Marriott Goes Asset-Light and 9 Other Hospitality Trends This Week

Throughout the week we post dozens of original stories, connecting the dots across the travel industry, and every weekend we sum it all up. This weekend roundup examines hospitality.

For all of our weekend roundups, go here.

>>Is the Snapchat audience willing to devote more than three seconds to watching Marriott’s new Snapchat TV show? Marriott Created Its Own Snapchat TV Show

>>Design was just one ingredient, albeit an essential one, for creating a boutique hotel both then and now: How Boutique Hotels Changed the Way We Design Hotels

>>Hotel by hotel, Marriott is transforming the Starwood legacy business into something more reflective of its own hospitality management style, meaning going asset light all the way: Marriott Is Selling More Starwood Properties to Further Its Asset-Light Strategy

>>Does anyone else here feel like Airbnb and Accor are neck and neck in their attempts to become the next “super brand of travel?” AccorHotels Was In the Mood for Another Acquisition and to Personalize Hotel Booking

>>InterContinental Hotels Group hasn’t been as acquisitive as some of its peers in recent years and it’s clear that Chief Executive Richard Solomons doesn’t intend to follow the crowd: IHG CEO Sees Growth Opportunities But Vows to Remain Strictly a Hospitality Company

>>Even with the advent of the Internet and social media, some things never change when it comes to marketing hotels, and fostering true guest loyalty: The Best Form of Hotel Marketing Is Still Word of Mouth Say Mr & Mrs Smith Founders

>>The next big thing in hospitality is already taking place today, and it’s all about curation and community: Innovative Hoteliers Want to Bring the Right Guests to Their Hotels

>>Seriously, though: Do we need to start publishing a weekly column called “What AccorHotels Bought and/or Invested in This Week?” AccorHotels Buys Digital Specialist to Bolster Services for Independent Hotels

>>Can Airbnb do a bit more to address the needs of female Airbnb hosts and guests? The short answer is yes: Airbnb and the Plight of the Female Host and Traveler

>>World of Hyatt members can now use points to book an AFAR Experience. At 200,000 points the cost is pretty high, but for many the experience may be worth it: Hyatt Launches Member Experiences for Loyalty Program