For those who thought augmented and virtual reality technologies were just for gamers, news from Chinese search giant Baidu tells of the company building an AR lab to research and build experiences for the digital world. Across the spectrum of the mobile-digital realm, companies are in a frenzied uptake mode for developing and launching AR capability. Nowhere is this more prevalent than in the travel, booking, and hospitality experience spaces.
Hilton
Macedonia’s Prime Minister Sets Cornerstone for Hilton Skopje
The world’s best known hotel chain, Hilton just signed a franchise agreement with Stone Bridge Hotel to begin construction of Double Tree by Hilton Skopje. The new hotel to be situated along the river Vardar, will feature 170 rooms and cost in the neighborhood of €30 million euro, according to the news from Macedonia.
Hotels Accused of Still Fleecing Guests on WiFi
Even though most hotel guest might figure hospitality players got the negative message over ancillary charges, hidden fees, and particularly pay-for WiFi, even the biggest hotel chains did not. According to a report via The Telegraph, travel portal Gogobot performed a survey recently revealing guest displeasure with hotels still charging for Internet.
MCR Development Buys 10 Hilton & Marriott Hotels
MCR Development LLC announced on Friday their having acquired 1o Hilton and Marriott hotels from Skye Hospitality. With a total of 1,294 rooms, the portfolio is made up of primarily newer hotels, according to the company’s press.
Big OTAs and Big Hotels in Price Fixing Lawsuit
A federal lawsuit naming the likes of Expedia, Orbitz, Booking.com, Travelocity, Trump International Hotels Management, Intercontinental, Kimpton, Sabre Holdings, Priceline, Marriott, Starwood, and Hilton alleges the companies conspired to fix hotel room prices. According to the news from Reuters, the suit claims the travel giants did so in an effort to fend off competition from smaller online retailers.