This week on Good Morning Hospitality, we unpack the latest trends and shakeups in the industry. Venture capital inflow is heating up in travel tech, signaling continued investor confidence in innovation within the space. Meanwhile, mergers and acquisitions are on the rise as companies look to scale and dominate niche markets. Plus, Expedia Group and Hopper have called a truce, moving past their contentious history to forge a new partnership—what does this mean for the industry at large?...

Join Sarah Dandashy and Steve Turk as they unpack the latest in hotel and travel news! This episode covers the U.S. hotel industry's downgraded growth forecasts for 2024 and 2025, with insights into shifting economic factors and profitability trends. The team also explores Viceroy Hotels and Resorts' new rebranding strategy focused on delivering immersive, authentic guest experiences. On the travel side, they discuss Spirit Airlines' Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing and what it means for...

In this episode of Good Morning Hospitality EU, Leo and Sarah dive into a variety of industry highlights. Leo shares his excitement about Airbnb's latest gladiator experience at the Colosseum, giving 16 lucky guests the chance to immerse themselves in ancient Roman history. Meanwhile, Sarah discusses booking.com’s latest move toward regulatory compliance in Europe, including the end of its price parity clause and new features for travelers and property managers. Leo and Sarah also explore the...

In this episode of Good Morning Hospitality, Michael Goldin, Brandreth Canaley, and Wil Slickers welcome special guest John Sutton, co-founder of Journey, to explore the evolving landscape of loyalty programs in the hospitality sector. They discuss how Journey is setting new standards for guest engagement and loyalty beyond traditional hotel stays and short-term rentals. John shares his insights into creating seamless experiences that cater to modern travelers' needs. The conversation also...

In this episode, Sarah Dandashy and Steve Turk discuss key hospitality and travel trends shaping the industry. They explore how direct bookings are projected to lead hotel distribution by 2030, reducing reliance on OTAs and reshaping the market. They dive into hotel CEOs’ focus on the middle class and demographic shifts as key drivers for future growth. The team also highlights Apple's latest AirTag update, enhancing lost luggage tracking by allowing travelers to share location data with...

In this episode of Good Morning Hospitality EU, Leo Walton shares highlights from the Hostaway Conference in Miami, while Sarah Nan DuPre dives into recent French regulations on short-term rentals aimed at tackling housing affordability. They discuss the latest Airbnb earnings call, where the company saw revenue growth but a stock drop, largely due to their focus on quality over quantity with the removal of underperforming listings. They also explore Airbnb’s Co-Host program expansion,...

In this episode of Good Morning Hospitality, Wil Slickers, Jamie Lane, Brandreth Canaley, and Michael Goldin dive into the latest earnings calls and strategic shifts of top hospitality brands. Airbnb’s new Co-Host Initiative, designed as an alternative to "traditional" property management, takes center stage as the hosts discuss its implications for property owners and the broader short-term rental market. They also explore Expedia Group’s Q3 performance, including adding over 1 million new...

In this episode, Sarah Dandashy and Steve Turk dive into the latest headlines shaping the hospitality industry. They discuss Choice Hotels Internationals’ bold push into higher-end and extended-stay properties with their “revenue intense” strategy. The team explores what this means for the brand’s image and future growth. Next, they turn to the unique, themed dining experience set to hit MGM Grand in Las Vegas as Netflix announces its restaurant venture inspired by popular shows. Plus, they...

In this episode of Good Morning Hospitality EU, Sarah Nan DuPre and Leo Walton explore fascinating developments in the hospitality landscape. Starting with a thoughtful nod to Spain's recent severe weather, they share updates on industry highlights, including Host & Stay’s rapid expansion in the UK and Airbnb’s new initiative to provide accommodations for domestic abuse survivors in the UK. Sarah explores Copenhagen’s innovative "Copen Pay" initiative, which rewards tourists for...

In this episode, we dive into the latest travel tech and loyalty program shake-ups. The Points Guy (John Sutton, Brian Kelly) is challenging Airbnb with a new loyalty program for home rentals, or at least that's how Bloomberg phrased things in the Journey announcement article. The program aims to bring more value and flexibility to frequent travelers. Meanwhile, Expedia Group is expanding its loyalty reach by integrating with Microsoft Bing. This will make it easier for users to earn rewards...

Join us on October 30th for an engaging episode of Good Morning Hospitality! We'll examine the American Express Global Business Travel report's prediction that global hotel rates will stabilize in 2025. Next, we'll explore key hospitality trends from the 2024 The Hospitality Show Conference, including rising hotel deal activity, persistent labor challenges, the booming extended stay segment, and guests' increasing desire for unique experiences. In the spirit of Halloween, we'll also take...

In this episode, Sarah and Leo dive into the latest from the VRMA conference, including updates on regulation, market dynamics, and property management strategies. They touch on the announcement of HomeToGo's potential acquisition of Interhome Group, what it might mean for hyperlocal rental markets, and shifting regulatory landscapes like Málaga’s recent short-term rental restrictions. The discussion also includes insights into slowing U.S. STR supply growth, with data indicating a notable...

In this episode, Brandreth Canaley, Jamie Lane, and Wil Slickers explore fundamental shifts in global tourism. We discuss Hawaii’s push to limit short-term rentals while promoting climate resilience and sports tourism. Then, we examine Venice’s expansion of tourist entry fees after a successful trial, tackling the challenge of overtourism. We also examine AirDNA’s latest insights, revealing how U.S. short-term rentals adapt to fluctuating demand and new market trends. Tune in for a deep dive...

In this episode of Good Morning Hospitality, Sarah Dandashy & Steve Turk discuss New York City’s new hotel licensing law and its impact on the industry. They also explore the rise of hotel wellness certifications, setting new standards in wellness tourism. Plus, they dive into Google Flights’ latest tool for finding cheaper airfares, just in time for holiday travel. Tune in for critical hospitality updates and insights! — Good Morning Hospitality is part of the Hospitality.FM podcast...

In this special episode of GMH EU, Leo, Wil, and Paul Stevens broadcast from the VRMA 2024 Conference in Phoenix. The team dives into key industry trends and discussions happening at the event, particularly focusing on the importance of addressing regulations within the short-term rental market. They emphasize the need for industry collaboration and proactive engagement with policymakers to ensure a sustainable future for short-term rentals. Paul highlights how this year’s conference is a...

In this episode, Brandy and Wil join Leo from our EU Crew as they recap their experience at the VRMA conference, where discussions moved from rapid growth to a greater emphasis on quality and guest satisfaction.  They explore how operators are increasingly focused on improving hospitality services, diversifying marketing channels, and maximizing value for guests through concierge and upsell services. The conversation also touches on AI's role in hospitality, particularly Marriott's AI-powered...

This week on Good Morning Hospitality EU, Leo and Sarah break down Airbnb’s launch of the Co-Host Marketplace, an innovative AI-powered system that matches property owners with co-hosts to enhance guest experiences and drive service quality. They also discuss key takeaways from the VRMA conference, focusing on market channel diversification, mid-term rentals, upsell opportunities like additional night stays, and the impact of sustainability trends, including investment in outdoor...

In this episode, we celebrate four years of Good Morning Hospitality! 290 episodes later, we're still here and excited for the next four years! We also break down Airbnb’s 2024 Winter Release, which is packed with new features, expanded categories, and tools to enhance the guest and host experience. We also dive into Uber and Expedia's game-changing partnership, exploring how this “super deal” could reshape travel booking and loyalty programs and disrupt the industry. Join us for a deep dive...

Steve & Sarah are back!!! This episode explores the sharp rise in hotel prices, with $200 a night now feeling like a bargain in top U.S. markets. The hosts also dive into Marriott’s *Future of Food 2025* report, predicting how Asia Pacific will shape culinary tourism. Plus, a breakdown of Europe’s new ETIAS and the UK’s ETA travel rules, set to simplify border control for travelers. — Good Morning Hospitality is part of the Hospitality.FM podcast network and a Hospitality.FM Original. If...

Join Brandy, Michael, and Wil as they discuss the latest trends and events in the hospitality industry.  In this episode, we dive into the excitement surrounding VRMA in Phoenix, touching on industry insights, conference schedules, and personal anecdotes.  Discover the surprising trends in family travel, the challenges of planning multigenerational trips, and public perception of personal finances ahead of the holiday season.  Plus, get updates on Well & Good Morning Coffee's VRMA...

In this episode of Good Morning Hospitality, the team welcomes Keven Wishard, Head of Global and Continent Operations at Homes & Villas by Marriott Bonvoy. He discusses the seamless integration of hotel and vacation rental experiences, the significance of the Bonvoy loyalty program, and the evolution of partner onboarding processes. Keven also touches on Marriott's strategic growth in emerging markets and the company's efforts to maintain high standards while adapting to different...

In this episode, Europe Crew, Leo and Sarah discuss the growing impact of digital nomads, particularly in Latin America, and how this trend could affect Europe. They highlight the economic benefits of these remote workers, such as increased spending in local economies and collaboration with local businesses, which have led to positive knock-on effects in cities like Mexico City and Medellín. Leo and Sarah explore how Europe might embrace this shift and integrate digital nomads into its...

In this week’s episode of Good Morning Hospitality, Wil Slickers, Brandreth Canaley, and Michael Goldin explore the latest challenges facing the hotel industry as short-term rentals continue to gain ground. We’ll explore key data insights showing how alternative accommodations are thriving, putting traditional hotels in a tough spot. The team also discusses Sonder Inc.'s surprising financial revelations, as the company reported nearly $80 million more in losses than disclosed in 2022. With...

In this episode, Leo and Sarah discuss two key industry developments. First, they explore Airbnb’s partnership with Zumper, which allows rental communities to promote themselves as short-term rental-friendly, giving building operators more control over guest stays while offering tenants additional income opportunities. They also dive into Airbnb’s new policy requiring the full price, including cleaning fees, to be shown upfront, examining the potential impact on hosts and guest booking...