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.

Digital divid pymnts
News / Online
Digital divide grows in travel industry, study finds
By Kathryn Walson | March 1, 2023
A new report shows that high-income and mid-income consumers are 1.5 times as likely as low-income consumers to go online to plan vacations and book travel and accommodations. Read More
In The Big Chair - Caesar Indra of Traveloka
Interview / Online
In The Big Chair - Caesar Indra of Traveloka
By Linda Fox | February 28, 2023
Caesar Indra joined Indonesia-based Traveloka in 2012 to develop the flights product at a time when the company offered only domestic routes with 10 carriers. Read More
Expedia, Microsoft and travel experts on ChatGPT
News / Technology
Expedia, Microsoft and travel experts on ChatGPT
By Mitra Sorrells | February 27, 2023
Listen to PhocusWire's first LinkedIn Audio event, with executives from Expedia and Microsoft and Kayak co-founder Paul English discussing the potential use of ChatGPT in travel.     Read More
Mapathink platform southeast asia
Interview / Startups
STARTUP STAGE: Travel platform Mapathink targets Southeast Asia
By Kathryn Walson | February 27, 2023
By disrupting the travel ancillary services market, Mapathink says it is looking at a huge addressable market. Read More
Amadeus expects further gains in 2023 as recovery continues
News / Distribution
Amadeus expects further gains in 2023 as recovery continues
By Linda Fox | February 24, 2023
Air distribution revenue in 2022 was just over €2 billion, up 102% on 2021 and 73% on 2019 revenue. Read More
Booking Holdings earnings call Q4 2022
News / Online
Booking.com looks to expand vacation rental, flight options
By Kathryn Walson | February 23, 2023
CEO Glenn Fogel says by enabling customers to book accommodations and flights in one platform, the company will “drive increases in customer engagement and loyalty.” Read More
IHG tech and digital strategy sees results
News / Technology
IHG tech and digital strategy sees results
By Linda Fox | February 22, 2023
Hotel giant IHG attributes its current strong performance to its strategy of boosting its brands and investment in technology, loyalty and distribution platforms. Read More
Cost and implementation woes hamper hotel tech adoption
News / Distribution
Cost and implementation woes hamper hotel tech adoption
By Linda Fox | February 22, 2023
H2c finds that few hotel chains are considering a core technology revamp in its latest distribution study. Read More
Pudu Robotics adds $15M in fresh funding
News / Technology
Pudu Robotics adds $15M in fresh funding
By Linda Fox | February 21, 2023
The funds will go toward expanding production capacity via a new production base for Pudu Robotics as well as the development of robotics for commercial cleaning purposes. Read More
Online travel agencies gain hotel booking ground in 2022
News / Online
Online travel agencies gain hotel booking ground in 2022
By Linda Fox | February 17, 2023
SiteMinder has crunched data from more than 100 million reservations last year to reveal Booking.com as the most popular booking channel across its Top 12 lists. Read More
paul-english-deets-app
News / Startups
Kayak co-founder prepares to launch hotel reviews and booking in new app
By Mitra Sorrells | February 17, 2023
Paul English says his goal is to have restaurant, hotel and event reviews and bookings available in the Deets app for 15 cities across the United States by the end of 2023. Read More
marriott-tech-investment
News / Technology
Marriott boosting app and wider digital investment in 2023
By Linda Fox | February 15, 2023
The hotel giant says investment in its Bonvoy loyalty program app and other digital products are key to engagement with guests. Read More
Hotelbeds sets up innovation lab with Wayra
News / Startups
Hotelbeds sets up innovation lab with Wayra
By Linda Fox | February 15, 2023
The two companies plan to work together, as well as with startups, over the next 15 months, to uncover technology that changes how we travel. Read More
evtol vertical taxis
Opinion / Online
Could flying taxis leave hotels up in the air?
By Alex Barros - BEONx | February 14, 2023
Hoteliers take note: The advent of eVTOL could mean dozens of points of departure and arrival in a city instead of just one major airport. Read More
linkedin-audio-chatgpt
News / Technology
How ChatGPT will transform the travel industry - a PhocusWire LinkedIn Audio event
By Mitra Sorrells | February 14, 2023
Join us for PhocusWire's debut LinkedIn Audio Event as we discuss this topic with Microsoft's Shane O'Flaherty, Expedia Group's Rajesh Naidu and Kayak co-founder Paul English. Read More