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THE AMERICAS AND Asia Pacific saw a year-over-year increase in hotel pipeline activity at the end of second quarter, according to CoStar. The U.S. leads the Americas with around 157,713 rooms under construction, while China tops the Asia Pacific with 319,012 rooms under construction. In the Americas, construction surged to around 208,718 rooms, an 8.3 percent rise from June 2023, CoStar's June 2024 data showed. Final planning had 299,153 rooms, up 6.9 percent from the previous year, while the planning phase saw 385,945 rooms, a significant 34.6 percent increase. The region had 893,816 rooms under contract, a notable 17.8 percent uptick. After the U.S., Mexico recorded about 13,301 rooms under construction, with Canada and Brazil following at 8,686 and 5,948 rooms, respectively, CoStar said.

THE AHLA FOUNDATION granted $1 million to the 2024-2025 No Room for Trafficking Survivor Fund grantees, eight community-based organizations aiding human trafficking survivors. The grantees were announced at the third annual NRFT Summit on July 30, coinciding with United Nations World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, a global campaign to end child trafficking. "The No Room for Trafficking Survivor Fund is a first for our industry, and already, it's a powerful example of collective impact and what we can achieve when the industry comes together," said Anna Blue, AHLA Foundation's president. "This year, we were able to double the total awarded funds from $500,000 in 2023 to $1 million in 2024 and invite more than 40 community-based organizations to apply."

IHG HOTELS & RESORTS recently entered a multi-year partnership with global NGO Action Against Hunger to address food insecurity and hunger affecting millions globally. The collaboration will support the NGO's efforts to prevent, detect and treat malnutrition in children through its "screen, treat and sustain" program operating across multiple continents, IHG said in a statement. IHG, operating thousands of hotels in more than 100 countries, supports food security, disaster relief and skills training, pledging to improve 30 million lives in its "Journey to Tomorrow" plan. "Food sits at the heart of our hotels and hospitality, nourishing people and communities, and yet sadly we know it remains in desperately short supply for millions of people, despite enough being produced to feed everyone on the planet," said Elie Maalouf, IHG's CEO. "This is a problem the world can solve if societies, organizations and businesses work together. IHG Hotels & Resorts is proud to partner with Action Against Hunger on their life saving work, in addition to the many other long-standing partnerships we have with incredible charities in local markets. Collectively we want to help create lasting change in a world where people are nourished, always welcome, and always respected."

THE U.S. HOTEL industry saw lower performance in the fourth week of July compared to the previous week, with mixed year-over-year results, according to CoStar. Key metrics such as occupancy, RevPAR, and ADR all declined from the prior week. Occupancy fell to 72 percent for the week ending July 27, down from 73.5 percent the previous week and showing a 0.4 percent year-over-year decrease. ADR stood at $164.45, compared to $165.91 the prior week, reflecting a 1.3 percent increase from last year. RevPAR was $118.37, down from $122.02 the previous week but up 0.9 percent compared to the same period in 2023. Among the top 25 markets, New Orleans saw the highest year-over-year occupancy increase, rising 16.9 percent to 66.7 percent. San Diego posted the largest ADR lift, up 12 percent to $294.80.

MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL REPORTED 4.9 percent year-over-year global RevPAR growth in the second quarter of 2024, with U.S. and Canada RevPAR rising 3.9 percent and international RevPAR increasing 7.4 percent. The company's net income grew to $772 million from $726 million a year ago, Marriott said in a statement. "Marriott reported strong second quarter results, with net rooms up 6 percent year-over-year and worldwide RevPAR growth of nearly 5 percent, as consumers continued to prioritize travel," said Anthony Capuano, Marriott International's president and CEO. "International RevPAR increased more than 7 percent, with Asia-Pacific excluding China leading the way, posting an impressive 13 percent RevPAR increase from the year-ago quarter." RevPAR for the U.S. and Canada grew nearly 4 percent during the quarter, Capuano said, and all customer segments grew versus the prior year quarter.

For small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), maintaining adequate liquidity is essential to ensure smooth operations and sustainable growth. Effective liquidity management involves optimizing cash flow, allowing businesses to meet short-term obligations and invest in new opportunities. The correct strategies help mitigate financial risks and enhance the company's ability to navigate economic fluctuations. Optimizing cash flow Creating detailed cash flow forecasts is necessary for SMEs to predict inflows and outflows accurately. These forecasts help businesses anticipate potential shortfalls and address them proactively. Maintaining a cash reserve provides a buffer against unforeseen expenses or economic downturns, ensuring stability during challenging times. Prompt invoicing with clear payment terms accelerates receivables and improves the cash flow cycle. Electronic invoicing and payment systems enhance efficiency and reduce delays, allowing companies to access their funds more quickly. Negotiating favorable payment terms with suppliers also offers more flexibility in cash management, enabling them to hold onto their cash for longer periods. In addition, regular reviews and audits identify areas for cash flow optimization. By closely monitoring performance, businesses can implement corrective actions promptly, ensuring that cash flow remains steady. Advisors or consultants can provide tailored strategies to enhance liquidity and improve overall financial health. Additionally, automating routine tasks can free up valuable time and resources, allowing staff to focus on more strategic activities. These practical measures help SMEs improve their liquidity, reduce financial risks, and support sustainable growth.

THE NATIONAL LABOR Relations Board recently withdrew its appeal of a Texas judge's ruling blocking its joint employer rule that would have broadened the shared responsibility for employees between franchisers and franchisees. Opponents of the rule said it would have damaged small businesses, including hotels, while President Joe Biden's administration said it would better enable employees to protect their rights. On Friday, the NLRB asked the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit to dismiss its challenge, saying it believes the rule is lawful but wants "to consider options for addressing the outstanding joint employer matters before it," according to Bloomberg Law. The appeal had been related to a March 8 ruling in a lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas by the American Hotel & Lodging Association, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and other business associations challenging the rule's legality.

UNIFOCUS, A WORKFORCE management system provider led by CEO Moneesh Arora, recently partnered with Nonius, a guest-facing solutions company for hotels, to integrate Nonius' platform with the Unifocus operations management system. This partnership ensures guest requests inform operational priorities, enabling real-time adaptation to guest needs and improving service delivery and staff efficiency. By integrating Nonius' guest messaging solution, Unifocus connects hotel staff with guests more effectively, the companies said in a joint statement. "Our partnership with Nonius isn't just an additional feature, it's a transformative bridge connecting the guest experience with hotel operations," said Arora. "It blends technology with the guest journey, enhancing human connections and setting the stage for the future of hospitality."

U.S. HOTEL PERFORMANCE improved in the second week of June compared to the previous week, showing mixed year-over-year results, according to CoStar. All key metrics, including occupancy, RevPAR and ADR, increased compared to the prior week. Occupancy rose to 70.3 percent for the week ending June 15, up from 69.1 percent the previous week, despite a slight 0.6 percent year-over-year decrease. ADR increased to $161.70 from $160.90, a 0.9 percent rise compared to last year. RevPAR increased to $113.62 from $111.26 the previous week, marking a 0.3 percent increase compared to the same period in 2023. Among the top 25 markets, San Francisco recorded the highest year-over-year increases: occupancy rose 14.8 percent to 71.1 percent, ADR increased 11.3 percent to $226.70, and RevPAR grew 30.3 percent to $179.97. The market's performance was boosted by the Data + AI Summit.

DUETTO, A REVENUE management software provider, recently introduced BlockBuster, a revenue optimization solution, and rebranded its acquired space optimization tool, MiceRate, as OpenSpace, integrating new functions. BlockBuster coordinates revenue, sales and catering teams to optimize business quotes, while OpenSpace automates revenue management for rooms, event spaces, and ancillary services, Duetto said in a statement. "The addition of OpenSpace, combined with our investment in group management, positions us as a one-stop-shop for hoteliers looking to maximize revenue across their entire property," said David Woolenberg, Duetto's CEO. "Now, our customers can leverage Duetto to optimize pricing, manage inventory, and streamline bookings for individual guests, groups, and function spaces - all in a single, unified solution. These enhancements will streamline the group booking process, improve internal communication, and ensure a more seamless experience for both hoteliers and their customers."

THE UPCOMING SHOW "Grand Indian Hotel," premiering on BBC Player, a BBC Studios streaming service available on Prime Video Channel, on June 14, will depict the 90-year history of Oberoi Hotel & Resorts. The three-part series offers insights into The Oberoi Rajvilas in Jaipur, The Oberoi Udaivilas in Udaipur, Rajasthan, and The Oberoi, New Delhi. The show provides a glimpse into the behind-the-scenes efforts of Oberoi's 90-year history of hospitality, according to BBC Studios. The show is developed by UK-based Voltage TV and distributed by BBC Studios. "Grand Indian Hotel is a first-hand account depicting India's Vibrant culture of 'Atithi Devo Bhava' through the lens of legendary Oberoi Hotels & Resorts, and reflects the great story-telling that is synonymous with BBC Studios," said Stanley Fernandes, BBC Studios' vice president of distribution, South Asia.

AAHOA RECENTLY CHOSE Bookit N Go, a travel tech startup, as its strategic booking partner. The company, led by Aman Mohindra as CEO, will use its advanced online travel platform to drive bookings for AAHOA member hotels, offering the lowest flat commissions, AAHOA and Bookit N Go said in a joint statement. "We look forward to collaborating with Bookit N Go as a strategic booking partner," said Miraj Patel, AAHOA's chairman. "This partnership represents a paradigm shift in how hotel bookings are handled with a focus on putting money back in the pockets of AAHOA Members. This partnership provides a booking engine partner invested in our members' success as we continue to focus on how we can help AAHOA Members save on their bottom lines." The partnership shows Bookit N Go's focus on improving the travel and hospitality sectors, the statement added. By providing AAHOA member hotels with a strategic booking solution, the company aims to drive value and growth for all stakeholders.

AAHOA AND THE American Hotel & Lodging Association welcomed the passage of the No Hidden FEES Act on June 11. The legislation aims to establish a uniform standard for transparent and mandatory fee displays across the lodging industry. The bill, introduced by Reps. Young Kim (R-California) and Kathy Castor (D-Florida), had unanimous approval from the House Energy & Commerce Committee in December and passed with bipartisan support on the House floor. AAHOA said that the legislation would empower its hotelier members and guests to make informed decisions and safeguard their financial interests.

HOSPITALITY SOFTWARE PROVIDER Canary Technologies recently closed a $50 million Series C funding round to research AI guest technology in the hospitality sector, bringing its total fundraising to nearly $100 million. The company's software includes mobile check-in and checkout, tablet registration, upsells, guest messaging, Canary AI and digital tipping. The recent investment round was led by global software investor Insight Partners, who also led the company's Series B, with participation from existing investors F-Prime Capital, Thayer Ventures, Y-Combinator and Commerce Ventures, Canary said in a statement. California-based Canary is led by CEO Harman Singh Narula and President SJ Sawhney. "AI is transforming the way we live, work and travel," said Narula. "Canary is at the forefront of delivering enterprise-grade hospitality AI solutions that empower hoteliers to streamline operations, boost efficiency and elevate the guest experience, This funding milestone is a reflection of the team's hard work and the immense impact that Canary is making for hoteliers, including many of the world's largest enterprise hotel brands. We continue to see significant demand in the market for our products and are excited to extend our partnership with existing investors."

U.S. HOTEL PERFORMANCE improved in the third week of May compared to the previous week, with positive year-over-year comparisons, according to CoStar. Key metrics, including occupancy, RevPAR, and ADR, all saw week-over-week increases. Occupancy increased to 67.4 percent for the week ending May 18, up from 66.1 percent the previous week, marking a 0.2 percent year-over-year rise. ADR rose to $163.11 from $162.14, reflecting a 2.6 percent jump compared to last year. RevPAR reached $109.93, up from $107.24 the prior week, showing a 2.8 percent increase compared to the same period in 2023. Among the top 25 markets, Houston experienced the only double-digit occupancy increase, rising 10.5 percent to 67.9 percent. Atlanta reported the highest year-over-year increases in ADR, rising by 10 percent to $137.30, while RevPAR increased by 18 percent to $98.86.

U.S. HOTEL INVESTOR sentiment remains robust, with investors indicating an increase in hotel acquisitions in 2024, according to a recent survey by CBRE Hotels Research. About 35 percent of survey respondents expect acquisition activity to remain the same as in 2023, while less than 16 percent anticipate a decrease. Despite high interest rates, more than 70 percent are targeting value-added and opportunistic hotel investments. CBRE's Global Hotel Investor Intentions Survey, which included more than 130 respondents responsible for U.S. investments, found that value-added acquisitions offer opportunities to reposition assets by adding rooms, redesigning interiors, or adding amenities to increase returns and long-term value.

U.S. HOTEL PERFORMANCE improved in the fourth week of June compared to the previous week, showing positive year-over-year results, according to CoStar. Occupancy, RevPAR and ADR all increased over the prior week. Occupancy increased to 71.9 percent for the week ending June 29, up from 69.5 percent the previous week, showing a 3.2 percent year-over-year increase. ADR rose to $162.81 from $159.88, marking a 3.6 percent increase compared to last year. RevPAR climbed to $117.13 from $111.17 the previous week, reflecting a 6.9 percent decrease compared to the same period in 2023. Among the top 25 markets, Minneapolis recorded the highest year-over-year increases: occupancy rose by 20.1 percent to 74.8 percent, ADR increased by 15.7 percent to $150.42 and RevPAR grew by 39 percent to $112.46. The market's performance was boosted by events such as the U.S. Olympic Gymnastics Trials and the Twin Cities Pride Parade.

HOTEL EQUITIES HAS partnered with Grazzy and Visa Direct to launch a digital tipping platform for their associates and guests. This initiative aims to provide a secure and cashless way for guests to tip hotel staff, HE said in a statement. According to a recent study, 83 percent of hotel guests want to tip staff digitally but face limitations. HE and Grazzy's program enables guests to tip housekeeping, front desk and other staff from their mobile devices, the company said. By scanning a hotel branded QR code in their room or on hotel signage, guests can access Grazzy, choose the staff member and enter the desired tip amount. No cash or extra apps are required, the statement added.

U.S. HOTEL PERFORMANCE declined in the third week of June compared to the previous week, with mixed year-over-year results, according to CoStar. Key metrics such as occupancy, RevPAR, and ADR all decreased from the prior week. Occupancy declined to 69.5 percent for the week ending June 22, down from 70.3 percent the previous week, with a 2.5 percent year-over-year decrease. ADR fell to $159.88 from $161.70, despite a 0.1 percent rise compared to last year. RevPAR decreased to $111.17 from $113.62 the previous week, marking a 2.3 percent decrease compared to the same period in 2023. Among the top 25 markets, Seattle recorded the highest year-over-year increases, with occupancy rising by 11.1 percent to 84.9 percent and RevPAR growing 16.8 percent to $179.47. Meanwhile, Philadelphia saw the largest increase in ADR, rising 6.5 percent to $170.10.

APPROXIMATELY THREE OUT of four travelers agree that Americans are prioritizing travel more in 2024 and prefer a digital, self-service experience for their hotel stays, according to a recent survey by Mews, a hospitality cloud provider. Nearly 80 percent of U.S. travelers favor hotels with fully automated front desks or self-service kiosks, and more than 40 percent prefer checking in via a hotel's website, app, or digital kiosk. "Trends in hospitality are ever-changing but we're seeing indicators that people are prioritizing travel again," said Richard Valtr, Mews's founder. "While we're seeing some softness in mid-market and select service hotels, the luxury sector seems resilient. Guests visiting luxury properties are spending more on bucket list trips and staying for longer." The poll of 2,000 people, evenly split between travelers and hotel workers, revealed that hotel workers anticipate an increase in guest use of technology during travel. A quarter of them expect guests to check in more frequently via hotel websites, apps, or digital kiosks compared to previous years.