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.

YouTube addicts are prime customers for travel brands
News / Online
YouTube addicts are prime customers for travel brands
By Staff - Web In Travel | October 24, 2017
Travelers watch on average about two hours of videos a day, travel five times a year, and spend $3,657 a year on trips. Read More
Travel-Ticker returns, then disappears again via sale to HotelPlanner
News / Distribution
Travel-Ticker returns, then disappears again via sale to HotelPlanner
By Kevin May | April 11, 2017
Just 12 months or so after coming back from a three-year hiatus, Travel-Ticker has been sold to HotelPlanner... and immediately closed once more. Since its return, Travel-Ticker has been based in U Read More
Starkov's technology and marketing resolutions for hoteliers (part one)
News / Technology
Starkov's technology and marketing resolutions for hoteliers (part one)
By Viewpoints | January 6, 2017
There was an obvious and substantial emphasis on ‘book direct’ marketing strategies in 2016, with hoteliers looking to drive more direct business via loyalty member-only rates, special incentives, uni Read More
Build trust with your hotel guests in four steps
News / Distribution
Build trust with your hotel guests in four steps
By Viewpoints | July 29, 2015
Hotel guests today expect their interactions with brands to be personal and relevant to their interests. In fact according to AgilOne, 70% of consumers expect more personalized services from brands. Read More
Startup pitch: RoomsTonite joins last-minute hotel booking frenzy
News / Technology
Startup pitch: RoomsTonite joins last-minute hotel booking frenzy
By Martin Cowen | April 20, 2015
Bangalore-based RoomsTonite places itself under the startup pitch microscope with a refreshingly straightforward proposition - it connects travellers looking for a room with hotels in India which have Read More
Pushing the boundaries in peer-to-peer marketplaces
News / Online
Pushing the boundaries in peer-to-peer marketplaces
By Patrick Landman | September 12, 2013
Do you know who is sleeping in your hotel room? Social travel platforms are changing the hotel distribution landscape forever but a few might be taking the peer-to-peer travel concept a bit far Read More
A brief history of travel technology - from its evolution to looking at the future
News / Online
A brief history of travel technology - from its evolution to looking at the future
By Stephen Joyce | September 12, 2013
It is said that necessity is the mother of all invention - and we need look no further than the travel industry to see this proverb in practice. Read More
Losing control - a worrying vision of the future for hotels
News / Online
Losing control - a worrying vision of the future for hotels
By Viewpoints | September 11, 2013
This article is an economic theory drawn from my own imagination: not based on any real data but common sense and observing the relationship in a parallel industry. Read More
Hotel rate parity campaigner backs away with final poke at regulators (and a cheeky website)
News / Online
Hotel rate parity campaigner backs away with final poke at regulators (and a cheeky website)
By Kevin May | September 10, 2013
The travel executive who triggered the long-running investigation into alleged bullying by major online travel agencies over hotel pricing is giving up his fight. Read More
Hotel sues guest for posting review on TripAdvisor about bed bugs
News / Online
Hotel sues guest for posting review on TripAdvisor about bed bugs
By Karthick Prabu | September 9, 2013
Canada-based Hotel Quebec is suing a former guest for $95,000. The reason? The guest wrote a negative review on TripAdvisor exposing the bed bugs in his room and refused to remove the review. Read More
Tnooz-Amadeus Webinar VIDEO: Can Big Data really transform travel?
Webinars / Distribution
Tnooz-Amadeus Webinar VIDEO: Can Big Data really transform travel?
By PhocusWire | September 6, 2013
We have probably all heard about it, read about it, seen people discuss it on stage at conferences - but doubts still remain as to how big this Big Data thing could and should be for travel brands. Read More
Consolidation and deals - why 2013 is not great news so far for hoteliers
News / Online
Consolidation and deals - why 2013 is not great news so far for hoteliers
By Viewpoints | September 4, 2013
The Expedia and Travelocity partnership announced last month has many implications for the hotel industry. Read More
Behind the scenes, Booking.com is quietly powering hotel search for a trio of major European agencies
News / Distribution
Behind the scenes, Booking.com is quietly powering hotel search for a trio of major European agencies
By Kevin May | August 27, 2013
With all the coverage and analysis of the Expedia-Travelocity deal last week, another major partnership at the European end of the industry has slipped under the radar. Read More
A deep dive into reach and popularity of online travel brands in India and Southeast Asia
News / Online
A deep dive into reach and popularity of online travel brands in India and Southeast Asia
By Karthick Prabu | August 26, 2013
Priceline.com tops (by unique visitors) in five out of six countries in Southeast Asia, reports comScore, a digital measurement company. Read More
Hotel distribution - 500 shades of mostly grey
News / Online
Hotel distribution - 500 shades of mostly grey
By Viewpoints | August 23, 2013
Hotel distribution is an intricate weave made up of systems and interfaces that looks impressive from a distance, but doesn't make much sense when you are up close enough to see the detail. Read More
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