Golf-Hotel-Resorts AND CASINO News: Hyatt Vs. Expedia + Cheap Fares Love/Hate + Airbnb Pushes Instant Booking

June 15, 2017

View in browser

Note From the Editor

We're always interested in evolving traveler habits, so the emergence of stripped-down fares on big airlines has been a fascinating case study. United's CFO says passengers are booking the cheap Basic Economy tickets with eyes wide open, but there are still some growing pains as flyers get accustomed to the new category.

Airbnb is also encouraging behavioral changes with its latest announcement. The homesharing platform said it is making a bigger effort to get hosts to embrace instant booking, which is one way to address discrimination claims. But it also makes Airbnb more like a hotel, at least where booking is concerned, and not all hosts are fans of that shift.

— Hannah Sampson, News Editor

Skift Research Subscribers: New Analyst Call Now Available

This analyst call discusses the current state of destination marketing, with a particular focus on current and developing content marketing, digital advertising, and data analytics strategies. Not a subscriber yet? Become a subscriber for access.

Learn More

The U.S. vacation deprivation phenomenon is a nationwide, coast-to-coast problem but seems to be especially apparent in large east and west coast markets that are often the bread and butter of many travel brands' business.

Airbnb Ramps Up Push to Get More Hosts to Choose Instant Booking

With these new features, it's clear Airbnb wants to reduce discrimination on its platform, sign on more vacation rental managers, and generate more bookings. But is this enough to keep hosts happy?

United Says Customers May Dislike Basic Economy But They're Buying It

What have we learned from this investor conference? Americans are cheap. Some travelers probably do win when buying these fares, but United says as many as 40 percent of customers are choosing them. Surely, some don't know what they're buying.

Hyatt Plays Hardball With Expedia Over Contract Negotiations

Hyatt, like every other hotel company out there, wants to get better rates from online travel agencies like Expedia. But does it have the scale (and muscle) to do it?

Smart Cities Need Open Data and a Willingness to Test and Learn

Making a city smarter requires new ideas, and these fresh concepts need testing. The public sector shouldn't be afraid of trying new things and failing as long as the trials are targeted and don't cost too much money.

TrustYou Acquired as User-Generated Reviews Sector Heats Up

TrustYou's hotel clients have remained relatively modest in scale as the company has grown. Perhaps it will be able to attract bigger brands, and more companies based in Asia, with a more robust global presence.

The C2 Conference Is a Billboard For Montreal as a 'Smart Living Laboratory'

While everyone is talking about the industry-leading creative conference design at C2 Montreal, the big story is how the 6-year-old event has evolved as a platform for the region's innovation economy to co-create the future of cities and collaborative urbanism.

When Conferences Are Talent Magnets For a City — Meetings Innovation Report

Part of C2 Montreal's mandate is to attract outside companies and talent to explore the city's convergence of social, tech, research, cultural, urban, and industrial innovation. The conference's trendy design is just the first step in that process.

Chefs+Tech: When You Make It to the Top, It's Time to Close

Closing a restaurant at its peak takes advantage of the news cycle and gives chefs and restaurateurs the opportunity to work on other projects, often away from the daily demands of a world-class kitchen.

TripAdvisor's new ad campaign comes at a momentous time for the company, although TripAdvisor views it as part of a long-term TV advertising enterprise. With $70 million behind it and an empathetic bent it will probably do well. You can expect Trivago to up its game as well.

Most Hotel CEOs Dismiss Airbnb's Impact But Demand Level Playing Field

Most CEOs said the same thing they've said about Airbnb countless times before — 'We need a level playing field' — but there are signs that some are starting to take the $31 billion alternative accommodations provider a bit more seriously.

American Airlines Reverses Plan to Shrink Legroom on Some Planes

In today's airline landscape, legacy carriers generally offer between 30 and 32 inches of seat pitch. Discount airlines give customers 28 or 29 inches. American Airlines had planned to shrink some seats to 29 inches, but customers complained. The plan is off. That's good news.

For Gmail users: If you are using the tabbed inbox, Skift emails may be pushed to the 'Promotions' tab. To get updates from Skift direct to your primary inbox, drag and drop this email to that tab.

You received this email because you are subscribed to Skift Daily Newsletter from Skift.