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IN MARCH, THE U.S. celebrated the achievements and history of women as part of Women's History Month. In recognition of the month, some hotel companies introduced or continued programs aimed at increasing women's role in the industry. In line with the Women's History Month theme this year "Celebrating Women Who Tell Our Stories," Choice Hotels International kicked off its "HERtels at Choice Development Seminar" with nearly 40 franchise owners, general managers, and hotel associates in attendance. At the same time, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts' "Women Own the Room" initiative has signed over 30 hotels across the U.S. and Canada in the first year of its launch. Also, California hotelier and philanthropist Sunil "Sunny" Tolani issued a special message for the month. HERtels by Choice Choice Hotels took the recently held Hunter Hotel Conference in Atlanta as a launch pad for its inaugural HERtels seminar. The event was held next door to the Marriott Marquis Atlanta, Hunter's venue, and is an enhancement of Choice's HERtels program that was launched in 2021. "While industry-wide parity is improving, with more female investors, directors, and leaders in hospitality than ever before, women entrepreneurs still face significant economic and societal barriers when it comes to hotel ownership and development. As an industry, we owe it to the next generation of hoteliers to change this statistic," said John Lancaster, vice president for emerging markets, franchise development and owner relationships, Choice Hotels International. "This initiative and the invaluable resources it provides is a natural extension of our industry-leading emerging markets program and our enduring commitment to helping growth-minded entrepreneurs further their unique ownership journey."

U.S. HOTELS ADDED 700 jobs to their payrolls in June, according to the latest government data, but the nationwide workforce shortage continues to make it difficult for hotels to fill open positions, according to the American Hotel and Lodging Association. Total hotel employment stands at about 1.92 million, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, which is more than 196,000 fewer workers than in February 2020, reflecting a scarcity of available employees. Bureau of Labor Statistics also revised down the total number of hotel jobs in the country, which eliminated job gains for the industry that were reported in prior months, AHLA said in a statement. "Halfway through 2024, the hotel industry is behind where it needs to be when it comes to hiring staff, despite near-record high wages and expanding workplace benefits and flexibility," said Kevin Carey, AHLA's interim president and CEO. "The reason is the nationwide workforce shortage, which is preventing hoteliers from meeting their full potential as demand for travel remains strong. Both Congress and the administration can provide relief to our members, many of whom are small business owners, and AHLA will continue to call for action to expand the pool of available workers."

A CONTINUING SENSE of optimism about the nation's recovery among investors sent the Baird/STR Hotel Stock Index up in October. Hotel brands led the increase as concerns about the COVID-19 Delta variant began to ease. The Baird/STR index rose 6.8 percent during the month, and it also was up 20.7 percent year to date through the first 10 months of 2021. The index rose 5.2 percent during September compared to August. Still, the index was behind both the S&P 500, which rose 6.9 percent in October, and the MSCI US REIT Index, which rose 7.6 percent. The hotel brand sub-index rose 9 percent from September while the hotel REIT sub-index increased 0.5 percent. "Hotel stocks increased for the second straight month, but performance was led by the hotel brands once again," said Michael Bellisario, senior hotel research analyst and director at Baird. "The hotel REITs were marginally higher in October, while the hotel brands were the absolute and relative winners. Delta variant concerns are in the rearview mirror now, and investors are looking forward to the recovery continuing in 2022, particularly in some of the harder hit segments, markets, and regions that are poised to rebound strongly."

WYNDHAM HOTELS & RESORTS' Women Own the Room surpassed 15 hotel openings and 50 signings in just over 24 months. The program has expanded its network to more than 550 women, leveraging Wyndham's scale to break down barriers to hotel ownership, Wyndham said in a statement. "For decades, the hotel industry has been complacent in allowing women to remain on the sidelines of hotel ownership and in turn, has missed out on the opportunity to strengthen itself through greater diversity," said Galen Barrett, Wyndham's vice president for strategic franchise initiatives. "Women Own the Room and the subsequent programs it has inspired throughout the industry are finally changing the narrative and Wyndham is proud to lead the way." According to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Castell Project, although women comprise nearly 60 percent of the hospitality workforce, they hold only one leadership position for every 10 men.

EXTENDED-STAY HOTEL room supply in the 100 largest metropolitan statistical areas in the U.S. grew 2.5 percent in 2022 compared to 2021, its smallest increase in several years, according to a new report from The Highland Group. The survey, which researched supply, demand, revenues and new construction of extended-stay hotels, said the outcome in 2022 was about half the net supply gain reported in 2021. According to the report, the lengthening hotel development timeline, fewer construction starts, disenfranchising hotels that no longer meet brand standards, conversions to apartments and some municipalities acquiring extended-stay hotels for housing have resulted in the muted growth. While there was a sharp decline in reported extended-stay rooms under construction last year compared to 2021, construction starts increased 6 percent over the last 12 months. "However, they remain low compared to the pre-pandemic period, the report noted. RevPAR growth in 2022 strongly favored ADR as opposed to occupancy gains in 2021. "Consequently, more than 40 MSAs reported lower average occupancy in 2022 than during the previous year. However, only a dozen MSAs have not yet recovered RevPAR back to its nominal 2019 value compared to about half the MSAs last year," it showed.

U.S. HOTELS ADDED 700 jobs in May, highlighting persistent workforce shortages, with 191,500 vacancies since early 2020, according to the American Hotel & Lodging Association. However, a survey by AHLA of hoteliers in May found 76 percent of respondents are experiencing a staffing shortage and 13 percent reported they are severely understaffed, meaning the shortage is affecting their hotel's ability to operate. By comparison, in a January survey, 67 percent said they were experiencing a staffing shortage, and 72 percent said they were unable to fill open positions. Total hotel employment is now approximately 1.92 million, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This is still 191,500 short of pre-pandemic levels in February 2020, highlighting the ongoing struggle to find workers.

U.S. HOTEL INDUSTRY reported lower performance results in the first week of June from the previous week, according to CoStar. However, there was slightly positive comparisons year over year. All key metrics including occupancy, RevPAR and ADR were down compared to prior week. Occupancy declined to 62 percent for the week ending June 1, down from 67.7 percent the prior week, reflecting a 0.9 percent year-over-year increase. ADR decreased to $150.87 from $160.67, yet still showed a 0.1 percent increase compared to last year. RevPAR stood at $93.50, a decline from the previous week's $108.73, but marking a 1 percent increase compared to the same period in 2023. Among the top 25 markets, New Orleans experienced the highest year-over-year occupancy increase, rising 17.8 percent to 66.8 percent.

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.

U.S. HOTEL PERFORMANCE exhibited mixed results in the first week of May compared to the prior week, according to CoStar. Among key metrics, occupancy declined, whereas both RevPAR and ADR saw an uptick. Occupancy dropped to 64.4 percent for the week ending May 4, down from the previous week's 65.7 percent, marking a 0.8 percent year-over-year decrease. ADR rose to $159.97 from $154.44, reflecting a 1.3 percent increase compared to last year. RevPAR climbed to $103.09, up from $101.42 the prior week, indicating a 0.5 percent increase compared to the same period in 2023. Among the top 25 markets, Seattle reported the highest year-over-year increase in occupancy, rising by 8.1 percent to 69.4 percent. Dallas recorded the largest increase in ADR, up 5.8 percent to $134.33.

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.

U.S. HOTEL PERFORMANCE has increased from the previous week, aligning with the extended holiday weekend, while year-over-year comparisons also continue to show positive trends, according to CoStar. The percentage changes showed positivity on weekdays due to comparisons with the Yom Kippur period from the previous year, but year-over-year occupancy rates still experienced a decline. Occupancy stood at 67.8 percent for the week ending on Oct. 7, a slight rise from the preceding week's 66.7 percent, with a marginal year-over-year decline of 0.2 percent, according to CoStar. ADR was $163.19, showing an increase from the previous week's $157.89 and a notable 5.4 percent surge compared to the previous year. RevPAR also saw an uptick to $110.68, surpassing the previous week's $105.31, and reflecting a 5.2 percent rise from 2022.

U.S. HOTEL WEEKLY performance showed mixed results in the fourth week of May compared to the previous week but posted positive year-over-year comparisons, according to CoStar. Despite a slight uptick in occupancy, both ADR and RevPAR decreased week-on-week across all key metrics. Occupancy rose to 67.7 percent for the week ending May 25, up from 67.4 percent the prior week, reflecting a 1.6 percent year-over-year increase. ADR decreased to $160.67 from $163.11, yet still representing a 2.3 percent surge compared to last year. RevPAR stood at $108.73, a decline from the previous week's $109.93, but marking a 3.9 percent increase compared to the same period in 2023. Among the top 25 markets, Houston experienced the most significant year-over-year boosts in occupancy, soaring 20.9 percent to reach 74.1 percent, while RevPAR surged by 29.2 percent to $89.15. Las Vegas recorded the sole double-digit increase in ADR, climbing by 10.9 percent to $217.53.

U.S. HOTEL PERFORMANCE stayed below the levels of the previous week as anticipated, according to CoStar. Occupancy, ADR, and RevPAR all saw declines compared to the preceding week. However, year-over-year comparisons remained positive. Occupancy dropped to 54.7 percent for the week ending Dec. 16, down from the previous week's 58.7 percent, but reflected a year-over-year increase of 1.1 percent. ADR decreased to $142.62, compared to the previous week's $153.36, showing a 4.7 percent uptick from the prior year. RevPAR also declined to $77.99, compared to the prior week's $89.98, indicating a 5.8 percent increase from the corresponding period in 2022. Among the top 25 markets, San Francisco saw the largest year-over-year increases in all three key performance metrics: occupancy surged by 32.0 percent to 70.2 percent, ADR soared 21.5 percent to $223.78, and RevPAR increased by 60.3 percent to $157.14.