Skift Take

The Starwood hack wasn't the first data breach at a major hotel chain, and it won't be the last. As the meetings and events sector becomes increasingly digitized, so too does the risk increase when it comes to cybersecurity.

The reveal last week of a long-lasting security breach inside Marriott’s Starwood Hotels & Resorts should act as a reminder of what is important in the post-GDPR world we all live in.

Check out our coverage below on the impact of the breach on Marriott and Starwood hotels, and what it means for the greater travel industry.

For meetings and events, expect even stronger vetting of technology partners and venues in the near future. A series of lawsuits over the next few years is going to help set a precedent for how giant corporations respond to data breaches going forward.

We’ve also got a look at how sustainability has quickly become mandatory in the luxury space and the ways that men on business trips are ostracizing women in the shadow of the #MeToo movement.

If you have any feedback about the newsletter or news tips, feel free to reach out to me via email at [email protected] or tweet me @sheivach.

— Andrew Sheivachman, Senior Editor

The Future of Events and Meetings

What Marriott’s Data Breach Means for the Hotel Giant and Guests: Starwood Preferred Guest elite members thought that not getting full stay credits would be the absolute worst of this mega-merger.

Marriott’s Starwood Data Breach Joins a Decade-Long List of Hotel Data Exposures: Several years ago, the hotel industry fought U.S. federal watchdog efforts to fine chains for negligent data protection practices, arguing that hotels had things under control. Hmm. A rash of hotel security incidents since then undercuts the claims of hotels, which need to take a more bank-like approach to data protection.

Destinations Push Green Credentials to Entice Luxury Travelers: While many destinations are upping their sustainability game, a few are actually actively promoting it as a way to attract higher-end visitors. Monaco and Slovenia are trying to prove that selling green will positively color tourism perceptions … and revenue.

Around the Industry

Philly Tourism Board Builds on Its Success Attracting Black Tourists: Even in 2018, many travel companies still hesitate to engage people of color through marketing. Those companies, which are leaving money on the table, could take a cue from Visit Philadelphia’s long-running video series featuring a member of The Roots.

Why Is It Getting Harder for Boutique Hotel Brands to Expand in Asia? Boutique American and European hotel brands aim to expand in Asia, but will soon realize it’s more difficult than they imagined, and it’s only going to get harder. Here’s why, and how they can make a go of it.

New ‘Me Too’ Rules for Business Trips End Up Recreating Boys Clubs: This convenient exclusion strategy has been used on people of color for ages. This is going to shut many women out of business trips and events that could propel their careers forward.

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Skift Senior Editor Andrew Sheivachman [[email protected]] curates the Skift Meetings Innovation Report. Skift emails the newsletter every Wednesday.

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Tags: meetings, meetingsiq

Photo credit: Marriott International CEO Arne Sorenson at Skift Global Forum. Skift / Skift

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