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Choice Hotels Acquires Harvest Hosts for $130 Million, Expanding into Outdoor Lodging with RV Membership Model

🏠 Choice Hotels is acquiring Harvest Hosts for $130 million, funded by cash and its credit revolver, marking its entry into outdoor lodging. Harvest Hosts, an RV membership club, connects over 500,000 members with 11,200 locations for an annual fee of $99 to $179. Members have spent over $200 million at host sites since 2010. This purchase is approximately 3.5 times the $37 million paid by Stripes in 2021. CEO Joel Holland remains, and the brand continues as standalone.
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  • 7 min

Accor's Franchise Agreements Now Represent 80% of Deal Signings Across Premium, Midscale, and Economy Divisions

📈 Accor pivoted towards franchising to drive growth, now making up 80% of their premium, midscale, and economy division deals. In February, Leire Leoz became Global Chief Franchise Officer. The strategy focuses on performance, brand integrity, and simplification. Accor’s largest franchised hotel, Treasure Island, Las Vegas, has 2,884 rooms. The Middle East and Africa present strong franchise opportunities. Accor's diverse expansion includes Sofitel Fiji and Mövenpick Pera Istanbul, emphasizing owner satisfaction and repeat investment.
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Google Ads and Meta Ads Serve Different Roles in Marketing Funnel; Success Requires Using Both Together

📶 Google Ads excels in capturing intent, ideal for high-intent buyers searching for solutions. Meta Ads generate interest, perfect for nurturing discovery and creating new demand. These platforms serve different roles in marketing: Google Ads thrives on existing demand, while Meta Ads stimulate potential demand. To effectively scale, both should be employed together rather than viewed as competitors. Are you leveraging both in your strategy? Follow Hana Kobzová for more PPC insights.
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  • 2 min

Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky Open to Listing Chain Hotels and Expanding Services to Include Flights and Car Rentals

🏠 Last week at the Skift Global Forum, Airbnb's Brian Chesky discussed loosening Airbnb’s original restrictions, considering listings like Hiltons and Marriotts. AI helps tailor user preferences, ensuring Airbnb remains unique. Chesky mentioned Airbnb's ventures into car rentals, groceries, and future flights, diverging from traditional OTAs. He highlighted the significance of the Airbnb community as a movement. Meanwhile, Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi shared insights on the challenge of terminating product lines.
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Hilton CIO Highlights AI Agents' Impact on Reducing OTAs' Influence and Changing Hotel Booking Dynamics

💻 Hilton's CIO, Michael Leidinger, spoke at the Destination AI Summit in Washington, D.C., highlighting that AI agents now threaten online travel agencies by aggregating fragmented markets. Personal AI agents, like Meta's Muse, may become commissionable channels, charging for transactions. A McKinsey & Company and Skift Research study shows 50% of 1,000 U.S. travelers changed bookings after finding better options. Hilton's app conversions increase with AI tools, suggesting a shift in booking dynamics.
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Salamander Collection Appoints Matthew Gabos as Corporate Director of Food & Beverage, Drawing on 25+ Years of Experience

🍴 September 30, 2026, Middleburg, Virginia: Salamander Collection welcomes Matthew Gabos as the new Corporate Director of Food & Beverage. With over 25 years in luxury hospitality, Gabos previously managed a $32 million operation at Kiawah Island Golf Resort, overseeing 160 associates. He aims to enhance Salamander’s offerings, partnering with leadership to elevate culinary standards. Gabos has held significant roles across renowned properties like Auberge Collection, Ojai Valley Inn, and St. Regis Monarch Beach.
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Holiday Inn Townsville Opens with 93 Rooms, Enhancing North Queensland's Hospitality Ahead of Brisbane 2032 Olympics

🏨 September 30, 2026, Holiday Inn Townsville by IHG opened in Townsville, Queensland. The hotel features 93 guest rooms, including two-bedroom family rooms, a restaurant, and event facilities. Kids 12 and under stay and eat free. Matt Tripolone of IHG emphasized its strategic importance. Jerry Xu of La Vie Hotels noted growth potential, particularly with the 2032 Olympics approaching. Nearby attractions include Magnetic Island beaches, the Great Barrier Reef, and the Museum of Underwater Art.
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Crestline Hotels Completes Renovation of Courtyard by Marriott Carolina Beach Oceanfront, Enhancing Guest Rooms and Event Spaces

🏨 September 30, 2026, Fairfax, Virginia: Crestline Hotels & Resorts, LLC completed renovations at Courtyard by Marriott Carolina Beach Oceanfront, North Carolina. The refreshed hotel features redesigned public spaces, including a lobby with 65-inch TVs and booth seating with 32-inch TVs. All 144 guest rooms have updated furniture and ocean-view balconies. The 5,000 sq. ft. event space and fitness center received new amenities. The Bistro® offers a full menu, and The Crate provides 24-7 snacks.
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Hilton CIO Michael Leidinger Says AI Assistants Threaten Online Travel Agencies' Dominance in Hotel Shopping

💻 Hilton's SVP and CIO, Michael Leidinger, spoke at the Destination AI conference in Washington, D.C., highlighting the impact of AI assistants like ChatGPT on online travel agencies (OTAs). On Tuesday, he described how large language models (LLMs) pose a "real threat" to OTAs by offering travelers convenient itinerary planning, which previously required aggregating fragmented data. This shift could lessen OTAs' influence over hotel shoppers, presenting new opportunities for companies like Hilton.
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