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.

Google UCP and travel’s race for an agentic commerce standard
News / Distribution
Google UCP and travel’s race for an agentic commerce standard
By Morgan Hines | January 15, 2026
The protocol will allow agents and systems to operate in tandem over businesses, payment providers and consumer surfaces. Read More
Kasa takes over Mint House properties to expand accommodation platform
News / Online
Kasa takes over Mint House properties to expand accommodation platform
By Linda Fox | January 14, 2026
Commercial terms have not been disclosed, but in addition to expanding Kasa’s portfolio, the deal creates scale and cost efficiencies for the company. Read More
Investment accountability: How travel brands are measuring AI ROI
News / Technology
Investment accountability: How travel brands are measuring AI ROI
By Morgan Hines | January 14, 2026
Travel companies are actively investing in AI hoping to boost business—but how are they measuring the return on investment? Read More
Yipy attracts $1M to scale hotel standards management system
News / Technology
Yipy attracts $1M to scale hotel standards management system
By Linda Fox | January 13, 2026
Yipy aims to address the challenges of static documents through “a centralized, mobile-first system,” enabling hotels to define a standard, implement across teams and measure performance.  Read More
How travel insurance is evolving to support modern journeys
From Our Partners / Online
How travel insurance is evolving to support modern journeys
By PhocusWire | January 13, 2026
Travel disruption has become a defining feature of leisure and business trips as delays, cancellations and unexpected events increasingly shape traveler behavior. Read More
Preparing the hotel tech stack for AI
News / Technology
Preparing the hotel tech stack for AI
By Abby Crotty | January 12, 2026
SiteMinder's James Bishop and Scenic Hotel Group's Chris Clayton share their thoughts on AI's growing role in the hotel sector. Read More
Before, during, after: The acquisition diary of a travel tech CEO
News / Online
Before, during, after: The acquisition diary of a travel tech CEO
By Maria von Foerster - RightRez | January 12, 2026
RightRez CEO Maria von Foerster shares her experience throughout the acquisition process. Read More
Lighthouse brings in CFO with IPO experience
News / Online
Lighthouse brings in CFO with IPO experience
By Linda Fox | January 8, 2026
Lighthouse said it is building the "financial and strategic infrastucture to match its scale." Read More
Why payments are becoming a strategic driver in travel
From Our Partners / Online
Why payments are becoming a strategic driver in travel
By PhocusWire | January 8, 2026
As financial services and travel technology continue to converge, the ability to reduce friction across regions, channels and payment methods is emerging as a competitive advantage for the industry.... Read More
Why data quality is becoming the foundation of travel innovation
From Our Partners / Technology
Why data quality is becoming the foundation of travel innovation
By PhocusWire | January 7, 2026
Yanolja's Changemaker session at The Phocuswright Conference explored how low-quality data remains one of the biggest barriers to innovation in hospitality and how cloud-based platforms are changing the... Read More
Airbnb on the technology foundation behind selling more, loyalty and fees
News / Online
Airbnb on the technology foundation behind selling more, loyalty and fees
By Linda Fox | January 7, 2026
Airbnb's chief business officer Dave Stephenson talks new lines of business, loyalty, changing fees structure and geographic expansion. Read More
Financial analysts on change in travel's search-based model
News / Online
Financial analysts on change in travel's search-based model
By Linda Fox | January 6, 2026
Financial analysts from Barclays, Evercore and Mizuho dissect AI's impact on travel search and booking and the OTA model. Read More
Phocuswright analysts share their predictions for 2026
News / Technology
Phocuswright analysts share their predictions for 2026
By Morgan Hines | January 6, 2026
Phocuswright analysts have their eyes on agentic AI, biometrics and personalization. Read More
Travel industry leaders' 2026 predictions
News / Technology
Travel industry leaders' 2026 predictions
By Morgan Hines | January 5, 2026
PhocusWire asked industry stakeholders from Priceline, HolidayPirates, Cloudbeds and more about what 2026 will look like in travel. Read More
OYO-parent Prism files for IPO in India
News / Online
OYO-parent Prism files for IPO in India
By Abby Crotty | January 2, 2026
The company is reportedly seeking a valuation between $7 billion and $8 billion.   Read More
The Phocuswright Conference 2026