Traveling Blog: Marriott Loyalty Merger Stumbles + Japan's Art Tourism Potential + Grab's Super App Ambitions

November 19, 2018

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Editor's Note

One of the biggest, and some might say most daring, efforts in hospitality this past year was Marriott's merger of its loyalty program with Starwood Preferred Guest. Loyalty members, especially SPGers, are a particularly sensitive constituency when it comes to their rewards, so Marriott was placing a pretty big target on its back. The merger happened officially on Aug. 18, and things seem to be going okay. But we asked our loyalty editor Grant Martin to use the occasion of the merger's three-month anniversary to ask five SPG members what they think. Then we gave Marriott a say. Read Martin's story below, and know that we will stay on top of this for you.

— Tom Lowry, Managing Editor

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Most Marriott Rewards and Starwood Preferred Guest members enjoyed a seamless integration earlier this year when the two programs merged. For some, however, latent issues are still hampering the experience. We asked five Starwood Members about their journeys.

Japan's Naoshima Island: A Portrait of Possibility for Art Tourism

Ever since Naoshima, Japan, became home to a number of contemporary art museums, sculptures, and installations, the island's identity as an "art island" has become intertwined with its history and culture. Naoshima now represents a way for other destinations to think about how tourism, and art tourism specifically, can be used to revitalize communities while preserving tradition and demonstrating respect to heritage.

Grab's Tie-Up With Indonesia Tourism Gives a Glimpse of Ambitions Beyond Ridehailing

Grab's partnership with Indonesia's tourism ministry, the first of its kind between a national tourism body and a ridehailing platform, reveals one of the initial ways it is trying to become Southeast Asia's super app for a plethora of travel services.

U.S. Hotels' Summer Occupancy Saw Second-Largest Drop Since Recession

The United States thankfully had fewer hurricanes this year. But because of that good news, some hotel markets are posting occupancy drops because fewer people needed them this year. That's likely indicative of how soft those markets were before the storms hit.

This Startup Is Selling Fly-by-the-Hour Airline Gift Cards

This startup has the JetBlue Tech Ventures seal of approval, which means something in the travel space. But we're not sure why consumers would rather receive a gift card for airplane hours, than a gift card worth cash.

Pot tourism has become a big business in places like Colorado where marijuana has been legalized. Caribbean tourism officials wish local governments would legalize the drug to get pot tourism experiences and events on the map.

Airbnb and Other Unicorns Suffer by Staying Private, High-Profile Tech Investor Argues

Would Airbnb and Uber, for example, be truly better off as public companies? It's unclear because they both have access to tons of money already. But they would both certainly be better equipped to spin their own narratives.

Sabre to Buy Farelogix for $360 Million to Help Airlines Sell Better

Sabre allegedly tried to kill smaller rival Farelogix years ago. But now there's peace in the valley. Farelogix's merchandising and direct connection technology will plug a gap in Sabre's offering and could accelerate the travel tech giant's growth.

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