Pay Later expanded globally
News / Online
Airbnb's Reserve Now, Pay Later expanded globally
By Linda Fox | February 17, 2026
The accommodation platform tested the payment option last summer before extending it to U.S. travelers in August 2025. Read More
Google testing ad formats for travel in AI Mode
News / Online
Google testing ad formats for travel in AI Mode
By Linda Fox | February 13, 2026
Google is testing ad formats in retail and said similar tests were happening in other industries such as travel. Read More
Mexican OTA Daypass.com lands $2M for international expansion
News / Startups
Mexican OTA Daypass.com lands $2M for international expansion
By Abby Crotty | February 13, 2026
The startup, founded in 2023 in Mexico City, said it plans to expand operations to 26 countries this year. Read More
Airbnb confirms hotels expansion plans amid 'strong' early momentum
News / Online
Airbnb confirms hotels expansion plans amid 'strong' early momentum
By Morgan Hines | February 12, 2026
Airbnb reported solid Q4 and full-year results and shared updates on its progress in the hotel vertical. Read More
Sabre, Mindtrip, PayPal partner to launch agentic AI assistant for travel
News / Technology
Sabre, Mindtrip, PayPal partner to launch agentic AI assistant for travel
By Abby Crotty | February 12, 2026
The product is set to launch in the second quarter and will live on the Mindtrip platform. Read More
Tripadvisor pleased with experiences revenue contribution, early AI MVP tests
News / Online
Tripadvisor pleased with experiences revenue contribution, early AI MVP tests
By Linda Fox | February 12, 2026
The experiences business reported revenue of $204 million in the quarter, up from $186 million during the same period in 2024. Full-year revenue rose 10% to $924 million. Read More
Travel tech at ITB Berlin 2026: Key tracks and voices shaping the future of travel
From Our Partners / Technology
Travel tech at ITB Berlin 2026: Key tracks and voices shaping the future of travel
By ITB Berlin | February 12, 2026
New this year at ITB Berlin is the Travel Tech Track, connecting traditional travel distribution systems with modern technologies. Read More
DirectBooking, DeepYou partner to build AI-native hotel booking platform
News / Technology
DirectBooking, DeepYou partner to build AI-native hotel booking platform
By Abby Crotty | February 11, 2026
The companies aim to have the platform cover 100,000 hotels in the next three years. Read More
Marriott shares details of AI projects, partnerships
News / Technology
Marriott shares details of AI projects, partnerships
By Linda Fox | February 11, 2026
Marriott plans to deploy natural language search across Marriott.com and the Bonvoy mobile app in the first half of 2026. Read More
Vietnam’s online travel market set to double to $8B by 2030
News / Distribution
Vietnam’s online travel market set to double to $8B by 2030
By WiT | February 6, 2026
Explore data from WiT's "Online Travel Tracker Volume 1: Vietnam Revealed." Read More
PhocusWire's travel tech news briefs: Sabre, Navan, Accelya and more...
News / Technology
PhocusWire's travel tech news briefs: Sabre, Navan, Accelya and more...
By PhocusWire | February 6, 2026
Keep up with all the latest people, partner and product news from around the global travel industry. Read More
CEO Spotlight: Bryan Batista of Skyscanner
Interview / Online
CEO Spotlight: Bryan Batista of Skyscanner
By Linda Fox | February 5, 2026
Skycanner CEO Bryan Batista talks about travel's uncomfortable truths and what needs to be started from scratch in the industry. Read More
Trivago turns a corner with strong 2025 results
News / Online
Trivago turns a corner with strong 2025 results
By Morgan Hines | February 3, 2026
Trivago credited its revenue growth to a rise in referral revenue in Q4 2025, its fourth consecutive quarter of double-digit growth in this metric. Read More
Canary Technologies picks up mobile hotel key company OpenKey
News / Technology
Canary Technologies picks up mobile hotel key company OpenKey
By Abby Crotty | February 3, 2026
Canary said the acquisition will increase its coverage to include more door lock models and manufacturers. Read More
Hotel direct bookings remain stable despite rise of AI
News / Distribution
Hotel direct bookings remain stable despite rise of AI
By Abby Crotty | February 2, 2026
SiteMinder's annual Hotel Booking Trends report found that direct booking remained largely unchanged in 2025. Read More
The Phocuswright Conference 2026