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.

The mobile-first world holds tremendous revenue potential for hoteliers - here's why
Opinion / Online
The mobile-first world holds tremendous revenue potential for hoteliers - here's why
By Max Starkov - HEBS Digital | February 20, 2019
As the travel planning process increases in complexity, hoteliers need to find ways to engage their best potential guests across multiple touch points and across all devices, especially mobile. Read More
Egencia adds hotel chat, package booking features to business travel platform
News / Online
Egencia adds hotel chat, package booking features to business travel platform
By Jill Menze | February 20, 2019
Egencia is rolling out platform updates to benefit both business travelers and travel managers. Read More
The false promise of hospitality technology integration
News / Distribution
The false promise of hospitality technology integration
By Gaurav Singh - RateGain | February 19, 2019
The industry should do more to give hoteliers a seamless end-to-end experience for them to distribute their rooms, with a lot less work. Read More
Distributed ledger technology can bring rate parity to hotel distribution
Opinion / Technology
Distributed ledger technology can bring rate parity to hotel distribution
By Nadim El Manawy - Arise Travel | February 15, 2019
We ask if distribution technology in use today has been designed with goals that are out of alignment with hotelier’s best interests Read More
hilton-q4-2018-direct-channels
News / Distribution
Hilton maintains focus on direct relationships as growth outstrips agency channel
By Linda Fox | February 14, 2019
Hilton boosted its loyalty program by 14 million members in 2018 and continues to focus on direct relationships. Read More
Regulators vs. online travel agencies - a level playing field coming for hotels?
Opinion / Online
Regulators vs. online travel agencies - a level playing field coming for hotels?
By Sam Weston - 80 Days | February 14, 2019
Breaking down what the recent rulings mean for the web intermediary and hotel ecosystem - and which player can capitalize. Read More
Shiji continues buying spree with acquisition of visual distribution platform Ice Portal
News / Distribution
Shiji continues buying spree with acquisition of visual distribution platform Ice Portal
By Jill Menze | February 14, 2019
To help its hotel clients curate and distribute visual content, Shiji Group has acquired Ice Portal. Read More
travelport-business-travel-tech
News / Technology
Business travelers happy with tech and human hybrid approaches to services
By Linda Fox | February 13, 2019
Travelport research reveals the technologies business travelers are adopting, with support growing for alt-human interfaces. Read More
webinar-february-2019-amadeus-hospitality-4
News / Technology
Building blocks of the group experience - considering needs of planners, groups and guests
By Amadeus | February 13, 2019
The changing face of “groups” is an interesting case study in how hotels must be on top of industry trends, consumer technology preferences, enterprise innovations, business and leisure travel patterns,... Read More
TripAdvisor full year earnings 2018
News / Online
TripAdvisor credits “reinvigorated” hotel segment, sees growth in experiences and restaurants during 2018
By Mitra Sorrells | February 13, 2019
TripAdvisor reports improved hotel segment profitability and growing experiences and restaurants for 2018 financial results. Read More
Sabre bullish for the year ahead, rounds out 2018 with revenue close to $4BN
News / Distribution
Sabre bullish for the year ahead, rounds out 2018 with revenue close to $4BN
By Linda Fox | February 12, 2019
Sabre says it's confident of growth in revenue for 2019 as it announces 2018 full-year figures. Read More
Travel websites losing billions as shoppers abandon purchases
News / Online
Travel websites losing billions as shoppers abandon purchases
By Linda Fox | February 11, 2019
An eye-watering estimate of $2.4 billion was lost in online revenue on websites during the fourth quarter of 2018. Read More
China, part 2: A conversation with Ctrip founder James Liang
News / Online
China, part 2: A conversation with Ctrip founder James Liang
By Mitra Sorrells | February 11, 2019
For part two of our China theme month, we talk to Ctrip co-founder and chairman James Liang about the company's growth and future plans. Read More
How airlines can sweat existing assets to capture in-flight eyeballs
Opinion / Technology
How airlines can sweat existing assets to capture in-flight eyeballs
By Dan Hurwitz - Penthera | February 11, 2019
In-flight entertainment has evolved at a rapid pace in recent years, yet seat-back screens are already on the decline - so airlines need to think differently as their passengers are now paying more... Read More
Expedia earnings full year 2018
News / Online
Expedia reports double-digit growth in key metrics in 2018, continues international push
By Mitra Sorrells | February 8, 2019
Expedia Group turned in strong figures for 2018 as it looks to continuing strengthening its product in new international markets. Read More
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