Hotels and Airbnb Chase Locals as Startup Hype Fades
Good Morning Hospitality
09/08/25
•28m
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On this week’s Good Morning Hospitality, Michael Goldin and Brandreth Canaley dive into three stories reshaping the hospitality landscape. Oman’s $7 million investment in UnderTheDoormat Group highlights how government support is fueling the growth of alternative accommodations.
The team then unpacks the cautionary tales of Selina and Sonder Inc., two once-hyped disruptors whose struggles show the dangers of chasing scale without sustainable fundamentals. This topic is based on a great article and video by Rafat Ali, which was published not too long ago.
Finally, Michael and Brandy discuss the trend of hotels and Airbnb turning their focus toward locals — whether through day-use packages, work-from-hotel offers, or community-focused stays — and what this shift means for the industry’s future.
This episode is brought to you by Guesty!
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Previous Episode
GMH Hotels: Copenhagen’s Eco Push, Hotels Struggle, Visa Shift
September 4, 2025
•32m
On GMH Hotels this week, Sarah Dandashy and Steve Turk start with Copenhagen’s CopenPay program that rewards visitors for traveling sustainably and is quickly becoming a model for more than 100 other cities worldwide.
They then turn to a new J.D. Power report showing declining guest satisfaction at third-party managed hotels, with frustrations growing over food quality, cleanliness, and upkeep. In the luxury space, India-based TBO.COM Tek is acquiring Classic Vacations in a $125 million deal that combines tech-driven distribution with the reach of U.S. luxury travel advisors.
Finally, new U.S. visa rules requiring most applicants to attend in-person interviews are set to impact students, business travelers, and international visitors as processing times lengthen.
Follow the Hosts: Steve Turk – LinkedIn Sarah Dandashy – LinkedIn
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Next Episode
GMH Hotels: Accor Goes Vegas, OTAs Drop $5B, and Visas Get Tougher
September 10, 2025
•36m
This week on GMH Hotels, Sarah Dandashy and Steve Turk break down the latest shifts shaping travel.
U.S. visa rules are tightening, creating longer waits and higher costs for applicants. YOTEL names a new CEO from Marriott International as it eyes bold growth. Accor makes a high-stakes entry into Las Vegas with Treasure Island Hotel & Casino, potentially its largest property worldwide. JetBlue rolls out a new platform to cut emissions and boost fuel efficiency. And OTAs ramp up marketing spend to $5 billion in Q2, betting big on social media and AI.
From regulations and leadership changes to sustainability moves and digital strategy, we unpack how these forces are reshaping travel’s future!
Follow the Hosts: Steve Turk – LinkedIn Sarah Dandashy – LinkedIn
Connect with Skift:
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