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.

Google Phocuswright leisure study
News / Online
Google's three trends to attract leisure travelers
By Mitra Sorrells | January 26, 2018
Google believes leisure travelers are “more curious, demanding and impatient than ever before,” and brands that will win them over are the ones that meet their needs quickly, easily and with... Read More
Roommatik facial recognition hotel kiosk
News / Technology
Roommatik tests facial recognition to streamline hotel check-in
By Mitra Sorrells | January 26, 2018
Facial recognition technology is going mainstream - Apple added it to its iPhone X, MasterCard is using it to verify mobile payments, conferences are adopting it to expedite registration and travel... Read More
airbnb next 100 years
News / Technology
Airbnb CEO outlines plans for "22nd-century company"
By Jill Menze | January 25, 2018
Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky today penned an open letter outlining his vision for the company’s next 100 years and announced American Express CEO Kenneth Chenault is joining the board of... Read More
What’s driving decision-making for U.S. and Canadian travelers
News / Online
What’s driving decision-making for U.S. and Canadian travelers
By Mitra Sorrells | January 24, 2018
Another point for Google when it comes to travel planning, with travelers across North America citing search engines as their top source of inspiration, according to a new survey from Expedia Media... Read More
DHISCO CHINAonline partnership 2
News / Distribution
Travel distribution partnership connects 500K+ hotels to Chinese travelers
By Mitra Sorrells | January 23, 2018
DHISCO,  a Dallas-based company that connects hotels with online travel agencies, global distribution systems, metasearch engines and other partners, has signed a partnership with... Read More
Video: How a travel startup uses Blockchain as part of a wider service
News / Technology
Video: How a travel startup uses Blockchain as part of a wider service
By Kevin May | January 23, 2018
For all the talk of Blockchain-led services on the verge of disrupting the travel industry, there still seems to be very few brands putting it at the heart of what they do. Read More
travljp content marketing
News / Online
How content truly is king for a travel search site
By Mitra Sorrells | January 23, 2018
Travel.jp, Japan’s largest travel search site, is drawing eyebrow-raising numbers to its articles and reviews that would make most media companies envious.   Read More
lokckchain booking disruption
News / Distribution
Is this the start of blockchain-based disruption for travel?
By Mitra Sorrells | January 22, 2018
LockChain - what may be the first blockchain-based marketplace for booking hotels and private accommodations - released its alpha version on Friday.  Read More
Wrapup January 22 2018
Notated News / Technology
HomeToGo, TrustYou and more news briefs today...
By PhocusWire | January 22, 2018
HomeToGo connects with Tripz.com… TrustYou launches all-in-one guest feedback platform… Uplift aims to end jet lag… Travolutionary adds suppliers… Jump Bikes expands service… Read More
QOTW: Something about being big and getting bigger
News / Online
QOTW: Something about being big and getting bigger
By PhocusWire | January 19, 2018
Quote from Glenn Fogel, CEO of the Priceline Group. Read More
Sharing economy spurs hotel investment in tech, loyalty programs
News / Technology
Sharing economy spurs hotel investment in tech, loyalty programs
By Mitra Sorrells | January 19, 2018
Competition from Airbnb, HomeAway and other sharing economy businesses that offer alternative accommodations is prompting hotels to beef up their marketing technology and loyalty programs.   Read More
Hotel tech in 2018: Tools and technologies to remove friction and deliver value
News / Technology
Hotel tech in 2018: Tools and technologies to remove friction and deliver value
By Arthur Chapin - Expedia | January 18, 2018
Simply keeping up with the expectations of tech-savvy consumers is no longer an option. Exceeding those expectations is imperative and an opportunity for hotels to focus on what truly matters to... Read More
Engagement Labs ranking travel sites
News / Online
Online vs. offline: Where travel brands drive the most positive sentiment
By Mitra Sorrells | January 18, 2018
Most online travel sites are generating better brand awareness via consumers’ face-to-face conversations than they are through social media, according to a report from Engagement Labs, which analyzes... Read More
Leisure travel report forecasts growth for hotels, tour operators
News / Online
Leisure travel report forecasts growth for hotels, tour operators
By Mitra Sorrells | January 18, 2018
 Investors will find a great deal to like across the travel and leisure segment in the coming year according to the latest research from Bank of America Merrill Lynch.    Read More
Video: Wildest dreams didn't predict success of Booking.com
News / Online
Video: Wildest dreams didn't predict success of Booking.com
By Kevin May | January 16, 2018
Depending on who you ask, Booking.com is either the finest example of an online travel success story or a giant of the industry that hotels love to hate. Read More
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