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.

QOTW: Something about one-size-fits-all customers
News / Online
QOTW: Something about one-size-fits-all customers
By PhocusWire | February 2, 2018
Quote from Feargal Mooney, CEO of Hostelworld. Read More
An insider's tale on hotel website conversion rates
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
Airbnb CFO out new COO named
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
American Express buys Mezi chatbot
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
In The Big Chair - Feargal Mooney of Hostelworld
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
Ryanair, Toncheng-Elong, TripIt and more news briefs today...
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
Criteo study mobile and booking apps
News / Distribution
Mobile travel bookings jump, especially for online agencies
By Mitra Sorrells | January 29, 2018
Travelers are increasingly turning to their phones – and away from desktops and tablets – to book trips and experiences.   Read More
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
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