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.

Hotel chain lawsuit MUST BE a security wake-up call for the travel industry
News / Online
Hotel chain lawsuit MUST BE a security wake-up call for the travel industry
By Stephen Joyce | July 2, 2012
Last week, authorities in the US filed a lawsuit against Wyndham Worldwide, claiming the company and three subsidiaries failed to protect sensitive customer credit card data. Read More
Behold the tech-savvy, young and affluent Chinese traveller, coming to a country near you
News / Online
Behold the tech-savvy, young and affluent Chinese traveller, coming to a country near you
By Viewpoints | July 1, 2012
In fifteen years, the Chinese middle class will reach 800 million, up from 300 million today. Over the next five years, affluent Chinese consumers will grow from four million to 20 million. Read More
What happened two years ago today?
News / Online
What happened two years ago today?
By Kevin May | July 1, 2012
As the second quarter of 2010 drew to a close, Google's widely rumoured acquisition of ITA Software had already moved past the "if" category to "when". Read More
Outage weekend: Qantas, Virgin Australia and Room 77 hit as web systems fail
News / Online
Outage weekend: Qantas, Virgin Australia and Room 77 hit as web systems fail
By Kevin May | July 1, 2012
Passengers of Qantas and Virgin America had difficulties checking in this weekend after the system supporting both airlines experienced problems. Read More
Throwing voice search into the mix to get flight, hotel and rail results
News / Online
Throwing voice search into the mix to get flight, hotel and rail results
By Kevin May | June 29, 2012
Voice search, to some extent, is still in its relative infancy in the travel industry despite the buzz around Apple's Siri and the voice recognition capabilities of Google Android. Read More
Move over in-room hotel TVs - guests now want to watch entertainment on their devices
News / Online
Move over in-room hotel TVs - guests now want to watch entertainment on their devices
By Kevin May | June 26, 2012
It makes sense that hotel guests nowadays would like to access entertainment and information on their mobiles and tablets - but to what degree? It would appear quite a lot. Read More
Hotels: What are some of you guys smoking?
News / Online
Hotels: What are some of you guys smoking?
By Patrick Landman | June 25, 2012
I just have to get this of my chest, and share my latest experiences with you. Read More
Kayak gets in on same-day mobile hotel booking groove
News / Online
Kayak gets in on same-day mobile hotel booking groove
By Kevin May | June 25, 2012
As Priceline, Hotel Tonight, Blink Booking et al battle for the PR with launches of same-day bookings for hotels, Kayak quietly introduced the same thing six weeks ago. Read More
Mining the network - Facebook works out the most popular places on earth from user check-ins
News / Online
Mining the network - Facebook works out the most popular places on earth from user check-ins
By Kevin May | June 20, 2012
Facebook has spent the best part of the past 22 months letting people populate their profile pages with location check-ins made via their mobile devices. Read More
Feeding The Beast in travel might work for startups but is not helping in the long term
News / Online
Feeding The Beast in travel might work for startups but is not helping in the long term
By Viewpoints | June 20, 2012
We constantly monitor the technologies used and products offered by travel brands worldwide - and have found some striking oddities. Read More
How to drive more business to hotels with TripAdvisor destination forums
News / Online
How to drive more business to hotels with TripAdvisor destination forums
By Viewpoints | June 19, 2012
Are you seeking more guests for your hotel or customers for your tourism-related business? Read More
Priceline: Why the online agency model still works for us, especially in Asia-Pacific
News / Online
Priceline: Why the online agency model still works for us, especially in Asia-Pacific
By Viewpoints | June 19, 2012
The secret to The Priceline Group’s success may not be evident from watching William Shatner’s outings as the Priceline Negotiator. Read More
Hotel prices in North America - June to August 2012
News / Online
Hotel prices in North America - June to August 2012
By PhocusWire | June 15, 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 North America. Read More
Hoteliers finally get it - using social media and understanding the guest experience works
News / Online
Hoteliers finally get it - using social media and understanding the guest experience works
By Josiah Mackenzie | June 14, 2012
The guest experience is often mentioned over and over by CEOs and senior hotel executives as the key to success in today’s market. Read More
Treovi claims first completely free web booking and listing system for hotels
News / Online
Treovi claims first completely free web booking and listing system for hotels
By Kevin May | June 13, 2012
A bold statement from Switzerland-based Treovi, a startup which is about to take the covers of a service which it says has a business model "very different" from other online reservation services. Read More
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