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.

A snapshot of AI developments in travel in 2025
News / Technology
A snapshot of AI developments in travel in 2025
By Linda Fox | November 17, 2025
AI-focused launches and partnerships have been a weekly, sometimes daily, feature of travel tech news in 2025—and the pace is unlikely to let up. Read More
Hotel operating platform MAIC secures €1M for international expansion
News / Startups
Hotel operating platform MAIC secures €1M for international expansion
By Abby Crotty | November 14, 2025
The funding round was led by Expon Capital with participation from LBAN and other private investors. Read More
PhocusWire's weekly travel tech news briefs: BCD Travel, Cloudbeds, Klook and more...
News / Technology
PhocusWire's weekly travel tech news briefs: BCD Travel, Cloudbeds, Klook and more...
By PhocusWire | November 14, 2025
 Here's our roundup of the people, product and partner news from the global travel industry this week.   Read More
Amenitiz raises $45M to fuel AI product growth and market expansion
News / Online
Amenitiz raises $45M to fuel AI product growth and market expansion
By Abby Crotty | November 11, 2025
Amenitiz said it has grown fourfold since its Series A funding round in 2022, now supporting over 15,000 properties across Europe. Read More
What’s next for hospitality? 3 game-changing trends for 2026
From Our Partners / Online
What’s next for hospitality? 3 game-changing trends for 2026
By Joerg Schuler - Amadeus Hospitality | November 11, 2025
Three powerful forces—smarter technology, personalization and wellness and the growing influence of local events—are reshaping how hotels operate and connect with guests, and the implications should be... Read More
Hotels and OTAs shift focus from channels to guests
News / Distribution
Hotels and OTAs shift focus from channels to guests
By Yeoh Siew Hoon - WiT | November 11, 2025
At WiT Singapore, hotels and OTAs found common ground in a new battleground: trust, experience and emotion.   Read More
Marriott ends Sonder licensing agreement over default
News
Marriott ends Sonder licensing agreement over default
By Linda Fox | November 10, 2025
Marriott said Sonder "is no longer affiliated with Marriott Bonvoy and Sonder properties are not available for new bookings on Marriott’s channels." Read More
Hot 25 Travel Startups for 2026: Bonafide
Interview / Startups
Hot 25 Travel Startups for 2026: Bonafide
By PhocusWire | November 10, 2025
Bonafide is an alignment platform that helps travel brands make their content understandable, discoverable and actionable for generative artificial intelligence (AI) systems like ChatGPT, Gemini and... Read More
The supplier shift powering Latin America’s travel growth
News / Online
The supplier shift powering Latin America’s travel growth
By Phocuswright Research | November 10, 2025
Across airlines, hotels, car rentals and intermediaries, the post-pandemic reset is giving way to a new phase of consolidation and innovation in Latin America. Read More
Presenting the Hot 25 Travel Startups for 2026
News / Startups
Presenting the Hot 25 Travel Startups for 2026
By PhocusWire | November 10, 2025
PhocusWire presents the Hot 25 Travel Startups for 2026—our annual list of new companies in travel, hospitality and tourism. Read More
Hot 25 Travel Startups 2026: DirectBooker
Interview / Startups
Hot 25 Travel Startups 2026: DirectBooker
By PhocusWire | November 10, 2025
DirectBooker aims to connect hotels' inventory to AI systems so that travelers can find the best places to stay and book them directly. Read More
Hot 25 Travel Startups for 2026: GuestOS
Interview / Startups
Hot 25 Travel Startups for 2026: GuestOS
By PhocusWire | November 10, 2025
GuestOS provides AI teammates for hospitality, tourism and events, creating simpler, more reliable ways for people to connect. Read More
Hot 25 Travel Startups for 2026: HeyMax
Interview / Startups
Hot 25 Travel Startups for 2026: HeyMax
By PhocusWire | November 10, 2025
HeyMax turns everyday spend into aspirational travel by rewarding extra miles on everyday transactions. Read More
Hot 25 Travel Startups for 2026: Kismet
Interview / Startups
Hot 25 Travel Startups for 2026: Kismet
By PhocusWire | November 10, 2025
Kismet wants to make it easy for hotels to stand out in an AI storefront. Read More
Hot 25 Travel Startups for 2026: Landng
Interview / Startups
Hot 25 Travel Startups for 2026: Landng
By PhocusWire | November 10, 2025
Landng helps brands create interactive consumer journeys with maps offering an alternative to AR/VR that connects consumers to brand stories in real life. Read More
The Phocuswright Conference 2026