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THE AMERICAN HOTEL & Lodging Association has launched Responsible Stay, an industry initiative to make meetings, events and guest experiences in U.S. hotels more environmentally and socially responsible. AHLA contends that the initiative is meant to unite major hotel companies, including at least two Asian American-owned companies, around sustainability priorities. Responsible Stay is focused on four areas: Energy efficiency: Optimizing energy efficiency through operational improvements and adoption of clean energy technologies Waste reduction: Investing in waste reduction programs and new, innovative alternatives to reduce, reuse and recycle waste across properties Water conservation: Ensuring the reduction of water usage by implementing water-efficient practices in core areas like laundry, food and beverage, and landscaping Responsible sourcing practices: Sourcing responsibly and prioritizing sustainability in supply chains to prevent harmful environmental and social impacts Under the initiative, AHLA and its members will strengthen environmental programs, education and resources to provide a "responsible stay" for guests, protect the future of the planet and support communities across the country, the statement added.

THE AMERICAN HOTEL & Lodging Association recently renamed its On the Road series of regional events to The Hospitality Show, providing networking opportunities and industry updates to hospitality professionals nationwide. The events enable hoteliers, suppliers, and service providers to connect and stay informed on market data and policies at federal, state, and local levels, AHLA said in a statement. The events, accessible to all individuals in the hospitality industry, will expand The Hospitality Show brand, the primary industry event launched last year, slated for Oct. 28 to 30 in San Antonio, the statement said. "After the phenomenal success of The Hospitality Show last year, we're bringing the best-in-class networking and learning opportunities from this industry-leading event to hospitality professionals in cities all across the country," said Kevin Carey, AHLA's interim president and CEO. "We can't wait to connect with stakeholders from Boston to California."

HE WORLD TRAVEL & Tourism Council's Hotel Sustainability Basics, a global initiative assisting hoteliers in improving their sustainability ratings, recently surpassed 1,700 verified hotels across 70 countries worldwide. Hotel groups from destinations such as France, China, Mexico, India, Germany, South Africa, Philippines and Norway joined the initiative, WTTC said in a statement. During its first year, Hotel Sustainability Basics gained endorsements from destinations worldwide, including the Caribbean, Mauritius, Colombia, UAE, Azerbaijan, Mexico, and Ecuador, the statement said. Hotel brands, including Jin Jiang, Louvre Hotel Group, Choice Hotels and Radisson Hotel Group, have adopted Basics. Other major brands joining the initiative include Intrepid, British Airways Holidays, HBX Group, WebBeds and Abercrombie & Kent. "Our goal is to have a globally recognised trademark that shows customers at a glance, that a hotel is supporting the planet by saving energy, cutting plastics, protecting nature, and supporting their local community," said Julia Simpson, WTTC's president and CEO. "It is a win win. We launched the scheme only a year ago and the uptake has been incredible. 70 countries have signed up with over 1700 properties verified with a long waiting list. It will bring lasting change."

THE BAIRD/STR Hotel Stock Index rose 10.5 percent to 6,760 in December, according to STR. Moreover, the stock index closed the year with a 38.4 percent gain in 2023, driven by a favorable interest rate outlook boosting investor sentiment and valuation multiples. "Hotel stocks - like the broader market - finished 2023 on a high note as the 'soft landing' narrative and lower interest rate outlook continued to boost investor sentiment and valuation multiples," said Michael Bellisario, senior hotel research analyst and director at Baird. "Both the hotel brands and hotel REITs were up more than 10 percent in December and outperformed their respective benchmarks. For the year, the hotel REITs' 19 percent gain more than doubled the return of real estate stocks broadly, while the hotel brands' 44 percent increase nearly doubled the performance of the S&P 500." The U.S. hotel industry closed the year on a strong note, said Amanda Hite, president of STR.

U.S. HOTEL PERFORMANCE dropped in the first week of January from the prior week, although year-over-year comparisons showed improvement, according to CoStar. Key metrics, including occupancy, ADR, and RevPAR, all declined at the start of the New Year compared to the previous week. Occupancy was 46.8 percent for the week ending Jan. 6, down from the previous week's 50.1 percent and reflecting a 0.7 percent year-over-year decrease. ADR fell to $152.17, compared to the prior week's $163.58, showing a 7.2 percent increase from the previous year. RevPAR decreased to $71.28 from the prior week's $82.1, but rose 6.4 percent from the corresponding period in 2023. Among the top 25 markets, New Orleans saw the largest year-over-year increases in each of the three performance metrics. Its occupancy was up 36.5 percent to 61.2 percent, ADR was up 43.5 percent to $211.90 and RevPAR rose 95.9 percent to $129.62. The market's performance was boosted by the Sugar Bowl, FAN EXPO New Orleans and multiple Mardi Gras parades.

STARWOOD CAPITAL GROUP, a US-based private equity firm, recently purchased10 Radisson Blu Edwardian properties in London, totaling 2,053 rooms, from Edwardian Hotels London, a U.K. hospitality group with Jasminder Singh as chairman. The financial details of the deal remain undisclosed, but a Bloomberg report estimated the transaction at around $1 billion (£800 million). Edwardian Group will continue to manage the portfolio during a transitional period, the company said in a statement. Edwardian Hotels London will retain operational control and continue managing The Londoner Leicester Square, launched in September 2021, along with its two Radisson Collection hotels-The May Fair in Mayfair and The Edwardian Manchester in Manchester. Jasminder Singh is chairman of Edwardian Group. "Following the successful launch of The Londoner and a period of strong trading across the portfolio, this sale represents an opportunity to refocus the group and position it for its next chapter," said Inderneel Singh, CEO of Edwardian Group and son of Jasminder Singh. "Our three landmark properties - The Londoner, The May Fair Hotel, and The Edwardian Manchester - are perfect showcases of our vision for the future, and we remain committed to investing in and delivering distinctive experiences for guests in high-end, purpose-built, city-centre hotels."

IN RECOGNITION OF National Human Trafficking Prevention Month in January, G6 Hospitality, the parent company of Motel 6 and Studio 6, has intensified efforts to combat and raise awareness about human trafficking. This month, the company is introducing an updated mandatory training program, "The Room Next Door," to identify signs and response protocols for human trafficking within the lodging industry, G6 Hospitality said in a statement. "G6 Hospitality remains committed to combating human trafficking across the country and maintains a zero-tolerance policy against it," said Julie Arrowsmith, CEO of G6 Hospitality. "Our expanded anti-human trafficking program will ensure that our team members, franchisees, and hotel teams are educated advocates who can help the industry move toward eradicating human trafficking." The training is mandatory at every Motel 6 and Studio 6 locations, the statement said. The company is also renewing ongoing partnerships in 2024 with law enforcement agencies and survivor advocate organizations, including:

IN ITS LATEST drive to convince Wyndham Hotels & Resorts stakeholders to accept its proposed acquisition of the company, Choice Hotels International has released a detailed presentation accusing Wyndham of making misleading statements regarding the antitrust aspects of the deal. The specific accusations include that Wyndham is manipulating data on how the hotel industry works, the competition a Choice-Wyndham combination would face and the benefits of the merger for franchisees. Choice filed the presentation with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and is also available at CreateValueWithChoice.com, the company said in a statement. Choice's presentation was released nearly three weeks after Wyndham's latest statement in which it said Choice was not being forthcoming with Wyndham shareholders regarding its offer. "We are disappointed Wyndham is pushing this disinformation campaign. Their take on the antitrust risk on our proposed combination is misleading and further reflects the board's apparent entrenchment," said Patrick Pacious, Choice's president and CEO. "Wyndham's characterization of the lodging industry's competitive landscape and relevant regulatory criteria is incorrect. Our pro-competitive combination is well positioned to obtain approval, and we remain committed to completing it for the benefit of both companies' franchisees, shareholders and guests."

EXTENDED-STAY HOTELS reported mixed results in November compared to the broader hotel industry, as supply and demand showed gains and occupancy declined less than the total hotel industry, according to The Highland Group. However, the 2.2 percent net increase in extended-stay room supply for the month, consistent with September and October figures, represents a slight uptick compared to the average over the last 17 months. Also, relatively low ADR growth led to a modest increase in extended-stay hotel RevPAR. Supply growth stayed below 4 percent for the 26th consecutive month in November, well under the long-term average, The Highland Group said. The 13 percent increase in economy extended-stay supply and decline in mid-price segment rooms mainly result from conversions, as new construction in the economy segment is estimated at about 3 percent of rooms open compared to one year ago.

BY THE FOURTH quarter of last year, group business in 10 of the top markets in the U.S. had recovered 110 percent compared to the same time in 2019, according to the Hospitality Group and Business Performance Index from Knowland and Amadeus. The top 20 markets have achieved 100 percent of 2019 levels of occupancy and ADR, with 10 surpassing 110 percent or more. Group business reached the 110 percent health index in the fourth quarter because it used 95.5 percent of the group rooms sold in 2019, coupled with a 14.8 percent increase in ADR, according to the index. Overall growth for the year 2023 stood at 103 percent, with 92.5 percent of group rooms sold in 2019 and an accompanying average rate increase of 11.7 percent. Meetings and event business rebounded to 91.9 percent in the fourth quarter compared to 2019, with an end-of-year recovery rate of 91.2 percent. The volume of smaller groups led to stability in the market, according to Knowland. Currently, 70 percent of events have 200 attendees or less and smaller meetings, those with less than 25 attendees, saw the most growth, experiencing a 19 percent increase since 2019.

CONSUMERS ARE EXPECTED to reprioritize travel in 2024, albeit with demand fluctuations for various products and amenities in 2024, according to Deloitte's 2024 Travel Outlook. The report says hospitality providers need to enhance the experiences they offer or risk losing travelers' attention and Those adept at applying technology to create personalized and flexible services will do better than others this year. The pent-up demand seen following the pandemic that led to travel surges in the prior two years is dwindling, the report said. It's being replaced, however, by a steady increase in traveling for experiences, aided in some cases by the increased prevalence of remote working, meaning travel remains a priority for many consumers. An economic downturn could dampen that enthusiasm, according to the Travel Outlook. However, technology can help provide the flexibility to offer affordable, personalized packages that may compensate for consumers' responding parsimony.

WYNDHAM HOTELS & RESORTS and lifestyle hospitality developer sbe launched a new soft brand during the American Lodging Investment Summit in Los Angeles last week. Temporarily dubbed "Project HQ Hotels & Residences," the new brand aims to attract younger travelers looking for an experience. Project HQ is meant to represent sbe's "smart lifestyle" hotel category that is designed to draw in Millennial and Gen Z guests by providing memorable experiences at more affordable rates, according to Wyndham. The name is based on the idea that Project HQ hotels, which will be affiliated with Wyndham's Registry Collection Hotels, will serve the guests' headquarters in the heart of cities where they are located. Project HQ hotels will include pre-approved FF&E packages, supply chain, technology integrations, OS&E packages and programming to monetize otherwise underutilized spaces of the property. Led by Sam Nazarian as chairperson, sbe provides F&B packages that include Casa Dani from Chef Dani García; MXO, a Mexican Steakhouse by Chef Wes Avila; and Katsuya by Chef Katsuya Uechi.

U.S. HOTEL PERFORMANCE improved in the fourth week of January compared to the previous week, according to CoStar. However, year-over-year comparisons remained mixed, with key metrics like occupancy, ADR, and RevPAR experiencing an increase compared to the preceding period. Occupancy came in at 56.2 percent for the week ending Jan. 27, up from the previous week's 52.2 percent but down 0.3 percent year-over-year. ADR increased to $149.76 from the prior week's $142.27, a 5.1 percent rise from the previous year. RevPAR rose to $84.13 from the prior week's $74.31, reflecting a 4.8percent increase compared to the corresponding period in 2023. Among the top 25 markets, Las Vegas exhibited the highest year-over-year growth across all key performance metrics: a 28.9 percent increase in occupancy to 83.4 percent, a 46.3 percent rise in ADR to $228.37, and an 88.5 percent growth in RevPAR to $190.42. This performance surge was attributed to the SHOT Show and World of Concrete events.

HILTON WORLDWIDE HOLDINGS posted a net income of $268 million in the first quarter of 2024. System-wide comparable RevPAR rose by 2 percent on a currency neutral basis, compared to the first quarter of 2023. The company's fee-based business model and development efforts contributed to its performance, with steady momentum in signings, starts and openings, indicating a healthy pipeline. The company said it can continue building momentum in the near future, based on the growth trajectory observed thus far. "We are pleased to report a strong first quarter with bottom-line results meaningfully exceeding our expectations, further demonstrating the power of our resilient, fee-based business model and strong development story," said Christopher Nassetta, Hilton's president and CEO. "During the first quarter, system-wide RevPAR increased 2 percent as renovations, inclement weather and unfavorable holiday shifts weighed on performance more than anticipated."

TOTAL REVENUES FROM extended-stay hotel rooms fell by 0.2 percent in March, marking the first monthly decline in over three years, according to The Highland Group. However, the revenue decline was smaller than the 1.6 percent contraction estimated by STR/CoStar for the overall hotel industry. Meanwhile, extended-stay room supply increased by 2.7 percent in March, a slight uptick compared to the average monthly growth over the past two years, the report said. This marks the 30th consecutive month of supply growth at 4 percent or less, with the annual change remaining below 2 percent for two years. However, both these figures lag behind the long-term average. The 14.2 percent rise in economy extended-stay supply, coupled with a small increase in mid-price segment rooms, primarily stems from conversions, The Highland Group said. New construction in the economy segment is estimated to account for approximately 3 percent of open rooms compared to one year ago.

DALLAS LEADS THE top five U.S. markets in the largest construction pipeline as of the first quarter of 2024, according to Lodging Econometrics. The Dallas market has 185 projects with 21,882 rooms, slightly below the record highs at the close of the fourth quarter of 2023. Next came Atlanta, with 153 projects comprising 17,929 rooms, then Nashville with 127 projects and 16,199 rooms, as LE's U.S. Construction Pipeline Trend Report showed. Phoenix followed with 123 projects and 16,198 rooms, and the Inland Empire in Southern California set a new record high with 121 projects and 12,324 rooms. U.S. markets with the most projects already under construction by the end of the first quarter include New York with 47 projects and 7,655 rooms, Dallas with 25 projects and 3,059 rooms, and Nashville with 22 projects and 2,828 rooms. Atlanta had 21 projects and 2,588 rooms, and the Inland Empire currently has 20 projects and 2,181 rooms under construction.

Sonesta International Hotels Corp.'s Red Lion Inn & Suites in Elk Grove, Illinois. The 47-room mid-scale property is owned by Mahesh Chaudhari. "The opening of the Red Lion Inn & Suites Elk Grove is a testament to the brand's renewed growth nationwide," said Keith Pierce, Sonesta's executive vice president and president of franchise and Development. "This is the third Red Lion Inn & Suites location to open in 2024, underscoring how Sonesta continues to meet consumer demand for midscale properties with openings in secondary and tertiary markets." Sonesta said that guests at Red Lion Inn & Suites Illinois can earn or redeem points through the Sonesta Travel Pass loyalty program. Sonesta is the 8th largest hotel company, with approximately 1,100 properties totaling 100,000 guest rooms across 15 brands in eight countries, according to STR.

Michael Harper is promoted to president of Hotel Lending at Peachtree Group, overseeing the company's entire hotel credit platform and guiding all aspects of the credit business. Similarly, Jared Schlosser rises to executive vice president of hotel lending and head of CPACE, while Michael Ritz is promoted to executive vice president of investments, Peachtree Group said in a statement. "These appointments underscore Peachtree's commitment to its core growth initiatives in hotel lending, as well as fostering talent from within our own ranks, with an eye toward further diversifying its allocation strategies as it taps into new investment opportunities," said Greg Friedman, Peachtree's CEO and managing principal. Since joining Peachtree in 2014, Harper has held a series of leadership positions, overseeing the company's credit business with a focus on loan originations and strategic acquisition of credit portfolios, Peachtree said. He has guided the team through over 500 investments totaling more than $6 billion.

U.S. HOTEL PERFORMANCE dipped in the final week of April, as anticipated leading up to the Easter holiday, according to CoStar. Key metrics including occupancy, ADR, and RevPAR declined compared to the previous week, with year-on-year figures also showing a decrease. Occupancy fell to 62.3 percent for the week ending March 30, down from the previous week's 65.3 percent, marking a 5.6 percent year-over-year decrease. ADR dropped to $157.14 from $162.28, reflecting a 0.7 percent decline compared to last year. RevPAR stood at $97.83, down from $106.01 the previous week, indicating a 6.3 percent dip compared to the same period in 2023. Among the top 25 markets, New York City saw significant year-over-year growth across all three key performance metrics: occupancy surged by 13.2 percent to 88.2 percent, ADR rose by 14.1 percent to $285.98, and RevPAR increased by 29.1 percent to $252.18.

ACCOR HAS SELECTED IDeaS as its global revenue management software provider for its portfolio of more than 5,600 hotels across 110 countries. IDeaS will "future-proof" Accor's revenue management strategy to provide a competitive advantage, the companies said in a joint statement. "We are thrilled to be selected as a global partner to drive Accor's commercial revenue platform transformation at a moment of unparalleled growth and opportunity for the company worldwide," said Ravi Mehrotra, IDeaS' cofounder and chief scientist. "In a new era of innovation and consumer and product diversification, we are pleased to bring IDeaS' market-leading automation, pricing approach, and a singular focus on holistic revenue optimization to Accor's diverse brand portfolio."