International Visitors Spent Nearly $20.1 Billion Traveling Within the United States in March
National Travel and Tourism Office (NTTO) | May 23rd, 2024
CBRE Expects RevPAR Growth to Improve in H2 2024, Driven by Holiday and International Travel
CBRE Group, Inc. | May 16th, 2024
Poor Performers
Robert Mandelbaum | June 18, 2019
By Robert Mandelbaum According to the March 2019 edition of CBRE’s Hotel Horizons® forecast report, the 2019 average annual occupancy level for U.S. hotels is projected to be 66.2 percent. This will mark the sixth consecutive year of occupancy levels above the 62.5 percent long-run average, and fifth year above the pre-2014 historical high of 64.8 percent. Despite such healthy market conditions, not all hotels are enjoying lofty levels of performance. According to STR, 35.7 percent of the hotels in their U.S. national sample achieved an occupancy level less than 60 percent during 2018. If you have attended any hotel investment co...
HospitalityNet and HFTP to Conduct Landmark Industry Survey at HITEC Minneapolis
Puzzle Partner | June 17, 2019
HospitalityNet™ and HFTP have announced that they will be launching the first edition of the hospitality industry’s first comprehensive Sentiment Survey at HITEC 2019 in Minneapolis. Event attendees and exhibitors will be invited to participate by members of a dedicated onsite team or contacted directly via email. This Sentiment Survey, sponsored by Shiji, aims to build the most comprehensive picture of pertinent trends impacting the hospitality technology industry. The survey, once compiled and analyzed, will decipher what hotel companies, technology providers, and educational institutions consider to be the most critical based upon c...
Fuel to Release Exclusive Early Edition of Leisure Travel Study Results at HITEC 2019
Fuel | June 13, 2019
Leading provider of hotel software and digital marketing solutions to provide sneak peek at critical industry data to attendees of world’s largest hotel technology show Myrtle Beach, SC and Minneapolis - HITEC Booth #2920 - June 13, 2019 – Fuel, a leading provider of hotel software and digital marketing solutions for the global hospitality industry, is providing access to an early edition of its much anticipated annual Leisure Travel Study at HITEC 2019 in Minneapolis. HITEC attendees will have access to the study at Booth #2920 on the HITEC trade show floor. The Leisure Travel Study is a comprehensive analysis of the ever-changing...
China’s Hotel Construction Pipeline Continues to Expand With Double-Digit Increases Year-Over-Year
Lodging Econometrics | June 12, 2019
June 12, 2019 – PORTSMOUTH, NH Analysts at Lodging Econometrics (LE) report that China’s total construction pipeline continues to expand with 2,845 projects/590,809 rooms, up 15% by projects and 8% by rooms year-over-year (YOY). Both projects and rooms in the pipeline are at new all-time highs. Construction growth has been substantially enhanced by the billions of liquidity unleashed by the government last year to offset the manufacturing slump and slowing economy brought about by the escalating trade dispute with the United States. China has 2,083 projects/414,967 rooms presently under construction, up 21% and 12% YOY, respectively w...
Takeaways From the Caribbean Hotel Investment Conference
Allison Fogarty | June 10, 2019
By Allison Fogarty The Caribbean is open for business, although recovery continues. As the region continues to recover from the devastating 2017 storm season, many hotels have reopened, even as infrastructure work continues. As always, recovery takes longer than anticipated, but open insurance claims are settling, and a number of properties are slated to reopen later this year, in time for the 2020 high season. Following the devastation, many owners of heavily damaged properties have taken the opportunity to significantly upgrade their properties with the proceeds of their insurance settlements, which will enhance their future positioning....
Europe’s Hotel Construction Pipeline Is Accelerating and Hitting All-Time Highs Amidst Concerns of an Economic Slowdown Ahead
Lodging Econometrics (LE) | June 10, 2019
June 10, 2019 – PORTSMOUTH, NH -- Analysts at Lodging Econometrics (LE) report that Europe’s hotel construction pipeline continues its robust up-swing in 2019 with 1,670 projects/254,600 rooms, a remarkable 22% increase in projects and 19% increase in rooms year-over-year (YOY). There has been an optimistic, upward trend in the European service and construction sectors, which is off-setting the weak outlook for exports and the on-going short-falls in manufacturing. New construction is being positively impacted by accommodative lending policies. Unemployment is at a 19-year low, yet an economic slowdown is still predicted for 2019. T...
HVS Design and JN+A Release 2019 Hotel Cost Estimating Guide
June 10, 2019
Rockville, Md., June 7, 2019: HVS Design and Jonathan Nehmer + Associates, Inc. (JN+A), leading Architecture, Interior Design, and Project Management firms specializing in the hospitality industry, are proud to announce the completion of the 2019 Hotel Cost Estimating Guide. The Guide is a comprehensive listing of capital expenditure construction and FF&E costs for hotel renovations. Now in its eleventh year, the 2019 Hotel Cost Estimating Guide evaluates costs in a variety of hotel tiers including Economy, Extended Stay, Midscale, Upscale, Upper Upscale, and Luxury. Within each tier, costs are separated into the categories of Gues...
The London West Hollywood at Beverly Hills Appoints Greg Velasquez as Director of Sales and Marketing
The London West Hollywood | June 3, 2019
West Hollywood, CA (June 3, 2019) – The London West Hollywood at Beverly Hills is pleased to announce the appointment of Greg Velasquez as Director of Sales and Marketing of the iconic Los Angeles hotel in the heart of West Hollywood. Velasquez joins The London West Hollywood as a seasoned hospitality professional with nearly twenty-five years in the industry across several luxury brands. As Director of Sales and Marketing, Velasquez brings invaluable leadership and a strong history of proven results to his new role. "We are delighted to welcome Greg to The London family," said Jeff Kulek, General Manager. "His hospitality experie...
Key Takeaways From the 2019 South East Asia Hotel Investor’s Summit (SEAHIS)
Paola Orneli Bock | May 31, 2019
By Paola Orneli Bock, Han Sol Park, Ruj Masan May 31, 2019 -- HVS proudly sponsored the third edition of the South East Asia Hotel Investors' Summit that was held May 16-17 at the Westin Grande Sukhumvit Bangkok. This year's event saw over 200 delegates interacting with hospitality industry leaders on a number of key issues, such as the role of the sharing economy, franchising, demand and supply outlook for 2019, and new distribution channels disrupting the industry. HOFTEL and HVS also presented the intermediary results of the first OTA survey in an effort to shed some light on the actual costs of distribution. Below are some key takea...
The Ritz-Carlton New York, Central Park Welcomes Dominik Trimborn as Director of Sales & Marketing
The Ritz-Carlton New York, Central Park | May 31, 2019
NEW YORK, N.Y. – May 31, 2019 – The Ritz-Carlton New York, Central Park is delighted to announce the appointment of Dominik Trimborn as director of sales & marketing. Joining the hotel from St. Regis Bal Harbour and W Miami, Trimborn is poised to lead the sales and marketing efforts of this newly redesigned hotel. A dynamic sales & marketing professional, Trimborn is a seasoned expert with a global mindset and luxury focus. Throughout his career spanning several countries, he has held positions at both corporate and at the property level including global account executive – leisure sales and director of leisure sales at Starw...
Arlo Hotels Appoints Karan Kakar as General Manager of Nautilus by Arlo
Nautilus by Arlo | May 31, 2019
MIAMI (May 31, 2019) – Arlo Hotels, an independent four-star lifestyle hotel brand, today announced the appointment of Karan Kakar as the general manager of Nautilus by Arlo, the brand's first expansion outside New York City. Kakar will be playing an integral role in re-imagining the historic South Beach hotel, bringing Miami's global urban perspective to the beach. Kakar is a multifaceted hotelier who comes to Nautilus by Arlo with over 15 years of experience in managing diverse hotels including luxury, mid-large convention hotels, and resorts. In his past roles, Kakar has specialized in leading hotel renovations and brand conver...
Marriott Irvine Spectrum Appoints Leonel De Leon as Executive Chef
May 31, 2019
IRVINE, Calif. (May 31, 2019) –– Marriott Irvine Spectrum is pleased to announce the appointment of Leonel De Leon as Executive Chef. De Leon brings over 16 years of culinary experience to Marriott Irvine Spectrum, where he oversees all food and beverage for the 271-room hotel, curating menus of inventive, responsibly sourced California cuisine. The hotel's indoor-outdoor design sets the stage for De Leon's casually sophisticated menu inspired by the Orange County lifestyle. At the signature restaurant, Heirloom Farmhouse Kitchen, the stone fired oven is central to its harvest-to-hearth cuisine with innovative seasonal dishe...
The Brown Palace Hotel & Spa Names Justin Budyak as Complex Director of Sales & Marketing
May 31, 2019
DENVER – May 31, 2019 – The Brown Palace Hotel & Spa, a legend among Downtown Denver hotels since 1892, proudly welcomes Justin Budyak as Complex Director of Sales & Marketing of the iconic landmark and the adjacent Holiday Inn Express Denver Downtown, part of The Brown Palace hotel complex. In this role, Budyak will be responsible for generating maximum revenue through developing and executing marketing strategies that will drive sales for this multidimensional hotel. "The team is thrilled to welcome Justin aboard. We are confident that he will significantly contribute to the escalating growth of The Brown Palace hotel complex...
White Lodging Appoints David Meisner as General Manager for New Austin Marriott Downtown
White Lodging | May 30, 2019
AUSTIN, TEXAS (May 31, 2019) – White Lodging is excited to introduce David Meisner as the general manager for the Austin Marriott Downtown, which is slated to open its doors in summer 2020. David is currently the general manager of White Lodging's Aloft and Element hotels in downtown Austin and will begin his new role in August 2019. "During his time at Austin's Aloft and Element hotels, Meisner created a new model for the successful opening and operation of a dual hotel and restaurant operation," said Tim Sullivan, regional vice president at White Lodging. "Under his leadership, the hotels continue to set new performance milestones. We'...
The Willard InterContinental Washington, D.C. Appoints IHG Alumnus Ernie Arias as Director of Sales and Marketing
May 30, 2019
Washington, D.C. – May 30, 2019 – The Willard InterContinental Hotel announced today that Ernie Arias will be the historic hotel's new Director of Sales and Marketing. Having begun his career with The InterContinental Hotels Group in 1998 as the Director of Sales and Marketing of The Crowne Plaza Houston-Brookhollow, Arias returns to IHG with more than 20 years of related global hospitality experience. In his new role, Arias will oversee the sales, marketing and public relations strategies to help increase the hotel's luxury brand positioning, amplify international sales and grow the domestic and foreign business. "...
Gregg Harper Joins The Woodlands® Resort as General Manager
The Woodlands Resort | May 30, 2019
The Woodlands, TX (May 30, 2019) – The Woodlands® Resort is pleased to announce the appointment of Gregg Harper as General Manager. With more than 20 years of previous industry experience, Harper is eager to continue to elevate Texan retreat as an idyllic destination for friends, families, weddings, and corporate meetings and events. In his newly appointed role, Harper will provide overall vision of The Woodlands Resort and oversee sales and marketing initiatives, day-to-day management of rooms, food and beverage, operations, engineering, all while ensuring a memorable experience for guests. Harper assumed his current position...
Pyramid Hotel Group Appoints Warren Fields as CEO
Pyramid Hotel Group | May 30, 2019
BOSTON, MA (May 30, 2019) – Pyramid Hotel Group Principal and Co-Founder Richard M. Kelleher announced today he will transition his day-to-day responsibilities as CEO to fellow Co-Founding partner and Chief Investment Officer Warren Q. Fields, effective June 1, 2019. Kelleher will become Chairman of the Board. Additionally, Principal and Chief Operating Officer Jim Dina will move to Pyramid Hotel Group's Board of Directors. Kelleher and Dina will remain closely involved with the business. Incoming CEO Fields is one of Pyramid's founding partners, and has been Chief Investment Officer since 1999, having overseen the growth of the c...
The Beverly Hilton Appoints Simon Moulden as Executive Chef
The Beverly Hilton | May 30, 2019
BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. – May 30, 2019 – The Beverly Hilton is pleased to announce the appointment of Chef Simon Moulden as Executive Chef of CIRCA 55. Drawing upon three decades of culinary experience earned at luxury hotels and restaurants worldwide, Moulden will oversee the culinary development, menus and operations for the hotel's signature restaurant, CIRCA 55. "We are thrilled to welcome Chef Moulden to The Beverly Hilton family," said General Manager, Sandy Murphy. "Chef Moulden is incredibly talented, and we look forward to seeing how infuses his global perspective into fresh culinary creations." Moulden comes to The B...
L’Auberge Del Mar Appoints Robert Gregson as New General Manager
May 30, 2019
DEL MAR, Calif. – L'Auberge Del Mar, managed by Noble House Hotels & Resorts, has named Robert Gregson – a 25-year hotel industry veteran most recently with The Sydell Group – its new general manager. In his new role, Gregson will be responsible for the day-to-day operations for the 121-room oceanfront property. "We're pleased to have Bob join our talented team," says Robert Harter, director of sales and marketing for the resort. "We're looking forward to his leadership and vision, and are confident his extensive expertise will be invaluable as we continue to provide our guests with the best service and luxurious e...
Kimpton Aertson Hotel Appoints Lindsey Sullivan as New Director of Sales & Marketing
Kimpton Aertson Hotel | May 30, 2019
NASHVILLE, TN (May 30, 2019) – Kimpton Aertson Hotel, a boutique hotel in Nashville's Midtown neighborhood, is proud to announce Lindsey Sullivan as director of sales and marketing. In her new role, Sullivan is responsible for the daily sales efforts, development of customer experiences and brand communication for the Nashville hotel. An enthusiastic hospitality veteran, Sullivan brings a background in tourism management and nearly 13 years of experience in hotel sales with Hutton Hotel in Nashville, Fontanel Nashville, Millennium Maxwell House Hotel in Nashville and Crowne Plaza Hotel in Springfield, IL. Prior to joining Kimpton Aert...
Latin America’s Hotel Construction Pipeline Enters Third Year of a Cyclical Slowdown
Lodging Econometrics | May 30, 2019
May 30, 2019 – PORTSMOUTH, NH - In the recent Latin America hotel construction pipeline trend report, analysts at Lodging Econometrics (LE) state that the total construction pipeline stands at 717 projects/123,804 rooms, down 8% year-over-year (YOY) as it enters the third year of decline from its 2015-2016 peak. Projects presently under construction stand at 329 projects/57,735 rooms. Projects scheduled to start construction in the next 12 months stand at 207 projects/34,712 rooms and those in the early planning stage are at 181 projects/31,357 rooms. The first quarter of 2019 had 29 new hotels/5,405 rooms open. The LE forecast fo...
Navigate the Pitfalls Motel Valuations – Part 1
Rodney G. Clough | May 29, 2019
By Rodney Clough Independent, budget motels are often operated by resident owners that are talented at running efficient, safe motel operations but lack sophisticated and complete financial models that generate proper reports upon which to base purchase and valuation decisions. It is important for a buyer to understand that available financial information may not tell the full story, and relying solely on what is available may sell short the profit potential of the hotel and, ultimately, its true value. In Part 1 of this series, I discuss the importance of deriving a proper revenue estimate and testing its reasonableness against the nor...
Gradual Slowdown in U.S. Hotel Performance to Continue
CBRE Hotels | May 29, 2019
Atlanta – May 29, 2019 – The U.S. lodging supply will increase at an annual pace greater than the long-run average through 2022, according to CBRE Hotels Research's latest report. Meanwhile, the annual rise in the demand for these new hotel rooms is projected to average roughly three-quarters of its respective long-run average. The result is declining occupancy forecasts for the U.S. lodging industry in both 2020 and 2021. According to the June 2019 edition of Hotel Horizons®, CBRE Hotels Research projects U.S. national occupancy levels to remain flat in 2019 at 66.2 percent, then decline to 65.7 percent in 2020 and 64.6...
U.S. Travel Community Reacts to Falling Travel From China
U.S. Travel Association | May 29, 2019
WASHINGTON (May 29, 2019) — U.S. Travel Association Executive Vice President for Public Affairs and Policy Tori Barnes issued the following statement on reports that Chinese travel to the U.S. has fallen sharply, according to U.S. government data. See also U.S. Travel's latest International Inbound Travel Market Report for China. "The difficulty with trade skirmishes is that the unintended consequences are hard to predict, and we were concerned from the start that tensions with China might affect business and other travel to the U.S. "The irony is that travel exports have been the greatest success story of our trade ...