Skift Take

This week in hospitality news: Airbnb set its sights on the big online travel agencies, and Hilton has a new chief marketing officer.

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.

>>Wyndham Hotel Group wants to revamp its brand design and experience as it gears up to go public. A good brand is a terrible thing to waste: Video: Why Being Uncool Works for Wyndham

>>Wouldn’t it be nice if a hotel room could enhance your sleep, whip you into shape or make you relax? Four Seasons, MGM and Swissôtel are among the brands experimenting with accommodations designed to make guests feel healthier: Hotels Use Technology and Design to Evolve the Healthy Room

>>Slowly but surely the travel industry is adopting blockchain. At this stage, we’re not sure what it will do to the landscape, but smart companies would do well to pay close attention: Nordic Choice Hotels Tests Blockchain Distribution for Stockholm Property

>>Expedia and Priceline, watch out. Airbnb is coming for you. Today, it’s bed-and-breakfasts. Tomorrow, it’ll be more boutique and independent hotels: Airbnb’s Bed-and-Breakfast Deal Highlights Its Bigger Ambitions in Accommodations

>>Kellyn Smith Kenny replaces long-time Hilton executive Geraldine Calpin. The new CMO will have to enhance Hilton’s direct-booking marketing efforts. And with artificial intelligence and other disruptive technologies influencing every CMO’s agenda, there is also an opportunity for Kenny to leverage them to really personalize the guest experience: Hilton’s New CMO Inherits a Strong Legacy and Big Challenges in Hospitality Marketing

insights

Get Skift Research

Skift Research products provide deep analysis, data, and expert research on the companies and trends that are shaping the future of travel.

See What You're Missing

Have a confidential tip for Skift? Get in touch

Tags: hospitality, Travel Trends, trends roundups

Photo credit: Airbnb partnered with the Association of Independent Hospitality Professionals and ThinkReservations to make it easier for bed-and-breakfast owners to advertise rooms on Airbnb. Open Grid Scheduler / Grid Engine / Flickr

Up Next

Loading next stories