EDITOR'S COMMENT
• My colleagues George Sell, Eloise Hanson and I enjoyed selecting our 20 Ones to Watch from across the travel, hospitality and real estate sectors. While it is a globally diverse group of people spanning a range of lodging verticals, the individuals featured have been chosen as innovators and disruptors in their various sectors, and we expect them to have a significant impact in the year ahead. Find out who made the cut here and let us know who you think should be in the running for future Ones to Watch at paul@internationalhospitality.media.
• We've spoken a lot recently about new entrants into the short-term and vacation rental sectors and Zumper is the latest player to expand its offering into the segment, having traditionally been seen as a long-term rental platform.
The marketplace, which has now raised $30 million in a Series D funding extension and is backed by the Blackstone Group, Kleiner Perkins and more, will now offer more than half a million short-term listings powered with partnerships from Vrbo, Booking.com and proprietary listings direct from landlords / multifamily.
Flexible rental apartment startups are gaining ever-increasing traction - besides Zumper, membership company Landing and WeWork co-founder Adam Neumann's new residential venture Flow have secured $125 million and $350 million in investment respectively. According to Zumper, short-term rentals - especially those lasting one or two months - are no longer just an option for how people vacation but how they live, as working from anywhere accelerates a cultural shift in the way we live, work and travel.
• Please click here if you have a story you want us to tell the industry, or would like to be considered for a feature, podcast or webinar.
For more information and sponsorship / creative solutions advice, contact us at info@internationalhospitality.media.
