Weekend Review: Hyatt Buys Two Roads + Airbnb IPO Hurdles

The Travel Industry's Daily Agenda-Setting Newsletter

October 13, 2018 View in browser

Editor's Note At Skift Global Forum in New York City a couple of weeks ago, we listened to executives from two startups, which we characterized as "small and mighty," that punch above their weight. It made us think of Hyatt Hotels, which offers 750 hotels around the world and certainly isn't small at all, but sees the need to get bigger. That's why Hyatt announced this week that it intends to acquire Two Roads Hospitality, which fields brands like Alila, Destination, Joie de Vivre, and Tommie. With consolidation tearing through the global hospitality industry these days, Hyatt knows it has to achieve more scale. So the Two Roads Hospitality buy, with all of its inherent synergies and growth potential, is probably a pretty smart move. — Dennis Schaal, Executive Editor Meeting Planners Should Rethink Fort Worth as a Network of Creative Neighborhoods Sponsored by Visit Fort Worth Everyone wants to have a "local" experience, and meeting and event attendees are no exception. Planners should look no further than Fort Worth for a destination that goes beyond the convention center. Read More Top Stories Hyatt to Buy Two Roads Hospitality for $480 Million Hyatt's M&A strategy might be best summarized as this: If at first you don't succeed, try, try again. Air Baltic Looks to JetBlue Founder David Neeleman for Guidance Six years ago, Air Baltic took a chance on an airplane that few carriers wanted. Now, that decision has proven to be the right call. But Air Baltic can't remain independent forever, right? The Roadblocks Airbnb Must Tackle on Its Way to Possible IPO: Skift's Latest Research What is hurting Airbnb's ability to see true success? Increasing regulation, the company's potential impact on local housing markets and the traditional hotel sector, and the company's increasing role in hospitality and accommodation distribution. In this report, we attack all three. Expedia Brings Voice Bookings, Cancellations and Rewards to Google Assistant Voice-based search will not only have technology issues to overcome, but in an era when news of data breaches is commonplace, companies such as Expedia will have to address the personalization and privacy issues as well. Skift Forum Asia Preview: Come Meet Skift at ITB Asia Skift is gathering innovators from around Asia to discuss topics such as "Balancing Purpose and Profit In the Travel Industry." Join us in the Knowledge Theatre on Day 2 of ITB Asia by registering now with 50% off code TV-Skift50! Puerto Rico Takes New Digital Steps to Enhance Tourism Efforts So far as we know, a planned mobile app from Puerto Rico will be the first by any tourism board that offers text-based help for visitors from local concierges while they're in a destination. Other efforts at enhancing the digital marketing of the island's businesses show promise, too. Airline Passengers Welcome More Digital Solutions to Common Travel Problems Flyers want technology to improve their experience going through security checkpoints and when dealing with the nightmare of a travel disruption. Airlines need to do more to smooth over the pain points, and mobile technology can help them do it. Editor's Picks Europe and Asia Are Driving Global Tourism Growth in 2018 Southern Europe and Southeast Asia are posting the biggest tourism gains this year, according to new data. But the United States is rebounding after 2017 was dominated by fears of a "Trump slump," and that's good news for the travel industry. Luxury Hotel Loyalty Programs Are Missing Out on Experiences … But we have a feeling that things are certainly shifting in that area as more luxury brands see themselves as "experience platforms." 5 Things We've Learned About Airbnb From Its UK Accounts Airbnb is clearly growing very fast. But before it goes public, it will have to sort out regulatory issues like the one it faces in the UK. SBE CEO Warns of the Wal-Mart Risk in Hospitality Can you ever really have the independence to do your own thing and have all that scale? SBE's Sam Nazarian will find out soon enough. Delta Air Lines Sees Premium Profit Travelers hoping for more free first-class upgrades should probably root for a recession. The economy is too strong for airlines to give away their best seats for free. 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.

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