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.

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
VIDEO: Sleepbox - Summit pitch winner at Phocuswright 2018
Interview / Startups
VIDEO: Sleepbox - Summit pitch winner at Phocuswright 2018
By Kevin May | December 7, 2018
Sleepbox is a technology-driven micro-hotel providing frictionless, autonomous, affordable, private and safe housing during travel. Read More
technically speaking airbnb
Interview / Online
Technically Speaking - Ari Balogh of Airbnb
By Jill Menze | December 6, 2018
Ari Balogh comes to Airbnb from Google and is charged with leading infrastructure, information IT and security and engineering for payments, trust and community support as CTO. Read More
Hosco eyes Americas for hospitality networking platform as it closes €5.4M round
News / Online
Hosco eyes Americas for hospitality networking platform as it closes €5.4M round
By Linda Fox | December 6, 2018
Hosco, an online hospitality network and recruitment specialist, has closed a €5.4 million funding round. Read More
VIDEO: Regulations and sustainability - an awkward paradox for travel
News / Technology
VIDEO: Regulations and sustainability - an awkward paradox for travel
By Mitra Sorrells | December 6, 2018
Tourism drives economic growth for destinations, but it can also cause issues such as overcrowding and regulatory challenges. Read More
Hotelchamp Autopilot marketing AI
News / Technology
Hotelchamp creates AI “Autopilot” to personalize hotel websites
By Mitra Sorrells | December 6, 2018
Hotelchamp, an Amsterdam-based startup that provides technology to drive direct bookings on hotel websites, is launching a new product to automate a personalized user experience.   Read More
A review of 2018, a preview for what's next: Travel marketing
News / Online
A review of 2018, a preview for what's next: Travel marketing
By Mitra Sorrells | December 5, 2018
As we look ahead to 2019, we asked MMGY Global CEO Clayton Reid to share thoughts on the future of travel and what lies ahead for marketing and advertising strategies, the growing influence of Google... Read More
Will Marriott data breach herald the death of personalization?
Opinion / Technology
Will Marriott data breach herald the death of personalization?
By Greg Abbott - DataArt | December 5, 2018
This analysis could be titled in a number of ways, each with a lean towards what was disclosed by Marriott last week when it emerged some 500 million guest accounts had been hacked. Read More
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