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.

byhours mobile device
News / Online
By-the-hour hotel booking site ByHours adds €8M to launch U.S. operations
By Steven Lerner | January 22, 2020
Angel Ventures and DILA Capita led the Series B equity round, with participation by previous investor Howzat Partners. Read More
hopper-trees-carbon-offsets
News / Online
Hopper to pay for carbon offsets for all bookings, challenges top travel CEOs to follow suit
By Mitra Sorrells | January 21, 2020
Hopper Trees is a new initiative that covers the cost of carbon offsets for all flights and hotels booked in the Hopper app. Read More
ebixcash-amadeus-partnership
News / Distribution
EbixCash partners with Amadeus, looks to grow in APAC and UAE
By Linda Fox | January 21, 2020
As part of its expansion strategy in Asia Pacific and the United Arab Emirates, EbixCash has partnered with Amadeus for access to technology and travel content. Read More
tripactions-lufthansa-investment
News / Online
TripActions moves deeper into Europe with investment from Lufthansa Group
By Mitra Sorrells | January 21, 2020
TripActions will actively pursue clients in Europe with the help of Lufthansa Group. Read More
xie zhu technology funding
News / Technology
Smart hotel specialist Xie Zhu Technology overcomes "capital winter" to raise $37M
By Steven Lerner | January 17, 2020
Xie Zhu Technology says it will use the funding for technology research and development, expanding into new markets in Southeast Asia and to prepare for a potential IPO in 2020.   Read More
REPORT: NDC, AI and the building blocks of airline retail
From Our Partners / Distribution
REPORT: NDC, AI and the building blocks of airline retail
By Marisa Garcia | January 17, 2020
In this exclusive report from PhocusWire's Marisa Garcia, produced in association with PROS, we take a detailed look at the world of retail and how new technologies are creating new opportunities for... Read More
siteminder-funding
News / Distribution
Future IPO a "strong possibility" for SiteMinder as it lands fresh funding
By Linda Fox | January 16, 2020
SiteMinder lands significant fresh investment valuing the company at around $762 million and the prospect of a public listing in the future. Read More
qtrip-new-ota
News / Online
Industry veteran launches new boutique OTA
By Mitra Sorrells | January 16, 2020
Industry veteran Jeff Klee is launching a new online travel agency, Qtrip, that will eventually replace his original site, CheapAir. Read More
Hotels stuck in a market where online travel agency rate issues still burn
News / Distribution
Hotels stuck in a market where online travel agency rate issues still burn
By Kevin May | January 16, 2020
In a series of questions posed to participants on a recent webinar hosted by PhocusWire with wholesaler Hotelbeds, hotels indicated a range of issues that still exist around rate parity. Read More
How I Got Here, episode 20 - Bob Diener of Hotels.com
Interview / Online
How I Got Here, episode 20 - Bob Diener of Hotels.com
By PhocusWire | January 16, 2020
Long before the online travel agency world took off, Bob Diener was perfecting the merchant model that would become omnipresent in later years. He talks to Mozio's David Litwak and Kevin May from... Read More
Travel and tourism organizations push for action on climate emergency
News / Distribution
Travel and tourism organizations push for action on climate emergency
By Linda Fox | January 15, 2020
Travel companies and organizations have joined forces to take steps to reduce carbon emissions, while a report assesses the total impact of a holiday from transport to food. Read More
STARTUP STAGE: Wayfarer Points changes travel loyalty programs through gamification
Interview / Startups
STARTUP STAGE: Wayfarer Points changes travel loyalty programs through gamification
By Steven Lerner | January 13, 2020
Wayfarer Points is a portal that connects travelers with non-public deals. Read More
Hotel revenue management tool Beonprice lands €2.5M for product development, European expansion
News / Technology
Hotel revenue management tool Beonprice lands €2.5M for product development, European expansion
By Steven Lerner | January 13, 2020
This latest investment, which is all equity, brings the company's total funding to date to €5 million.   Read More
thorsen-green-travel-policy-tips
Opinion / Online
Are you ready to create and manage a green travel policy?
By Johnny Thorsen | January 13, 2020
Simplified offset processes, "carbon consciousness" as a characteristic of loyalty and buying decisions based on emission output may become some of the hallmark's of a green travel program. Read More
VIDEO: A reality check on investments and startups in travel
News / Startups
VIDEO: A reality check on investments and startups in travel
By Kevin May | January 10, 2020
In a wide-ranging and no-holds-barred interview conducted during The Phocuswright Conference 2019, Chris Hemmeter of Thayer Ventures shares some home truths about the sector and the investment world... Read More
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