EDITOR'S COMMENT
• As predicted in my December predictions for 2022, the rate of mergers and acquisitions is showing no signs of slowing down as the industry continues to consolidate, and it is the market intelligence platforms at the heart of it this time.
Firstly, Transparent was bought by OTA Insight a few weeks ago and now AirDNA has been acquired by Alpine Investors. The transactions show a collective desire for enhanced data solutions across the travel and hospitality landscape and highlight the accelerating convergence between asset classes - something that AirDNA noted in saying that it would develop more sophisticated tools [across hospitality and real estate] through its self-serve intelligence platform MarketMinder to innovate the sector.
• Asset class convergence - in particular the blurring between 'home' and 'hospitality' - is back on the agenda for the next RockSTRz webinar exploring "The new categories of flexible living" on Tuesday 5 April [4pm BST]. Jason Fudin, whose company WhyHotel has just rebranded as Placemakr and raised $90 million, will join the expert panel alongside The Guild, Jetstream and Lavanda. Sign up for the no-cost session here.
• This week is your last chance to enter the 2022 Shortyz Awards as the entries deadline approaches on Tuesday 22 March [23:59 GMT]. Enter as many of the 20 categories as you wish and are relevant for at no cost by following this link to our awards platform. The 2022 Shortyz Awards will take place at The Skyline London on Wednesday 18 May.
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