Travel Industry Roundup | September 30
What effect does AIrbnb have on hotel rates during major conventions? How can Marriott and Starwood rewards program members link their accounts? And what should travelers expect for airfares and hotel rates in 2017? Those answers and more in Rocketrip’s coverage of this week’s biggest stories from the world of business travel.
Airbnb Hurts Hotels, Trade Group and Union Say
In advance next week’s Dreamforce conference, which will bring over 150,000 visitors to San Francisco, the American Hotel & Lodging Association released a study that suggests the home sharing service has flaunted city regulations and had a negative effect on local tourism employment. Rocketrip’s Dan Ruch spoke to the San Francisco Chronicle about Airbnb’s complex impact, saying that one thing is clear: “hotels are no longer in control of the supply-and-demand equation.”
How to Link Your Marriott and Starwood Rewards
Only a week after the Marriott-Starwood merger became official, the hotels’ rewards programs are already moving towards integration. TravelPulse reports that starting today, “members can link their accounts to begin immediately taking advantage of a slew of benefits, including status match, points transfer and redemption, member rates, SPG Moments and Marriott Rewards Experiences Marketplace, mobile check-in/check-out and free Wi-Fi.”
Skift Global Forum Brings Together Biggest Names in the Travel Industry
Airbnb, Marriott-Starwood, and other hot topics in travel were covered this week at the Skift Global Forum in New York City. Check out Skift’s site to read recaps of the major sessions, such as this panel on the future of online travel.
Airfares to Remain Flat, Hotel Rates to Rise in 2017
Global airfares are likely to remain flat next year, while global hotel rates will increase by 1 percent to 3 percent, according to a 2017 industry forecast released by BCD Travel’s Advito consultancy. Business Travel News summarizes the report’s findings, saying that airfares will remain the same or drop across the board to due low oil prices, while hotel rates will increase as a result of excess demand in North America.
