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.

Study indicates move away from direct booking among business travelers
News / Technology
Study indicates move away from direct booking among business travelers
By Linda Fox | December 3, 2018
Business travelers in Europe are moving away from direct booking channels, according to new research. Read More
Marriott data breach - a mess that is only starting to unravel
Opinion / Technology
Marriott data breach - a mess that is only starting to unravel
By Gates Marshall - CompliancePoint | November 30, 2018
Businesses and consumers continue to discuss privacy regulations and legislation on a regular basis, especially in the travel industry. Read More
Marriott admits 500 million guest accounts hacked
News / Technology
Marriott admits 500 million guest accounts hacked
By Kevin May | November 30, 2018
A major security breach impacting on half a billion guest records in the Starwood reservation system has been disclosed by Marriott. Read More
Simpleview Tourism Media merger
News / Online
Simpleview, Tourism Media merge to create global marketing organization
By Mitra Sorrells | November 30, 2018
Arizona-based Simpleview and Liverpool-based Tourism Media Group are merging, creating a global marketing organization that will serve more than 800 destination marketing organizations, regional tourism... Read More
VIDEO: Airbnb on what it's learned from Amazon Prime and its community
News / Online
VIDEO: Airbnb on what it's learned from Amazon Prime and its community
By Jill Menze | November 29, 2018
At The Phocuswright Conference, Airbnb Homes executive Greg Greeley discussed the company's ambitions as it prepares for an IPO. Read More
VIDEO: Teckst - Summit pitch at Phocuswright 2018
Interview / Startups
VIDEO: Teckst - Summit pitch at Phocuswright 2018
By Kevin May | November 29, 2018
Teckst empowers travel brands to text with their customers in real time using flexible CRM integrations. Read More
VIDEO: Jeff Katz on a new path for connectivity
News / Technology
VIDEO: Jeff Katz on a new path for connectivity
By Kevin May | November 28, 2018
Jeff Katz is an enigmatic figure in the travel industry, having overseen a string of business and considered by many as an important thinker in the development of the modern sector. Read More
Fornova allocation availability report
News / Distribution
Data pinpoints hotel mismanagement of inventory allocation and availability
By Mitra Sorrells | November 28, 2018
The management of room inventory on both a hotel’s brand site and through contracted online travel agency partners is at the core of an effective distribution system.   Read More
Gen Z reignites traveler affinity for mobile apps
News / Technology
Gen Z reignites traveler affinity for mobile apps
By Linda Fox | November 27, 2018
Generation Z travelers are looking for mobile apps and services to help them budget and plan trips as well as to organize and share their experiences on return. Read More
VIDEO: Expedia Group on being relevant and still trying to win
News / Online
VIDEO: Expedia Group on being relevant and still trying to win
By Kevin May | November 27, 2018
At some point, Mark Okerstrom will no longer be the figure who stepped into the breach at Expedia Group when his old boss and mentor Dara Khosrowshahi left to run Uber. Read More
VIDEO: The promise of voice tech for travel
News / Technology
VIDEO: The promise of voice tech for travel
By Mitra Sorrells | November 26, 2018
Voice technology has been one of the hottest topics of 2018, as both Google and Amazon ramp up their activity in the space, brands develop voice capabilities and consumers buy devices at a quickening... Read More
Technically speaking Laura Miller IHG
Interview / Technology
Technically Speaking - Laura Miller of InterContinental Hotels Group
By Mitra Sorrells | November 26, 2018
IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) named Laura Miller chief information officer in February 2018, with responsibility for infrastructure and operations, enterprise architecture and data, IT security... Read More
dataart-hotel-technology-v2
From Our Partners / Technology
Trajectory of hospitality and travel tech: Three essential points for vendor success
By Andrew Sanders - DataArt | November 20, 2018
Although historically the hotel industry has been slow to adopt new technologies, the current climate has transformed this reluctant pace into a full-speed super-highway. Read More
Dee Waddell IBM Phocuswright Conference 2018
News / Technology
VIDEO: IBM on how blockchain will - and won't - impact travel
By Mitra Sorrells | November 20, 2018
When it comes to blockchain, focus on the business concepts and not the technology. Read More
VIDEO: AccorHotels on adapting to shocks, localization and the road to digital
News / Distribution
VIDEO: AccorHotels on adapting to shocks, localization and the road to digital
By Linda Fox | November 19, 2018
AccorHotels has been on a digital journey since 2014 when it announced its five-year digital transformation strategy. Read More
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