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.

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
VIDEO: Inside the brains of online travel financial analysts
News / Online
VIDEO: Inside the brains of online travel financial analysts
By Kevin May | November 19, 2018
Online travel brands generally get most of the attention on their financial performance when reporting their latest earnings four times a year. Read More
STARTUP STAGE: Domio is targeting group travel with tech-forward apartment-hotels
Interview / Startups
STARTUP STAGE: Domio is targeting group travel with tech-forward apartment-hotels
By Jill Menze | November 19, 2018
Domio targets group travelers with spacious, tech-forward homes in urban markets. In addition to its Domio-operated and designed properties, the company is planning to launch 25 apartment-hotels in the... Read More
VIDEO: Booking Holdings on Google, complacency, ambitions and the entire trip
News / Online
VIDEO: Booking Holdings on Google, complacency, ambitions and the entire trip
By Linda Fox | November 16, 2018
A string of international acquisitions and investments (plus a new-ish name) to reflect on a global position has the industry speculating about what else lies ahead for the former Priceline Group. Read More
VIDEO: Hilton on loyalty, millennials and digital marketing
News / Distribution
VIDEO: Hilton on loyalty, millennials and digital marketing
By Mitra Sorrells | November 16, 2018
With experience at Microsoft, Capital One and Uber, Kellyn Smith Kenny joined Hilton in January as the hospitality brand’s senior vice president and chief marketing officer, overseeing strategy for its... Read More
VIDEO: Top investors on the good, the bad and the bountiful in travel
News / Startups
VIDEO: Top investors on the good, the bad and the bountiful in travel
By Mitra Sorrells | November 15, 2018
Benchmark Capital general partner Bill Gurley made his inaugural appearance on the center stage of The Phocuswright Conference Wednesday in Los Angeles.   Read More
bryan-dove-skyscanner-phocuswright-2018
News / Online
VIDEO: Skyscanner CEO on mobile, Ctrip and meta disruptors
By PhocusWire | November 14, 2018
In a conversation with PhocusWire editor in chief Kevin May at the 2018 Phocuswright Conference, Skyscanner CEO Bryan Dove says he believes there's a "100%" chance another company could come along and... Read More
Travel fans are engaged on Instagram, but can brands keep up?
News / Online
Travel fans are engaged on Instagram, but can brands keep up?
November 14, 2018
Travel fans on Instagram consume more content than other audiences but it remains a tough channel for brands to crack. Read More
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