The hotels housing each state’s delegates during the GOP convention
Representatives from each state stayed in a different hotel this week and the reviews suggest the hotel choice may say something about the state staying in it.
Hotel News
Airbnb users have added over a million items to their Wish Lists since June
Airbnb's newest feature has been a hit with users -- the average user adds hearts to four properties a day -- meaning Airbnb is hoping to be users’ first stop when booking their next vacation.
Travel industry to lobby the lobbyists and pols at GOP and Democratic conventions
Vote Travel, yes, but don't do it blindly. It's great the U.S. Travel Association is out there trying to influence the influencers, but the industry needs to be candid when federal agencies act as if they don't have any spending caps on their meetings.
Investors bet $15 million more on CouchSurfing’s sharing economy
If Airbnb- and CouchSurfing-type accommodations cause concern about their legalities and risks, these issues are not dissuading important investors.
Travel fees becoming part of negotiations during the hiring process
If vacation packages and compensation are up for negotiation, then why not travel expenses, too? With the growing importance of ancillary services when traveling, these perks logically are entering the conversation.
Hotels refocus on direct bookings to avoid paying a commission to OTAs
In an effort to reduce costs, hotels wanting travelers to skip OTAs have increased marketing through social media to build brand awareness and attract travelers before they ever consult search engines.
Hotels and booking sites now face suit in U.S. over hotel price-fixing “conspiracy”
This suit could get really interesting, although only the courts or regulators will ultimately decide if the anti-competition claims pass legal muster. If the plaintiffs prevail, then hotel-OTA rate-parity practices in the U.S. could get tossed out the window.
Former owner of Jumeirah Essex House buys it back to rebrand as JW Marriott Essex House
The Jumeirah group paid almost $425 million in 2005 for the property and spent millions refurbishing it and turning rooms into condos. The latest sale excludes most of those condos.
Hotel fee surcharges to touch $2 billion in U.S. as room rates rise
The hotel industry started surcharges trend, airlines took it to its illogical extreme. We're happier customers of the hospitality laggards.
10 things a hotel insider hates about hotels and restaurants
Some people can be rather particular, can't they? It appears that even Britons descended from a line of distinguished hoteliers are still notoriously bad tippers in the U.S.