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.

Travel trends in the Middle East: Experiences, Gen Z and technology
News / Online
Travel trends in the Middle East: Experiences, Gen Z and technology
By Abby Crotty | October 7, 2025
According to Phocuswright data, in 2024, the travel market in the Middle East exceeded pre-pandemic levels by 23%, with gross total bookings reaching $101.2 billion. Read More
Expedia partners with Perplexity for Comet launch
News / Technology
Expedia partners with Perplexity for Comet launch
By Morgan Hines | October 6, 2025
Expedia is offering Silver status in its OneKey loyalty program in exchange for users downloading Comet’s recently launched browser. Read More
Plusgrade acquires Oaky, plans unified upsell platform
News / Technology
Plusgrade acquires Oaky, plans unified upsell platform
By Linda Fox | October 6, 2025
Plusgrade's deal to acquire Oaky is its third in recent years following its acquisition of UpStay and Points.com. Read More
Hotel chains struggle with AI strategy, independents see fast ROI
News / Technology
Hotel chains struggle with AI strategy, independents see fast ROI
By Marisa Garcia | October 3, 2025
Separate studies from H2c and TakeUp capture perspectives on artificial intelligence usage from more 370 hoteliers worldwide, encompassing luxury chains, mid-market brands and small, independent hotels. Read More
RateGain to acquire Sojern for $250M
News / Online
RateGain to acquire Sojern for $250M
By Morgan Hines | October 2, 2025
The companies aim to create an AI-focused, digital marketing and distribution platform to help the travel industry boost guest acquisition, retention and engagement. Read More
Rapid fire with Paul Jacobs of Kayak
News / Online
Rapid fire with Paul Jacobs of Kayak
By Morgan Hines | October 2, 2025
As we approach The Phocuswright Conference in San Diego, PhocusWire is highlighting a number of conference speakers in a series of Q&As. Read More
Airlines are evolving their innovation mindset
From Our Partners / Online
Airlines are evolving their innovation mindset
By Cara Whitehill - Thayer Investment Partners | October 2, 2025
Airline corporate venture capital teams are adopting a different line of sight when looking at investment and innovation, engaging outside their traditional aviation footprint and tapping into... Read More
From SEO to GEO, hotels confront the future of digital discovery
News / Online
From SEO to GEO, hotels confront the future of digital discovery
By Matthew Parsons | October 2, 2025
Hospitality brands and independent properties are trying to figure out how best to appear directly in the detailed answers large language models are returning. Read More
HTS adds AI-powered support tool for travel sellers
News / Technology
HTS adds AI-powered support tool for travel sellers
By Morgan Hines | October 1, 2025
HTS Assist is meant to offer end-to-end autonomous customer support through voice and chat communications. Read More
Tracking Q3 travel startup funding
News / Startups
Tracking Q3 travel startup funding
By Linda Fox | October 1, 2025
PhocusWire tracks the large and small travel startup funding rounds in Q3 as well as M&A activity in the space. Read More
Mews adds housekeeping tech to platform with acquisition of Flexkeeping
News / Technology
Mews adds housekeeping tech to platform with acquisition of Flexkeeping
By Linda Fox | September 30, 2025
Flexkeeping said its technology has helped hotel teams become 40% more productive, reduced guest complaints by 45% and improved the guest experience. Read More
Rapid fire with Richie Karaburun of New York University
News / Online
Rapid fire with Richie Karaburun of New York University
By Morgan Hines | September 30, 2025
As we approach The Phocuswright Conference in San Diego, PhocusWire is highlighting a number of conference speakers in a series of short Q&As. Read More
How brand marketers can adapt to travelers’ evolving mindsets
From Our Partners / Online
How brand marketers can adapt to travelers’ evolving mindsets
By Matthew Parsons | September 30, 2025
Today's travelers are discovering inspiration through an expanding universe of digital touchpoints and content creators, making their journey from dreaming to booking more complex than ever before. Read More
TikTok launches travel advertising solution
News / Technology
TikTok launches travel advertising solution
By Morgan Hines | September 29, 2025
TikTok’s Travel Ads is meant to connect users with hotel, destination, flight and cruise catalogs as they explore travel content on the platform. Read More
Report: 2025 state of AI for travel and airlines
From Our Partners / Technology
Report: 2025 state of AI for travel and airlines
By Amperity | September 29, 2025
Hotels and airlines are racing to adopt AI, but many are falling short. Find out how your brand stacks up in the State of AI in Travel 2025 report.   Read More
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