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.

Only three in ten French hotel bookings will be direct by 2022
News / Distribution
Only three in ten French hotel bookings will be direct by 2022
By Kevin May | May 16, 2018
Hotel bookings in France are dominated by third party sites - and growth of the direct channel is tipped to slow over the next five years. Read More
ADARA CYI framework
News / Online
ADARA launches new personalization framework for travel brands
By Mitra Sorrells | May 16, 2018
Enterprise travel data solution provider ADARA has created a new framework to hep brands deliver personalized experiences to their customers. Read More
Phocuswright Europe 2018 Preview: Maud Bailly on a revolution in habits
Interview / Distribution
Phocuswright Europe 2018 Preview: Maud Bailly on a revolution in habits
By PhocusWire | May 15, 2018
Ahead of Phocuswright Europe, she outlines the need for "responsible personalization," what the role of a CDO entails and AccorHotels' plans for the future. Read More
Travelport digital engagement
News / Technology
Technology is driving "tidal wave of change" for booming travel industry
By Mitra Sorrells | May 15, 2018
The combination of strong economies around the world and rapid developments in technology are causing significant, fundamental changes in the business of travel.   Read More
Online travel agencies and their use of "voodoo science"
Opinion / Distribution
Online travel agencies and their use of "voodoo science"
By Max Starkov - HEBS Digital | May 15, 2018
It was always going to be mildly controversial when the European Technology and Travel Services Association (ETTSA) released its report last week into direct hotel bookings. Read More
Security series part 2 GDPR
News / Technology
Unlocking travel security, part 2: The looming GDPR deadline
By Mitra Sorrells | May 14, 2018
The European Parliament approved GDPR in 2016 and gave companies two years to prepare their systems and policies for compliance.  Read More
trivago triphappy
News / Online
Trivago buys AI startup TripHappy to improve personalized search
By Jill Menze | May 10, 2018
In a bid to expand its personalized offerings for consumers, German hotel metasearch platform Trivago has acquired artificial intelligence startup TripHappy. Read More
Hotel direct distribution benefits "debunked"
News / Distribution
Hotel direct distribution benefits "debunked"
By Kevin May | May 10, 2018
"No measurable impact" is the headline-grabbing finding from a study looking at whether direct bookings have any impact on the cost of distribution for hotels. Read More
tripadvisor global travel economy
News / Online
TripAdvisor claims to influence 10 percent of $5 trillion global travel economy
By Jill Menze | May 10, 2018
TripAdvisor has issued another not-so-subtle reminder of its status and influence in the travel market - this time with the dollars to back it up. Read More
Booking Holdings hits record $25B booking mark for a quarter
By Jill Menze | May 9, 2018
In the first quarter of 2018, Booking Holdings, formerly the Priceline Group, has reported significant financial growth despite a slowing of growth in bookings and room nights. Read More
in the big chair guesty
Interview / Online
In The Big Chair - Amiad Soto of Guesty
By Jill Menze | May 9, 2018
Amiad Soto co-founded Guesty alongside his twin brother in 2013. He has been named to Forbes Israel’s 30 under 30 list. Read More
tripadvisor q1 earnings 2018
News / Online
TripAdvisor's Experiences and restaurants boost revenue, hotel growth flat
By Jill Menze | May 8, 2018
A dip in its hotels business and a boom of its Experiences offerings saw TripAdvisor’s non-hotel revenue grow to around one-third of hotel revenue for the first quarter of 2018, compared to the same... Read More
AHLA fraudulent hotel bookings
News / Distribution
Fraudulent hotel bookings hit $5.2 billion in 2017
By Mitra Sorrells | May 8, 2018
The American Hotel & Lodging Association says consumers paid $5.2 billion in fraudulent and misleading hotel booking transactions with third-party travel companies in 2017. Read More
BackBid checks out to HotelPlanner
News / Online
BackBid checks out to HotelPlanner
By Kevin May | May 8, 2018
Hotel booking and group travel specialist HotelPlanner has acquired accommodation auction site BackBid. Read More
Security series part 1 threat landscape
News / Online
Unlocking travel security, part 1: The threat landscape
By Mitra Sorrells | May 7, 2018
Equifax, Yahoo, Ebay – all major brands that have been the targets of cyber criminals, with millions of customers impacted in each case.   Read More
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