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.

TripAdvisor stakes major influence: Reviews associated with £1.7BN of tourism spending
News / Online
TripAdvisor stakes major influence: Reviews associated with £1.7BN of tourism spending
By Kevin May | July 19, 2012
In a claim almost guaranteed to irk its noisiest critics, TripAdvisor reckons that page views of its content (ie. reviews) had some influence on £1.7 billion worth of business in 2011. Read More
Yapta ends search for new CEO, appoints EZYield boss James Filsinger
News / Online
Yapta ends search for new CEO, appoints EZYield boss James Filsinger
By Kevin May | July 18, 2012
Over seven months after co-founder and CEO Tom Romary quit the company, Yapta has installed a new boss to take care of the airfare price tracking service. Read More
Qantas launches Hooroo accommodation and social media spin-off website
News / Online
Qantas launches Hooroo accommodation and social media spin-off website
By Kevin May | July 18, 2012
In what is being billed as an attempt to boost domestic tourism, Qantas has unveiled a service called Hooroo combining hotel search and booking with a big emphasis on social media. Read More
Three ways hotels can drive revenue keeping a close eye on social media data
News / Online
Three ways hotels can drive revenue keeping a close eye on social media data
By Josiah Mackenzie | July 17, 2012
One of the most revolutionary trends happening in hotel technology right now is the use of social media data and customer review analytics in optimizing distribution and maximizing revenue growth. Read More
Vast majority of travellers now expect free wifi in hotels
News / Online
Vast majority of travellers now expect free wifi in hotels
By Kevin May | July 16, 2012
It is possibly one of the most fiercely debated topics in (consumer) travel technology - should consumers be entitled to free wifi and web access in hotels? Read More
Hey! Wise up, Feeding The Beast in travel is not such a bad thing
News / Online
Hey! Wise up, Feeding The Beast in travel is not such a bad thing
By Viewpoints | July 16, 2012
Anyone reading Andrey Spektor’s article on hotel affiliate programs could be forgiven for wondering why any established travel brand would ever work with an online travel agency. Read More
Apple iTravel comes closer as design patents are approved by officials
News / Online
Apple iTravel comes closer as design patents are approved by officials
By Kevin May | July 10, 2012
It's been over 18 months since there was any official action on the Apple iTravel front - but perhaps things will stir once again after the regulators approved a number of important patents. Read More
Change is coming to travel technology, driven by access to data and eager developers
News / Online
Change is coming to travel technology, driven by access to data and eager developers
By Timothy O'Neil-Dunne | July 9, 2012
Lest we forget, travel technology - for all its complexities and inherent challenges - is actually a vibrant sector and well mined by the independent developer community. Read More
Kayak prices IPO at up to $25 per share, hopes to raise $100 million
News / Online
Kayak prices IPO at up to $25 per share, hopes to raise $100 million
By Kevin May | July 9, 2012
Don't rub your eyes - 21 months after announcing its intention to hit the public financial markets, Kayak is almost there, setting an opening share price at $25. Read More
MythBusting at TripAdvisor? Four of the top concerns tackled
News / Online
MythBusting at TripAdvisor? Four of the top concerns tackled
By Viewpoints | July 6, 2012
TripAdvisor, as everyone knows, is a community where travelers can voice their opinions and share their experiences - but its size and influence sometimes creates uncertainty. Read More
Travel startups: Please focus on the customer, not on the VCs and your exit
News / Online
Travel startups: Please focus on the customer, not on the VCs and your exit
By Viewpoints | July 5, 2012
As technology evolves, we have seen some excellent innovation, some brilliant ideas and heralded the arrival of many, many startups. Read More
Psychology behind why people leave travel reviews and what you can do about it
News / Online
Psychology behind why people leave travel reviews and what you can do about it
By Viewpoints | July 3, 2012
Whatever product or service you’re selling; online customer reviews have real bottom-line benefit – increasing conversion, lowering return rates and boosting SEO efforts. Read More
Hotel prices in Asia - June to August 2012
News / Online
Hotel prices in Asia - June to August 2012
By PhocusWire | July 3, 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 Asia. Read More
Impact of social media on the travel industry [INFOGRAPHIC]
By Kevin May | July 2, 2012
Yes, we've all seen infographics telling us how social media is doing this and that to the travel industry. But sometimes a few nuggets of information are new and stand out. Read More
What is new in hotel distribution? Not a lot actually
News / Online
What is new in hotel distribution? Not a lot actually
By Glenn Gruber | July 2, 2012
After three and a half days of wandering around the annual HITEC event in the US, I will argue there is not much going on in hotel distribution. Honestly. Read More
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