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.

fliggy-alibaba-flyzoo-hotel
News / Technology
Fliggy packs Alibaba technology into debut FlyZoo hotel
By Linda Fox | March 13, 2019
Fliggy sets up FlyZoo hotel with automated services to improve the guest experience. Read More
Reality check: Airbnb still has a long way to go after HotelTonight deal
Opinion / Online
Reality check: Airbnb still has a long way to go after HotelTonight deal
By Max Starkov - HEBS Digital | March 12, 2019
The hoopla over the Airbnb purchase of HotelTonight needs further analysis, with more challenges than opportunities ahead for the new owner if it wants to become an OTA. Read More
Airbnb-HotelTonight - a deal at the right time for both
News / Online
Airbnb-HotelTonight - a deal at the right time for both
By Kevin May | March 11, 2019
Three experts covering the accommodation sector share their reaction to the deal by Airbnb to buy online travel agency HotelTonight. Read More
Google Flights and Hotel search updates
News / Online
Google enables flight destination search by price
By Mitra Sorrells | March 11, 2019
Google has made updates to its Flights and Hotel search, enabling new filters and options. Read More
Marriott CEO Sorenson Senate panel cyber breach
News / Technology
Marriott CEO: Source of attack still unknown, encryption and decentralization may be future solution
By Mitra Sorrells | March 7, 2019
Marriott CEO Arne Sorenson testified before a U.S. Senate subcommittee regarding the cyber attack on Starwood's guest reservation system. Read More
Airbnb to acquire online travel agency HotelTonight
News / Online
Airbnb to acquire online travel agency HotelTonight
By Kevin May | March 7, 2019
The deal for the OTA gives it the chance to "accelerate our work to build an end-to-end travel platform that serves everyone." Read More
google-assistant-voice-book-hotel-1
Opinion / Technology
Time to talk - using Google Assistant to book a hotel room
By Pablo Delgado - Mirai | March 7, 2019
It is becoming clearer that using voice commands to search for and book hotels is going to be disruptive in the hotel industry and will soon be changing the rules of the game. Read More
Booking.com pivots BookingSuite into a hotel tech app store
News / Technology
Booking.com pivots BookingSuite into a hotel tech app store
By Kevin May | March 6, 2019
The BookingSuite App Store is a collection of currently 45 different services provided by software companies in the industry that cover a range of tools to help hoteliers with their day-to-day... Read More
In the Big Chair - Patrick Bosworth of Duetto
Interview / Technology
In the Big Chair - Patrick Bosworth of Duetto
By Linda Fox | March 6, 2019
Learning the trade at a number of hotels and resorts in the mid-2000s, the often outspoken Patrick Bosworth co-created Duetto in 2011 in the U.S. Read More
Amex GBT launches cross-industry benchmarking tool to measure travel manager performance
News / Technology
Amex GBT launches cross-industry benchmarking tool to measure travel manager performance
By Jill Menze | March 6, 2019
American Express Global Business Travel's new Peer Travel Insights service will rank companies within their peer group. Read More
Ctrip ticks $4.5B annual revenue level for the first time
News / Online
Ctrip ticks $4.5B annual revenue level for the first time
By Kevin May | March 5, 2019
Ctrip cited "robust growth momentum" in its international business during 2018, but despite the uptick in overall annual revenue, Ctrip saw a decline of 19% in fourth quarter revenues to $1.1... Read More
TripAdvisor opens hotel Sponsored Placements
News / Online
TripAdvisor expands Sponsored Placements for hotels, adds new features
By Mitra Sorrells | March 5, 2019
TripAdvisor's Sponsored Placements for accommodations are now available to any property that provides rates and availability on the platform. Read More
Fornova buys hospitality intelligence platform HotelsBI
News / Distribution
Fornova buys hospitality intelligence platform HotelsBI
By Kevin May | March 4, 2019
HotelsBI was created in January 2016 by Leon Vaidman and includes tools for hotels to increase direct bookings and retain customers. Read More
Ditching direct: It may be time to reconsider your GDS and OTA connections
From Our Partners / Distribution
Ditching direct: It may be time to reconsider your GDS and OTA connections
By Kyle Moore - RateGain | March 4, 2019
The cost and effort of maintaining a direct connect to the GDS may have been more than hotels had bargained for. So we examine a few that of those hidden headaches. Read More
Sounding Off: Voice-enabled devices in travel need to be given time
Interview / Technology
Sounding Off: Voice-enabled devices in travel need to be given time
By PhocusWire | March 1, 2019
A touch of the "information superhighway - it'll never catch on"-type reactions to voice tech failures should be put to one side. Read More
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