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.

Travelport up in revenue but Flight Centre exit hits other metrics
News / Distribution
Travelport up in revenue but Flight Centre exit hits other metrics
By Kevin May | May 3, 2018
Travelport saw its revenues increase to $678 million in the first quarter of 2018 but the loss of its large Flight Centre account has hit profits to the tune of 9%. Read More
Thomas Cook Qubit digital personalization
News / Online
How personalization is driving conversions for Thomas Cook
By Mitra Sorrells | May 3, 2018
Personalization of the digital experience is a primary strategy for brands looking to attract and retain customers. But one of the challenges is how to create personalization at scale and in a way that... Read More
siteminder global hotel business
News / Technology
Hotels investing in growing direct bookings, mobile upgrades for 2018
By Jill Menze | May 2, 2018
Hotels view their own websites as equally as effective at driving direct bookings as Google or TripAdvisor, a new report from SiteMinder shows. Read More
Sabre hits nearly $1 billion in revenue for Q1 2018
News / Distribution
Sabre hits nearly $1 billion in revenue for Q1 2018
By Kevin May | May 1, 2018
Sabre found itself with an 8% increase in revenue for the first quarter of 2018, giving it almost $1 billion for a three-month period for the first since it went public in 2014. Read More
Hotel door lock hacking
News / Technology
Hotel door locks found vulnerable to hacking
By Mitra Sorrells | May 1, 2018
An electronic lock system used for the past 20 years to secure hotel rooms has been found to be vulnerable to hacking.   Read More
mgm resorts expedia
News / Online
MGM Resorts taps Expedia to grow package bookings in Vegas
By Jill Menze | April 30, 2018
To boost customer acquisition at its properties in Las Vegas, MGM Resorts International is operating its package booking platform using Expedia Powered Technology. Read More
Hoteliers should care about voice technology - here's why
Opinion / Technology
Hoteliers should care about voice technology - here's why
By Max Starkov - HEBS Digital | April 30, 2018
With internet users preferring communication with images and, most importantly, voice activation, there is a great opportunity for hotels in this landscape. Read More
phocuswright europe google
Interview / Technology
Phocuswright Europe 2018 Preview: Q&A with Google's Richard Holden
By PhocusWire | April 30, 2018
Ahead of the event, he discusses how Google has no plans to become an OTA, the importance of search and more. Read More
Expedia Group ticks solid start box for 2018, helped by HomeAway
News / Online
Expedia Group ticks solid start box for 2018, helped by HomeAway
By Mitra Sorrells | April 26, 2018
Expedia Group recorded a 15% increase in total gross bookings and a 15% increase in revenue to $2.5 billion for the first quarter of 2018 compared to the same period last year. Read More
Past, present and a bright future for revenue management
Opinion / Technology
Past, present and a bright future for revenue management
By Dan Skodol - Rainmaker | April 26, 2018
In 1972, an employee of British Overseas Airways Corporation by the name of Ken Littlewood provided the genesis of what has become today's revenue management discipline. Read More
Trivago Q1 2018 financial results
News / Online
Trivago reports increase in qualified referrals, slight drop in revenue in Q1
By Mitra Sorrells | April 25, 2018
Despite a 7% increase in qualified referrals, hotel metasearch platform Trivago recorded a drop in total revenue in the first quarter of 2018 - though relatively slight at 3% - compared to the same... Read More
SDL AI machine learning content creation
News / Technology
How AI is rewriting content creation for travel
By Mitra Sorrells | April 25, 2018
Content is the foundation of a brand’s interaction with its customers. Whether in the form of a website, mobile app, emails, or a social campaign, the words a brand uses provide both information and... Read More
marriott home rental
News / Distribution
Marriott enters home-rental market with new trial program
By Danny King - Travel Weekly | April 24, 2018
Marriott International on Monday debuted a home-rental trial program with UK-based Hostmaker. Read More
HRS AI for corporate travel
News / Technology
How AI is changing corporate travel management
By Mitra Sorrells | April 24, 2018
Corporate travel is big – really big – business. According to a July 2017 report from the Global Business Travel Association, global business travel spend approached $1.3 trillion in 2016, and it’s... Read More
Culture Trip brings in $80M to build online travel agency
News / Startups
Culture Trip brings in $80M to build online travel agency
By Kevin May | April 24, 2018
Who said travel content sites were dead in an age dominated by large players such as TripAdvisor and long-standing niche sites already in the market? Read More