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 CSO on hotels, AI, nature travel and what's next for the industry
News / Online
Airbnb CSO on hotels, AI, nature travel and what's next for the industry
By Abby Crotty | March 13, 2026
Nathan Blecharczyk, Airbnb co-founder and chief strategy officer, sat down with Phocuswright's Mitra Sorrells at ITB Berlin to discuss the next era of travel. Read More
Agentic AI could do for travel what Amazon did for online shopping
Opinion / Technology
Agentic AI could do for travel what Amazon did for online shopping
By Aviel Siman-Tov - Oversee | March 11, 2026
Aviel Siman-Tov, CEO and co-founder of Oversee (formerly FairFly), discusses how agentic AI could transform travel companies’ response to disruption. Read More
Hilton rolls out AI trip-planning tool
News / Technology
Hilton rolls out AI trip-planning tool
By Abby Crotty | March 10, 2026
Hilton launched a beta version of the tool to a small group of users on Hilton.com. Read More
AI-driven pricing and operations deliver measurable hotel gains
News / Technology
AI-driven pricing and operations deliver measurable hotel gains
By Cathy Walsh | March 9, 2026
Early adopters report improvements in areas including revenue, efficiency and resource management. Read More
Lighthouse introduces ChatGPT app for direct hotel booking
News / Technology
Lighthouse introduces ChatGPT app for direct hotel booking
By Morgan Hines | March 4, 2026
Powered by Connect AI from Lighthouse, The Hotels Network app in ChatGPT is open to hotels across the world. Read More
Mews, Sojern, Shiji and more travel and tourism news from ITB Berlin 2026
News / Technology
Mews, Sojern, Shiji and more travel and tourism news from ITB Berlin 2026
By PhocusWire | March 4, 2026
At ITB Berlin 2026, travel and tourism companies revealed new products, partnerships and innovations.   Read More
Navan launches AI travel assistant for unmanaged business travelers
News / Technology
Navan launches AI travel assistant for unmanaged business travelers
By Abby Crotty | March 3, 2026
The assistant is available to business travelers who don’t have access to Navan through their employers, allowing them to manage their travel plans and address disruptions. Read More
UK’s CMA launches investigation into Hilton, IHG and Marriott
News / Online
UK’s CMA launches investigation into Hilton, IHG and Marriott
By Rob Gill and Julie Sickel - BTN Europe | March 3, 2026
The investigation is part of a probe into “suspected sharing” of sensitive information. Read More
Hotel software: An unlikely winner in the AI reset
Opinion / Technology
Hotel software: An unlikely winner in the AI reset
By Jordan Hollander - HotelTechReport.com | March 2, 2026
HotelTechReport.com co-founder Jordan Hollander challenges industry concerns about AI's effect on applications, outlining what sets hotel software apart. Read More
Amadeus sees revenue and profit growth in 2025
News / Distribution
Amadeus sees revenue and profit growth in 2025
By Linda Fox | February 27, 2026
Revenue for the air IT solutions business increased 6.4% to €2.3 billion in 2025 while the hospitality solutions business saw revenue increase 6% to €1 billion. Read More
PhocusWire's weekly travel tech news briefs: RMS, Klook, Lufthansa and more...
News / Technology
PhocusWire's weekly travel tech news briefs: RMS, Klook, Lufthansa and more...
By PhocusWire | February 27, 2026
Keep up with all the latest people, partner and product news from around the global travel industry. Read More
CEO Spotlight: Teresa Mackintosh of Aven Hospitality
Interview / Technology
CEO Spotlight: Teresa Mackintosh of Aven Hospitality
By Linda Fox | February 26, 2026
Aven Hospitality's Teresa Mackintosh discusses the company's priorities, industry challenges and balancing investor and hotelier needs. Read More
S4BT adds HotelHub to deliver integrated corporate hotel offering for TMCs
News / Distribution
S4BT adds HotelHub to deliver integrated corporate hotel offering for TMCs
By Abby Crotty | February 25, 2026
HotelHub brings the group's portfolio to eight corporate travel brands. Read More
RobosizeME lands $2M to automate back-office hotel processes
News / Startups
RobosizeME lands $2M to automate back-office hotel processes
By Linda Fox | February 25, 2026
RobosizeME aims to help hoteliers reduce errors, cut costs and free up staff to focus on other parts of running a hotel. Read More
Startup Stage: HotelWorld AI wants to increase hotel traffic from AI platforms
Interview / Startups
Startup Stage: HotelWorld AI wants to increase hotel traffic from AI platforms
By Abby Crotty | February 24, 2026
HotelWorld AI agents connect to a hotel’s existing technology stack, managed through a unified AI platform powered by a common data layer. Read More
The Phocuswright Conference 2026