Hotel Industry Leading Takes a Step Back in January

Economic research firm e-forecasting.com, in conjunction with Smith Travel Research, announced the U.S. Hotel Industry Leading Indicator—HIL—edged down 0.2 percent in January, the first monthly decrease after nine consecutive months of increases for the indicator. HIL went up 1.4 percent in December. ...more

Cautious Optimism for India Hotel Recovery

The health of India’s hotel industry is returning as data from STR Global, the leading provider of market information to the global hotel industry, shows a concerted upward trend and recent positive year-on-year growth in revenue per available room (RevPAR). ...more

Spas - Benchmarking Helpful or Harmful - By Judith L. Singer

Spa Benchmarking is one of the 'hottest' topics in the spa and hospitality industries. It is a relatively new discipline; therefore, it is filled with challenges and opportunities. While spa benchmarking studies are very much needed, not all studies are useful... some can actually be quite damaging and harmful. ...more

LE's 2010 EMEA 2010 Outlook

At the end of Q4 2009, the total Construction Pipeline for EMEA has 1,373 proj-ects/285,770 rooms. Pipeline counts have now declined 22% by projects and 23% by rooms since the Q2 2008 peak. They are expected to decline further, as concerns about the pace of economic recovery, the industry’s operating perfor¬mance and lending issues persist and continue to impact developer sentiment. ...more

Hotel Capitalization Rates Stabilize, According to USRC Hotel Investor Survey

The Winter 2010 USRC Hotel Investment Survey indicates that, in general, overall investment parameters for both limited-service and full-service hotels have generally flattened, a signal that the industry may have, at least for now, hit the proverbial bottom. ...more

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Names Vasant Prabhu Vice Chairman

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE:HOT) announced today that the company has named its Chief Financial Officer, Vasant Prabhu, Vice Chairman, in recognition of his extraordinary contributions to the company. ...more

Country Inns & Suites By Carlson(SM) Achieves the 500 Hotel Milestone

Carlson's mid-market brand plans to add another 250 hotels globally by 2015 as part of Carlson's Ambition 2015 strategy. ...more

The Dow Hotel Company Expands Into Third-Party Hotel Restaurant Management

First Contract Is Embassy Suites Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, Converts Restaurant to Proprietary Basil's Kitchen Brand in Two Weeks ...more

New Castle Hotels & Resorts, Jekyll Ocean Oaks, LLC Build Island’s First New Hotel in 35 Years

New Jekyll Island Hotel Takes Green Practices to the Next Level ...more

Dar Seven, New ARTEH® Hotel in Morocco

The seductive Dar Seven, situated in the Medina, the ancient city of Marrakesh, is now an ARTEH® Hotel. ...more

Radisson - New Room, Restaurant Designs, Service Concepts Unveiled

As part of its Ambition 2015 plan, Carlson today unveiled a comprehensive strategy for its Radisson brand. ...more

Innovative 'Green' Disposable Food Service Products

EcoGreenHotel recognizes the importance of using disposable food service items made from renewable resources in the effort to lessen the impact disposable products have on the environment. Using compostable plastic forks, spoons, to-go containers and cups made from renewable resources allows hotels to significantly reduce the amount of refuse going to the landfill and make a positive local. ...more

Trump SoHo(TM) New York to Open April 9, 2010

Located at 246 Spring Street, the dramatic, 46-story silver-glass building boasts unrivaled views of the city's spectacular skyline, the Hudson River, Statue of Liberty and Empire State Building. ...more

Cornell to Honor Solomon Kerzner As Hospitality Innovator of the Year

Hotel and gaming entrepreneur Solomon Kerzner has been named winner of the 2010 Hospitality Innovator Award, given annually by the Leland C. and Mary M. Pillsbury Institute for Hospitality Entrepreneurship at Cornell University's School of Hotel Administration. ...more

UNWTO Activities At ITB 2010: Challenges For The Tourism Sector In A Year Of Transformation

2010 is expected to be a year of transformation. The challenges facing the tourism sector in a post-crisis scenario set the framework for the activities and events organized by UNWTO during this year’s ITB Travel Trade Show (Berlin, Germany, 10-14 March 2010). ...more

Best Western Inn of Longwood Medical General Manager Awared 'Stars of the Industry' General Manager of the Year Award

Brian Stiglets, general manager of the Best Western Boston Inn at Longwood Medical, was recently honored with the 'Stars of the Industry' Outstanding General Manager of the Year Award from the Massachusetts Lodging Association (MLA). ...more

President Obama Signs Travel Promotion Act Into Law

Enactment of Historic Legislation Caps AH&LA Lobbying Effort ...more

Wyndham Resorts Offer Winter Travel Deals, Extra Savings for Loyal Members

During one of the busiest travel seasons, Wyndham Hotels and Resorts is offering sun-seekers a variety of getaway offers including free night stays, up to 30 percent discounts at seaside resorts and free night redemptions for half the number of Wyndham Rewards® frequent-traveler points in popular destinations including Puerto Rico, Cancun, Cozumel, St. Thomas, Dominican Republic, the Bahamas and Playa del Carmen. ...more

Best Western Rewards Members to Donate Points to Aid Chile

Best Western International’s North American office today announced that members of Best Western Rewards, the company’s global frequent-stay program, can donate Rewards points to disaster relief efforts underway in Chile. ...more

HFTP Seeking the Next Leaders of the Association

Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP®) relies on the collective vision, knowledge and experience of its members to help make the association the best it can be for its members and the industry. HFTP is encouraging members to become more involved with HFTP by being a part of its leadership. ...more

Cautious Optimism for India Hotel Recovery

The health of India’s hotel industry is returning as data from STR Global, the leading provider of market information to the global hotel industry, shows a concerted upward trend and recent positive year-on-year growth in revenue per available room (RevPAR). ...more