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.

revinate-navis-acquisition
News / Technology
Revinate acquires direct booking platform NAVIS
By Mitra Sorrells | July 27, 2021
Terms of the acquisition have not been disclosed, but Revinate says its investor and partner, Serent Capital sponsored the deal. Read More
amadeus-hopper-fintech
News / Distribution
Amadeus offers Hopper’s travel fintech products to intermediaries and airlines
By Mitra Sorrells | July 27, 2021
In a new two-way partnership Amadeus will offer Hopper’s fintech products to its clients while Hopper gains access to Amadeus’ car rental inventory.     Read More
My Method... How Getaway used email marketing to boost metrics across the board
News / Online
My Method... How Getaway used email marketing to boost metrics across the board
By Will Crocker Hay - Braze | July 27, 2021
With the travel industry in recovery mode, businesses are driving growth by investing in customer engagement. Read More
The most informed travel agents: Artificial intelligence and consent
Opinion / Technology
The most informed travel agents: Artificial intelligence and consent
By Simon Yencken - Fanplayr | July 27, 2021
As artificial intelligence technologies continue to advance in sophistication and adoption, they will hyper-charge personalization in the travel industry. Read More
VIDEO: The next chapter or a new tale for a travel giant?
News / Online
VIDEO: The next chapter or a new tale for a travel giant?
By PhocusWire | July 26, 2021
Ariane Gorin, president of Expedia for Business, shares her vision for what comes next in a discussion with Phocuswright's Lorraine Sileo. Read More
d-edge-distribution-report
News / Distribution
Expedia down, Airbnb up for bookings for some hotels in Europe and Asia
By Mitra Sorrells | July 26, 2021
An analysis by D-Edge Hospitality Solutions finds that while online travel agencies remain the dominant source of online revenue for its client hotels, in the last five years the share of bookings... Read More
Sounding Off: New innovations don't always spell the end of old ones
Interview / Technology
Sounding Off: New innovations don't always spell the end of old ones
By PhocusWire | July 23, 2021
An additional tool in a provider or traveler’s toolbox does not eliminate the need for similar solutions. Read More
Culture Trip evolves e-commerce strategy with launch of multi-day tours
News / Online
Culture Trip evolves e-commerce strategy with launch of multi-day tours
By Linda Fox | July 23, 2021
Culture Trip is combining places to stay with curated experiences for the launch of multi-day tours. Read More
VIDEO: Digital marketing to the rescue? Reevaluating best practices in travel
News / Online
VIDEO: Digital marketing to the rescue? Reevaluating best practices in travel
By PhocusWire | July 23, 2021
During Phocuswright Europe 2021, executives from Mirai and Sojern discuss the digital marketing opportunities presented by the pandemic and the clean slate travel marketers can build from. Read More
U.K. banking app Revolut launches travel booking product
News / Technology
U.K. banking app Revolut launches travel booking product
By Jill Menze | July 22, 2021
Fintech startup Revolut has launched a travel product called Stays that allows customers to book trips and receive 10% instant cash back. Read More
Bbot lands $15M for hospitality ordering and payment service
News / Startups
Bbot lands $15M for hospitality ordering and payment service
By Linda Fox | July 22, 2021
The latest raise brings Bbot's total to just over $22 million following a $4 million investment announced in January this year. Read More
modihost-startup-stage
Interview / Startups
STARTUP STAGE: ModiHost is a hotel management system using AI and blockchain
By Mitra Sorrells | July 22, 2021
ModiHost is a hotel management system that uses artificial intelligence to personalize the guest experience and blockchain and smart contracts to build in transparency and efficiency.   Read More
amadeus-ibm-health-pass
News / Technology
Amadeus launches IBM Digital Health Pass for COVID document verification
By Mitra Sorrells | July 22, 2021
Amadeus is adding the IBM Digital Health Pass to its Traveler ID for Safe Travel platform, used by airlines and other travel partners to automatically verify identification and COVID-19... Read More
How Apple’s newest features will affect hotel check-in
Opinion / Technology
How Apple’s newest features will affect hotel check-in
By Nadav Cornberg - Virdee | July 21, 2021
While a significant move to simplify digital keys, Apple Wallet only solves one part of the complex digital check-in process. Read More
VIDEO: Can the travel industry avoid a post-pandemic social divide?
News / Online
VIDEO: Can the travel industry avoid a post-pandemic social divide?
By PhocusWire | July 21, 2021
Issues range from those that do not have the ability to travel from a vaccination perspective to, in particular, those that do not have the money to resume the same types of trips that they took... Read More