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 Vivere Travel
Interview / Startups
STARTUP STAGE: Vivere uses AI to curate inspirational content
By Mitra Sorrells | May 30, 2018
 Working with IBM Watson technology, Vivere uses artificial intelligence to easily organize and tag text and visual content about destinations around the world.   Read More
Tracking traveler dollars: Airbnb vs. hotel chains and cruise lines
News / Online
Tracking traveler dollars: Airbnb vs. hotel chains and cruise lines
By Jill Menze | May 30, 2018
Furthering its sustainable tourism initiatives, Airbnb has released a new report tracking how traveler-spent dollars are allocated across different types of accommodations. The findings claim Airbnb... Read More
VIDEO: Blockchain's role and its ambitious prospects in travel
News / Technology
VIDEO: Blockchain's role and its ambitious prospects in travel
By PhocusWire | May 29, 2018
Blockchain has a tendency to polarize opinion in the travel sector - fuelled a combination of distrust, ignorance, over-confidence and desire for change. Read More
VIDEO: AccorHotels on facing up to digital and not dying
News / Technology
VIDEO: AccorHotels on facing up to digital and not dying
By PhocusWire | May 24, 2018
A string of acquisitions into new areas of hospitality and a focus on digital services have made AccorHotels one of the chains to watch in recent years. Read More
Internet of Things for hotels - great, until a hacker calls
Opinion / Technology
Internet of Things for hotels - great, until a hacker calls
By Dean Coclin - DigiCert | May 24, 2018
Smart devices, often referred to as the Internet of Things, offer the hospitality industry the opportunity to give guests a much richer and differentiated experience. Read More
PODCAST: PhocusWire PundIT Show #13
News / Technology
PODCAST: PhocusWire PundIT Show #13
By Kevin May | May 23, 2018
Whoever thought you could have an extremely detailed and combative discussion about metasearch and hotels? Read More
How organic search is becoming ineffective for hotels on Google
News / Online
How organic search is becoming ineffective for hotels on Google
By Kevin May | May 23, 2018
Most conversations that involve digital marketing and the efforts of hotels and online travel agencies to gain exposure usually revolve around advertising. Read More
Nordic Choice projection mapping
News / Technology
How projection mapping allows guests to customize hotel room décor
By Mitra Sorrells | May 23, 2018
Hotel rooms without windows – either because they are interior rooms or they are located under ground level – are not uncommon in some parts of the world, particularly in crowded cities where available... Read More
Ctrip takes revenue boost from Chinese outbound travelers
News / Distribution
Ctrip takes revenue boost from Chinese outbound travelers
By Mitra Sorrells | May 23, 2018
Ctrip, China’s largest online travel agency, posted strong financial results for the first quarter of 2018.   Read More
VIDEO: Google on its progress in travel so far (read: substantial)
News / Online
VIDEO: Google on its progress in travel so far (read: substantial)
By PhocusWire | May 22, 2018
Google has lots of folk in a senior leadership positions who have some degree of responsibility for its focus on travel. Read More
Life House hotel funding $40M
News / Startups
Tech-driven boutique brand Life House launches with $40M and plans to bypass OTAs
By Mitra Sorrells | May 22, 2018
A new hotel brand has secured $40 million in funding to develop its boutique hotel product and proprietary technology platform.    Read More
VIDEO: Airbnb on moving forward as a company
News / Online
VIDEO: Airbnb on moving forward as a company
By PhocusWire | May 18, 2018
Airbnb has joined the ranks of brands in the industry that can generally fill a room whenever one of their executive comes along to speak. Read More
power paradox pcw
News / Technology
The Phocuswright Conference 2018: Introducing the Power Paradox
By PhocusWire | May 17, 2018
Travel’s biggest have never been bigger. So much market power for so few. This status quo is unprecedented. Dominance defines the state of things. Read More
the shared hotel room
Opinion / Technology
Why hotel rooms belong to guests - not hoteliers
By David Goldstone - DigiValet | May 17, 2018
Airbnb and other “shared economy” businesses have raised the bar for travel providers who wish to deliver personalized, truly local experiences for guests. For hotels, the new environment means a... Read More
VIDEO: The secrets behind Secret Escapes
News / Online
VIDEO: The secrets behind Secret Escapes
By Kevin May | May 17, 2018
Secret Escapes is the runaway success story from the plethora of travel brands that emerged at the turn of the decade with the idea of online discounted hotel sales. Read More
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