Sean O'Neill, Skift
Vacasa, Evolve, and other startups have stormed the U.S. vacation rental market by offering tech-savvy property management services. The business model is now about to sweep Europe, too.
2 months ago
Deanna Ting, Skift
Accor as a takeover target? Stranger things have happened. (Anbang, anyone?) No matter what transpires in hospitality going forward, though, it's clear that consolidation is here to stay.
2 months ago
John J. Edwards , Bloomberg
It's likely that Wynn's cold feet about the Crown Resorts deal had more complex origins than the mere public disclosure of talks under way. Wynn wants to expand in Asia beyond Macau so it ain't over until the lights go out.
2 months ago
Sean O'Neill, Skift
Automated bag-drop technology may be widespread at major airports, but the rest of the world still has to add the equipment needed for passengers to scan their own bags. Amadeus aims to help sell those machines now that it has bought ICM. Amadeus is positioning itself to compete assertively with airline-owned SITA for airport tech sales.
2 months ago
Raini Hamdi, Skift
The name Leela is held in the same esteem as India's other legacy hotel brands such as Taj and Oberoi. Will it ever be the same again under Canada's Brookfield, an asset manager rather than a brand manager?
2 months ago
Sean O'Neill, Skift
Investor 777 Partners has bought tech company Air Black Box, while online agency Kiwi has taken a stake in reservation system AeroCRS. These deals hint at a growing interest among airlines to use tech to build marketing alliances that differ from traditional codeshares. The true winner may be smaller airports, which stand to gain traffic.
3 months ago
Dennis Schaal, Skift
On the surface, HotelTonight got a lowish deal from Airbnb. But with roughly half in stock, the price tag could look very upbeat if Airbnb's stock soars in an initial public offering.
3 months ago
Deanna Ting, Skift
Will Airbnb stick to its boutique and independent-only stance on hotels? It could put it at a serious disadvantage when it comes to competitors like Booking or Expedia in the long run. But if Airbnb winds up offering a wider swath of hotels, it could boost its brand even further. Either way, it's guaranteed to be interesting. We'll get the popcorn ready.
3 months ago
Dennis Schaal, Skift
Expedia is an opportunistic company, and mergers and acquisitions are part of its DNA. The company has been quiet on this front for the past three years. It is sort of due to make another big splash.
3 months ago
Sean O'Neill, Skift
Shiji, the tech conglomerate with an investment from Alibaba, continues to snap up companies in a bid for hotel tech supremacy. It has nabbed IcePortal in the wake of that company's arch-rival Leonardo being snatched up last November by tech conglomerate Jonas.
3 months ago
Raini Hamdi, Skift
InterContinental Hotel Group’s purchase of Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas is consistent with its drive to boost its luxury portfolio with small yet well-defined brands that do not cannibalize one another. So smart.
3 months ago
Patrick Whyte, Skift
Mixing business with friendship can be a risky thing but it sounds like the prospective new owners of Abercrombie & Kent share the same views on luxury travel.
3 months ago