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 looks to 2021 for major business goals
News / Distribution
Travelport looks to 2021 for major business goals
By Kevin May | February 20, 2018
Travelport is targeting a number of major milestones over the course of the next three years - outside of the core GDS segment of the business. Read More
airbnb-hotel-distribution-analysis
News / Distribution
Can Airbnb trigger a revolution in hotel distribution?
By Cesar Lopez - Mirai | February 20, 2018
Given the size of Airbnb, recent coverage of its potential to open up to hotel distribution has been well worth the fanfare. Read More
Webjet opens blockchain marketplace to external partners
News / Technology
Webjet opens blockchain marketplace to external partners
By Mitra Sorrells | February 20, 2018
Webjet is expanding its blockchain initiative, Rezchain, to four companies: Thomas Cook, DidaTravel, Mitra Global and Far East Hospitality.   Read More
OneFineStay eyes business travel expansion through MagicStay deal
News / Online
OneFineStay eyes business travel expansion through MagicStay deal
By Kevin May | February 19, 2018
AccorHotels-owned upmarket rental brand OneFineStay is targeting corporates as part of an ongoing expansion plan to reach beyond high-end leisure travelers. Read More
research spotlight asia ota
News / Distribution
Research Spotlight: Asia Pacific's fast-growing OTA landscape
By PhocusWire | February 19, 2018
In the Asia Pacific region, aggregate gross bookings via online travel agencies are projected to jump 68% from 2017 to 2012. Read More
QOTW: Something about putting pieces in the Troogle jigsaw
News / Technology
QOTW: Something about putting pieces in the Troogle jigsaw
By PhocusWire | February 16, 2018
Quote from Gino Engels, co-founder and chief commercial officer of OTA Insight. Read More
TripAdvisor 2018 strategy hotels attractions mobile
News / Online
TripAdvisor bets on TV advertising, improved UX to restore profit in hotel segment
By Mitra Sorrells | February 15, 2018
TripAdvisor will expand its television advertising spending to $100 to $130 million for its hotel segment during 2018, with new creative and new markets, while simultaneously reducing online marketing... Read More
Wyndham Worldwide offloads European rental brands for $1.3 billion
News / Online
Wyndham Worldwide offloads European rental brands for $1.3 billion
By Kevin May | February 15, 2018
James Villa Holidays, Landal GreenParks and Hoseasons are under new ownership after Wyndham Worldwide finalized a deal to sell its European vacation rental business to Platinum Equity. Read More
OTA Insight on Google and Airbnb
News / Distribution
Google, Airbnb and the evolving distribution landscape
By Mitra Sorrells | February 15, 2018
Airbnb and Google made notable announcements in the first week of February – the former opening its platform to hotel distribution and the latter rolling out updates to expand and simplify travel... Read More
sawydays necessary evil
News / Online
Why small property owners see OTAs as a "necessary evil"
By Jill Menze | February 15, 2018
The codependent nature of small property owners and their booking partners has its upsides, but primarily, it’s viewed by the underdogs as a “necessary evil.” Read More
TripAdvisor earnings full year 2017
News / Online
TripAdvisor has revenue elsewhere to thank as hotel growth remains flat
By Mitra Sorrells | February 14, 2018
TripAdvisor turned in modest 5% growth in total revenue for 2017 but a notable 24% increase in revenue in its non-hotel category.    Read More
Duetto raises massive $80 million to push hotel tech platform
News / Technology
Duetto raises massive $80 million to push hotel tech platform
By Kevin May | February 14, 2018
Duetto can boast $143.2 million in funding rounds to date after landing a huge Series D investment of $80 million this week. Read More
Q&A: How blockchain is helping Webjet improve efficiency, cut costs for hotel bookings
News / Technology
Q&A: How blockchain is helping Webjet improve efficiency, cut costs for hotel bookings
By Mitra Sorrells | February 14, 2018
When Microsoft announced in November 2016 that it was working with Australia-based online travel agency Webjet to build a blockchain proof-of-concept solution, the term “blockchain” was still relatively... Read More
outdoorsy rv marketplace funds
News / Startups
Peer-to-peer RV marketplace Outdoorsy drives away with $25M
By Mitra Sorrells | February 13, 2018
Outdoorsy, a sharing economy startup connecting owners of recreational vehicles with interested renters, has raised $25 million in Series B funding. Read More
Hotels admit steep reliance on online travel agencies
News / Distribution
Hotels admit steep reliance on online travel agencies
By Kevin May | February 13, 2018
Hotels have a high dependency on online travel agencies to distribute their inventory, with almost every other channel deemed to be low on same scale. Read More
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