Instant Booking and 7 Other Hospitality Trends This Week

Every week we post hundreds of stories across various sectors in travel, connecting the dots across various global trends, and in these weekend posts we highlight the stories that tackle these trends. This one looks at top hospitality trends.

For all of our trends roundups, go here.

Top Executives From Airbnb, Google, Hilton, and More Are Speaking at Skift Global Forum 2016. Join Us.

>>Given the timing of this announcement, there’s no doubt the AccorHotels acquisition may have had something to do with Marsh’s decision to depart the company he founded: Onefinestay Co-Founder and CEO Resigns

>>User-generated content is low on cost, and high on returns on engagement, but it’s not always being utilized by hotel brands to its greatest advantage says a new report from consultancy firm L2: Luxury Hotels Are Missing an Opportunity With User-Generated Content

>>Let’s be clear: Not all hotel guests and review-writers are angels. But the solution is not dodgy hotel contracts and taking punitive actions against customers: Trashing a Hotel on TripAdvisor May Soon Be Protected, Thanks to U.S. Congress

>>The U.S. alternative accommodations market remains a one-horse race with Airbnb leading its rivals, but the brand’s smart first-mover advantage has also turned it into the whipping boy for local tax authorities and hotel lobbies: New Skift Trends Report: The State of Alternative Accommodations 2016

>>Red Lion has been making some bold moves as of late, including its arguably controversial partnership with Expedia: Red Lion to Buy Vantage Hospitality for $27 Million

>>Is any hotel merger or acquisition ever simple, or swift? In this case, most definitely not: Morgans Hotel Group Receives Unsolicited Takeover Bid

>>Given its never-ending, still-pending acquisition of Starwood, this ad campaign — aimed at promoting Marriott’s loyalty program — makes total sense: Marriott’s New Global Ad Campaign Puts Its Loyalty Members First

>>Once again it is consumer behavior that is driving change in online travel: Airbnb Vacation Rental Exec Says Instant Booking Going Mainstream