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.

Expedia Group sees "great things ahead" and vows less reliance on Google
News / Online
Expedia Group sees "great things ahead" and vows less reliance on Google
By Jill Menze | May 20, 2020
Despite the coronavirus' impact on business, Expedia Group believes it's well-positioned to bounce back and steer away from Google. Read More
hilton-nassetta-wapo-interview
News / Online
Hilton’s Nassetta: 3 to 4 years for recovery, but “no less optimistic” about travel
By Mitra Sorrells | May 20, 2020
Hilton CEO Chris Nassetta says the company is seeing occupancy grow in some regions, but the economic impact of COVID-19 will make recovery a multi-year affair. Read More
Fly Now Pay Later raises £35 million to bring travelers flexible payment options
News / Technology
Fly Now Pay Later raises £35 million to bring travelers flexible payment options
By Jill Menze | May 20, 2020
The British travel payment startup believes the need for its services will increase once travel restrictions ease. Read More
Possible futures for a post-pandemic travel industry, part 1
Opinion / Online
Possible futures for a post-pandemic travel industry, part 1
By Mario Gavira | May 19, 2020
Nobody has a playbook, but there are four possible scenarios for how the travel industry will emerge once this pivotal crisis is over. Read More
REPORT: COVID-19 Hotel Forecast - Sydney
News / Distribution
REPORT: COVID-19 Hotel Forecast - Sydney
By PhocusWire | May 19, 2020
When compared to the other destinations evaluated by Phocuswright, based on LodgIQ's forecast model, Sydney trails only Singapore in seeing the least degree of disruption. Read More
middle-east-coronavirus-recovery-WIT-2
News / Online
Middle East will be first region to recover after China, provided “we don’t make it miserable to fly”
By Melissa Trew - WebInTravel | May 18, 2020
A panel discussion moderated by Travelstart's Stephan Ekbergh considered the opportunities and challenges regarding recovery in the Middle East. Read More
VIDEO: New Reality With... Amir Amidi and Lio Chen of Plug And Play
News / Startups
VIDEO: New Reality With... Amir Amidi and Lio Chen of Plug And Play
By PhocusWire | May 15, 2020
The next guests on the New Reality With... series are Amir Amidi and Lio Chen, managing partner and senior vice president respectively for Plug and Play, the U.S.-based platform for... Read More
Sounding Off: The unspoken reality is that demand may collapse
Interview / Online
Sounding Off: The unspoken reality is that demand may collapse
By PhocusWire | May 15, 2020
What the industry should be bracing itself for is to be hugely disappointed that demand isn't there because, simply, consumers are too fearful to travel or have lost their discretionary spend. Read More
Travelers may need to prepare for a contactless, surveillance-led experience
Opinion / Technology
Travelers may need to prepare for a contactless, surveillance-led experience
By Simon Nowroz - Disruptive X Emergent | May 15, 2020
While we can’t conclude exactly what the future may hold, we can establish an overall trajectory and an overarching narrative that we refer to as a theme. Travel's future is a very different one. Read More
fairmont-mayatoba-zoom-background
Opinion / Technology
Virtual travel's time has finally come
By Tedd Evers - TripTuner | May 14, 2020
Virtual tours are no longer a nice to have - traffic and interest are on the rise now as a way of providing location interactivity. Read More
What hotels need to consider before ramping up marketing efforts
Opinion / Online
What hotels need to consider before ramping up marketing efforts
By Bill Chase - Koddi | May 14, 2020
Hotel marketers should consider timing, goals, regions and channels as they plan for post-COVID-19 recovery Read More
REPORT: COVID-19 Hotel Forecast - Los Angeles
News / Distribution
REPORT: COVID-19 Hotel Forecast - Los Angeles
By PhocusWire | May 12, 2020
Differences in year-over-year RevPAR variance for March and April showed that the impact on Los Angeles was less severe than for most major markets. Read More
Amadeus revenue drops by a quarter, agency air bookings slump 50%
News / Distribution
Amadeus revenue drops by a quarter, agency air bookings slump 50%
By Kevin May | May 12, 2020
Distribution revenue almost halved at Amadeus in the first quarter of 2020 as the coronavirus pandemic slammed traveler plans around the world. Read More
Marriott sees net income fall to $31M for Q1 2020, notes trend towards hotel reopenings
News / Distribution
Marriott sees net income fall to $31M for Q1 2020, notes trend towards hotel reopenings
By Linda Fox | May 11, 2020
Marriott International boss Arne Sorenson notes encouraging signs of recovery in China and U.S. drive markets. Read More
sojern-hotel-websites
News / Online
How to digitally prepare a hotel website for reopening
By Kurt Weinsheimer - Sojern | May 11, 2020
To be ready for recovery, boutique hotels can lay the groundwork to ensure their digital ecosystem is in order before opening day - and a healthy digital ecosystem starts with the hotel website. Read More
The Phocuswright Conference 2026