Hotelkeeping as a side hustle: What makes this gig good? Speed is everything: 76% of hotels are using contractors for senior hires, 74% want to bring them in fast, and 56% say they can find them in less than two weeks. In addition, gigs not just for the young. The new study of executive hires in the hospitality industry reveals 45% are between the ages of 55 and 65, while an additional 10% are able to continue executive-level contractor work after the age of 65. Read more about results from the first Hospitality Gig Economy Study.—Jeff Weinstein
The bedbug in history (and pre-history): As long as there have been inns, innkeepers have been fighting bedbugs – but in fact, the annoying little creature actually predates one of the world’s oldest professions by about 100 million years. The New York Times writes about a team of researchers that spent 15 years studying the insect in its environments around the world. What they are learning could help mitigate future bedbug outbreaks influenced by changing climates and new hosts. —Barbara Bohn
Human versus machine: Research by CWT, the B2B4E travel management platform, shows that travelers prefer to manage transactions digitally, via an app or browser. Seventy-eight percent of business travelers prefer to book their hotels digitally rather than have human interactions. However, travelers are more receptive speaking to a person face-to-face when checking into their hotel (46%) and checking out (51%). Overall, Asia Pacific travelers are more likely to choose technology over personal contact with 84% preferring to book hotels digitally, versus 77% of those from the Americas, and 70% of Europeans.—J.W.
Shanghai steps up fight against plastic: The city of Shanghai is getting serious about eliminating plastic from its waste stream. Starting July 1, hotels there will be fined up to 5,000 yuan (US$725) for providing toothbrushes, combs, shower scrubs, razors, nail files and shoe brushes – as standard in guest rooms. (They won’t be fined if a guest asks for them, however.) –B.B.