STR Global Reports Middle East/Africa Hotel Pipeline for October 2009

The Middle East/Africa hotel development pipeline includes 437 hotels comprising 120,682 rooms, according to the October 2009 STR Global Construction Pipeline Report released this week. ...more

STR Global Reports Asia/Pacific Hotel Pipeline for October 2009

The Asia/Pacific hotel development pipeline includes 985 hotels comprising 235,931 rooms, according to the October 2009 STR Global Construction Pipeline Report released this week. ...more

Inside the Valuation of the Yellowstone Club - By Darius Hatami

In 2009, HVS provided valuation and expert testimony for the Yellowstone Club in US Court. The appraisal of the private club, resort and master planned community, financed by Credit Suisse, shares insights into causes of the global financial crisis. ...more

Hotel Development Cost Survey 2009 - By Elaine Sahlins

The time period for the hotel development cost survey has been expanded to include data from the first half of 2009; as such, the 2009 cost survey reports updated per-room development costs for 2008/09. ...more

STR Global Reports Caribbean and Mexico Hotel Pipeline for October 2009

The Caribbean/Mexico hotel development pipeline includes 129 hotels comprising 18,715 rooms, according to the October 2009 STR Construction Pipeline Report released this week. ...more

STR Global Reports Central and South America Hotel Pipeline for October 2009

The Central/South America hotel development pipeline includes 138 projects with 21,451 rooms, according to the October 2009 STR Global Construction Pipeline Report released this week. ...more

STR Global Reports Europe Hotel Pipeline for October 2009

The Europe hotel development pipeline includes 570 hotels comprising 93,163 rooms, according to the October 2009 STR Global Construction Pipeline Report released this week. ...more

Over 2,100 new top hotels scheduled for opening - Over 500,000 new hotel rooms

In the next 13 months more than 2,100 new first class and luxury hotel projects will be opened worldwide. According to tophotelprojects.com(R), the ten largest hotel construction projects combine more than 39,000 new hotel rooms. The largest new hotel which is scheduled to be opened in 2010 is the 6,500 room Asia Asia hotel in Dubai Land. ...more

Cornell Hospitality Quarterly Article Reports on Differential Management Methods for Full-time and Part-time Workers

High Performance in Hotels Calls for Different Tactics for Different Employee Types ...more

Airlines could become one of the larger contributors to global warming as soon as 2020

Aviation contributes around six percent of greenhouse gases. Current emissions levels are forecast to grow in absolute tonnes and even more so as a proportion of total emissions, since expert forecasts suggest a doubling of the global commercial jet fleet to over 35,000 by 2025. ...more

Food & Beverage - Using 'criminally bad service' examples to Improve Performance - By Ken Burgin

Bad news always attracts the most attention...So using examples of poor or shocking service can be an effective way to show staff the levels of good service you expect them to offer. ...more

Restaurant Trends - Growing And Emerging Concepts - Data reflects change and activity from July 16, 2009 to November 16, 2009

Update from Restaurantchains.net on growing and emerging restaurant concepts ...more

Restaurant Menus to Focus on Quality, Not Just Cost, in 2010

Mintel Menu Insights predicts top five trends for next year ...more

Catering for the holidays? Don't overlook the day before each gathering, says Technomic

With the holiday season fast approaching, restaurant and retail operators are poised to take advantage of an uptick in catering-related business for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year. But according to Technomic research, substantial off-premise catering opportunities may begin prior to the big event. Consumers indicate that they often rely on party platters or catered foods for consumption on the day before a major holiday. ...more

Prepare Your Hotel for Google Sidewiki Comments!

Tips on What your Hotel Should Do, and How to Monitor Reviews with RSS Feed ...more

Search Engine Optimization (SEO): In-house or Outsource

By now, most properties with a Website know the importance of hotel Internet marketing, specifically SEO. So the question is: Is it best to keep SEO in-house or outsource it? ...more

Avoiding the Agony of a 'Bogey': Loss Aversion in Golf - and Business

Tiger Woods and other golf superstars who stand to win millions on inch-long putts apparently are subject to the same fear and aversion to risk that can afflict investors and managers. Taking the safe route, however, has its own costs, according to new Wharton research. ...more

Lessons from the Field - Where is your desk? - Another 'High Touch' Lesson for Hospitality Managers - By John Hogan

Storytelling is a marvelous way to communicate a message in a very personal way and I am introducing the message of managerial effectiveness via one of the best stories to date on the hospitality industry. ...more

STR reports US performance for week ending 21 November

In year-over-year measurements, the industry's occupancy fell 2.8 percent to end the week at 52.7 percent. Average daily rate dropped 7.6 percent to finish the week at US$95.85. Revenue per available room for the week decreased 10.1 percent to finish at US$50.55. ...more

Can an exciting casino experience change consumers' current gloomy mood? - By Jonathan Barsky and Lenny Nash

Despite the impact of the recession, the United States remains the world's largest market for casino gaming. But revenues at casinos nationwide have slipped 7% in 2009, with Atlantic City and Las Vegas markets experiencing much bigger declines. Customer satisfaction with casinos across the US is also down in 2009 due to broad cuts in staff, service, and player reinvestment. However, based on a recent Market Metrix Casino Market Study, some casinos and regions are faring better. ...more

STR reports U.S. hotel performance for October 2009

The U.S. hotel industry posted declines in all three key performance measurements during October, according to data from STR. ...more

STR Global posts Americas performance results for October 2009

The Americas region recorded declines in all three key performance metrics when reported in U.S. dollars for October 2009, according to data compiled by STR and STR Global. ...more

STR Global posts Asia/Pacific performance results for October 2009

Hotels in the Asia/Pacific region experienced decreases when reported in U.S. dollars for all three key performance metrics for October 2009, according to data compiled by STR Global. ...more

STR Global posts European performance results for October 2009

The European hotel industry posted mixed results in year-over-year results when reported in U.S. dollars, euros and British pounds for October 2009, according to data compiled by STR Global. ...more

STR Global posts Middle East/Africa performance results for October 2009

The Middle East/Africa region reported decreases in all three key measurements reported in U.S. dollars for October 2009, according to data compiled by STR Global. ...more

STR is projecting the U.S. hotel industry will report increases in all three key metrics in 2011.

STR releases updated forecasts through 2011 ...more

Detroit Market Intelligence Report - By Stacey Nadolny

Unemployment is high, automakers are still in the red, and the city's hotel industry hangs in the balance. But there's more happening in Detroit than the statistics reveal. ...more

STR reports US performance for week ending 14 November

The U.S. hotel industry posted declines in all three key performance measurements during the week of 8-14 November 2009, according to data from STR. ...more

Year-To-Date Hotel Performance Fell Across Europe

Revenue per available room (revPAR) performance in European hotels was down 19.2% to €58. This decline was driven by a 12.3% drop in average room rates to €108, while occupancy levels fell to 61.6%. ...more

Canadian Occupancy, ADR, RevPAR - Week Ending November 14, 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. ...more

The Middle East Business Jets Market Has its Cash Registers Ringing Despite the Economic Downturn

Despite the global economic slowdown that adversely affected the commercial aviation industry worldwide, the Middle East has been one of the few markets to register growth. The air taxi business is expected to be a major driver for this market. ...more

Study Reveals Significant Impact on Shopping Patterns among High Income Consumers

A recent HealthFocus(R) International (HFI) study reveals that cutting costs has expanded into higher income groups; namely, those with annual incomes upwards of $75,000. ...more

AirPlus International Releases Industry Survey on the Travel Promotion Act

Over 60 percent of respondents were not aware of the Act, with another 29 percent unsure of the details. Over 53% were unsure how the money collected would be used, and further, another 73% felt that if implemented, the fees would be reciprocated for U.S. travelers into other countries. ...more

Zagat's 2009 Airline Survey Shows Air Travel Decline

Continental, JetBlue and Singapore Continue to Fly High; Southwest Named Best Domestic Value; Virgin America Top Midsize Airline and Website; Portland Named Top Airport, LaGuardia Worst; Surveyors Seek Direct Routes, Reasonable Prices and Green Air Travel ...more

Air Transport Association Reports Decline in October Passenger Demand, September Cargo Traffic

Drop in Travelers Continues, Despite 11th Consecutive Month of Ticket Price Reductions ...more