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.

Payments month part 1 alternative payments
News / Online
Travel payments, part 1: Beyond credit cards and cash
By Mitra Sorrells | June 3, 2019
We begin our month-long series on travel payments with a look at some of the options for paying without cash or a traditional credit card. Read More
Welcome to a new era for online travel, where any brand can get left behind
Opinion / Online
Welcome to a new era for online travel, where any brand can get left behind
By Jeff Katz - Journera | May 31, 2019
We spent the last two decades in the Transaction Era - making it easier to find and book the elements of a trip. But we are now entering the Experience Era. Read More
travel-payment-tech-latin-america-2
Opinion / Technology
How payment tech could revolutionize travel brands in Latin America
By Howard Blankenship - CellPoint Mobile | May 31, 2019
Have fintech and alternative forms of payment had an effect on the travel sector in Latin America? The short answer is yes; in fact, the impact is significant. Read More
Are your demand channels taking more than commission?
From Our Partners / Distribution
Are your demand channels taking more than commission?
By Chinmai Sharma - DHISCO | May 31, 2019
Let me start by getting something out of the way: commissions in hospitality distribution are fair. Read More
max-kraynov-aviasales-phocuswright-europe-2019
From Our Partners / Online
VIDEO: AviaSales on Google-proofing a travel business
By PhocusWire | May 31, 2019
Russia-based metasearch engine AviaSales has been in the market for ten years, so has seen how the world of performance marketing and search advertising has evolved. Read More
Travelport completes $4.4BN sale to private equity
News / Distribution
Travelport completes $4.4BN sale to private equity
By Kevin May | May 30, 2019
Travelport has officially ended its almost five-year stint on the public markets and is now back in the hands of private equity ownership. Read More
holidaypirates-david-armstrong-2
News / Online
VIDEO: HolidayPirates on winning social media and not using Google
By Kevin May | May 30, 2019
HolidayPirates is another of the outliers in the world of online travel in Europe that probably doesn't get the attention that it deserves. Read More
VIDEO: Booking.com on where it sees opportunity for growth
News / Online
VIDEO: Booking.com on where it sees opportunity for growth
By Jill Menze | May 30, 2019
Where is there room for Booking.com - already one of the top players in online travel alongside Ctrip and Expedia - to grow? Read More
PODCAST: PhocusWire PundIT Show #17
News / Online
PODCAST: PhocusWire PundIT Show #17
By PhocusWire | May 29, 2019
The first of our podcasts recorded during Phocuswright Europe in Amsterdam earlier this month is now available. Read More
mindsay-chatbot-funding
News / Startups
Mindsay adds $10M in Series A funding to expand chatbot service
By Linda Fox | May 29, 2019
Paris-based chatbot startup also took on a brand name after starting out as Destygo. Read More
VIDEO: RateGain on getting Smart with distribution
From Our Partners / Technology
VIDEO: RateGain on getting Smart with distribution
By PhocusWire | May 29, 2019
When hospitality brands and intermediaries consider what is happening in other sectors and how the status quo is effectively the same as it was years ago, then the "zero innovation" argument might be a... Read More
Airbnb signs Shiji distribution deal to bolster China hotel strategy
News / Distribution
Airbnb signs Shiji distribution deal to bolster China hotel strategy
By Kevin May | May 28, 2019
Airbnb has another distribution partner to help bolster its hotel inventory. But this time it is aimed squarely at boosting its presence in China. Read More
VIDEO: Google on leveraging machine learning in travel search
News / Online
VIDEO: Google on leveraging machine learning in travel search
By Kevin May | May 28, 2019
Google is at the heart of the search experience and sits on enormous amounts of data that, it says, helps create a better search experience for travelers. Read More
Latin America, part 4: Challenges and opportunities in travel distribution
News / Distribution
Latin America, part 4: Challenges and opportunities in travel distribution
By Mitra Sorrells | May 28, 2019
For the final piece in our series on Latin America, we take a look at the current state and future outlook for distribution in hospitality and air. Read More
ctrip-high-income-travelers
News / Online
Ctrip sees huge potential in customized travel for growing affluent segment
By Linda Fox | May 24, 2019
Research from Ctrip and COTRI reveals the potential in the growing high-net income traveler segment. Read More
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