Traveling Blog: Airbnb's Hedge Fund + Carlson Rezidor Rebrands + American Airlines' Route Strategy

February 12, 2018

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Note From the Editor

Skift Research's Seth Borko broke down a news report that Airbnb has an internal hedge fund, concluding that it is more likely a short-term cash management strategy than a traditional hedge fund. Either way, the proceeds likely contributed to Airbnb's self-proclaimed profit, however smallish, last year. What's more important, though, is that the investment strategy points to the fact that Airbnb is maturing as a company, and needs to find ways to park a portion of all that cash it is generating. Even disruptors go corporate after a while.

— Dennis Schaal, Executive Editor

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Headlines can often miss a key point: Airbnb has a positive and growing cash flow. Airbnb was already in a small club of highly valued startups, but there's an even more elite group, those that can turn a profit.

Carlson Rezidor Is Rebranding Itself as Radisson Hotel Group

Carlson Rezidor hasn't taken advantage of its potential. The new name and strategy may help.

American Airlines Is Not Prioritizing Launching Very Long Flights

You might find the customer experience to be the most interesting aspect of an airline. But real aviation nerds obsess over airline schedules — where an airline flies, when, and with what plane.

American Express GBT Deal Means More Mergers Will Be Coming

American Express Global Business Travel is making a shrewd, and expensive, move to become the world's biggest travel management company by a wide margin. More consolidation is almost certain to hit corporate travel as a result.

What's Behind Alibaba's $486 Million Investment in Hotel Tech Giant Shiji

Shiji is a Beijing-based company that provides hotels and restaurants with operational software and hardware. It was already on an overseas acquisition spree before this new funding. Global leader Oracle Hospitality should be on guard.

Most experts say airlines should board aircraft randomly if they seek maximum efficiency. But that's a problem since most carriers want to reward their best customers with early boarding. Under the circumstances, airlines do the best they can.

American Express Global Business Travel Agrees to Buy Hogg Robinson Group

Hogg Robinson Group has gone through a significant amount of restructuring in recent years. The board obviously thinks now is the right time to cash in.

Airbnb Strikes Deal to Make a Bigger Hotel Push

Anyone willing to bet that you may find your favorite "mass-produced" hotel chains on Airbnb in the not-too-distant future?

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