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Airbnb Preps for IPO and 3 Other Hospitality Trends This Week


Skift Take

This week in hospitality, Airbnb is one step closer to a real timeline for an initial public offering. Marriott is growing in its own way, testing out new sectors of the travel industry.

Hotel News Weekly Roundup

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 hotels. For all of our weekend roundups, go here.

>>Just as important as what was discussed on stage was what wasn’t: an update on Airbnb Plus, the upcoming luxury brand, the new superguest loyalty program, the near-merger with Tujia, and more. Oh, and whatever happened to that stakeholder report Chesky promised to release in March? Airbnb CEO Says Company Will Ready for IPO in 2019

>>Marriott is already dabbling in tours and activities, homesharing, and cruising and soon, potentially, all-inclusive resorts. So, what’s next? Aviation? Marriott’s Plans for Homesharing, Malls, and All-Inclusive Resorts

>>We don’t see it, but there is a complicated ecosystem to secretly assess and uphold standards at the world’s best hotels. And some of the details reveal a lot about how important the human factor and emotional intelligence are to the future of luxury hospitality: Meet the Stealth Inspectors Who Ensure Luxe Stays in Luxury Hotels

>>In a somewhat bizarre twist, even hotel chains are beginning to provide travel management tools to small businesses. This further underscores how much some growing businesses don’t really want to deal with a travel management company at all: Hyatt Enters Business Travel Management Battleground

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