Articles tagged “local”

If everything is about "local" in the hotel business these days, this development project in Bothell, Washington, is the epitome of such efforts.

Hotel Indigo's interactive Neighborhood Guys won't point you toward the Empire State Building or Radio City Music Hall, but may direct you to Blue Smoke Jazz Standard for "urban barbecue where live music lives." For a hotel brand that prides itself on local, and digging roots in the neighborhood, this is a very nice touch.

As Google and a crop of smaller startups attempt to crowdsource local reviews and recommendations, Yelp's legacy and continued growth keep it ahead of the curve. But that might not be enough for shareholders who want to see profits more than potential.

Incorporating local culture into hotels might have started as a trend, but it's now here to stay. IHG's early local venture can teach other brands how to play nice with neighborhoods.

InterContinental's master classes in photography are part of a trend by hotels to create unique experiences for guests at the property level. Photographer Craig Easton believes "I was there" photography misses the point, and that photographers need to learn how to see. Sounds like a travel mantra to live by.

The intersection of local doesn't just effect the hospitality industry, but also has implications for the local entertainment and arts scene, as well as creates the need for deeper tourism experiences. This is about remaining relevant for and attracting the next generation traveler.

IHG is in both a precarious and somewhat perfect position to pose such a question: It's a multinational company that's profited handsomely from globalization, but its continued success relies on it serving as a gateway to unique local cultures untouched by massive enterprises.

CityGrid has had a difficult time finding its footing, both because of challenges from Yelp and because of its own ongoing leadership difficulties. It would be hard to find another company of its size that's swapped CEOs so often.

Twitter is slowly building additional features into the main service, and this new acquisition means it will make its formal entry into a local-travel and discovery sector, and may give a run for the money to other larger startups like Foursquare.