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.

PhocusWire's travel tech news briefs: TSA, Google, Mindtrip and more...
News / Technology
PhocusWire's travel tech news briefs: TSA, Google, Mindtrip and more...
By PhocusWire | July 2, 2026
Keep up with all the latest people, partner and product news from around the global travel industry. Read More
Why traveler loyalty depends on what happens when things go wrong
From Our Partners / Online
Why traveler loyalty depends on what happens when things go wrong
By PhocusWire | July 1, 2026
Allianz Partners’ Anna Kofoed discusses why travel loyalty depends not only on points and perks but also on how brands respond when disruption, illness or emergencies affect the traveler journey. Read More
AI debate continues: Will travel's biggest brands thrive or falter?
Interview / Technology
AI debate continues: Will travel's biggest brands thrive or falter?
By Cathy Walsh | July 1, 2026
Mario Gavira and Christian Watts brought their ongoing PhocusWire debate to the studio at Phocuswright Europe 2026, offering sharply different views on how artificial intelligence will reshape travel... Read More
Partner marketing in travel: Say goodbye to the last-click legacy
From Our Partners / Online
Partner marketing in travel: Say goodbye to the last-click legacy
By Michelle Bruno | June 30, 2026
Download the PhocusWire report on how partner marketing in travel is evolving beyond last-click attribution amid AI, creator commerce and changing consumer behavior. Read More
U.S. Hotel and Lodging 2026: Slow growth, a stable split and AI waiting at the door
News / Online
U.S. Hotel and Lodging 2026: Slow growth, a stable split and AI waiting at the door
By Phocuswright Research | June 30, 2026
The 2026 outlook is cautiously optimistic for the hotel sector. Read More
Hostelworld’s Gary Morrison on building for the social traveler
News / Online
Hostelworld’s Gary Morrison on building for the social traveler
By Cathy Walsh | June 30, 2026
Hostelworld CEO Gary Morrison discussed how the industry misunderstands hostel travelers, the company's strategy and more at Phocuswright Europe. Read More
Almost right isn't good enough for travel's agentic future
News / Technology
Almost right isn't good enough for travel's agentic future
By Linda Fox | June 29, 2026
Executives from Anthropic, Kismet and Travelport discuss where the travel industry is in its journey to agentic commerce and what's holding things up. Read More
The architecture of truth: Why ‘AI SEO’ for hotels is snake oil
Opinion / Technology
The architecture of truth: Why ‘AI SEO’ for hotels is snake oil
By Fred Bean - HotelPORT | June 29, 2026
Fred Bean, founder and CEO of HotelPORT, argues that AI search rewards data accuracy and consistency—not AI SEO tactics or technical shortcuts. Read More
Trust, AI acceleration, diversity to shape the future of travel
News / Online
Trust, AI acceleration, diversity to shape the future of travel
By Morgan Hines | June 26, 2026
Travel industry stakeholders from various sectors shared their takes on what will impact travel’s future at HBX Group’s MarketHub Americas event. Read More
Sabre tech lead lifts curtain on company’s technological shift
News / Technology
Sabre tech lead lifts curtain on company’s technological shift
By Morgan Hines | June 25, 2026
Garry Wiseman shared about the company’s AI strategy and development, building trust and change management. Read More
The silent booking signal: How bed bug safety reshapes hotel choice
From Our Partners / Online
The silent booking signal: How bed bug safety reshapes hotel choice
By Matthew Parsons | June 24, 2026
Download the PhocusWire and Valpas report on how visible bed bug safety proof influences hotel booking decisions, traveler trust, loyalty and revenue opportunity. Read More
Strengthening agency relationships through smarter commission payments
From Our Partners / Online
Strengthening agency relationships through smarter commission payments
By Noelani Schroy, Onyx CenterSource | June 24, 2026
Explore how smarter hotel commission payments can reduce friction, build agency trust and turn back-office processes into a competitive advantage. Read More
Why AI pricing still fails hotels—and what needs to change
Opinion / Technology
Why AI pricing still fails hotels—and what needs to change
By Tong Yin - InsightBridge Global | June 24, 2026
Tong Yin, founder and CEO of InsightBridge Global, argues that most hotel revenue management systems are built on outdated assumptions and must evolve into adaptive, human-in-the-loop platforms that... Read More
CEO Spotlight: Julie Cheetham of Travalyst
Interview / Technology
CEO Spotlight: Julie Cheetham of Travalyst
By Linda Fox | June 23, 2026
Ahead of Climate Week London 2026 Travalyst CEO Julie Cheetham discusses how the travel sustainability discussion has evolved to conversations around risk management and revenue impact. Read More
OTAs lead, AI rises and travelers research less: New findings from three key European markets
News / Online
OTAs lead, AI rises and travelers research less: New findings from three key European markets
By Phocuswright Research | June 23, 2026
How Europe’s travelers are planning differently in 2026. Read More
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