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.

VIDEO: When OYO Rooms bought @Leisure - anatomy of a deal
News / Online
VIDEO: When OYO Rooms bought @Leisure - anatomy of a deal
By Kevin May | May 24, 2019
@Leisure's CEO Tobias Wann, who will become CEO for vacation homes at OYO Global, agreed to speak to PhocusWire during the recent Phocuswright Europe event in Amsterdam. Read More
Tencent leads $250M round into Mafengwo
News / Online
Tencent leads $250M round into Mafengwo
By Jill Menze | May 24, 2019
Chinese travel platform Mafengwo has raised a $250 million funding round led by Tencent Holdings Ltd, with General Atlantic, Qiming Venture Partners and Yuantai Evergreen Investment Partners also... Read More
Ctrip Q1 earnings
News / Distribution
Ctrip sales jump 21% in Q1 to more than $1B
By Mitra Sorrells | May 23, 2019
The online travel agency giant's results are fueled by strong performance in both accommodation and transportation ticketing and growing international business. Read More
Business travelers increasingly seek digital channels
News / Technology
Business travelers increasingly seek digital channels
By Linda Fox | May 22, 2019
Research from CWT shows how business travelers are increasingly look to self-service channels such as web and mobile bookings and other travel-related tasks. Read More
VIDEO: Expedia on being an empire and the future of platforms
News / Online
VIDEO: Expedia on being an empire and the future of platforms
By Kevin May | May 22, 2019
The Expedia Group is a sprawling empire of a business, with online travel agencies, corporate travel agencies and investments in metasearch. Read More
Skylark Travel raises $4M to build its high-touch platform for luxury travelers
News / Startups
Skylark Travel raises $4M to build its high-touch platform for luxury travelers
By Mitra Sorrells | May 22, 2019
Skylark Travel, a hybrid online-offline agency, has raised a $4 million seed round. Read More
VIDEO: Setoo - Battleground pitch winner at Phocuswright Europe 2019
Interview / Startups
VIDEO: Setoo - Battleground pitch winner at Phocuswright Europe 2019
By PhocusWire | May 22, 2019
Empowering e-businesses to turn insurance into products consumers love and providing a new insurance experience.  Read More
brexit-panel-pcwe-19
News / Distribution
VIDEO: How the travel industry is preparing for Brexit
By Linda Fox | May 21, 2019
Travel and tourism executives discuss Brexit plans during Phocuswright Europe 2019 in Amsterdam. Read More
VIDEO: Tech heads on a digital world to decipher in travel
News / Technology
VIDEO: Tech heads on a digital world to decipher in travel
By Kevin May | May 21, 2019
The strategies that they impose on a business have to meet with the demands of their customers - a process that needs careful consideration, investment and, sometimes, good fortune. Read More
MakeMyTrip revenue and bookings up more than 25%, operating losses down more
News / Distribution
MakeMyTrip revenue and bookings up more than 25%, operating losses down more
By Mitra Sorrells | May 21, 2019
Operating losses have decreased and revenue and bookings are up for India's largest online travel agency, MakeMyTrip. Read More
VIDEO: Rethinking the entry of Google in travel
News / Online
VIDEO: Rethinking the entry of Google in travel
By Kevin May | May 20, 2019
A series of spiky (angry, even) tweets and comments during conferences over the years - that's been the mainstay of one critic of Google's role in travel. Read More
VIDEO: Airbnb plays down competition, says it welcomes new entries into home-sharing
News / Online
VIDEO: Airbnb plays down competition, says it welcomes new entries into home-sharing
By Jill Menze | May 16, 2019
Speaking at Phocuswright Europe, Airbnb managing director of EMEA Jeroen Merchiers claimed: “We’re not obsessed with any individual company.” Read More
CEO interview Almundo Juan Pablo Lafosse
Interview / Distribution
In The Big Chair - Juan Pablo Lafosse of Almundo
By Mitra Sorrells | May 16, 2019
The Almundo CEO talks the power of offline, the company's strategy compared to Expedia and Booking and much more. Read More
TripAdvisor adds safety features to reviews
News / Technology
TripAdvisor adds safety features to reviews
By Linda Fox | May 15, 2019
TripAdvisor has added new features to the platform enabling travelers to find reviews that include information around safety-related incidents. Read More
How Google helped unpack the stress from modern travel
Opinion / Online
How Google helped unpack the stress from modern travel
By Finnbar Cornwall, Google UK | May 15, 2019
Working with Hostelworld, which offers backpackers access to tens of thousands of lodgings around the globe, Google has been assessing the challenges that come with modern travel. Read More
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