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.

Hotel payments: Is it time for a wake-up call?
From Our Partners / Technology
Hotel payments: Is it time for a wake-up call?
By Worldpay by FIS | June 29, 2021
As a hotelier, it's very likely that in recent times you've experienced a sea change in the way travelers want to book, pay for, and ultimately visit hotels. Read More
Hotelhero founders exit, join hospitality tech specialist Apaleo
News / Startups
Hotelhero founders exit, join hospitality tech specialist Apaleo
By Jill Menze | June 29, 2021
Hotel software review and recommendation platform Hotelhero will begin to wind down operations as its founding team joins hospitality technology specialist Apaleo. Read More
corporate-hotel-rates
News / Distribution
Recovery in corporate hotel rates predicted for the end of 2021
By Donna M. Airoldi - BTN | June 28, 2021
Tripbam's Q2 report reveals rates are recovering with 2019 levels already being seen in some markets. Read More
STARTUP STAGE: Luxury Travel Hackers makes dream trips for millennials on social media
Interview / Startups
STARTUP STAGE: Luxury Travel Hackers makes dream trips for millennials on social media
By Linda Fox | June 28, 2021
Founded by former film and television producer Gary Kohn, Luxury Travel Hackers wants to provide a one-click booking experience to users. The startup has landed early-stage funding led by a former CEO... Read More
google-travel-search-terms
News / Online
Travel search terms on Google show scale of pent-up demand
By Linda Fox | June 25, 2021
Searches for the term beach holiday have been steadily rising in 2020 but city breaks are not yet recovering compared to 2019 levels.  Read More
travelport-trust-study
News / Online
Travel industry must fix “trust gaps” as it restarts
By Mitra Sorrells | June 24, 2021
Based on a results of a survey of 11,000 consumers, Travelport says the pandemic has created a “once-in-a-lifetime” opportunity for the travel industry to regain travelers’ trust. Read More
Overturning orthodoxies: How hotel CEOs can accelerate diversity
Opinion / Online
Overturning orthodoxies: How hotel CEOs can accelerate diversity
By Alexander Mirza - Mogul | June 24, 2021
Hotel CEOs must identify the toxic orthodoxies in hospitality and be challenged to accelerate diversity. Read More
enseo-acquisition-hig-capital
News / Technology
Private equity takes majority stake in hospitality tech provider Enseo
By Mitra Sorrells | June 23, 2021
Enseo will use the capital to accelerate growth, including expanding into new vertical markets and pursuing mergers and acquisitions. Read More
cabana-series-a
News / Startups
Mobile hotel startup Cabana secures $10M to accelerate growth
By Mitra Sorrells | June 22, 2021
Cabana plans to use the funding to add more vans and new markets to its platform. Read More
Why the travel industry must grasp the digitization of customer behavior
News / Technology
Why the travel industry must grasp the digitization of customer behavior
By Linda Fox | June 21, 2021
Customers will increasingly expect a digital experience when they travel again. Read More
Without content parity on metasearch, you will keep losing direct bookings
From Our Partners / Distribution
Without content parity on metasearch, you will keep losing direct bookings
By Dori Stein - Fornova | June 21, 2021
Having complete and consistent information, known as content parity, on all booking and listing platforms can make the difference of whether your hotel is found by guests or not. Read More
orbitz-lgbtq-friendly-accommodation
News / Online
Orbitz enables LGBTQ-friendly accommodation search
By Christina Jelski - Travel Weekly | June 18, 2021
The Orbitz functionality serves up properties signed up to the company's Inclusivity Pledge. Read More
Travel with pride - 5 steps to supporting LGBTQ+ business travelers
Opinion / Technology
Travel with pride - 5 steps to supporting LGBTQ+ business travelers
By Suzanne Sangiovese - Riskline | June 17, 2021
LGBTQ+ travelers can face unique challenges when traveling abroad - many countries do not legally recognise same-sex marriage and more than 70 countries consider consensual LGBTQ+ relationships a crime. Read More
hopper-hotel-price-freeze
News / Online
Hopper enables commitment-free hotel price lock
By Mitra Sorrells | June 16, 2021
 Users have the option to freeze a price for up to 60 days, with the freeze fee being credited to the booking price at time of purchase.   Read More
TripAdvisor gives Plus subscription service a full launch, adds spending partners
News / Online
TripAdvisor gives Plus subscription service a full launch, adds spending partners
By Kevin May | June 16, 2021
The subscription-based program is free for accommodation suppliers to join, while travelers can sign up for an annual membership fee of $99 and get access to savings as well as other offers. Read More