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.

Get real: The power of combining AI with authentic intelligence
From Our Partners / Technology
Get real: The power of combining AI with authentic intelligence
By Chris Hemmeter - Thayer Investment Partners | August 19, 2025
Chris Hemmeter from Thayer Investment Partners outlines his thoughts on the importance of balancing AI with the core tenets of authentic hospitality.   Read More
Decoding online shopping: Travel and hospitality consumer trends for 2025
From Our Partners / Online
Decoding online shopping: Travel and hospitality consumer trends for 2025
By AB Tasty | August 18, 2025
Find out where consumers get inspiration for new travel plans, what leads them to abandon their cart or booking, what types of AI tools can make the online experience easier and more.   Read More
PhocusWire's weekly travel tech news briefs: Agoda, Navan, Qatar Airways and more...
News / Technology
PhocusWire's weekly travel tech news briefs: Agoda, Navan, Qatar Airways and more...
By PhocusWire | August 15, 2025
Keep up with all the latest people, partner and product news from around the global travel industry. Read More
Travel trends and social media in Africa, the Middle East and China
News / Online
Travel trends and social media in Africa, the Middle East and China
By Abby Crotty | August 14, 2025
During an executive panel at Phocuswright Europe in Barcelona, panelists also touched on products they’re working on, B2B travel tech trends and fraud in Africa.   Read More
Freedom, flexibility and transparency: What Gen Z travelers really want and need
News / Online
Freedom, flexibility and transparency: What Gen Z travelers really want and need
By Abby Crotty | August 13, 2025
Gen Z is adventurous and spontaneous, and their travel booking preferences reflect these preferences. Read More
Keys to converting travel insights to impact
From Our Partners / Online
Keys to converting travel insights to impact
By PhocusWire | August 12, 2025
Zartico chief operating officer Nicole Brownell and co-founder and chief innovation officer Jay Kinghorn explore how destinations and resorts can use data science to close the loop between marketing... Read More
CEO Spotlight: Mike Putman of Custom Travel Solutions
Interview / Online
CEO Spotlight: Mike Putman of Custom Travel Solutions
By Linda Fox | August 11, 2025
Mike Putman discusses how he built up CTS, having previously created an international travel club with 800,000 members and seeing an opportunity to replicate its success. Read More
United invests in Dfinitiv to unlock loyalty and media revenue
News / Technology
United invests in Dfinitiv to unlock loyalty and media revenue
By Linda Fox | August 8, 2025
The airline is exploring use cases for Dfinitiv’s technology across its loyalty program, MileagePlus, and its commerce media network, Kinective Media, which was unveiled a year ago. Read More
PhocusWire's weekly travel tech news briefs: OYO, Hostaway, Duffel and more...
News / Technology
PhocusWire's weekly travel tech news briefs: OYO, Hostaway, Duffel and more...
By PhocusWire | August 8, 2025
Keep up with all the latest people, partner and product news from around the global travel industry. Read More
Expedia Group reports stronger results in Q2 amid ongoing U.S. headwinds
News / Online
Expedia Group reports stronger results in Q2 amid ongoing U.S. headwinds
By Abby Crotty | August 7, 2025
While numbers improved overall, second quarter results were still tempered by “soft demand” in the United States. Read More
Viator sees revenue and booking volume gains in Q2 2025
News / Online
Viator sees revenue and booking volume gains in Q2 2025
By Linda Fox | August 7, 2025
Tripadvisor Group revenue, which includes Viator, brand Tripadvisor and theFork, increased 7% year over year to $529 million while net income was $36 million. Read More
Airbnb reports high customer satisfaction with Services, Experiences
News / Online
Airbnb reports high customer satisfaction with Services, Experiences
By Abby Crotty | August 6, 2025
The short-term rental giant said the response has been “overwhelmingly positive,” with experiences and services receiving higher ratings than homes. Read More
TourRadar unveils $1M fund to reward travelers and creators for content
News / Online
TourRadar unveils $1M fund to reward travelers and creators for content
By Linda Fox | August 6, 2025
The RISE fund follows the launch of TourRadar Moments, an in-app feature that enables trips to be booked from content uploaded by travelers and creators. Read More
Trivago reports double-digit growth in Q2, completes acquisition of Holisto
News / Online
Trivago reports double-digit growth in Q2, completes acquisition of Holisto
By Abby Crotty | August 5, 2025
The company reported a significant increase in advertising spend, with the number anticipated to increase during the summer travel season. Read More
Hotel groups grow loyalty membership despite 'points fatigue'
News / Online
Hotel groups grow loyalty membership despite 'points fatigue'
By Linda Fox | August 5, 2025
Accor and Marriott have seen recent gains in loyalty program members as well as increases in other loyalty growth metrics. Read More
The Phocuswright Conference 2026