Hyatt Goes Asset-Light and 6 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.

>>Another day, another hotel soft brand collection. So, who's next? Hilton or IHG? Best Western Launches Its Third Soft Brand Collection

>>It'll be interesting to see what works better for relatively smaller hotel companies like Loews, Red Lion, and even Hyatt with each of their respectively divergent business strategies: traditional asset ownership; totally asset-light; and asset recycling: Loews Hotels Is Taking a Contrarian Approach With Its Asset-Heavy Strategy

>>Despite Airbnb’s precipitous growth in the travel industry, our latest survey results show that the company still has lots of room for growth among U.S. travelers: A Majority of Avid U.S. Travelers Have Never Used Airbnb

>>Although women are particularly well-positioned to lead in the nuanced luxury market, it will take the effort and collaboration of men and women already within the industry to bring about change and more equal leadership teams: Women in Luxury Travel Share Perspectives on the Glass Ceiling

>>The bigger question, however, is whether these campaigns will still work in 2017 and beyond; offering discounted rates can only last for so long. Hotels need to start thinking about how they can ensure this momentum continues in the long run without having to use discounted rates: Hotel Direct-Booking Pushes Really Worked and Owners Were Big Winners

>>Marriott More now allows shoppers in the U.S., UK, and Canada to earn and spend Rewards points on retail purchases. And while the value proposition for spending points is a bit fuzzy, it may be a good tool for some with stray point balances: Marriott Rewards Debuts Tool to Preload Points Balances When Shopping at Retail Sites

>>From "asset recycler" to "asset light," Hyatt is beginning to embrace a favorite industry strategy for making more money: Hyatt Shifts Strategy in Plan to Sell $1.5 Billion in Hotel Real Estate Over Next 3 Years