Hilton launched "Select by Hilton," a new umbrella that lets small chains plug into its site and app — no acquisition required. First up: Yotel, a 23-property chain known for its micro-rooms and folding beds.
Meanwhile, Hyatt is pushing into small and midsize U.S. cities with cheaper, no-frills brands. To make sure the new brands resonate, it tested prototypes at a model facility and solicited feedback from contractors, corporate travel managers, and housekeepers before finalizing the designs.
EDITOR’S PICKS
Hilton, Marriott, IHG, Accor, Wyndham: Asia Travel Booming Despite China’s Slow Recovery
by Peden Doma Bhutia
March 17, 2026
Hotel demand across Asia is accelerating, and while China is still struggling to bounce back, in part due to policies inhibiting group travel, operators are cautiously optimistic that it will take a U-shaped rebound.
IHG CEO: “Growth Is Moving East” + The Ruby Bet and the Next Wave of Hotel Conversions
by Wil Slickers
March 17, 2026
In this Skift Take Sessions episode, Wil Slickers sits down with Skift hospitality reporter Sean O’Neill for a quick, high-signal setup on what mattered most from IHG CEO Elie Maalouf’s Skift Global Forum appearance.
United and Marriott Pitch Ad Strategies to Target Travelers on Plane and Hotel Screens
by Sean O'Neill and Meghna Maharishi
March 16, 2026
Marriott and United are pitching companies to place ads on their hotel and airline ad networks, citing BCG research that travelers spend impulsively while traveling.
AVALARA + SKIFT
As the short-term rental market matures, margins are shrinking and regulations keep shifting. New research confirms that compliance is becoming one of the sector's most critical—and underestimated—challenges.
SKIFT PODCAST NETWORK
In this Skift Take Sessions episode, Wil Slickers sits down with Skift hospitality reporter Sean O’Neill for a quick, high-signal setup on what mattered most from IHG CEO Elie Maalouf’s Skift Global Forum appearance.
Wil and Sean break down three big themes listeners should be paying attention to: why IHG believes the center of gravity in travel is moving east and what that means in real numbers, the playbook differences in Japan versus India, and why IHG’s Ruby acquisition is a strategic bet on conversion-friendly, design-led urban hotels.
SKIFT RESEARCH | DATA
Market Performance
How are public accommodations companies performing around the world? The Skift Travel 200 pulls the data you need to know to understand the market. Paid subscribers get full access here.
