Airbnb Growth Story Has a Plot Twist and 7 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.

>>So many brands today say they’re committed to social causes — but how many of them actually stick to those commitments? And how many of those companies are actually sustainable or profitable? Will Eaton Workshop be an exception? Langham Hotels Parent Reinvents Eaton Hotels for Socially Minded Millennials

>>It was only a matter of time before the big brands started rolling this smart-room technology. But what will be even more interesting is seeing which brand’s approach works better in a hospitality setting, and is more appealing not only to guests but to hotel owners, too: Hilton and Marriott Turn to the Internet of Things to Transform the Hotel Room Experience

>>For years, Baltimore has been portrayed on television and other media outlets as a city that’s down on its luck. But a close look at what’s happening in terms of investment in the city’s luxury space reveals another side of the story: Changing Baltimore’s Image One Luxury Hotel at a Time

>>Professionalizing the homesharing experience is helping to alleviate travelers’ concerns and anxieties about staying in a stranger’s house. But there’s always room for improvement: Alternative Accommodations Address Travelers’ Fears in an Age of Permanxiety

>>As Airbnb tries to become the only brand in travel that you’ll ever need, it’s not just the hotel industry that the company has to contend with, but online travel agencies, too. We can just imagine the hotels telling Airbnb, “Welcome to the club”: Airbnb Growth Story Has a Plot Twist — A Saturation Point

>>Expect more travel brands to extend their reach into the dining experience going forward, especially since consumers have to eat every day and may only travel on occasion. And after all, the way to anyone’s heart is through their stomachs, right? IHG Pairs Up with OpenTable and Grubhub to Reward Loyalty Members When They Eat Out — or In

>>This is a sign of a much bigger shift in the entire travel industry where travel brands no longer want to just be “travel” brands. Hotels don’t want to just be hotels. Instead, they want to be platforms for offering you experiences whenever and wherever you may be: AccorHotels Has a Community Hub Strategy With Local Services App

>>We hope this acquisition results in real changes to the Airbnb platform to not only reduce discrimination against travelers with disabilities, but also to verify details about accessible listings and make them much clearer: Airbnb Buys Accessible Travel Business Accomable in Its Latest Move