Today's podcast looks at how hotel listings on Google compete for bookings, new junk fee rules for airlines, and new sites for Hyatt loyalty program members.
Hyatt has begun letting members of its loyalty program earn and redeem points at about 700 boutique and luxury hotels via Mr & Mrs Smith, a service that curates boutique properties.
Hyatt Hotels launched Caption by Hyatt Zhongshan Park Shanghai, its new lifestyle brand in the Asia Pacific, and opened Hyatt Centric Zhongshan Park Shanghai, the first full-service Hyatt Centric hotel in downtown Shanghai.
Hilton CEO Christopher Nassetta led the pack among hotel executives with a total compensation of $56.8 million in 2023, followed closely by Hyatt's Mark Hoplamazian at $56.4 million and Marriott's Anthony Capuano at $55.5 million.
Hyatt aims to expand its presence in China’s economy and midscale hotel segments, leveraging local partnerships and focusing on second and third-tier cities.
Hyatt has 40% of its hotel pipeline in China despite trouble in the country's property market. The hotel giant is betting that government support for the country's developers will help get new projects off the ground.