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.

Getaway Lounge sold to NineMSN, CEO moves to Agoda for top marketing role
News / Online
Getaway Lounge sold to NineMSN, CEO moves to Agoda for top marketing role
By Kevin May | August 8, 2012
Just a year after commencing operations in the group buying world for hotels stays, Australia-based startup Getaway Lounge has been sold to NineMSN-owned Cudo. Read More
Priceline first half 2012 results - at-a-glance summary
News / Online
Priceline first half 2012 results - at-a-glance summary
By Kevin May | August 7, 2012
Priceline released its first half 2012 results today. A quick overview is as follows: Read More
The problem with general managers in hotels
News / Online
The problem with general managers in hotels
By Patrick Landman | August 7, 2012
Investing in hotel real estate requires a lot of funds. We are talking about tens or hundreds of millions of Dollars or Euros. Read More
Amadeus first half 2012 results - at-a-glance summary
News / Online
Amadeus first half 2012 results - at-a-glance summary
By Kevin May | August 2, 2012
Amadeus released its first half 2012 results today. A quick overview is as follows: Read More
European hotel prices - August to October 2012
News / Online
European hotel prices - August to October 2012
By PhocusWire | August 2, 2012
Data trends on cheapest hotel rates as well as median rate for three months of three, four and five star hotels across some of the major cities in Europe. Read More
Time for travel companies to say what they mean to Google
News / Online
Time for travel companies to say what they mean to Google
By PhocusWire | August 1, 2012
A year ago, Google, Bing (Microsoft) and Yahoo announced Schema.org: a taxonomy that would allow webpages to self-describe their content. Read More
TravelShark CEO jumps (from) the shark
News / Online
TravelShark CEO jumps (from) the shark
By Kevin May | August 1, 2012
A year on from securing a $5 million funding round, TravelShark CEO Sue Heilbronner has quit the company for a new role with a payment system provider. Read More
Regulator accuses Expedia, Booking.com and IHG in hotel competition infringement probe
News / Online
Regulator accuses Expedia, Booking.com and IHG in hotel competition infringement probe
By Kevin May | July 31, 2012
Two years in the making, UK regulator The Office of Fair Trading has cited Expedia, Booking.com and InterContinental Hotels in its investigation into fixing hotel rates. Read More
Hotel revolution needed: Start with guarantee policies and pull GDSs out of the Old School
News / Online
Hotel revolution needed: Start with guarantee policies and pull GDSs out of the Old School
By Viewpoints | July 30, 2012
Following the success of partnerships with Google’s Hotel Finder and Room Key, hotel central reservation system vendor Trust International sees a proliferation of online booking channels a boon to... Read More
How to use great customer service to trigger social media attention [15 TIPS]
News / Online
How to use great customer service to trigger social media attention [15 TIPS]
By Josiah Mackenzie | July 25, 2012
Remarkable customer service pays dividends in the travel industry by increasing loyalty and word of mouth buzz. Read More
Revinate grabs $14.5M funding round, travel reputation management becomes a big deal
News / Online
Revinate grabs $14.5M funding round, travel reputation management becomes a big deal
By Kevin May | July 24, 2012
Further validation of a growing sector in the industry with Revinate capturing a healthy funding round in the form of $14.5 million from Benchmark Capital and Formation 8. Read More
What happens if the hotel industry finally says RIP to rate parity?
News / Distribution
What happens if the hotel industry finally says RIP to rate parity?
By Viewpoints | July 24, 2012
It looks like the hotel industry's trusty steed, rate parity, is lumbering towards the knackers yard, trash heap, call it what you like... Read More
Finally, something BIG to get excited about in hotel technology
News / Online
Finally, something BIG to get excited about in hotel technology
By Glenn Gruber | July 24, 2012
There’s little new in hotel distribution, but that’s not to say that there’s little interesting going on elsewhere in the industry when it comes to technology. Read More
Busting five myths about mobile applications for hotels
News / Online
Busting five myths about mobile applications for hotels
By Viewpoints | July 24, 2012
Over the last few months I have been very disappointed by hearing several hotel Internet marketing companies dismissing mobile applications as part of a hotel’s mobile marketing strategy. Read More
Error 404 pages on travel websites - the good, the cute and the ugly
News / Online
Error 404 pages on travel websites - the good, the cute and the ugly
By Kevin May | July 20, 2012
Hear less about the dreaded "blue screen of death" these days as, presumably, computers are getting better - but unfortunately website errors are still commonplace. Read More
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