Dissecting Marriott-Starwood and 5 Other Hospitality Trends This Week

Sarah Enelow

November 13th, 2016 at 9:00 AM EST

Photo Credit: The JW Marriott in Los Cabos. Marriott's third quarter results were mixed, but the company gave a bit more insight into how it plans to proceed with its integration with Starwood. Marriott International / Marriott International

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These are the hospitality trends we were talking about 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.

Cruises

The Alaska Experiment That Could Reshape How Cruise Lines Navigate Wildlife

Alaska’s reputation as a bucket list cruise destination rests largely on its wildlife encounters, especially whale sightings. MSC Cruises is treating its first season in the region as a research opportunity, exploring how marine science can guide operations in high-density wildlife corridors.

MSC Cruises + Skift | 1 week ago

Why High-Spend First-Timers Could Be a Destination’s Most Expensive Mistake

First-timers spend more per trip. Repeat visitors spend less. But the math still favors loyalty.

Saniya Zanpure | 7 minutes ago

Airlines

IndiGo Suspends 7 International Routes: What’s Behind the Cutbacks

India's two biggest airlines spent the last few years expanding aggressively abroad. IndiGo leased wide-body aircraft for the first time. Air India was looking to rebuild into a world-class global carrier. Both are now in retreat, at least temporarily, from some of those ambitions.

Peden Doma Bhutia | 3 hours ago

Travel Technology

Airbnb’s Brian Chesky Is Creating an AI Lab

Is Brian Chesky development of a new AI Lab outside of Airbnb an acknowledgement that building AI capabilities within Airbnb hasn't been up to par? Or are some tech developments like AI too large to sit out without having more skin in the game?

Dennis Schaal | 13 hours ago

Tourism

The U.S.’ Own Goal: Why World Cup Expectations Deflated

World Cup host cities were promised a once-in-a-generation tourism surge. The lift is real, but some cities’ results are well below expectations.

Bailey Schulz | 19 hours ago

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Dissecting Marriott-Starwood and 5 Other Hospitality Trends This Week

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