Samantha Shankman

Mobile devices and on-demand services from Uber to Seamless are creating a generation more accustomed to instant gratification then the satisfaction of working for reward, and the trend has very real implications for hotels looking to gain millennial travelers' loyalty from a young age.

It's easy to forget how new the aviation industry is and how drastically it's changing the way people live, work and experience their time on earth.

Although more Americans had the resources and confidence to travel abroad in 2013, those who did were more cautious about their spending, resulting in lower budgets and slightly fewer days overseas.

Social customer service has evolved from trend to hospitality standard pushing brands to improve their communication with guests and define their service level. The people tasked with carrying out that job must be quick, creative and most importantly patient.

There is more technical innovation occurring in the hospitality sector than in any other part of the travel industry, and that oftens gives hotels the tools to turn guest data into revenue.

Industry experts have their chance to be heard, but that doesn't guarantee the government will act on the solutions in an efficient manner.

National parks' popularity is strong among both domestic and international travelers. Profiles from public figures like Romney only further that trend.

Lyft is hungry to get into New York City and it's wisely playing by the city's rules, but we're interested to see how this newly adjusted business model will pan out in a city where private and public transportation are readily available.

Brands are jumping on the experiential travel trend, but their marketing messages are empty without on-the-ground research needed to deliver a truly authentic, one-of-a-kind experience.

HotelTonight's reach may be broad, but it's not necessarily relevant in many of its new markets. Time would be better spent targeting major cities in Asia and Latin America than mining every possible market in Europe.