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.

Phocuswright analysts share their travel predictions for 2025
News / Online
Phocuswright analysts share their travel predictions for 2025
By Morgan Hines | January 2, 2025
AI agents, luxury travel, developments in APAC, short-term rentals, digital ID and eVTOLS are some of the topics Phocuswright analysts are watching for 2025. Read More
Travel industry leaders' predictions for 2025
News / Technology
Travel industry leaders' predictions for 2025
By Morgan Hines | January 2, 2025
Executives from Travelport, Klook, Cloudbeds, Spotnana, Mews and more share their predictions for the year ahead, including their takes on artificial intelligence, search, funding and more.   Read More
Corporate travel executives discuss AI hype and efficiency gains
News / Technology
Corporate travel executives discuss AI hype and efficiency gains
By Linda Fox | December 30, 2024
Amex GBT's vice president of AI strategy and the founder of business travel AI startup Otto discuss the rapid pace of development with AI and where the real potential lies. Read More
Poland-based WP Holding to purchase Invia Group for nearly €240M
News / Online
Poland-based WP Holding to purchase Invia Group for nearly €240M
By Morgan Hines | December 23, 2024
The technology holding company has signed a framework agreement to buy all the shares of the travel company. Invia Group operates in Austria, Germany, the Czech Republic, Switzerland, Slovakia, Hungary... Read More
BILL - Launch pitch at The Phocuswright Conference 2024
Interview / Technology
BILL - Launch pitch at The Phocuswright Conference 2024
By PhocusWire | December 23, 2024
BILL is a financial operations platform for small and midsize businesses to help them control their payables, receivables and spend and expense management. ‍ Read More
How travel startup funding shaped up in 2024
News / Startups
How travel startup funding shaped up in 2024
By Linda Fox | December 23, 2024
We've rounded up details on some of the top travel tech funding stories of 2024 along with insights from investors, including a panel from The Phocuswright Conference. Read More
PhocusWire's weekly travel tech news briefs: Amadeus, Sabre, Hostaway
News / Online
PhocusWire's weekly travel tech news briefs: Amadeus, Sabre, Hostaway
By PhocusWire | December 20, 2024
Keep up with all the latest people, product and partner news from around the global travel industry in PhocusWire's weekly roundup. Read More
Phocuswright's Travel Forward: Data, Insights and Trends for 2025
News / Online
Phocuswright's Travel Forward: Data, Insights and Trends for 2025
By PhocusWire | December 20, 2024
This new interactive report from Phocuswright equips industry stakeholders with key data and trends needed to navigate the evolving travel landscape.   Read More
HotelPlanner acquires platform for finding pet-friendly accommodations
News / Online
HotelPlanner acquires platform for finding pet-friendly accommodations
By Morgan Hines | December 19, 2024
The company said the acquisition is part its goal to improve travel by making experiences more inclusive with the ability to bring along furry friends. Read More
Tripadvisor to merge with Liberty Tripadvisor in $435M deal
News / Online
Tripadvisor to merge with Liberty Tripadvisor in $435M deal
By Mitra Sorrells | December 19, 2024
The companies announced the merger Thursday morning and the deal is expected to close in the second quarter of 2025. Read More
Kayak's Steve Hafner on strategies for weighing opportunity and risk
News / Online
Kayak's Steve Hafner on strategies for weighing opportunity and risk
By Morgan Hines | December 19, 2024
The Kayak co-founder gambles in his own life but is a bit more careful with business decisions, as he explained on Center Stage at The Phocuswright Conference.  Read More
Nuitée raises $48M to grow partnerships, products, team
News / Online
Nuitée raises $48M to grow partnerships, products, team
By Morgan Hines | December 18, 2024
The round was led by Accel. Nuitée has also partnered with industry heads including Robert J. Mylod Jr., chairman of Booking.com, Jeff Boyd, ex-CEO of Priceline and Sam Shank, founder of HotelTonight. Read More
Not just a 2025 trend – genAI is the catalyst for a golden age of travel tech innovation
From Our Partners / Technology
Not just a 2025 trend – genAI is the catalyst for a golden age of travel tech innovation
By Chris Hemmeter, Thayer Investment Partners | December 18, 2024
This wave of genAI acceptance is so disruptive and absolute that it will unlock the cleansing of the tech stack, lead to the retirement of technical debt and give innovators the opportunity to build... Read More
Travel's movers, shakers and newsmakers in 2024
News / Online
Travel's movers, shakers and newsmakers in 2024
By PhocusWire | December 18, 2024
These are the trends and topics in travel that have made headlines in 2024 and that we expect to hear more about in 2025. Read More
Troop founder on travel tech disruption and group travel growth
News / Distribution
Troop founder on travel tech disruption and group travel growth
By Linda Fox | December 17, 2024
Dennis Vilovic, founder and co-CEO of Troop, believes group travel could increase by 30% next year despite pressure from some large corporations for employees to return to the office full time. Read More
The Phocuswright Conference 2026