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.

VIDEO: Travel marketing experts on pandemic behavioral shifts and opportunities
News / Distribution
VIDEO: Travel marketing experts on pandemic behavioral shifts and opportunities
By Linda Fox | December 10, 2020
The pandemic has changed travel marketing, with brands needing to stay relevant to those that are traveling and inspire those that are not. Read More
Airbnb rings the bell to herald its arrival on public markets
News / Online
Airbnb rings the bell to herald its arrival on public markets
By Kevin May | December 10, 2020
The private accommodation giant's shares will list on the NASDAQ trading floor, just short of four months after announcing its intention to seek an Initial Public Offering of the business. Read More
Expedia Group CEO wants to be "the best travel tech platform in the world"
News / Online
Expedia Group CEO wants to be "the best travel tech platform in the world"
By Jill Menze | December 10, 2020
At Expedia Group’s virtual Explore event, CEO Peter Kern outlined how playing to Expedia Group’s strengths will help the company and its partners recover from the impact of the coronavirus crisis. Read More
December 9th, 2020 11 am Eastern _ 8 am Pacific
News / Technology
WEBINAR REPLAY! Tips for addressing burn-out with smaller teams and unpredictable demand
By PhocusWire | December 9, 2020
It’s critical for hotels to spot burn-out signals, proactively boost morale, and leverage technology to drive occupancy. A healthy team can steer your property towards profitability, but a drained... Read More
WEBINAR REPLAY! Transforming travel for the new normal
News / Technology
WEBINAR REPLAY! Transforming travel for the new normal
By PhocusWire | December 9, 2020
An agile, integrated and empathetic approach across journey touchpoints is critical to instill a sense of confidence within the stakeholder community, both internal and external.  Read More
Autonomous vehicles and natural language processing on travel's 2021 watchlist
News / Technology
Autonomous vehicles and natural language processing on travel's 2021 watchlist
By Linda Fox | December 9, 2020
A report from Lux Research tips 12 technologies to watch in 2021, with the travel industry already beginning to deploy a number of them. Read More
Tripadvisor gives consumer-to-travel agent service Reco a full launch
News / Online
Tripadvisor gives consumer-to-travel agent service Reco a full launch
By Kevin May | December 8, 2020
The move comes almost six months on from Tripadvisor disclosing the beta testing of Reco in the U.S., costing consumers $199 for each trip that they make. Read More
Airbnb launches non-profit organization for stays during emergencies
News / Online
Airbnb launches non-profit organization for stays during emergencies
By Linda Fox | December 8, 2020
Airbnb is partnering with aid organizations to provide stays for workers and those affected by crises under its non-profit Airbnb.org. Read More
phocuswright-conference-2020-investors
News / Online
VIDEO: Investors optimistic about growth opportunities across travel
By Mitra Sorrells | December 8, 2020
During a panel discussion at The Phocuswright Conference, investors mentioned accommodations, tours and activities, contactless solutions and sustainability as areas of interest. Read More
google-insights-tool-destinations-2
News / Online
Google launches hub to aid destinations, hotels and partners in recovery
By Jill Menze | December 7, 2020
Travel Insights with Google is built around three new tools to support destinations, hotels and Google’s commercial partners. Read More
VIDEO: Booking Holdings' Glenn Fogel on getting it right for a post-pandemic future
News / Online
VIDEO: Booking Holdings' Glenn Fogel on getting it right for a post-pandemic future
By Kevin May | December 7, 2020
When you're often at the center of the relationship between accommodation providers and consumers, or figuring out how best to connect all the elements together in a trip, being Booking Holdings during... Read More
The evolving traveler journey: 3 trends hoteliers must address today
From Our Partners / Distribution
The evolving traveler journey: 3 trends hoteliers must address today
By Paul Barron - Amadeus Hospitality | December 7, 2020
The shock of COVID-19 pushed what was once considered preferential traveler expectations into industry standards faster than anyone could have imagined. Read More
State of travel startups: 2020 has left its mark but there is positive news
News / Startups
State of travel startups: 2020 has left its mark but there is positive news
By Kevin May | December 4, 2020
The travel startup landscape has also not escaped the grim effects of layoffs and the huge drops in demand from travelers and demands for new technology and services from partners. Read More
dataart-online-conference
News / Technology
Opportunities and challenges for travel brands using AI
By Mitra Sorrells | December 4, 2020
In an online event hosted by DataArt, panelists from Sabre, BD4Travel, IDeaS, Mobi Systems, Norwegian Cruise Line, AirHelp and more discussed the outlook for AI in travel. Read More
LoungeUp acquires Dmbook Pro to boost guest relations service
News / Technology
LoungeUp acquires Dmbook Pro to boost guest relations service
By Linda Fox | December 3, 2020
    Dmbook Pro, acquired for an undisclosed fee, is a virtual hotel assistant which tracks operations within a property. Read More
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