Airbnb’s Experience Wars, PayPal Books Hotels, OTA Distribution Shakeup

On today’s episode of Good Morning Hospitality, Wil Slickers, Michael Goldin, and Jamie Lane dig into a flurry of power plays and platform pivots across the travel and lodging landscape. First, we continue to unpack the growing tension around Airbnb’s Experiences program, as the company is now facing allegations of poaching guides from rival platforms to grow its inventory.

As Airbnb doubles down on being more than just a lodging company, competitors—and critics—are starting to push back. Meanwhile, hotels seem mostly unbothered by Airbnb’s expansion into local tours and experiences... but should they be?

Next, we look at a surprising move from PayPal, which is officially getting into hotel bookings. Powered by Selfbook, this integration inside PayPal’s app marks yet another fintech giant stepping into travel—and raises questions about where (and how) people book next.

Finally, we round out the episode with a deeper look at the OTA funnel and Google’s evolving role in travel search. With Booking.com and Expedia Group locked in fierce bidding wars, and smaller players like Super.com and Bluepillow making noise, the guest journey from search to stay is more competitive than ever.

As loyalty shifts, margins tighten, and platforms expand their reach, we break down what it all means for operators, owners, and the future of hospitality distribution.

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