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.

lodgify raises 5 million
News / Technology
Lodgify bags $5M to build vacation rental tech, eyes hotel market next
By Jill Menze | July 10, 2018
Vacation rental software company Lodgify has raised $5 million to develop its direct-booking technology. Read More
Bing travel search report
News / Online
Summer months, sporting events drive travel search traffic
By Mitra Sorrells | July 10, 2018
Travel industry marketers looking to capitalize on periods of high travel search traffic have the best shot during summer months and around large sporting events, according to a report from Bing... Read More
Booking Holdings acquires HotelsCombined in Asia Pacific land grab
News / Online
Booking Holdings acquires HotelsCombined in Asia Pacific land grab
By Kevin May | July 9, 2018
HotelsCombined has ended 13 years as an independent business following a deal to sell to Booking Holdings. Read More
Customer experience part 1 digital design
News / Online
Reimagining customer experience, part 1: digital design
By Mitra Sorrells | July 9, 2018
This month we're exploring the topic of customer experience across the travel space. We begin with a look at how brands are designing their digital interfaces - websites and apps - to create an... Read More
research spotlight booking shopping
News / Online
Research Spotlight: A shift in how leisure travelers shop and book
By Jill Menze | July 9, 2018
The number of leisure travelers grew in 2017, and with that, so did the options for consumers to shop for and book travel. Read More
quote of the week 28
News / Distribution
QOTW: Something about a gap in accommodations
By PhocusWire | July 6, 2018
Quote from Sleepbox, in an article on PhocusWire this week. Read More
snapshot-travel-shiji
News / Technology
SnapShot founders leave, Shiji takes control of revenue tech platform
By Kevin May | July 6, 2018
Chinese hotel tech company Shiji Group has increased its stake in SnapShot - effectively buying out the shares of the founders of the five-year-old company. Read More
Google triggers new AdWords update: What are the implications for hotels?
Opinion / Online
Google triggers new AdWords update: What are the implications for hotels?
By SiteMinder | July 6, 2018
This year is set to be an important one for advertisers currently using Google AdWords to shop their wares. If your hotel is one of these businesses, Google is introducing a brand-new interface for the... Read More
Day of the independents - why chains are seeing tech-savvy competitors celebrate
Opinion / Distribution
Day of the independents - why chains are seeing tech-savvy competitors celebrate
By Sue Spinney - Expedia Group | July 5, 2018
As competition among hotels remains heated due to new construction and market saturation, independent hotels continue to thrive and outpace chain hotels. Read More
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
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