Airbnb's New Acquisition and 9 Other Hospitality Trends This Week

>>To be honest, this acquisition is a bit puzzling, and has us wondering: Why buy when you can partner instead? But perhaps Airbnb is onto something: Airbnb’s Deal for French Firm Could Signal Entry Into Property Management

>>The big vacation rental players have formed an association in Japan, with the blessing of the Japan Tourism Agency. It may be a model for other Asian countries to follow: Airbnb, HomeAway and Others Form International Vacation Rental Group in Japan

>>The Miami settlement could have broader implications for Airbnb when other big landlords take it to task for hosts violating their apartment leases. And, it isn't a bad thing for Airbnb to resolve its issues with various regulators and to erase some of these legal irritants when it will likely solicit investors for a 2019 initial public offering: Airbnb and Major Landlord Settle Lawsuit Over Subletting Violations

>>On its own, Oyo entering Southeast Asia should concern existing budget hotel players. Oyo with Grab should make them go shaky in the knees. Consolidation or new alliances will not surprise anyone: Oyo’s Push Into Southeast Asia Is a Wake-Up Call for Budget Hotel Chains

>>Grab’s $100 million investment in Oyo is just the start of a strategy to have a tag-team under the same major investor, which is leveraging the strengths of each member of its portfolio. Expect to see more "teams of unicorns" attacking incumbents in the next year or so: Grab’s $100 Million Investment in Budget Hotel Chain Oyo Reveals SoftBank’s Firm Hand

>>To quote a smart venture capitalist, "Just because investment money is pouring in doesn’t mean all bets are good bets!” WhyHotel itself may be well run business, but the sudden rush of venture money into a full array of hospitality businesses does raise eyebrows overall: Venture Capital Shows Growing Interest in New Hospitality Models: What Are the Risks?

>>Hotel chains and airlines have formed alliances, why not bedbanks? The first bedbank alliance by four Asian players may be the first of its kind, but what’s more important is whether it can work. After all, if it looks so logical and easy, why didn’t anyone do it sooner? WebBeds and 3 Asian Wholesalers Form First Bedbank Coalition to Share Supply

>>Where will luxury travelers be jetting off to in 2019? For clues, look at where the world's high-end brands are opening their newest properties: The Next Big Destinations for Luxury Brands

>>Jumeirah Group is certainly ratcheting up its plans. Broadening its brand portfolio will help with name recognition: Jumeirah’s Big Plans for 2019

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