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.

‘Something out of nothing’: How hotel ancillary tech is transforming the stay experience
News / Technology
‘Something out of nothing’: How hotel ancillary tech is transforming the stay experience
By Matthew Parsons | February 24, 2026
As pressure mounts to increase revenue and average daily rates hit a ceiling, hotels are branching out into ancillaries.  Read More
Operto develops multi-agent system for hotel operations
News / Technology
Operto develops multi-agent system for hotel operations
By Linda Fox | February 23, 2026
The agents are centralized in a hub that includes hotel policies, operational documents and live reservation data. Read More
Wyndham working across AI platforms to drive direct bookings
News / Online
Wyndham working across AI platforms to drive direct bookings
By Linda Fox | February 20, 2026
Wyndham's CEO Geoffrey Ballotti discussed how the company's AI initiatives will help customers find its properties, boost the guest experience and increase direct bookings. Read More
PhocusWire's weekly travel tech news briefs: HomeToGo, Hospitable, BCD Travel and more...
News / Technology
PhocusWire's weekly travel tech news briefs: HomeToGo, Hospitable, BCD Travel and more...
By PhocusWire | February 20, 2026
Keep up with all the latest people, partner and product news from around the global travel industry. Read More
German RMS Happyhotel raises €6.5M in Series A round
News / Online
German RMS Happyhotel raises €6.5M in Series A round
By Abby Crotty | February 19, 2026
The funding will be used to expand across Europe and build an autonomous commercial AI agent. Read More
Booking Holdings sees 20% rise in travelers booking multiple trip components
News / Online
Booking Holdings sees 20% rise in travelers booking multiple trip components
By Morgan Hines | February 18, 2026
The company also saw continued growth in both the U.S. and Asia in Q4 2025. Read More
WebMCP offers path for travel sites to become ‘agent-ready’
News / Technology
WebMCP offers path for travel sites to become ‘agent-ready’
By Morgan Hines | February 18, 2026
Travel was highlighted as a use case for the WebMCP standard driven by Google and Microsoft. Read More
IHG plans AI-compatible hotel content platform
News / Technology
IHG plans AI-compatible hotel content platform
By Linda Fox | February 17, 2026
IHG, whose brands include Holiday Inn and Crowne Plaza, is grouping AI into three areas: guest acquisition, commercial optimization and cost efficiency.  Read More
Airbnb's Reserve Now, Pay Later expanded globally
News / Online
Airbnb's Reserve Now, Pay Later expanded globally
By Linda Fox | February 17, 2026
The accommodation platform tested the payment option last summer before extending it to U.S. travelers in August 2025. Read More
Google testing ad formats for travel in AI Mode
News / Online
Google testing ad formats for travel in AI Mode
By Linda Fox | February 13, 2026
Google is testing ad formats in retail and said similar tests were happening in other industries such as travel. Read More
Mexican OTA Daypass.com lands $2M for international expansion
News / Startups
Mexican OTA Daypass.com lands $2M for international expansion
By Abby Crotty | February 13, 2026
The startup, founded in 2023 in Mexico City, said it plans to expand operations to 26 countries this year. Read More
Airbnb confirms hotels expansion plans amid 'strong' early momentum
News / Online
Airbnb confirms hotels expansion plans amid 'strong' early momentum
By Morgan Hines | February 12, 2026
Airbnb reported solid Q4 and full-year results and shared updates on its progress in the hotel vertical. Read More
Sabre, Mindtrip, PayPal partner to launch agentic AI assistant for travel
News / Technology
Sabre, Mindtrip, PayPal partner to launch agentic AI assistant for travel
By Abby Crotty | February 12, 2026
The product is set to launch in the second quarter and will live on the Mindtrip platform. Read More
Tripadvisor pleased with experiences revenue contribution, early AI MVP tests
News / Online
Tripadvisor pleased with experiences revenue contribution, early AI MVP tests
By Linda Fox | February 12, 2026
The experiences business reported revenue of $204 million in the quarter, up from $186 million during the same period in 2024. Full-year revenue rose 10% to $924 million. Read More
Travel tech at ITB Berlin 2026: Key tracks and voices shaping the future of travel
From Our Partners / Technology
Travel tech at ITB Berlin 2026: Key tracks and voices shaping the future of travel
By ITB Berlin | February 12, 2026
New this year at ITB Berlin is the Travel Tech Track, connecting traditional travel distribution systems with modern technologies. Read More
The Phocuswright Conference 2026