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.

SiteMinder new CEO
News / Technology
SiteMinder names tech industry veteran as CEO
By Mitra Sorrells | November 7, 2018
Hotel guest acquisition platform SiteMinder has appointed its first CEO.   Read More
hotel personalization websites
Opinion / Distribution
The six principles of personalization for hotel websites
By Frank Reeves - Avvio | November 6, 2018
To assist hoteliers and accommodation providers in building personalization into their websites, here are six key principles to follow. Read More
Webjet acquires Destinations of the World
News / Distribution
WebJet acquires Destinations of the World for $173M
By Mitra Sorrells | November 6, 2018
Australia-based WebJet has acquired Destinations of the World (DOTW) for $173 million, a move that significantly expands Webjet’s B2B accommodations supplier business, WebBeds.     Read More
STARTUP STAGE: BedLinker plots distribution for hotels and marketplace for travel agents
Interview / Startups
STARTUP STAGE: BedLinker plots distribution for hotels and marketplace for travel agents
By Linda Fox | November 2, 2018
Founded in December 2017, there are two parts to the startup: BedLinker, a B2B marketplace for travel agents, and BedAllocator, a distribution management system for leisure hotels. The company wants to... Read More
biometric-technology-airports
News / Technology
Biometric-led travel sees a boost as initiatives take off
By Linda Fox | November 1, 2018
Emirates is claiming a world first with the launch a “biometric path” for travelers at Dubai International Airport. It is one of a number of projects pushing the technology during 2018. Read More
Ctrip's plans for localization: A look at Trip.com one year in
News / Online
Ctrip's plans for localization: A look at Trip.com one year in
By Jill Menze | November 1, 2018
It’s been exactly one year since Ctrip purchased Trip.com - a strategic move by the Chinese online travel powerhouse to bring its services into local Asia Pacific markets. And the past 365 days have so... Read More
Poor support, lack of integration top list of hoteliers’ gripes about PMS
News / Technology
Poor support, lack of integration top list of hoteliers’ gripes about PMS
By Mitra Sorrells | November 1, 2018
Insufficient support from vendors tops the list of concerns expressed by hoteliers about their property management systems in a new study, The Future of Hotel Management Systems.     Read More
Metasearch can survive and thrive (with some tweaks along the way)
News / Online
Metasearch can survive and thrive (with some tweaks along the way)
By PhocusWire | October 31, 2018
We now admit to starting our theme month in October pondering how much discussion there was to be had around metasearch in travel. Read More
The story of Hipmunk: How the metasearch engine turned "suckage" into success
Opinion / Online
The story of Hipmunk: How the metasearch engine turned "suckage" into success
By Adam Goldstein - Hipmunk | October 31, 2018
When we started Hipmunk in 2010, we were trying to solve a problem we faced firsthand: the agony of searching and booking travel. Read More
The good - and bad - of Trivago's hotel metasearch model
Opinion / Online
The good - and bad - of Trivago's hotel metasearch model
By Jacopo Rita - Bookassist | October 31, 2018
According to recent industry buzz and rumors, Trivago has seen better times. Hardly a month (or even a week!) goes past by without an article or press release highlighting even more trouble for the... Read More
Solid third quarter drives Sabre to increase full-year growth guidance
News / Distribution
Solid third quarter drives Sabre to increase full-year growth guidance
By Linda Fox | October 30, 2018
Sabre has reported a solid third quarter with growth across distribution, airline and hospitality solutions. Read More
It's the end of the hotel metasearch model as we know it
Opinion / Online
It's the end of the hotel metasearch model as we know it
By Max Starkov - HEBS Digital | October 30, 2018
The very promise to compare rates on hundreds of sites for the same hotel is what makes hotel metasearch inherently flawed. Read More
Metasearch part 4 startup challenges
News / Distribution
The metasearch model, part 4: Startup space
By Mitra Sorrells | October 29, 2018
Compared to other aspects of travel, metasearch has not seen as much activity from startups. For our final piece in this series, we explore the question of why, with insights from a venture... Read More
phocuswright-gender-survey
News / Technology
TAKE A SURVEY: Gender parity in travel and technology
By PhocusWire | October 26, 2018
Phocuswright is engaging its community to help find out where the industry stands on gender parity. Read More
revinate hotel marketing
News / Online
The hotel email marketing trends that can help boost ROI
By Jill Menze | October 26, 2018
Compared to other marketing channels such as social media, direct mail or paid search, email delivers the highest returns on investment for hoteliers. But the contents - and timing - of emails sent by... Read More
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