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EXTENDED-STAY ROOM revenues in traditional hotels outperformed those in extended-stay hotels by 21 percent, indicating potential for further development in the extended-stay sector, according to consulting firm The Highland Group and Kalibri Labs. For the 12 months ending June 2023, guest-paid room revenue for stays of seven consecutive nights or more totaled $8.97 billion in traditional hotels, compared to $7.39 billion in extended-stay hotels. "Traditional hotels are still accommodating more extended-stay demand than extended-stay hotels despite the latter's substantial gains in market share over the last 25 years," said Mark Skinner, partner at The Highland Group. Accommodated room nights tallied 74.3 million and 72.2 million, respectively. Nationally, extended-stay demand (ESOC) constitutes 53 percent of extended-stay hotels. In traditional hotels, ESOC is 13 percent, yet the room count is tenfold compared to extended-stay establishments, the report said.

MARCH IS WOMEN'S History Month, a time to focus attention on women's role in business and society. It also is the second month for Wyndham Hotels & Resorts' new "Women Own the Room" program that aims to open the door for more women to achieve hotel ownership. Two of the first participants in the program are Trusha Patel, founder and CEO of Platinum Holdings in Austin, Texas, and Neha Jadhav of Chantilly, Virginia, founder of Luminous Hotel Management. Both women are opening dual-brand La Quinta and Hawthorn Suites hotels with assistance from WOTR assistance. Correcting an imbalance Wyndham launched WOTR in January in an effort to overcome the common barriers women face in developing, opening and running their own hotel. The program provides assistance with financial solutions, personalized operational support and networking and educational opportunities. Programs such as WOTR are needed to counter hospitality industry data that shows women are significantly underrepresented in hotel ownership, real estate, and investment funding roles, Wyndham said in a press release. The company cited the most recent annual report from the Castell Project, a nonprofit focused on promoting women in the industry, that found that while there are more women in the hospitality industry they still lag behind in leadership roles.

CHIP ROGERS, PRESIDENT and CEO of American Hotel & Lodging Association, is joining the cast of a magazine-style television series "Hotels ByDesign." The program's host Mike Chapman will showcase up to 35 hotels across the U.S. throughout its four half-hour episodes. Rogers will be part of a panel of architectural, innovation and industry experts who will discuss key design aspects of various hotels, AHLA said in a statement. "Hotels are at the cutting edge of informed design, as brands and hotel companies are constantly evolving to meet the changing needs of guests," Rogers said. "I'm excited to work with Hotels ByDesign to showcase the beauty and ingenuity of our industry." "It is with great pleasure that we turn our design lens towards hotels and vacation experiences," said Chapman, who also serves as the series' executive producer. "ByDesign continues the design conversation in front of a mainstream American and international audience, celebrating, commentating, and educating on excellent design. We are excited to be collaborating with the AHLA as we embark on new adventures - broadening our audience and telling exceptional design stories together."

PEACHTREE HOTEL GROUP added seven hotels to its portfolio this week for $135 million. Three of the hotels also are part of Peachtree's third investment partnerships with San Mateo, California-based Verakin Capital led by partners Rupesh and Bimal Patel and Hiten Suraj. The new acquisitions include 829 rooms and are in five different states, according to Peachtree and its management division Peachtree Hospitality Management, which will operate all seven hotels. The new hotels are: The dual-brand Hilton Garden Inn Phoenix Tempe, University Research Park, 120 rooms, and Home2 Suites by Hilton Phoenix Tempe, University Research Park, 108 rooms, in Tempe, Arizona, which were built in 2017. Aloft Hillsboro-Beaverton in Hillsboro, Oregon, 137 rooms, built in 2017. Hilton Garden Inn Casper, 121 rooms in Casper, Wyoming, built in 2008. Home2 Suites by Hilton Eugene Downtown University Area, in Eugene, Oregon, 120 rooms, built in 2016. Home2 Suites by Hilton Pittsburgh/McCandless in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 119 rooms, built in 2013. Hilton Garden Inn West Lafayette Wabash Landing in West Lafayette, Indiana, 104 rooms, built in 2003.

Delta Hotels by Marriott Indianapolis Airport is open in Indianapolis. The hotel is owned by Blue Sky Hospitality Solutions led by President and CEO Naveen Shah. The 240-room hotel is near Indianapolis International Airport and eight miles from downtown Indianapolis. Other nearby attractions include Lucas Oil Stadium, The Indianapolis Zoo, the Indianapolis Children's Museum, Eli Lilly, Rolls Royce, Indiana University and Purdue University. The hotel has 5,193 square feet of meeting space, including a 4,370-square-foot ballroom and two smaller boardrooms. "This marks our second Delta Hotel in the Indianapolis marketplace, allowing for shared economies of scale and best practices," Shah said. "Our familiarity with the market and the brand will allow the hotel to ramp up quickly as Marriott continues the global expansion of Delta."

ARIZONA-BASED BWH Hotels, known for brands like Best Western Hotels & Resorts, plans to expand into South Asia by introducing WorldHotels to markets including India, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka. BWH Hotels, the company that acquired WorldHotels in 2019, is now established in South Asia through Sorrel Hospitality, the master franchisee based in New Delhi. According to Indian media reports, Sorrel Hospitality will extend its presence into Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. The company expects to have around 51 hotels by the end of 2024, including 3,000 rooms once the pipeline becomes operational. All these hotels are signed in these three markets, with an additional six hotels in the India market, the report in the Economic Times said. Larry Cuculic, president and CEO of BWH Hotels, expressed the company's commitment to strengthening its presence in India and raising standards in accommodation and guest satisfaction.

MAJOR U.S. HOTELS firms Marriott Hotels & Resorts and Hyatt Hotels Corp. announced that they are ceasing operations in Russia due to its ongoing invasion in Ukraine. Also, AAHOA issued a statement condemning the war. The hotel companies also emphasized their efforts to ensure the safety and wellbeing of their employees and guests in both Ukraine and neighboring countries who face these 'unconscionable challenges'. "We have made the decision, effective immediately, to close our corporate office in Moscow, and pause the opening of upcoming hotels and all future hotel development and investment in Russia," Marriott said in a statement. "We have been closely monitoring the deteriorating situation in Ukraine, Russia and neighboring countries, and remain in regular contact with our teams on the ground, as we work to comply with sanctions and applicable laws. Our hotels in Russia are owned by third parties and we continue to evaluate the ability for these hotels to remain open."

THE BAIRD/STR Hotel Stock Index jumped 15.8 percent in October, according to STR. There were no signs of slowing as U.S. demand continued to strengthen during the month. The index decreased 8 percent year-to-date through the first ten months of 2022. The index fell 9.1 percent in September. In October, the index outgrew both the S&P 500, up 8 percent and the MSCI US REIT Index, increased 4.7 percent. The hotel brand sub-index increased 14.4 percent from September to 9,458, while the hotel REIT sub-index grew 20.6 percent to 1,193. "October was a strong rebound month for hotel stocks, and they recouped all their losses from the prior two months," said Michael Bellisario, senior hotel research analyst and director at Baird. "Importantly, both the global hotel brands and the hotel REITs were relative outperformers versus their respective benchmarks in October. As investors shifted their focus from broader macroeconomic uncertainties to sector-specific performance ahead of and through third-quarter earnings reports, hotels continued to screen favorably given still-strong underlying fundamentals and an intact post-pandemic recovery thesis."

OFFICIALS OF THE "She Has a Deal" annual hotel investment pitch contest announced the five teams selected to advance to the final round of SHaDPitch 2023. The competition allows early career women to compete for the prize of $50,000 of equity in SHaD's Prosperity Fund I, following the conclusion of a virtual, preliminary round of pitching, SHaD said in a statement. SHaD 2023 will be held at the new Marriott Headquarters in Bethesda, Maryland, on April 27 to 28. According to the statement, the goal of SHaD is to increase the number of women owning and developing hotels. It provides participants with the ability to source, analyse, raise capital and close hotel real estate investment deals. During the preliminary judging round, eight teams comprising 15 participants pitched their hotel investment acquisition or development projects live on Zoom to a judging panel of hotel business executives, entrepreneurs, and investors. The judges evaluated and selected the following five teams: Sydney Young and Rachel Nicholson with SpartanStone, graduates of Michigan State University, pitching a La Quinta Inn & Suites in Lewisville, Texas. Chandler Williamson with Chanders Core Commitment, graduate of North Carolina Central University, pitching a Hilton Garden Inn in Raleigh/Durham, North Carolina. Isabella Suffredini, Veronica Lewis and Alexandra Neoman with CROWN, graduates of Cornell University, pitching a TownePlace Suites in Houston, Texas. Makenna Price with Hookipa Hospitality, graduate of Washington State University, pitching a Fairfield Inn & Suites in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida Allison Busch and Hannah Takekawa with AH Hospitality, graduates of San Diego State University, pitching a Staybridge Suites in Austin, Texas "Every year, I grow more encouraged that we are making an impact," said Tracy Prigmore, founder of SHaD. "These are brilliant women who benefit from the education and programming that SHaD provides, and their hotel investment acumen has grown by leap

TWO BOUTIQUE HOTELS owned by Vision Hospitality Group, The Grady Louisville Downtown in Louisville, Kentucky, and the Kinley Cincinnati Downtown in Cincinnati, have won different categories of this year's StayBoutique Awards by the Boutique Lifestyle Leaders Association. Mitch Patel, the Chattanooga, Tennessee-based company's president and CEO, was a runner up for BLLA's Iconic Boutique Hotelier. The Grady, which opened in June 2021 and recently reopened after a renovation, took first place for two categories in the BLLA awards, Boutique Hotel Design Project and Boutique Hotel Under 100 Rooms. The Kinley, opened in October 2020, took second place for Boutique Hotel Design Project "We are honored to be recognized in this year's awards program, and we couldn't have done it without our interior design partners," Patel said. "For each of these hotels, we take pride in the historic renovations and thoughtful design work that has gone into making them what they are today."

NEWCRESTIMAGE HAS COMPLETED its sale of 27 hotels to Summit Hotel Properties it first announced in November. The Dallas-based company, led by Mehul Patel as managing partner and CEO, also contracted with Aimbridge Hospitality to manage the hotels and will become a minority shareholder in the management company. The initial closing includes 26 existing hotels with 3,533 guestrooms, with final closing on the currently under construction 176-room Canopy by Hilton New Orleans expected to be completed in the first quarter, according to the company. It also includes two parking structures. The transaction costs $776.5 million for the hotels, or $209,000 per key. It also includes $24.8 million for the two parking structures and $20.7 million for the various financial incentives through Summit's joint venture with Singapore-based sovereign wealth fund GIC, made in 2019 to acquire hotels in the U.S.

A NEW ENVIRONMENTAL, social and governance report released by Choice Hotels International highlights steps that would allow the company to reduce utility costs, save time for franchisees, and increase Choice's ESG commitments. Those steps include new energy- and water-saving technology, diversity goals for hotel ownership and more. The report entitled "Building a Better Tomorrow, Today" lays out the company's plan to being a good corporate citizen, according to a release. "Choice Hotels shares a uniting belief that tomorrow will be even better than today, and we are committed to building that better tomorrow," said Patrick Pacious, Choice's CEO, in the report. "As one of the largest lodging franchisors in the world, we are building on more than 80 years of success in developing a portfolio of diversified brands and creating a lasting, sustainable legacy for the future - one hotel, one family, one community at a time." Key findings The report further details measures being undertaken by Choice to integrate ESG standards and principles into its long-term decision-making and operations, including: Reporting Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions for the first time and aligning ESG disclosures with the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board standards and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Appointing an executive with knowledge of the business as vice president, sustainability and creating two new ESG governance forums to strengthen Choice's ESG strategy and execution. Joining the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance, a global network that champions responsible hospitality, and becoming one of its largest members. Relaunching HERtels by Choice, driving a 53 percent year-over-year increase in the company's hotel franchise deals with woman owners. Committing $25 million in incentives for contracts with underrepresented minority and woman owners by 2025. Setting a goal to increase the representation of women in senior leadership roles to 50

VERAKIN CAPITAL, A real estate investment group, exceeded its $350 million investment milestone in the first quarter of this year. The company has made collective investments in three hotel properties that are currently in various stages of development; the Moxy in downtown Atlanta, Georgia; Hampton Inn/Home 2 in downtown Nashville, Tennessee; and Courtyard by Marriott in Pittsburg, California, the company said in a statement. Verakin, led by partners Rupesh and Bimal Patel and Hiten Suraj, is the lead developer of the Courtyard by Marriott, while the company is co-investing in the other two projects alongside RevPar Development and Emerge Hospitality Group, according to the statement. RevPar Development is a privately-owned hotel development and management company on the East Coast, while Emerge Hospitality Group is a family-owned and -operated hotel ownership, development and management company. "We are developing both on our own behalf and in joint ventures with like-minded investment groups," Rupesh Patel said. "We are seeing that newer hotels and brands are faring better than their older counterparts as travel rebounds in many markets and segments. To help satiate our investment growth appetite, we will continue to seek best-in-class partners, such as RevPar Development and Emerge Hospitality Group, who have proven track records as credible institutional investors, developers and operators." The Moxy hotel in downtown Atlanta, will feature 181 rooms spread across 13 floors and is scheduled to open mid-2026 before the FIFA World Cup. The centrally located hotel will cater to both business and leisure travelers and will offer three food and beverage options, including a roof top bar and lounge with views of the Mercedes Benz Stadium.

THE AMERICAN HOTEL & Lodging Association launched the "Hospitality Law Database," giving hoteliers quick access to state and local laws affecting hotel operations. The online platform aids hotel owners, managers, HR professionals and lawyers in navigating the changing legal landscape of the hotel industry. The tool tracks laws across all 50 states, the District of Columbia and the top 25 U.S. hotel markets, AHLA said in a statement. "AHLA is laser focused on advocacy in support of legislation to protect and promote the hotel industry," said Kevin Carey, AHLA's interim president and CEO. "AHLA's new Hospitality Law Database is a natural extension of our robust advocacy efforts, giving members easy access to the laws governing operations in the states and key markets where they operate."

The AC Hotel by Marriott Greenville Downtown is open in Greenville, South Carolina. It is owned by Auro Hotels led by Dharmendra D.J. Rama as president and CEO. The 8-story, 196-room upscale hotel is in Camperdown Plaza near Falls Park, the Reedy River, the Peace Center Performing Arts center, Kroc Center Greenville, the Shoeless Joe Jackson Museum and Sirrine Stadium. It includes seven restaurants and bars, including the tapas bar Paloma, the rooftop Juniper and The Press Room speakeasy. "The opening of the AC Hotel Greenville Downtown and Paloma marks an exciting milestone for Auro Hotels," Rama said. "This project is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity due to its location, scale, level of detail and amenities, as well as a unique opportunity to celebrate our hometown of Greenville. The hotel, along with the thoughtfully-curated food and beverage concepts, will be treasured by visitors and the local community for generations." Also, the hotel features more than 100 works by 35 local artists and 29,000 square feet of meeting and event space.

MOST RECOVERY INDICES of U.S. extended-stay hotels declined slightly in October compared to the month before, according to hotel investment advisors Highland Group. Economy extended-stay hotels continue to lead the RevPAR recovery during the month with a 20 percent gain over the same period two years ago. The mid-price segment has more than recovered RevPAR every month since July and upscale extended-stay hotels continue to lag mainly due to the relatively high concentration of rooms in urban locations, according to "U.S. Extended-stay Hotels Bulletin: October 2021" report from to The Highland Group. According to the report, the 4 percent increase in extended-stay room supply in October was the lowest monthly gain in 2021. Mid-price and upscale supply growth should be well below pre-pandemic levels in the near future as the impact to supply growth from reopening hotels closed during the pandemic is almost over, the report added. The recent Highland Group report said that U.S. extended-stay hotels saw all-time highs in third quarter.

EV HOTEL CORP., the Atlanta-based tech centric "smart hotel" company, is in a "change of control" stock purchase agreement with Plandai Biotechnology, Inc. Plandai will become the parent company to EV Hotel, founded by Ken Patel, for the purposes of going public. Before closing the agreement, both parties must complete independent financial audits, a third-party valuation of EV Hotel Corp. and the company completing corporate actions with the Secretary of State of Nevada, according to EV Hotel. Trading regulatory organization FINRA will change Plandai's name and trading symbol, along with implementing a reverse split of the company's common stock, with management plans at 100:1. Upon closing, Plandai will acquire all of the authorized stock and assets in EV Hotel in exchange for common stock and Patel will acquire all of the company's Series "A" Preferred stock, resulting in a change of control.

THE BAIRD/STR Hotel Stock Index was down 2.5 percent in February 2023 as the focus turned to earnings and initial 2023 outlooks, according to STR. Investors' confidence also was boosted some by strong fourth quarter results and rising demand. During the month, the Baird/STR Index surpassed both the S&P 500, down 2.6 percent and the MSCI US REIT Index, fell 4.9 percent, STR said in a report. Meanwhile, the index jumped 16.4 percent in January. According to the STR, the Hotel Brand sub-index decreased 1.2 percent from January to 10,219, while the Hotel REIT sub-index dropped 7 percent to 1,130. "Hotel stocks, just like the broader market, pulled back in February as the focus turned to earnings and initial 2023 outlooks," said Michael Bellisario, senior hotel research analyst and director at Baird. "The global hotel brand stocks, while down slightly during the month, outperformed the S&P 500 on the heels on strong fourth quarter earnings reports and guidance that matched expectations; hotel REITs were weaker and relatively underperformed as investors focused on somewhat mixed fourth quarter earnings reports and 2023 guidance that embedded heightened expense pressures and outsized renovation disruption."

WITH THE HOSPITALITY industry facing numerous issues even as the economy recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic, two major associations have formed a new partnership to address that need. AAHOA and the American Hotel & Lodging Association have created the American Hospitality Alliance advocate for hotels on state and national levels. AAHOA and AHLA announced the formation of AHA during the summer meeting of the International Society of Hotel Associations in Boston on Tuesday. The purpose of the alliance is to pool resources and streamline efforts, the associations said, and it also will work with state hotel associations. "The majority of hotels are small businesses. That is why the owners and operators are particularly well-suited to inform lawmakers about policies and regulations that will accelerate the industry's resurgence. This coalition could not have come at a more important time as the hotel industry prepares to welcome back guests," said Ken Greene, AAHOA's interim president and CEO. Greene was appointed to the interim position in early June following the resignation of Cecil Staton, former AAHOA president and CEO. Rachel Humphrey, the association's executive vice president and COO, also will be resigning on Aug. 7, the day after AAHOA's 2021 Convention and Trade show in Dallas finishes.

PEACHTREE HOSPITALITY MANAGEMENT entered into a long-term contract with Savannah, Georgia-based HOS Management to operate nine hotels. The hotels are primarily in the Southeast and are Marriott, Hilton and IHG branded. PHM will manage hotel operations in compliance with hotel brand standards, scalable operating efficiencies, digital and market initiatives and other cost saving across the portfolio, according to Peachtree. PHM is part of Atlanta-based Peachtree Group, led by Jatin Desai and Mitul Patel as managing principals. "We have a wealth of experience managing hotels and providing best-in-class operations for our valued partners like HOS Management, who have entrusted us with their hotel operations," said Patrick Short, PHM president. "With 25 percent of our portfolio third-party managed, we are committed to protecting the assets value and driving bottom lines results for our partners while providing an outstanding experience for our hotel guests."