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.

apaleo-funding
News / Startups
Apaleo adds €4.5M in Series A investment in hotel technology
By Linda Fox | April 1, 2021
Apaleo says it has continued to grow and gain customers despite the pandemic. Read More
How I Got Here, episode 58 - Rami Zeidan of Life House
Interview / Distribution
How I Got Here, episode 58 - Rami Zeidan of Life House
By PhocusWire | April 1, 2021
After working in the finance and real estate worlds for the early part of his career, Rami Zeidan tells Mozio's David Litwak and Kevin May of PhocusWire how he took the plunge into the operational part... Read More
Webjet invests $4.1M into blockchain startup LockTrip
News / Technology
Webjet invests $4.1M into blockchain startup LockTrip
By Jill Menze | March 31, 2021
As part of the deal, Webjet has agreed to a second optional tranche of $4.2 million for a total of $8.3 million. Read More
Venza acquires CyberTek in hospitality security technology roll-up
News / Technology
Venza acquires CyberTek in hospitality security technology roll-up
By Linda Fox | March 30, 2021
Venza says its acquisition of CyberTek will boost its service for hotel customers. Read More
VIDEO: Tripadvisor on its big push to subscriptions and loyalty
News / Online
VIDEO: Tripadvisor on its big push to subscriptions and loyalty
By PhocusWire | March 30, 2021
Speaking during PhocusWire Pulse: Loyalty For The Long Haul, chief experience officer Lindsay Nelson explains why Tripadvisor's Plus program came together now, how the early stages have worked out with... Read More
My Method... How Hotel Treats helped properties earn valuable revenue during the pandemic
News / Online
My Method... How Hotel Treats helped properties earn valuable revenue during the pandemic
By Kasia Pankowska - Hotel Treats | March 29, 2021
Hotel Treats helped Hard Rock Hotels earn $1.5 million through vouchers during the pandemic. Read More
Google’s free booking links for hotels – too good to be true?
Opinion / Distribution
Google’s free booking links for hotels – too good to be true?
By Craig Stewart - Freetobook | March 29, 2021
Freetobook’s co-director Craig Stewart suggests property owners to take advantage on Google's recent shift in strategy and see how this one plays out.  Read More
Acing the hotel recovery test - considerations for a successful COVID-19 strategy
From Our Partners / Distribution
Acing the hotel recovery test - considerations for a successful COVID-19 strategy
By Mark Bedard - Amadeus | March 29, 2021
Should you focus on the technique you utilize in targeting, capturing and converting shoppers into loyal guests? Or should you spend more time looking at the technology you use to support your... Read More
VIDEO: The “not stupid” way to achieve loyalty in hospitality
News / Online
VIDEO: The “not stupid” way to achieve loyalty in hospitality
By PhocusWire | March 29, 2021
Speaking during PhocusWire’s Pulse: Loyalty For The Long Haul event, CitizenM’s Lennert de Jong says loyalty in hospitality is all about the physical experience. Read More
str-conference-benchmarking
News / Online
How COVID-19 is impacting hotel benchmarking
By Mitra Sorrells | March 26, 2021
STR's vice president of analytics advices hoteliers to uses indexes and incorporate a broad range of data to get the most effective view of trends. Read More
JetBlue launches new travel site for customers to book hotels, car rentals
News / Online
JetBlue launches new travel site for customers to book hotels, car rentals
By Jill Menze | March 25, 2021
Called Paisly, JetBlue's new travel website lets consumers book hotels, car rentals and theme park tickets after they've purchased a flight. Read More
VIDEO: Why loyalty programs are still relevant
News / Online
VIDEO: Why loyalty programs are still relevant
By PhocusWire | March 25, 2021
Phocuswright analyst Mark Blutstein has carried out a study into what consumers think about loyalty programs and what type of rewards and engagement they want from their favorite brands. Read More
PhocusWire Pulse: Loyalty For The Long Haul
News / Online
PhocusWire Pulse: Loyalty For The Long Haul
By PhocusWire | March 25, 2021
Our second PhocusWire Pulse concentrates on the world of loyalty and how the industry is evolving to capture the attention and hearts of consumers. Read More
My Method… How digitizing an IHG hotel helped save both time and money
News / Technology
My Method… How digitizing an IHG hotel helped save both time and money
By Aaron Belton - DocMX | March 25, 2021
With DocMX, the InterContinental Cascais-Estoril automated daily revenue audits by around 90%, saving considerable time, facilitating remote collaboration and reducing print-related costs. Read More
hopper-170m-hopper-cloud
News / Online
Hopper closes $170M funding round, creates new B2B offering with Capital One as first partner
By Mitra Sorrells | March 24, 2021
Hopper is kicking off an ambitious growth plan that includes the launch of Hopper Cloud, selling its infrastructure, agency content, financial technology and data science capabilities to other travel... Read More