Several big lodging chains and a data intermediary face allegations of unreasonable restraint of trade regarding hotel rates, in violation of antitrust regulations. A set of seven plaintiffs, seeking class-action status for untold numbers of others, accused CoStar, which owns Smith Travel Research, along with Accor, Hilton, Hyatt, InterContinental Hotels, Loews Hotels and Marriott, of…
Hoping to capitalize on the work-from-anywhere phenomenon that led to more flexibility for workers, more relocations and longer lengths of stay, big hotel companies are adding new brands in the midscale extended-stay segment. Since last fall, Best Western, Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott and Wyndham each announced new products in the space. They augment these companies’ pre-existing…
Hotel executives say they are reconsidering and reinstating brand standards, potentially impacting business traveler expectations and corporate sourcing. Brand standards govern the responsibilities of property owners and operators. Ranging from design, maintenance and renovations to operations, amenities and customer services, they support consistent experiences and define brands. Prominent among them are specifications for food and…
HRS tested the patience of some hoteliers with a decision to direct client requests for proposals to individual properties rather than brand representatives. According to sources in hospitality, the approach caused confusion and threatened brand value by disintermediating national account managers. In some cases, HRS agreed to revert after high-level talks. Asking not to be…
Lodging and transportation companies lost money in the first quarter and they’re losing more during the second. What matters now is shoring up liquidity and improving cash burn for the second half of the year and into 2021. To bolster reserves, suppliers are taking out loans, tapping into credit facilities, cutting spending and reducing workforces….
Wyndham Worldwide has made fewer headlines on book-direct programs than some competitors, but it has one too. Asked in an interview how companies should respond when these campaigns impact support for managed travel programs, an exec last week offered what some may see as an insensitive or unrealistic answer: non-reimbursement. Reading it there makes it seem…
After decades of hesitation, the business world has embraced climate protection. More companies than ever are taking stock of the environmental impact of their employee travel and working to reduce it. Videoconferencing and more efficient ground transportation are among the more common means. Several organizations last month announced commitments in conjunction with the COP21 United…
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