Hospitality Trends

STR reports US performance for week ending 31 October

In year-over-year measurements, the industry's occupancy fell 7.2 percent to 51.8 percent, ADR dropped 7.2 percent to US$98.99, and RevPAR decreased 13.8 percent to finish at US$51.28.

STR Reports Canada Performance for Week Ending 31 October

In year-over-year measurements, the industry's occupancy decreased 6.7 percent to 55.7 percent, ADR dropped 6.4 percent to CAD$122.77, and RevPAR decreased 12.6 percent to CAD$68.40.

Canadian Occupancy, ADR, RevPAR - Week Ending October 31, 2009

Published in conjunction with STR (Smith Travel Research) and endorsed by the Hotel Association of Canada. This publication summarizes weekly occupancy and average room rates from major cities in Canada.

U.S. Travel Industry to Add 90,000 American Jobs in 2010

Modest Increases in Travel Volume, Spending Demonstrate Industry's Unique Ability to Quickly Create Employment Opportunities

Confidence In Tourism Sector Gradually Picking Up

The decline in international tourism may have started to bottom out, according to the latest edition of the UNWTO World Tourism Barometer. Worldwide, international tourist arrivals declined by 7% between January and August 2009, but the rate of decline has eased in the past few months. These results, as well as the most recent economic data, confirm UNWTO's initial forecast of a 5% decline in international tourist arrivals for the full year 2009. For 2010, UNWTO expects a moderate growth.

Does AAA Approval Help? - By Harry Nobles

AAA members use the TourBooks to plan their trips, they use the books while on the road, and they loan the TourBooks to friends and relatives. They also use the trip planning services of the hundreds of AAA travel agencies. In short, AAA members are very much influenced by AAA approval when it comes to choosing a place to stay.

Food & Beverage - A Great 5 Min. Restaurant, Bar or Club Marketing Project - By Ken Burgin

People are fascinated by the daily life of a restaurant, cafe or bar, so why not share a few secrets?

Occupancy tax update on internet hotel booking - By Jim Butler, author of www.HotelLawBlog.com

More lawsuits against Expedia and online travel companies (OTCs) over 'lost' bed taxes - Why hotels should care about the transient occupancy tax (TOT) battle

Destination 2010: Top Travel Trends to Watch

Scene Advisor takes a look at the progression and salient characteristics of the hospitality industry

Positive trends for Asia Pacific tourism

Latest figures released by the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) show that the numbers of international visitors to the Asia Pacific region improved by a marginal 0.5 percent during the month of August 2009 compared to August 2008.

'A Hidden Gem!' or 'Lame!!!'? Online Travel Reviewers to Watch Out For - By Daniel Edward Craig

In 2007, a traveler wrote the following review of Opus Hotel Vancouver on TripAdvisor: 'The GM who thought he was Ian Fleming was a real detriment to a great trip. Shame - let's hope the hotel sees sense and releases Daniel to make another movie.'

Principles of Success - Closing the Circle in Measuring Performance - Understanding 360° Feedback - By John Hogan

My last two columns have addressed the evaluation and measuring performance process for hotel staff and I appreciate reader comments, questions and the opportunity to support hospitality and hotel companies. Those reader questions and inquiries caused me to reflect on the need to complete or 'close' the circle of evaluation, which is providing useful and meaningful feedback to senior management.

Air Transport Association Reports Second Consecutive Quarter of Airline Cost Declines

The composite cost index fell 29 percent to 183.9 in the second quarter of 2009, versus 259.4 in the same period of 2008, easily outpacing the 0.9 percent decline in the U.S. Consumer Price Index (CPI).

Egencia Releases 2010 Forecast and Annual Hotel Negotiability Index for Corporate Travel

Index Shows Corporations to Retain Hotel Buying Power into 2010

Leading U.K. Restaurant Chains Post Impressive Sales and Units Gains

Despite the global economic downturn, the leading 100 U.K. restaurant chains grew sales by 3.4 percent in 2008 to nearly £11 billion, and posted strong unit gains, expanding by 7.6 percent to approximately 15,000 locations.

Webinar: Outlooks for Successful Online Merchandising in 2010

Complimentary webinar on what smart hoteliers are doing to extract more value out of their hotel's presence online in the year ahead with speakers Henry Harteveldt from Forrester Research and Edward Perry from WORLDHOTELS.

Not That and Do This - Do not embrace the 'New Normal' and increase your RevPAR in 2010 - By Jay Delerno

Over the past year I have seen hotels focus more on driving occupancy than rate to improve their RevPAR. While hotels may not be able to achieve the higher average rate of the pre down turn, there are opportunities locally they can exploit locally to drive rate even in the current economic environment.

Lodging Econometrics Q3 2009 Canadian Quarterly Report

The total Canadian Construction Pipeline has 178 projects with 22,592 rooms as of the end of Q3 2009. This is the lowest quarterly total since Q1 2005. New Hotel Openings continue to exit the Pipeline at a high rate for a second consecutive year.

Restaurant Trends - Growing And Emerging Concepts - Data reflects change and activity from June 26, 2009 to October 26, 2009

Update from Restaurantchains.net on growing and emerging restaurant concepts

12 Rules for 2010 Planning & Budgeting

Wanderlust outlines the new criteria for successful planning