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.

STARTUP STAGE: Sleepbox's micro-hotels house travelers in urban areas
Interview / Startups
STARTUP STAGE: Sleepbox's micro-hotels house travelers in urban areas
By Jill Menze | July 5, 2018
Sleepbox's portable micro-hotels are designed for travelers stuck in an airport or looking for a cheap and easy place to stay. The modular rooms are geared toward millennials who want accommodations... Read More
Amazon Alexa for Hospitality D Berger
News / Technology
Alexa For Hospitality is a seminal moment in the industry (despite challenges)
By David Berger - Volara | July 4, 2018
The launch of Alexa for Hospitality is a seminal moment for hoteliers, as well as the ecosystem of vendors that serve them. Read More
Everything hotels need to know about calculating direct sales
Opinion / Distribution
Everything hotels need to know about calculating direct sales
By Cesar Lopez - Mirai | July 3, 2018
Would you go on a diet without knowing or controlling your weight and without using scales? Then why, as a professional, do you want to boost your direct sales without knowing its cost? Read More
LINE app travel service
News / Online
Japan’s LINE app is getting into the travel business
By Mitra Sorrells | July 2, 2018
LINE, the most popular communication app in Japan with nearly 200 million active users per month, has created a travel booking site. Read More
How OYO Rooms redefines living spaces with technology
From Our Partners / Online
How OYO Rooms redefines living spaces with technology
By Ritesh Gupta - ChinaTravelNews | July 2, 2018
The blend of technology, leveraging virtually every living space available in a destination, is shaping up new ways of how and where one stays while travelling. Read More
Technology and customer experience analysis
News / Technology
Why technology is the key to a great customer experience for travelers
By Rakshit Desai - FCM Travel Solutions | July 2, 2018
It’s a universally acknowledged fact that technology has influenced every aspect of human life, specifically over the last few years. This stands unambiguously true for travel industry. Read More
phocuswright dynamic pricing bundling
News / Technology
New trends in AI-driven predictive pricing and bundling
By Phocuswright Research | July 2, 2018
The concepts of personalization, big data analysis and dynamic pricing/offers have been discussed and debated in the press for a number of years, though limited evidence exists of any wide-level... Read More
quote of the week 27
News / Online
QOTW: Something about how easy it is to burn cash
By PhocusWire | June 29, 2018
Quote from Craig Paddock, director of search for MMGY Global, in an article on PhocusWire this week. Read More
Online travel agencies face action for search, charges and discount practices
News / Online
Online travel agencies face action for search, charges and discount practices
By Kevin May | June 29, 2018
An ongoing probe into sales tactics by online travel agencies has seen a number of brands warned over the way they display prices and market to users. Read More
Alexa, what do Echo devices in hotels mean for travel marketers?
News / Technology
Alexa, what do Echo devices in hotels mean for travel marketers?
By Mat Harris - Sojern | June 29, 2018
It’s no secret that Amazon is extremely well-positioned to disrupt digital advertising, with a massive global customer base, hundreds of millions of Prime subscribers, tremendous data assets and... Read More
360-degree-hotel-view-nor1-2
News / Technology
360-degree content credited with hotel booking boost
By Kevin May | June 28, 2018
Rich content, such as virtual reality-based content, has become one of the main mechanisms of persuading hotel guests to upgrade their room. Read More
edreams-odigeo-results-2018
News / Online
eDreams Odigeo hits record revenue milestone
By Kevin May | June 27, 2018
European travel group eDreams Odigeo has reached €500 million in annual revenue for the first time in its history, crediting growth in mobile as a significant factor. Read More
STARTUP STAGE: Instaroom brings communication to direct hotel bookings
Interview / Technology
STARTUP STAGE: Instaroom brings communication to direct hotel bookings
By Kevin May | June 27, 2018
Instaroom has built what it calls a "concierge platform" so that hotels can communicate directly with potential guests on their websites. Read More
WeChat marketing for travel
News / Online
Q&A: How brands are using WeChat to attract travelers
By Mitra Sorrells | June 27, 2018
Travel brands and destinations are vying for the attention of Chinese travelers – already a massive market with an estimated 130.5 million outbound trips made in 2017 and projections of 10% growth... Read More
Triptease secures $4 million to take hotel direct tech to the Far East
News / Distribution
Triptease secures $4 million to take hotel direct tech to the Far East
By Kevin May | June 26, 2018
Triptease has raised a further $4 million in its Series B round, bringing the total investment in the company to date to almost $25 million. Read More
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