Sean O'Neill

Hotel bigwigs are now pleading with Uncle Sam to roll out the red carpet for foreign visitors. They're particularly miffed that in some countries visa wait times are about 250 days. In that time, you could watch the entire "Lord of the Rings" extended edition trilogy approximately 100 times.

Marriott will now allow U.S. customers to request the deletion of their personal information and review loyalty accounts and restore any stolen points.

Hyatt and American are adjusting the collaboration between their loyalty programs. Next year they'll boost redemption options and status opportunities for their most frequent travelers.

GetYourGuide is debuting new tools to help operators capitalize on travelers' growing preference for travel experiences.

Marriott's newest hotel brand in the U.S. targets the "affordable midscale" segment. Expect the hotel equivalent of flying economy but getting a free checked bag and extra legroom, with the hotel group's most no-frills, functional brand yet.

New CEO Laurent Kleitman thinks there's room to grow. The question is: Can he do it without sacrificing the details that make Mandarin Oriental special?

There is a big gender and diversity gap among hotel developers.

Choice Hotels has managed to turn their awkward duckling Cambria into a swan. The brand's turnaround tells a broader story about sector trends.

MGM Resorts is thinking more broadly: It is leveraging entertainment and sports while also developing resorts outside of Las Vegas.

The hotel industry has once again become like that friend who always says they're "fine" when you ask how they're doing. It could always be better. It could always be worse.