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.

DirectBooking, DeepYou partner to build AI-native hotel booking platform
News / Technology
DirectBooking, DeepYou partner to build AI-native hotel booking platform
By Abby Crotty | February 11, 2026
The companies aim to have the platform cover 100,000 hotels in the next three years. Read More
Marriott shares details of AI projects, partnerships
News / Technology
Marriott shares details of AI projects, partnerships
By Linda Fox | February 11, 2026
Marriott plans to deploy natural language search across Marriott.com and the Bonvoy mobile app in the first half of 2026. Read More
Vietnam’s online travel market set to double to $8B by 2030
News / Distribution
Vietnam’s online travel market set to double to $8B by 2030
By WiT | February 6, 2026
Explore data from WiT's "Online Travel Tracker Volume 1: Vietnam Revealed." Read More
PhocusWire's travel tech news briefs: Sabre, Navan, Accelya and more...
News / Technology
PhocusWire's travel tech news briefs: Sabre, Navan, Accelya and more...
By PhocusWire | February 6, 2026
Keep up with all the latest people, partner and product news from around the global travel industry. Read More
CEO Spotlight: Bryan Batista of Skyscanner
Interview / Online
CEO Spotlight: Bryan Batista of Skyscanner
By Linda Fox | February 5, 2026
Skycanner CEO Bryan Batista talks about travel's uncomfortable truths and what needs to be started from scratch in the industry. Read More
Trivago turns a corner with strong 2025 results
News / Online
Trivago turns a corner with strong 2025 results
By Morgan Hines | February 3, 2026
Trivago credited its revenue growth to a rise in referral revenue in Q4 2025, its fourth consecutive quarter of double-digit growth in this metric. Read More
Canary Technologies picks up mobile hotel key company OpenKey
News / Technology
Canary Technologies picks up mobile hotel key company OpenKey
By Abby Crotty | February 3, 2026
Canary said the acquisition will increase its coverage to include more door lock models and manufacturers. Read More
Hotel direct bookings remain stable despite rise of AI
News / Distribution
Hotel direct bookings remain stable despite rise of AI
By Abby Crotty | February 2, 2026
SiteMinder's annual Hotel Booking Trends report found that direct booking remained largely unchanged in 2025. Read More
PhocusWire's travel tech news briefs: HTS, Kayak, Navan and more...
News / Technology
PhocusWire's travel tech news briefs: HTS, Kayak, Navan and more...
By PhocusWire | January 30, 2026
Keep up with all the latest people, partner and product news from around the global travel industry. Read More
6 AI trends that will matter to hotels in 2026
Opinion / Technology
6 AI trends that will matter to hotels in 2026
By Sebastien Leitner - Cloudbeds | January 30, 2026
While the AI hype has been exhausting, Cloudbeds' Sebastien Leitner argues that there are some transformative shifts in hospitality.  Read More
Accor launches app in ChatGPT
News / Technology
Accor launches app in ChatGPT
By Abby Crotty | January 29, 2026
Users can enable the app in ChatGPT to search for Accor hotels using specific dates and guest details. Read More
HeyMax secures $11M for AI push, geographical expansion
News / Startups
HeyMax secures $11M for AI push, geographical expansion
By Linda Fox | January 28, 2026
The funding will go toward product development, including simplifying earning and redemption for consumers through AI and expansion into Japan, Taiwan and Australia in 2026. Read More
Travalyst updates accommodation certifications to allow for EU regulations
News / Online
Travalyst updates accommodation certifications to allow for EU regulations
By Linda Fox | January 28, 2026
The latest iteration builds on Travalyst's initiative launched in early 2024, which marked an initial step towards standardization around accommodation sustainability schemes. Read More
84% of leisure travelers admit to gaming loyalty programs
News / Online
84% of leisure travelers admit to gaming loyalty programs
By Phocuswright Research | January 27, 2026
Going the extra mile to play the loyalty systems has become the norm, albeit exploited by some travelers more than others. Read More
PhocusWire's travel tech news briefs: American Airlines, Booking.com, Amadeus and more...
News / Technology
PhocusWire's travel tech news briefs: American Airlines, Booking.com, Amadeus and more...
By PhocusWire | January 23, 2026
Keep up with all the latest people, partner and product news from around the global travel industry. Read More
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