Robert Rauch’s Hotel Industry Forecast: 2017

Robert A. Rauch | April 5, 2017

by Robert Rauch The big news in 2016 was Marriott's merger with Starwood and provides the new company with over 1,000,000 hotel rooms in 5,700 hotels, 30 brands and huge bargaining power with online travel agencies. The second was the Republican sweep—President Donald Trump will have an opportunity to change the economic landscape. President Trump has a majority in both the Senate and House of Representatives and if he focuses on tax reform, wages, regulations and the strength of our nation, he could keep this long but slow recovery going and dramatically enhance it. Oil prices are back up around $50, consumer confidence is solid,...