Hotel News

Airbnb's current stance would likely be much different if its path to an IPO was uncluttered by web of local and state laws that could trip it up.

The subpoena will likely be pared down before it is issued. Some big issues will be coming to a head in this probe, including whether an apartment rental by an individual renders the apartment a hotel that is subject to occupancy tax.

Pinterest has way more travel pins than TripAdvisor has reviews and opinions. The level of engagement on Pinterest is incredible. The jury is out, though, on what it all means for travel.

TripAdvisor will talk about how its transition away from hotel search through pop-under windows to metasearch was driven by the need to improve the customer experience, and that indeed was part of the reason. But, the bottom line is it was mostly about the bottom line i.e. the economics.

Airbnb is entering its first year with David Hantman in charge of figuring out its approach to the patchwork of laws that Airbnb largely ignores. Expect a smarter approach from the company as it tries to win more support and prep for an IPO.

The Best Western brand is present worldwide in the form of converted or independent hotels. Building seamless technology for customers and operations is a tough task, but superior quality will eventually breed positive branding.

Some travel companies took compare tools like Booking Buddy's and pre-checked several windows, driving up their own click revenue and exasperating consumers who unknowingly found their computer screens flush with pop-under windows when they started to search. CPC rates charged to advertisers became subject to a downward spiral, and although the model is still widely used, metasearch stole some of its thunder.

TripAdvisor is entering a very crowded field this year as online travel companies have saturated the airwaves. Still, with $40 million to $50 million devoted to its campaigns, TripAdvisor is going to get the word out. And kudos for brilliant use of its iconic green review icons.

Warren's case is not representative of most Airbnb stays in New York City where people are known to run illegal hotels and entire apartments are one of the most common kind of rentals.