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.

News / Distribution

Airbnb officially opens up platform to hotel distribution

By Kevin May | February 7, 2018

Airbnb is to allow hotels and other accommodation providers to list on the site for the first time through an official third party distribution network. Read More

Nordic Choice blockchain test Winding Tree

News / Technology

Q&A: How - and why - Nordic Choice Hotels is testing blockchain

By Mitra Sorrells | February 7, 2018

Could an open-source blockchain-based distribution system stimulate innovative solutions from travel industry startups, provide more choices to travelers, and drive more revenue to suppliers? Read More

News / Online

Google simplifies travel search, leads for partners with new all-in-one mobile upgrade

By Mitra Sorrells | February 6, 2018

Google is adding new features to its travel search functions to add ease and speed for mobile users. Read More

Opinion / Distribution

Online travel agency fightback: Tactics to lure direct bookings

By Max Starkov - HEBS Digital | February 6, 2018

As the travel planning journey continues to become increasingly more complex, hoteliers need to be looking for more impactful ways to engage and retain their best potential guests. Read More

Bing Phocuswright digital travel marketing study

News / Online

What travel marketers need to know for digital engagement

By Mitra Sorrells | February 6, 2018

Travel marketers should fine-tune digital strategies to attract new customers and reinforce loyalty among existing ones as they strive to prevail in the competitive landscape of online travel agencies,... Read More

News / Distribution

Research Spotlight: OTAs, the big getting even bigger

By PhocusWire | February 5, 2018

Competition to online travel agencies no longer comes from fellow OTAs and traditional suppliers. Read More

News / Online

QOTW: Something about one-size-fits-all customers

By PhocusWire | February 2, 2018

Quote from Feargal Mooney, CEO of Hostelworld. Read More

Opinion / Distribution

An insider's tale on hotel website conversion rates

By Jean-Louis Boss - Fastbooking | February 2, 2018

The conversion rate of a hotel website is determined by so many factors that one shouldn’t be fooled into trying to meet an industry average. Read More

Sabre Bedsonline TravelBound Expedia Affiliate Network

News / Distribution

Sabre preps new content service with lodging offerings

By Mitra Sorrells | February 2, 2018

When Sabre’s new Content Services for Lodging launches later this year it will give travel buyers access to more than 900,000 hotel properties. Read More

News / Technology

Airbnb IPO ruled out for 2018, CFO departs

By Jill Menze | February 1, 2018

Just days after Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky outlined the company’s plans toward moving into the next century, it was announced that Laurence Tosi is stepping down from his position as chief financial... Read More

phocuswright research us hotel and lodging

News / Distribution

Research Spotlight: Impact of loyalty rates on US lodging

By PhocusWire | January 31, 2018

The remainder of the decade shows promise for the US hotel industry, with forecasts predicting record occupancy thanks to the strong economic growth and increased demand the sector is currently... Read More

News / Startups

AmEx buys Mezi, embraces "do-it-for-me" model

By Mitra Sorrells | January 30, 2018

American Express has acquired artificial intelligence-powered assistant Mezi, which co-founder and CEO Swapnil Shinde says upends the current “DIY” trend of travel search and booking into a... Read More

Interview / Online

In The Big Chair - Feargal Mooney of Hostelworld

By Kevin May | January 30, 2018

Guiding the company through acquisitions, an increase in competition and changes to the marketplace is an exec who has spent 15 years with the business. Read More

Notated News / Technology

Ryanair, Toncheng-Elong, TripIt and more news briefs today...

By PhocusWire | January 30, 2018

Ryanair announces credit program… Toncheng-Elong adds wallet features… TripIt shares airport wait times… Choice Hotels debuts global reservation system… BCD Travel extends Amadeus partnership… Read More