Future of Lodging

All of hospitality is undergoing a dramatic change as we recover from the pandemic. That's why we are hosting a first of its kind event bringing together both the hotel and short-term rentals sectors to explore "The Great Merging" happening across lodging and how guests are driving the changes redefining the industry.

Airbnb sees plenty of money to be made from the growing number people becoming less tied to their place of work. So the company has ramped up its efforts to target prospective hosts and guests, which its top UK and Northern Europe executive Amanda Cupples describes in detail in this video.

If you think Dara Khosrowshahi is going to toggle a switch and turn Uber into the next Expedia or Booking, then consider the years-long effort Booking Holdings is putting into building "the connected trip." Who's going to plan a vacation and start with a rideshare app?

Short-term rentals outshone hotels during the pandemic years in the U.S. accommodation sector. However, the boundaries between hotels and so-called STRs are blurring and it is still to be seen how the two segments will compete to define the market landscape.

IHG is the latest travel company to revamp its loyalty program for a post-pandemic return of visitors, changes that, for one, tame owner labor costs.

Selina's launch of a loyalty card will be eyed by other emerging brands in travel lodging. Its choices in marketing the card to early-career travelers will be watched by all hoteliers coveting that segment.

Weirdly, airlines are the upselling masters. But spacious hotels and short-term rentals have much more to cross-sell to travelers than any flying tin cans have. Calling all consumer brands and local artisans: Here's the new "product placement."

Even as uncertainty continues to weigh on travel plans, Marriott is offering personalized experiences through its loyalty program in Asia. The hotel chain currently has more than 55 million Marriott Bonvoy members in Asia Pacific.

Except for the down year of 2020, the U.S. accommodation sector has been performing robustly, with the short-term rental segment gaining market share. We believe hotels will make a strong comeback in 2022 relative to the short-term rental sector.

What's getting called the metaverse today is a joke. But marketers are right to run tests. The key thing to learn is how people will express their identities and status via avatars in virtual games. Future branding depends on that knowledge.