Morgans Merger Deal and 9 Other Hospitality Trends This Week

Every week we post hundreds of stories across various sectors in travel, connecting the dots across various global trends, and in these weekend posts we highlight the stories that tackle these trends. This one looks at top hospitality trends.

For all of our trends roundups, go here.

>>Hotels, meeting planners, and other hospitality players need to realize the caliber of talent they can attract: 5 New Travel Startups Helping the Hospitality Industry Keep And Discover Talent

>>In online travel and the lodging industry, as well as politics, astute observers follow the money: Hotel Chains’ New Direct-Booking Strategy? TripAdvisor Advertising

>>You’re probably wondering if this delay in Chinese regulatory approval of the Marriott-Starwood deal has something to do with the fact that one of China’s largest insurance companies tried to buy Starwood earlier this year, only to step away at the 11th hour: Chinese Extend Review of Marriott-Starwood Deal

>>The big talking game we saw during the first quarter may have softened a bit, but hotel CEOs are committed to winning the direct bookings war: Hotel CEOs Think Their Direct Booking Pushes Position Them for Long-Term Gain

>>In China, anything is possible when it comes to antitrust clearance: Is China Holding the Marriott-Starwood Deal Hostage?

>>As Morgans Hotel Group’s own SEC filings have shown, it desperately needs to be bought by someone: Is Morgans Hotel Group’s Merger Deal in Jeopardy?

>>With the likes of Airbnb playing up the sheer number of properties available, it makes sense for Wyndham to point out some of the advantages of booking direct: How Wyndham Plans to Tackle Vacation Rental Disruptors

>>IHG, whether it might be the target of an acquisition or an acquirer, is in a solid position for both scenarios. And the company could probably use a bit of a jolt: 5 Reasons Why InterContinental Hotels Group Is Ripe for an Acquisition

>>For all the challenges facing this year’s Summer Games, chief among them a lack of hotel rooms, the beauty of Airbnb’s flexible supply scheme makes it ideal for major events: Airbnb Has a Golden Moment at the Rio Olympics

>>It’s no wonder that one of the biggest craft brewers in the U.S. has decided to capitalize on the incredible rise of craft beer tourism: Craft Brewery Hotel to Tap Into Local, Experiential Trends