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.

Expedia Group revamps marketplace, tech platform as part of new strategy
News / Online
Expedia Group revamps marketplace, tech platform as part of new strategy
By Jill Menze | May 4, 2022
At Expedia Group’s annual Explore partner event, the online travel giant outlined a new strategy that includes rewarding hotels for providing a better guest experience. Read More
Sensible Weather warms up with $12M round, plots expansion of travel guarantee tools
News / Technology
Sensible Weather warms up with $12M round, plots expansion of travel guarantee tools
By Kevin May | May 4, 2022
The Series A is being led by Infinity Ventures, with participation from Certares Ventures and previous backers Wonder Ventures and Group1001. Read More
innkey-yanolja-pms
News / Technology
InnKey looks beyond PMS tech following Yanolja investment
By Linda Fox | May 4, 2022
India-based InnKey will use the funds to expand its business. Read More
sabre-q1-2022
News / Distribution
Sabre reports revenue gains across all business units
By Linda Fox | May 3, 2022
Sabre's revenue across distribution, hospitality solutions and travel solutions were boosted by industry recovery. Read More
Google enhances trip-planning tools as travel searches boom
News / Online
Google enhances trip-planning tools as travel searches boom
By Mitra Sorrells | May 2, 2022
Google is launching new tools related to flight and hotel searches and general trip planning.   Read More
Remember Bing? A different option for hotels to Google
Opinion / Distribution
Remember Bing? A different option for hotels to Google
By Paola Romero - Mirai | May 2, 2022
Bing offers another shopping window where a hotel can be seen by many users who are not on Google and who now end up with the OTAs, because they are the only ones bidding on a hotel. Read More
alight-travel
News / Startups
New hotel booking platform lets guests offset carbon emissions at checkout
By Jill Menze | May 2, 2022
Travel startup Wayaj has launched a new hotel booking engine called Alight.travel that lets travelers book sustainable hotels and calculate and offset their carbon emissions at checkout. Read More
movable-ink-funding
News / Technology
Movable Ink bags $55M for personalization tech push
By Linda Fox | May 2, 2022
Movable Ink works with a number of travel companies on content personalization including Delta Air Lines, MGM Resorts, Princess Cruises and Uber. Read More
NUMA strikes deal to manage and operate €500M hotel portfolio
News / Startups
NUMA strikes deal to manage and operate €500M hotel portfolio
By Mitra Sorrells | May 2, 2022
NUMA Group has entered into a strategic partnership with LaSalle Investment Management to create a portfolio of properties in major cities around Western Europe. Read More
m-social-hotel-decentraland
News / Technology
Singapore hospitality company opens hotel in metaverse
By Mitra Sorrells | April 28, 2022
Beginning May 5 users can “step inside” the hotel - M Social Decentraland - with their avatars to explore the property. Read More
The increasing ways the metaverse plays a role in travel
News / Technology
The increasing ways the metaverse plays a role in travel
By Linda Fox | April 27, 2022
Almost two-thirds of consumers say they have already purchased a virtual product or participated in a virtual experience in the past year. Read More
wttc-cyber-security
News / Online
WTTC highlights need to prioritize cyber security
By Linda Fox | April 25, 2022
The World Travel & Tourism Council’s Codes To Resilience Report, launched in partnership with Microsoft, focuses on cyber crime protection and best practices. Read More
Japanese startup Wayfarer snatches $1M to become “AWS of hotels”
News / Startups
Japanese startup Wayfarer snatches $1M to become “AWS of hotels”
By Jill Menze | April 24, 2022
Founded in 2019, Wayfarer was created to modernize hotel management in Japan. Read More
How hoteliers can use email to capture the return of travel
Opinion / Technology
How hoteliers can use email to capture the return of travel
By Jeff Haws - MessageGears | April 20, 2022
Even if we’re approaching pre-pandemic travel levels, you’re not communicating with time travelers from 2019. Travel has changed and so should a hotel's messaging. Read More
radisson-content-studio
News / Online
Radisson targets influencers, gamers with new hotel brand
By Mitra Sorrells | April 20, 2022
The first Radisson Inn & Suites are slated to open in the United States this fall, each with a "Creative Content Studio." Read More