Independent hotels band together to keep giants at bay

Industry shake-up: An empty reception area at the Sheraton Hotel is seen in Montreal. The worst year in the history of the modern lodging industry due to Covid-19 is seeing smaller players facing the threat of being swallowed by bigger, richer players. — AP

NEW YORK: A group of independent hotel owners is forming a “rebel alliance” to survive the pandemic and prevent their properties from getting swallowed up by the likes of Marriott International Inc and Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc.

The group, led by Pebblebrook Hotel Trust, is launching Curator Hotel & Resort Collection, a new company that aims to reduce costs on everything from bed linens to credit card processing.