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.

PhocusWire's newsmakers of the year 2018
News / Online
PhocusWire's newsmakers of the year 2018
By Kevin May | December 17, 2018
The profile of a brand in travel - and the perception of it from consumers and industry peers - is mostly generated over the course of certain events or a period of time. Read More
Airbnb boosts hotel visibility with homepage refresh, new filter
News / Online
Airbnb boosts hotel visibility with homepage refresh, new filter
By Jill Menze | December 14, 2018
Airbnb is pushing its hotels business by featuring a “Boutique Hotels” category on its homepage and by including hotels in its space type filter. Read More
VIDEO: Hopper on growth, the impact of NDC and the value of being app-only
News / Technology
VIDEO: Hopper on growth, the impact of NDC and the value of being app-only
By Mitra Sorrells | December 14, 2018
2018 was a big year for Hopper. The app-only price prediction and booking platform picked up $100 million in Series D funding in October and rolled out its hotel service to more than 40 markets. Read More
VIDEO: Perfect Price - Summit pitch runner-up at Phocuswright 2018
Interview / Startups
VIDEO: Perfect Price - Summit pitch runner-up at Phocuswright 2018
By Kevin May | December 14, 2018
The dynamic pricing platform that uses AI and machine learning to maximize profitability in an increasingly digital world. Read More
VIDEO: Amadeus on a new online travel agency landscape
From Our Partners / Online
VIDEO: Amadeus on a new online travel agency landscape
By Kevin May | December 13, 2018
The online travel agency landscape, according to some, is dominated by just a handful of players. Read More
Opinion future AI in travel
Opinion / Technology
Sentiment versus sentient: Taking conversational AI further in travel
By Madhusudan Mathihalli - Passage AI | December 12, 2018
Artificial intelligence applications that are currently being used in the travel and hospitality industries boast a myriad of benefits - from booking flights and hotels to organizing a traveler’s... Read More
VIDEO: DataArt and Hudson Crossing on giving brands a new edge
News / Technology
VIDEO: DataArt and Hudson Crossing on giving brands a new edge
By Kevin May | December 12, 2018
Travel brands have made no secret of a desire to evolve their underlying technology and boost their strategic position in an increasingly complicated and competitive marketplace. Read More
Phocuswright Conference 2018 India executive interview
News / Distribution
VIDEO: MakeMyTrip and Yatra on the future of the Indian travel market
By Mitra Sorrells | December 11, 2018
Cheap smart phones, cheap data and a proliferation of mobile payment options are spurring massive adoption of mobile shopping in India.   Read More
WhyHotel 10 million series A
News / Startups
Pop-up hotel concept WhyHotel raises $10M, plans U.S. expansion
By Mitra Sorrells | December 11, 2018
A startup that manages units in new luxury apartment buildings as temporary hotels has raised $10 million in series A funding.   Read More
VIDEO: Tinyclues - Launch pitch runner-up at Phocuswright 2018
Interview / Technology
VIDEO: Tinyclues - Launch pitch runner-up at Phocuswright 2018
By Kevin May | December 11, 2018
Tinyclues' AI-first solution reinvents how marketers work while doubling their campaign revenue and improving the customer experience. Read More
Travelport sold back to private equity for $4.4B
News / Distribution
Travelport sold back to private equity for $4.4B
By Kevin May | December 10, 2018
Travelport will end just over four years on the public markets and be taken into private equity hands once more, following a $4.4 billion takeover by Elliott Management Corporation. Read More
Grab plots new sector strategy, invests $100M in OYO
News / Online
Grab plots new sector strategy, invests $100M in OYO
By Kevin May | December 10, 2018
OYO has confirmed that it took $100 million in funding from ride-hailing app Grab during its last capital-raising round. Read More
I was a senior VP of technology at Starwood - here’s my take on the guest data breach
Opinion / Technology
I was a senior VP of technology at Starwood - here’s my take on the guest data breach
By Israel del Rio - Quilmach | December 10, 2018
Reports on the Marriott guest data breach have suggested the most probable cause was a result of the technology platform deployed by Starwood under the name “Valhalla.”  Read More
QOTW: Something about simply pressing a button
News / Online
QOTW: Something about simply pressing a button
By Kevin May | December 7, 2018
Quote from Clayton Reid, CEO at MMGY Global, in an article on PhocusWire this week. Read More
Tourlane 24 million series b
News / Startups
Tourlane raises $24M for agent-led trip tool, plans to nearly double staff
By Mitra Sorrells | December 7, 2018
Berlin-based Tourlane, which offers online booking of custom itineraries planned by travel specialists, has raised $24 million in Series B funding.   Read More
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