Travel budgets looked healthy in 2016 and the industry was feeling optimistic about innovation. Increased mergers and acquisitions made major changes to the hospitality landscape, most notably Marriott’s acquisition of Starwood but also Accor’s acquisition of Fairmont Raffles Group. Such mergers were part of hotel company strategies to bulk up and compete not only with each other but with online travel agencies. Corporate was swept up in the fray. Other notable industry moves included Amex GBT acquiring KDS, impacting relationships with Concur, and airlines enhancing operational performance.