Airbnb’s Split Payments and 8 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.

>>Marriott CEO Arne Sorenson isn’t afraid to speak up about a variety of issues that he sees impacting the wider travel industry, and that’s something not every travel CEO is willing to do: Video: Marriott CEO Hopes Starwood Tie-In Will Be Done on Deal’s Second Anniversary

>>Here’s to some of the most innovative and thoughtful brands in travel today. These companies are doing the heavy lifting to make travel and hospitality more inspiring: Best Airline and Hotel Innovators in 2017 From a Business Traveler’s Perspective

>>Despite its infrastructure challenges and a reputation for red tape, the world’s biggest hotel brands can’t seem to get enough of Africa. With thousands of rooms in the development pipeline, African cities will soon be festooned with a slew of international brands. It’s good news for global travelers and local economies alike: Hotel Chains Are Scrambling to Keep Up With Demand in Africa

>>In other words, don’t expect AccorHotels to be vying for Wyndham’s European vacation rental business anytime soon: Onefinestay CEO Views Hyper Personalization as Next Stage of Luxury Rentals

>>In the heavily competitive luxury space, Conrad is looking to gain its edge through innovative technology: Conrad Ups Its Innovation Play

>>For anyone who’s ever had to wrangle a payment from a friend for a trip, this new Airbnb payments feature is a very welcome early holiday present: Airbnb Makes Good on Startup Acquisition With Launch of Split Payments for Group Travel

>>Luxury consumers value the human touch, meaning technological innovation at this level needs to serve a purpose: Inside Conrad’s Latest Innovation Play — New Luxury

>>Aman is still not an ordinary hotel company. But it’s no longer as unusual as it once was. It’s a little more mainstream: Video: Aman Resorts Places Big Bet on City Hotels

>>Should other hotel loyalty programs follow World of Hyatt’s lead in being much more revenue-based and geared toward high-end travelers? This survey’s findings seem to suggest it, but we have some reservations: Marriott Edges Out Hyatt for Top Honors in J.D. Power’s Hotel Loyalty Survey