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.

The indulgent explorer: What drives premium travel decisions
News / Online
The indulgent explorer: What drives premium travel decisions
By Phocuswright Research | April 14, 2026
These travelers prioritize unique, hard-to-replicate experiences while carefully balancing cost, indulgence and overall trip value. Read More
Agentic commerce in travel: Preparing for the industry’s next big shift
From Our Partners / Technology
Agentic commerce in travel: Preparing for the industry’s next big shift
By Michelle Bruno | April 14, 2026
The report provides a look at how agentic AI is reshaping travel commerce and what travel merchants must do to prepare for the next phase of AI-driven discovery, booking and payment. Read More
AI reshapes luxury travel—but human expertise remains essential
News / Technology
AI reshapes luxury travel—but human expertise remains essential
By Marisa Garcia | April 14, 2026
AI is reshaping luxury travel through behind-the-scenes efficiency and personalization, but human expertise and high-touch service remain central. Read More
Almosafer adds AI travel planning with ChatGPT app
News / Technology
Almosafer adds AI travel planning with ChatGPT app
By Morgan Hines | April 10, 2026
Almosafer joins the list of travel brands that have launched ChatGPT apps as it continues its AI efforts. Read More
PhocusWire's travel tech news briefs: Nuitée, Navan, Expedia Group and more...
News / Technology
PhocusWire's travel tech news briefs: Nuitée, Navan, Expedia Group and more...
By PhocusWire | April 10, 2026
Keep up with all the latest people, partner and product news from around the global travel industry. Read More
Grab launches AI-powered travel tools
News / Technology
Grab launches AI-powered travel tools
By Morgan Hines | April 9, 2026
Grab announced 13 AI experiences, with four meant to improve the end-to-end travel journey. Read More
Staynex Group acquires Sleap.io, adding booking tech and European reach
News / Online
Staynex Group acquires Sleap.io, adding booking tech and European reach
By Cathy Walsh | April 8, 2026
The deal adds Sleap’s hotel booking platform to the company’s offering ahead of planned token launch. Read More
Mirai rebuilds booking engine for conversational, agent-driven travel
News / Technology
Mirai rebuilds booking engine for conversational, agent-driven travel
By Cathy Walsh | April 8, 2026
The platform reflects a shift toward AI-ready infrastructure as travel systems adapt to conversational booking and AI interactions. Read More
AI pulls travel brands deeper into commerce media
News / Technology
AI pulls travel brands deeper into commerce media
By Matthew Parsons | April 7, 2026
As AI compresses the path to purchase, travel brands are expanding commerce media to capture high-intent demand. Read More
Startup Stage: Travelese brings identity-based matching to travel discovery
Interview / Technology
Startup Stage: Travelese brings identity-based matching to travel discovery
By Cathy Walsh | April 6, 2026
The company uses a proprietary matching architecture to power travel discovery instead of relying on traditional keyword search. Read More
Travel marketing's AI identity crisis
News / Technology
Travel marketing's AI identity crisis
By Morgan Hines | April 2, 2026
Industry leaders at Phocuswright’s Travel Marketing AI Summit shared varying perspectives on the future of the funnel. Read More
HBX Group acquires packaging tech specialist PerfectStay
News / Technology
HBX Group acquires packaging tech specialist PerfectStay
By Linda Fox | April 1, 2026
The company initially acquired 25% of Paris‑based PerfectStay in mid 2024. Read More
South Africa’s $2.5B online travel market attracts new wave of homegrown tech
News / Technology
South Africa’s $2.5B online travel market attracts new wave of homegrown tech
By WIT | April 1, 2026
Web in Travel's Online Travel Tracker traces South Africa startup activity, surfacing homegrown innovation built to address the market's unique challenges. Read More
Startup Stage: Drifter targets AI discovery gap with visibility platform for destinations
Interview / Technology
Startup Stage: Drifter targets AI discovery gap with visibility platform for destinations
By Cathy Walsh | April 1, 2026
The startup monitors how destinations, hotels and attractions appear across AI platforms and offers tools to improve visibility. Read More
Fliggy launches "flyai" travel skill for AI agent workflows
News / Technology
Fliggy launches "flyai" travel skill for AI agent workflows
By Cathy Walsh | March 27, 2026
The plug-and-play skill enables developers to embed travel booking into AI agents without complex integration. Read More
The Phocuswright Conference 2026