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.

HBX Group acquires packaging tech specialist PerfectStay
News / Technology
HBX Group acquires packaging tech specialist PerfectStay
By Linda Fox | April 1, 2026
The company initially acquired 25% of Paris‑based PerfectStay in mid 2024. Read More
South Africa’s $2.5B online travel market attracts new wave of homegrown tech
News / Technology
South Africa’s $2.5B online travel market attracts new wave of homegrown tech
By WIT | April 1, 2026
Web in Travel's Online Travel Tracker traces South Africa startup activity, surfacing homegrown innovation built to address the market's unique challenges. Read More
Startup Stage: Drifter targets AI discovery gap with visibility platform for destinations
Interview / Technology
Startup Stage: Drifter targets AI discovery gap with visibility platform for destinations
By Cathy Walsh | April 1, 2026
The startup monitors how destinations, hotels and attractions appear across AI platforms and offers tools to improve visibility. Read More
Fliggy launches "flyai" travel skill for AI agent workflows
News / Technology
Fliggy launches "flyai" travel skill for AI agent workflows
By Cathy Walsh | March 27, 2026
The plug-and-play skill enables developers to embed travel booking into AI agents without complex integration. Read More
PhocusWire's travel tech news briefs: Savanta, Bilt, RMS and more...
News / Technology
PhocusWire's travel tech news briefs: Savanta, Bilt, RMS and more...
By PhocusWire | March 27, 2026
Keep up with all the latest people, partner and product news from around the global travel industry. Read More
Monetizing inspiration and rebuilding the travel booking funnel
From Our Partners / Online
Monetizing inspiration and rebuilding the travel booking funnel
By Stay22 | March 26, 2026
As technology continues to connect inspiration with commerce, the early stages of the travel journey are becoming one of the most valuable places to capture demand. Read More
Lobby secures $2.2M for group booking platform
News / Startups
Lobby secures $2.2M for group booking platform
By Linda Fox | March 25, 2026
Lobby is targeting meetings and conferences as well as the experiences, cruises and airline segments for expansion.  Read More
Independent hotel reliance on OTAs increased in 2025
News / Distribution
Independent hotel reliance on OTAs increased in 2025
By Linda Fox | March 25, 2026
A Cloudbeds report revealed an increase in the share of bookings for independent properties going to OTAs in 2025. Read More
AI booking push continues, despite OpenAI's strategic shift
News / Technology
AI booking push continues, despite OpenAI's strategic shift
By Cathy Walsh | March 24, 2026
Travel companies are advancing a range of approaches to AI-driven booking, highlighting a fragmented path toward agentic commerce. Read More
Startup Stage: Q Concierge positions voice AI as core hotel infrastructure
Interview / Startups
Startup Stage: Q Concierge positions voice AI as core hotel infrastructure
By Cathy Walsh | March 23, 2026
Q Concierge’s voice AI platform acts as a 24/7 digital front desk, helping hotels capture missed bookings, respond instantly to guests and streamline operations. Read More
PhocusWire's travel tech news briefs: TourRadar, SAP Concur, HTS and more...
News / Technology
PhocusWire's travel tech news briefs: TourRadar, SAP Concur, HTS and more...
By PhocusWire | March 20, 2026
Keep up with all the latest people, partner and product news from around the global travel industry. Read More
Hilton adds Yotel to portfolio with franchise deal
News / Distribution
Hilton adds Yotel to portfolio with franchise deal
By Linda Fox | March 19, 2026
YOTEL will continue to license and manage its brand but have access to Hilton's distribution and technology platforms and Honors loyalty program. Read More
Aven Hospitality, Hovr partner to integrate video technology
News / Technology
Aven Hospitality, Hovr partner to integrate video technology
By Morgan Hines | March 19, 2026
Aven Hospitalty will add Hovr's dynamic video technology to its booking engine to give hoteliers the ability to adopt a video strategy. Read More
Is stablecoin the answer to travel payment inefficiency?
News / Technology
Is stablecoin the answer to travel payment inefficiency?
By Linda Fox | March 16, 2026
Payment specialists at the Airline Distribution 2026 event highlighted areas where stablecoin can save costs and help the travel industry evolve. Read More
PhocusWire's travel tech news briefs: Airbnb, RateGain, Lighthouse and more...
News / Technology
PhocusWire's travel tech news briefs: Airbnb, RateGain, Lighthouse and more...
By PhocusWire | March 13, 2026
Keep up with all the latest people, partner and product news from around the global travel industry. Read More
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