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.

Four online travel agency myths to stop believing now
Opinion / Online
Four online travel agency myths to stop believing now
By Peter O’Connor - Essec Business School | August 8, 2019
OTAs suffer from some image problems amongst many hoteliers, often due to misconceptions or misinformation about how they work. So, let's bust some myths. Read More
Booking Holdings q2 2019 earnings
News / Online
Booking Holdings integrates brands, develops payment capabilities in quest for “connected trip”
By Mitra Sorrells | August 7, 2019
Booking Holdings reports positive financial results as it works toward what CEO Glenn Fogel called the "connected trip." Read More
culture-trip-ota-final
News / Distribution
Culture Trip finally unveils its online travel agency, promises to cover the full funnel
By Linda Fox | August 6, 2019
The company claims it has spent a lot of time understanding customer needs and is not just “replicating a bog standard OTA.” Read More
TripActions new consultant-led services
News / Online
TripActions takes on legacy TMCs with new consultancy services
By Mitra Sorrells | August 4, 2019
TripActions is expanding its suite of enterprise solutions with the launch of TripActions Consulting. Read More
Sounding Off: Damaging trust can take years to rebuild
Interview / Online
Sounding Off: Damaging trust can take years to rebuild
By PhocusWire | August 2, 2019
CEOs walk a communications tightrope, where a loose word or two can trigger doubts in the minds of consumers that can last an age in business years. Read More
What owning the end-to-end traveler experience means for Airbnb for Work
News / Online
What owning the end-to-end traveler experience means for Airbnb for Work
By Jill Menze | August 2, 2019
As Airbnb endeavors to own the end-to-end experience for corporate travelers, is transforming into a full-fledged travel management company in the cards? Read More
Sabre revenues up across the business despite challenges in Europe
News / Distribution
Sabre revenues up across the business despite challenges in Europe
By Linda Fox | August 1, 2019
The company has reported revenue gains across its three main divisions for the second quarter of 2019. Read More
Cendyn Rainmaker acquisition
News / Online
Cendyn adds revenue management tools with acquisition of Rainmaker
By Mitra Sorrells | August 1, 2019
Cendyn, a provider of CRM and sales platforms for the hospitality industry, has acquired the Rainmaker Group, a revenue and profit optimization platform for hotels, resorts and casinos.   Read More
Amadeus reports double-digit revenue growth for the first half of 2019
News / Distribution
Amadeus reports double-digit revenue growth for the first half of 2019
By Linda Fox | July 31, 2019
The Spain-based company puts growth in the IT Solutions and Distribution arms of the business down to an “expanding customer base.” Read More
makemytrip-q1-2020
News / Online
MakeMyTrip narrows operating losses after growth across air, hotels and bus divisions
By Linda Fox | July 30, 2019
Group chairman and chief executive Deep Kalra hailed “strong business growth” in the “peak travel quarter” despite softer domestic demand. Read More
Vacasa buys remaining Wyndham Vacation Rentals unit for $162M
News / Online
Vacasa buys remaining Wyndham Vacation Rentals unit for $162M
By Kevin May | July 30, 2019
The sale comes 18 months after Wyndham Worldwide sold its European vacation rental business to Platinum Equity for $1.3 billion. Read More
The true cost of not protecting customer data in travel
Opinion / Technology
The true cost of not protecting customer data in travel
By Peter Matthews - Nucleus | July 30, 2019
If data breaches can happen to some of the biggest players in the business, whose cyber security budgets dwarf most businesses, how exposed are smaller groups and individual hotels? Read More
Agoda new mix and save program
News / Distribution
Hoteliers have mixed response to Agoda’s new hacker rates
By Siew Hoon Yeoh - WebInTravel | July 30, 2019
Hoteliers see both potential benefits and risks to Agoda's new Mix and Save function. Read More
hilton-q2-2019-loyalty
News / Distribution
Hilton focuses on engaging "lower level" loyalty program members
By Linda Fox | July 29, 2019
Hilton says its loyalty program Honors has some 94 million members, an increase of more than 20% compared to Q2 2018. Read More
India part 4 Ebix CEO q and a
News / Online
India, part 4: Ebix CEO Robin Raina on his big plans to disrupt travel
By Mitra Sorrells | July 29, 2019
Ebix is not a well-known company in the global travel industry, but Robin Raina plans to change that – and fast. Read More
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