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.

CEO Spotlight - Kenneth Purcell of iSeatz
Interview / Online
CEO Spotlight - Kenneth Purcell of iSeatz
By Kathryn Walson | April 13, 2023
Kenneth Purcell founded iSeatz to automate the restaurant reservation process for hotel guests, and it has since expanded to connect hospitality, airline and financial services brands with a wide... Read More
OTA Insight: Hotels could piggyback off rentals' demand data
News / Technology
OTA Insight: Hotels could piggyback off rentals' demand data
By Linda Fox | April 13, 2023
OTA Insight has delved into its data to find that hotel revenue managers can pick up early demand signals by looking at what’s happening in the rentals market. Read More
STARTUP STAGE: HostAI creates AI-powered direct marketing for independent travel brands
Interview / Technology
STARTUP STAGE: HostAI creates AI-powered direct marketing for independent travel brands
By Mitra Sorrells | April 13, 2023
HostAI uses artificial intelligence to develop marketing strategies to drive direct revenue growth for hospitality brands, starting with vacation rental managers. Read More
Tripadvisor says it's catching more fake reviews
News / Online
Tripadvisor says it's catching more fake reviews
By Linda Fox | April 12, 2023
In its latest Review Transparency Report, the company said its detection process picked up 72% of submissions before they were published on the platform, up five percentage points on its 2020 figure. Read More
terrapay-virtual-cards-sponsored
From Our Partners / Technology
Leveraging innovation to solve pain points in B2B travel payments
By Koert Grasveld - TerraPay | April 11, 2023
TerraPay's vice president of payments explains how virtual cards and other innovative payment products can help travel companies drive more revenue and provide a better experience for consumers. Read More
Yanolja acquires Innsoft
News / Online
Yanolja acquires Innsoft to target North American hospitality market
By Kathryn Walson | April 10, 2023
North America’s transition to a digital-based operating environment has been slow, Korea-based Yanolja Cloud said, and it aims to expand the adoption rate of SaaS-based hospitality solutions. Read More
ONDA investment
News / Startups
ONDA invests in Hoteliers.Guru to expand Southeast Asia reach
By Kathryn Walson | April 7, 2023
South Korea-based ONDA said the investment in Thailand-based Hoteliers.Guru “will lead the digital transformation of global hotels.” Read More
Google new tools
News / Online
Google redesigns hotel browsing on mobile
By Derek Catron | April 3, 2023
Google also confirmed PhocusWire reports of a pilot program in which it is offering to give consumers a refund on flights if the airfare purchased drops before departure.     Read More
travel-talk-industry-do-better
News / Online
Travel Talk: Where can the industry do better?
By PhocusWire | April 3, 2023
Northstar Travel Group's editorial leaders discuss sustainability, DEI and other areas where there is room for future improvement.   Read More
Travelport raises $200M to fuel growth
News / Technology
Travelport raises $200M to fuel growth
By Linda Fox | March 31, 2023
Travelport said the funds will enable it to advance its growth strategy following a strong first quarter and its acquisition of Deem. Read More
travel wheelchair
News / Online
Expedia, Wheel the World partner for more accessible travel
By Derek Catron | March 30, 2023
Expedia Group will serve as the exclusive partner to power the lodging supply maintained by Wheel the World, a platform for people with disabilities to book accessible travel.   Read More
Koala secures €2M for insurtech expansion in Europe
News / Startups
Koala secures €2M for insurtech expansion in Europe
By Linda Fox | March 29, 2023
Existing investor Insurtech Gateway led the round with new investors Uneti Ventures, Slimmer AI and Sterling Oak also participating. Read More
Can we hardwire happiness into hospitality tech?
News / Technology
Can we hardwire happiness into hospitality tech?
By Linda Fox | March 29, 2023
Hotels are providing the opposite of hospitality with long queues, paperwork, poor Wi-Fi and disconnected systems, according to Lennert de Jong, president for hospitality at Planet. Read More
Reeco checks in with $10M for hotel supplies marketplace
News / Startups
Reeco checks in with $10M for hotel supplies marketplace
By Linda Fox | March 28, 2023
The investment in the Israel-based company was led by Net Capital Ventures and Joule Ventures while a number of angel investors also participated. Read More
journey-hospitality-acquires-premier-software
News / Technology
Journey Hospitality acquires well-being tech specialist Premier Software
By Linda Fox | March 27, 2023
Journey says the acquisition will enable it to further help hotels boost direct revenue opportunities.  Read More