Golf-Hotel-Resorts AND CASINO News: Hilton Thinks Airbnb Is a Positive + Too Many European Airlines? + Hertz, Avis Get Into Self-Driving Cars

August 14, 2017

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Note From the Editor

Over the past few years, the hotel industry's stance on Airbnb and similar companies has fallen on the side of watchful but dismissive. That's evolving, though, as the popularity of alternative accommodations continues to grow. Today, we have two takes on the hotel-Airbnb dynamic.

At the recent Hotel Data Conference in Nashville, hotel owners, brand representatives, and other industry insiders said hoteliers need to use a vast array of technology solutions — from better mobile sites to predictive analytics and revenue management tools — to combat the threat that homesharing poses. And then there's Hilton CEO Christopher Nassetta, who said he actually thinks Airbnb could provide some help to hotels by competing with online travel agencies such as Expedia and Booking.com and forcing them to lower their commission charges. Could Airbnb become more of a friend than foe?

— Hannah Sampson, News Editor

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Hotels May Try to Counter Airbnb's Rise With Bets on Tech

No one knows what Airbnb's impact is. But our contrarian take is that it's greater than what most hoteliers think -- and accelerating by the day. Yet it's manageable if hotels act strategically.

Hilton CEO Looks to Airbnb as Hedge Against Power of Expedia and Booking.com

In some cases, the hotel-online travel agency relationship is still a tense situation, but for most big hotel companies, it's still business as usual.

Travel This Week — What to Expect: Virtuoso Will Tout Pivotal Role of Travel Agents

It's only a segment of the U.S. population that has a go-to travel agent for trip planning, although they are more popular in other parts of the world. Virtuoso is trying to equip its members with the smarts to adapt to the evolving traveler, and you have to give Virtuoso credit for that.

European Airline Executives Still Think There Are Too Many Airlines

It seems like there is a renewed appetite among Europe's big airline groups to reduce the number of players in the market. They may find it hard to do while fuel remains cheap, but when it starts to creep up, more deals will likely occur.

Hertz and Avis Prep for Future With Self-Driving Car Partnerships

Car rental giants are looking to the future, with the goal of handling logistics for whatever company ends up winning the automated car arms race. If you can't beat them, join them.

Hong Kong's Chek Lap Kok Airport Will Endure as a Global Hub

There's more hub competition heating up in the region, but Hong Kong's Chek Lap Kok manages to capture the magic and inspiration of travel.

Lastminute.com's Growing Pains Show Change in Online Travel Retail

Being a pure play flight seller is a business approach that has probably had its day (unless you can guarantee huge volumes). Lastminute.com Group's diversification strategy over the last few years makes sense but if it is going to work it will take time.

International Visits to U.S. and Spending Declined in 2016

International visits to the U.S could have decreased in 2016 for many reasons, ranging from the pricy U.S. dollar to uncertainty surrounding U.S. politics. While data show continued growth into 2017, perhaps things aren't as positive for the U.S. travel industry as they seem.

While TUI's CEO is right to point out the macro benefits of tourism in Spain, the company ignores the myriad of local issues in places such as Barcelona and Majorca that are turning locals against mass tourism. It is a self-interested issue to address for virtually the entire travel industry.

Hawaiian Airlines Is Handling Customer Service Inquiries Via Text Message

In the not too distant future, we expect bots will be sophisticated enough to handle almost all customer service inquires sent via text message. But we're not there yet, so it's refreshing Hawaiian Airlines is going with an all-human approach.

Vacation Rental Network RedAwning Attracts $40 Million Round: Travel Startup Funding This Week

Among the latest travel companies to receive funding, RedAwning and WanderJaunt are applying aspects of hotel franchising to home renting. Other companies will likely pile onto these experiments.

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