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.

Why personalization in travel is still so hard and where progress is finally happening
From Our Partners / Online
Why personalization in travel is still so hard and where progress is finally happening
By PhocusWire | December 18, 2025
Panelists from American Airlines, Allianz Partners and Sutherland discuss real-world barriers to personalization, from fragmented data and legacy systems to consumer trust, regulatory constraints and... Read More
The Phocuswright Conference 2025 Launch Innovator: Vio.com
Interview / Online
The Phocuswright Conference 2025 Launch Innovator: Vio.com
By PhocusWire | December 17, 2025
According to Vio.com founder and CEO Oz Har Adir, the platform "turns price volatility into a value creator." Read More
Travel's movers, shakers and newsmakers in 2025
News / Online
Travel's movers, shakers and newsmakers in 2025
By PhocusWire | December 17, 2025
PhocusWire names its 2025 newsmakers, spotlighting the companies and individuals behind the most significant moves. Read More
Why travelers are 'defecting' from a preferred airline, hotel or OTA
News / Online
Why travelers are 'defecting' from a preferred airline, hotel or OTA
By Phocuswright Research | December 16, 2025
Wanting to try something new is a top justification for using non-go-to brands within the last year across a variety of travel verticals according to Phocuswright Research. Read More
The revenue pivot: Why real-time relevance is the key to incremental value in travel
From Our Partners / Online
The revenue pivot: Why real-time relevance is the key to incremental value in travel
By Anand Shah - Rokt | December 15, 2025
Travel brands must deliver the right offer to the right traveler at the exact moment they’re most ready to buy. Read More
Redefining hospitality with services, AI and more ways to stay
News / Online
Redefining hospitality with services, AI and more ways to stay
By Abby Crotty | December 15, 2025
Executives from Marriott, Casago and Airbnb discuss strategies and initiatives defining the changing hospitality industry. Read More
Checked in, taxed out: Benchmarking tax compliance in the US lodging industry
From Our Partners / Online
Checked in, taxed out: Benchmarking tax compliance in the US lodging industry
By Avalara | December 11, 2025
This report from Avalara is based on a survey of hotel and STR leaders that found confidence in current compliance is limited. Read More
Canary, Wyndham add AI Voice technology for franchisees
News / Technology
Canary, Wyndham add AI Voice technology for franchisees
By Abby Crotty | December 10, 2025
Canary's AI-powered solution handles inbound guest calls, providing booking support and answering guest questions. Read More
The Phocuswright Conference 2025 Launch Innovator: Gimmonix Technologies
Interview / Technology
The Phocuswright Conference 2025 Launch Innovator: Gimmonix Technologies
By PhocusWire | December 10, 2025
Gimmonix Technologies CEO and co-founder Andrew Spektor pitched the company's RateFox+ marketplace at The Phocuswright Conference last month. Read More
Amazon vs. Perplexity: The lawsuit that matters in travel
Opinion / Technology
Amazon vs. Perplexity: The lawsuit that matters in travel
By Mario Gavira | December 10, 2025
Mario Gavira outlines the possible rulings in Amazon's lawsuit against Perplexity and what each could mean for OTAs, metasearch and travel suppliers. Read More
Duve secures $60M in Series B funding
News / Online
Duve secures $60M in Series B funding
By Abby Crotty | December 9, 2025
The fresh capital will support global expansion and AI developments. Read More
The hotel perspective: OTA's AI partnerships
News / Distribution
The hotel perspective: OTA's AI partnerships
By Morgan Hines | December 8, 2025
Hospitality industry stakeholders weigh in on hotel distribution: Who is likely to win in an AI era? Read More
PhocusWire's weekly travel tech news briefs: SiteMinder, United Airlines, Klook and more...
News / Technology
PhocusWire's weekly travel tech news briefs: SiteMinder, United Airlines, Klook and more...
By PhocusWire | December 5, 2025
Here's our roundup of the people, product and partner news from the global travel industry this week. Read More
Hotel booking ‘front door’ is changing with AI
News / Distribution
Hotel booking ‘front door’ is changing with AI
By Morgan Hines | December 5, 2025
Industry stakeholders believe that suppliers will benefit with AI becoming a ‘front door’ for hotel discovery. Read More
Capital One Ventures, United Airlines Ventures invest in Mindtrip
News / Startups
Capital One Ventures, United Airlines Ventures invest in Mindtrip
By Morgan Hines | December 4, 2025
The new capital brings the AI-powered travel planning platform’s total funding to $22.5 million. Read More
The Phocuswright Conference 2026