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.

Phocuswright Europe 2018 Preview: Q&A with Skyscanner's Filip Filipov
Interview / Online
Phocuswright Europe 2018 Preview: Q&A with Skyscanner's Filip Filipov
By PhocusWire | March 21, 2018
Ahead of the event, Filipov shares his thoughts on the biggest opportunity in online travel, what advice he'd give to new businesses and what's next for metasearch. Read More
Amazon’s multifaceted – and likely inevitable – path into travel
News / Online
Amazon’s multifaceted – and likely inevitable – path into travel
By Mitra Sorrells | March 21, 2018
It’s becoming clear that it’s no longer a question of “if” but rather of “when” and "how” Amazon will try to disrupt the travel industry.... again. Read More
hotelscombined-business-travel
News / Online
Hotelscombined targets corporate travel with new metasearch strategy
By Kevin May | March 21, 2018
Self-proclaimed "quiet achiever" of the travel metasearch engines, Hotelscombined, is shifting gears slightly with a new strategy to enter the world of corporate travel. Read More
The state of the computer reservation system nation
News / Technology
The state of the computer reservation system nation
By Kevin May | March 20, 2018
A major new study has shown how hotel chains are using technology to capture bookings, at the same time as illustrating how they want the ecosystem to evolve. Read More
OYO acquires Novascotia Boutique Homes
News / Startups
OYO inks first acquisition deal with Novascotia Boutique Homes
By Mitra Sorrells | March 20, 2018
Indian hospitality company OYO is broadening its portfolio of properties with the acquisition of Novascotia Boutique Homes.   Read More
wrapup march 20 2018
Notated News / Technology
Revinate, SmarterTravel, Sabre and more news briefs today...
By PhocusWire | March 20, 2018
In today’s wrap-up of news in brief: Revinate partners with Protel… Sabre ups CRM game… SmarterTravel assists advertisers… Travefy expands city guides… Aeromexico extends deal with Sabre... Read More
PODCAST: PhocusWire PundIT Show #9
News / Online
PODCAST: PhocusWire PundIT Show #9
By Kevin May | March 19, 2018
Valyn Perini, Stephen Joyce and Robert Cole get to grips with developments Airbnb and the potential for Amazon to make a return in travel (again). Read More
What destinations can learn from data around March Madness
Opinion / Online
What destinations can learn from data around March Madness
By Scott Garner - ADARA | March 19, 2018
For the NCAA basketball tournament, college loyalists are traveling in shows of support for their favorite teams. Here’s how the Arizona Office of Tourism used travel data to quantify the impact of its... Read More
QOTW: Something about why travelers demand the best experience
News / Technology
QOTW: Something about why travelers demand the best experience
By PhocusWire | March 16, 2018
Quote from Brian Solis, principal analyst at Altimeter. Read More
Everything hoteliers need to know about GDPR
Opinion / Technology
Everything hoteliers need to know about GDPR
By William Beckler - ALICE | March 16, 2018
At ALICE, we've been working hard to fully understand the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and its obligations on us and our customers. In order to help hoteliers figure out what is going on,... Read More
How smart technology can help hotels ward off bed bugs
News / Technology
How smart technology can help hotels ward off bed bugs
By Jill Menze | March 15, 2018
Hotels are putting money toward technology upgrades such as keyless entry to give guests a better in-room experience. But there’s another – albeit less glamorous – application for tech smart that hotels... Read More
Ctrip ends 2017 on financial high, promises ambitions only just starting
News / Distribution
Ctrip ends 2017 on financial high, promises ambitions only just starting
By Mitra Sorrells | March 15, 2018
China’s largest online travel company, Ctrip, posted net revenue gains of 39% in 2017 to $4.1 billion. Read More
A battle for hearts and homes - that would be Airbnb and Booking.com
Opinion / Online
A battle for hearts and homes - that would be Airbnb and Booking.com
By Douglas Quinby - Phocuswright | March 14, 2018
It's shaping up to become one of travel's great competitive rivalries: Airbnb versus Booking.com. Read More
Expedia claims it brings a "premium" customer to hotels
News / Online
Expedia claims it brings a "premium" customer to hotels
By Kevin May | March 14, 2018
With battles on multiple fronts, it appears, Expedia Inc has come out with a different tactic to keep its hotel partners happy: its customers have greater overall value. Read More
Airbnb courts hoteliers in crusade against OTAs
News / Online
Airbnb courts hoteliers in crusade against OTAs
By Jill Menze | March 14, 2018
Airbnb has made no secret of its intentions to knock off Expedia and Booking.com from the top of the travel food chain. Read More