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.

SendSquared raises $1M for guest communications platform
News / Startups
SendSquared raises $1M for guest communications platform
By Linda Fox | August 11, 2021
SendSquared will put the seed funding toward product development and expanding its sales, marketing and product teams. Read More
HotelPlanner merges with Reservations.com, plans public listing via SPAC
News / Online
HotelPlanner merges with Reservations.com, plans public listing via SPAC
By Jill Menze | August 10, 2021
The two online travel companies plan to go public through the SPAC Astrea Acquisition Corp. Read More
IHG reports $138M profit, plans luxury and lifestyle brand
News / Distribution
IHG reports $138M profit, plans luxury and lifestyle brand
By Linda Fox | August 10, 2021
IHG reports gradual improvement, especially in the U.S. and China with groups, meetings and events beginning to book. Read More
wheel-the-world-2m-funding
News / Startups
Accessible travel OTA Wheel the World raises $2M
By Mitra Sorrells | August 10, 2021
Founded in 2018, Wheel the World’s site offers accommodations, things to do and trips in more than 50 destinations worldwide. Read More
How Booking.com gained market share while we were in lockdown
Opinion / Online
How Booking.com gained market share while we were in lockdown
By Marta Romero - Mirai | August 9, 2021
Given the current situation, where many channels are still not appearing and we don’t know if they will be activated this season, Booking.com has become the basket where most of a hotel's distribution... Read More
VIDEO: Maintaining trust in shopping and booking travel
News / Technology
VIDEO: Maintaining trust in shopping and booking travel
By PhocusWire | August 9, 2021
Travel companies have a golden opportunity to rebuild confidence by building trust in their payment processes. Read More
VIDEO: The Big Picture for travel payments
News / Technology
VIDEO: The Big Picture for travel payments
By PhocusWire | August 6, 2021
In some respects the payments element of the travel, tourism and hospitality sector operates regardless of the number of travelers. Think again. Read More
Lastminute.com Group points to strong travel rebound as financials improve
News / Online
Lastminute.com Group points to strong travel rebound as financials improve
By Kevin May | August 5, 2021
The jump of 213% year-over-year points to a strong rebound for the business, especially in June when income was in line with pre-COVID levels despite lower booking volumes. Read More
Tripadvisor hits $235M revenue, beats internal expectations
News / Online
Tripadvisor hits $235M revenue, beats internal expectations
By Kevin May | August 5, 2021
The user review and travel search service posted total revenue across the business of $235 million, up by almost 300% from just $59 million in the corresponding quarter in 2020. Read More
booking-holdings-q2-2021
News / Distribution
Booking Holdings hits $22B in bookings as latest quarter rides recovery
By Mitra Sorrells | August 5, 2021
Room nights booked in the second quarter were 157 million, up from 99 million in the Q1 of this year and a 458% increase from Q2 2020.   Read More
russia-travel-recovery
News / Online
Russia's online travel primed as investment arrives
By Linda Fox | August 4, 2021
The country's travel industry had been experiencing strong growth in the years running up to 2020 and online travel sales were steadily growing. Read More
phocuswire-pulse-xanderpay
News / Online
VIDEO: Time to revamp payments in hospitality
By PhocusWire | August 4, 2021
XanderPay CEO Mike Carlo discusses the problems and inefficiencies plaguing the hospitality industry when it comes to payments and offers suggestions for innovations. Read More
Booking.com launches Flash Deals for hotels
News / Distribution
Booking.com launches Flash Deals for hotels
By Kevin May | August 4, 2021
The discounts will take place every two weeks and on fixed days, lasting for just 36 hours. Over that time period, customers will get up to 30% off a selected room and rate. Read More
VIDEO: Easing the burden of paying for travel
News / Technology
VIDEO: Easing the burden of paying for travel
By PhocusWire | August 4, 2021
What is the appeal of buy-now-pay-later for brands? What segments of the industry is it more popular than others? And what effect does it have on the business models of exissting brands? Read More
STARTUP STAGE: TravelRank guides travelers to new destinations via AI
Interview / Startups
STARTUP STAGE: TravelRank guides travelers to new destinations via AI
By Linda Fox | August 4, 2021
TravelRank's AI analyzes the user's travel history and compares it to data of similar travelers and similar unvisited destinations. Read More