It's interesting, or perhaps not surprising, that Hyatt's revving up its select service and extended stay brands in light of its recent partnership with Onefinestay to give guests who want home-stays and a home-stay feel with added amenities more options.
We've been watching how early adopters in business travel are beginning to partner with Uber and Airbnb. Likewise, segments of the hotel industry are beginning to accommodate the sharing economy. Five years from now that collaboration and cooptation will be in full swing.
Airbnb's capability for growth is much greater than any traditional hotel chain but it can also disappear faster than you can type "enforcement of municipal zoning and/or condo board rules."
While many hoteliers are dismissive of the sharing economy, Hyatt and Hilton Worldwide are either learning from it or at least taking a balanced view about the trend. Don't expect either to rent out couches anytime soon, though.
The demand for a local, authentic travel experience is now driving large hotel companies to develop new brands to differentiate themselves and deliver experiences that immerse guests in local communities.
Hotels now view college recruiting events as marketing opportunities just as much as hiring opportunities as well as ways to bridge the gap between industries and incentivize business students interested in hospitality careers.