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EXTENDED-STAY HOTELS DISPLAYED varied performance in December compared to the overall hotel industry, with supply, demand, and room revenues showing relative gains, according to the Highland Group. Occupancy experienced a milder decline than the broader hotel sector while low ADR growth and an unexpected decline in economy extended-stay RevPAR resulted in a total extended-stay hotel RevPAR decrease versus a slight RevPAR increase in the overall hotel industry. the 2.4 percent net increase in extended-stay room supply in December represents a modest rise compared to the average over the past 18 months and a slight gain over the most recent three months, the report said. Supply shifts overview December marked nine consecutive quarters with 4 percent or less supply growth, significantly below the long-term average, according to the Highland report. the 13 percent surge in economy extended-stay supply and the reduction in mid-price segment rooms are primarily attributed to conversions, with new construction in the economy segment accounting for approximately 3 percent of rooms compared to a year ago.

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.

IN THE FIRST week of February, U.S. weekly hotel occupancy eclipsed 50 percent for THE first time in more than a month, according to STR. However, occupancy declined for THE week under review when compared to THE same period in 2019. Occupancy was 50.4 percent for THE week ending Feb. 5, up from 49.7 percent THE week before and down 15.8 percent from THE comparable week in 2019. ADR was $125.06 for THE week, up from $122.40 THE week before and down just 1.2 percent from two years ago. RevPAR reached $63.05 during THE week under review, up from $60.82 THE week before and down 16.8 percent from THE same period two years ago. According to THE report, none of STR's top 25 markets recorded an occupancy increase over 2019. Norfolk/Virginia Beach came closest to its pre-pandemic level, down just 0.6 percent to 47.3 percent.

THE CHARITY WING of American Hotel & Lodging Association, THE AHLA Foundation, announced merger with THE Castell Project to strengTHEn and accelerate THE industry's commitment to elevate women in hospitality. Castell Project is a nonprofit dedicated to THE advancement of women to THE highest levels within THE hospitality industry. As part of THE merger, both THE entities will focus on facilitating leadership development for current and prospective women in THE industry, according to AHLA. THEy also will strengTHEn THE college talent pipeline through mentorships and exposure to career paths and engagement with THE future workforce. THE two merged organizations hope to help more women become speakers and leaders through AHLA's ForWard: Advancing Women in Hospitality and oTHEr industry events and expanding a speakers' bureau of hospitality leaders who are women, besides conducting ongoing research related to diversity, equity, and inclusion, including women in hospitality leadership and diversity benchmarking.

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.

IRIDESCENT HOTELS OF Dallas has been contracted to manage two more hotels in Texas and Ohio. Iridescent was founded last year by Ash Patel, past chairman of AAHHOA, who leads the company with partner Christopher Puntureri. In the recent contract, Iridescent will manage the 111-room Holiday Inn & Suites San Antonio North Stone Oak in San Antonio, Texas, and the 75-room Red Roof Inn Dayton-Moraine, in Dayton, Ohio, as a third party on behalf of the hotels' owners. the San Antonio Holiday Inn is near San Antonio International Airport and the University of Texas at San Antonio. Also nearby are Microsoft, Baker Hughes, Tesoro, Schlumberger as well as 3 Hospitals which include NE Baptist, Methodist Stone Oak and North Central Baptist. the Red Roof Inn is near the University of Dayton and the University of Dayton Arena with the Industrial Park within walking distance. Additional attractions nearby include the Dayton Mall, Indiana Wesleyan University and the Dayton Convention & Visitors Bureau.

NOBLE INVESTMENT GROUP has acquired the Homewood Suites by Hilton Salt Lake City | Downtown in Salt Lake City, Utah. the company, led by Mit Shah as CEO,said the city represents a fast-growing market. the 137-room hotel is in Salt Lake City's central business and entertainment district, according to Noble. the area contains more than 15 million square feet of office space and several corporate headquarters, including Zions Bancorporation, Questar Corporation, and Goldman Sachs. Also nearby are the Salt Palace Convention Center, Vivint Arena, Gallivan Center, Temple Square and the Utah State Capitol. More than 26 million passengers annually pass through the Salt Lake City International Airport, which is 4 miles west of downtown. "Salt Lake City has seen some of the highest in-migration trends leading up to and continuing through the global health crisis," Noble said in its statement. "the city boasts more than ten ski resorts within an hour's drive, as well as more than a dozen national parks and monuments. With its world-class outdoor lifestyle, Salt Lake City is one of the most dynamic leisure and corporate travel markets in the U.S."

THE U.S. DEPARTMENT of Justice will appeal THE recent court ruling that overturned a federal mask mandate on public transportation. In response, THE U.S. Travel Association said that THE mandate is simply out of step with THE current public health landscape. Last week, U.S. District Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle in Tampa ruled that THE CDC had overstepped its authority in issuing THE mask mandate. THE Centers for Disease Control and Prevention asked THE DOJ to appeal THE ruling. In a statement on April 20, THE CDC said that an order requiring masking in THE indoor transportation corridor remains necessary for THE public health. CDC will continue to monitor public health conditions to determine wheTHEr such an order remains necessary, it added.

NAVIKA GROUP OF Companies and Blue Sky Hospitality Solutions have acquired the Andaz Wall Street hotel, now known as the Hyatt Centric Wall Street New York. the 253-room hotel's guestrooms and lobby were recently redesigned, but Navika plans to invest approximately $5 million in the property over the next several years. Real estate company Navika Group and Blue Sky management company both are led by Naveen Shah as president and CEO. Also, Haridas Kotahwala is chairman at Navika Group. the Hyatt Centric Wall Street is expected to reopen Jan. 26, according to Blue Sky. "the competitive advantages provided by Hyatt Centric Wall Street New York, our first hotel in New York City, make it an ideal addition to our current portfolio of 53 owned and operated hotels throughout the U.S.," said Ernie Catanzaro, executive vice president with oversight of the management team, BSHS. "the hotel has some of the larger rooms in New York City, ranging in size from 345 to 1,500 square feet, as well as an unmatchable location and address. Our planned multimillion-dollar renovation will reinforce the hotel among the most desirable locations in New York City."

THE NEW JERSEY legislature has passed legislation that will place new requirements regarding employees when a hotel changes hands. Hospitality and business associations are objecting to THE law, saying it will hinder hotels' recovering in THE state. Assembly Bill 6246 will, among oTHEr things, require new owners of a hotel to keep all employees on staff for at least 90 days after THE purchase without reducing THEir wages or benefits. THE bills also would require THE previous owners to provide a list of all employees' names, addresses, hiring dates, phone numbers, wage rates and employment classifications at least 30 days before THE change in control, according to THE legislation. It also sets terms for how THE new owners can reduce staff if necessary during THE retention period as well as how violations of THE law should be addressed. THE proposed law is well intended, but flawed, Ray Cantor, vice president of government affairs for THE New Jersey Business & Industry Association told Center Square newspaper.

THE DEBUT PROPERTY of Vision Hospitality Group's lifestyle THE Tribute Portfolio, THE Kinley Cincinnati Downtown, is now open in Cincinnati, Ohio. Two more are planned to follow in Vision Hospitality's hometown of Chattanooga, Tennessee, and in Louisville, Kentucky. THE 94-room hotel is in THE city's Over-THE-Rhine neighborhood with nearby attractions including THE William Howard Taft National Historic Site, THE Cincinnati Art Museum and Cincinnati Music Hall. Vision Hospitality, led by Mitch Patel as CEO, renovated THE historic Denton Building, constructed in 1916 by Cincinnati architect Alfred Oscar Elzner, to house THE hotel. Kinley Cincinnati Downtown décor features artwork showing local history local art pieces curated in partnership with THE Cincinnati Art Underground. It includes THE restored mural "Allegro" painted by artist Barron Krody for THE 1971 series entitled Urban Walls: Cincinnati.

The GLō Tulsa East Route 66 is now open in Tulsa, Oklahoma, The first of Best Western Hotels & Resorts' new-build boutique brand to open in The state. It is owned by Champion Hotels Group, led by founder Champak "Champ" Patel, and Jain Hotels led by CEO Jayesh Jain. The 70-room hotel is near The Tulsa Port of Catoosa and Tulsa International Airport. OTher nearby attractions include The Tulsa Zoo, Oklahoma Aquarium, ONEOK Field, BOK Center, The GaThering Place, LaFortune Park, Rogers Point park and The Catoosa Activity Center. Hotel amenities include a meeting area and workspaces as well as a fitness center. "This hotel is The perfect addition to The Catoosa and Tulsa area," Patel said. "We are thrilled to introduce The GLō brand to Oklahoma," Jain said. "This property provides The ideal boutique look and feel with The modern amenities and service offerings today's travelers expect."

U.S. HOTEL PERFORMANCE was down in the first week of March from the week before, according to STR. However, ADR was up during the week compared to 2019. Occupancy was 61.2 percent for the week ending March 5, down from 62.2 percent the week before and down 8.2 percent for the same period in 2019. ADR was $137.96 for the week, decreased from $143.83 the week before and up 4.7 percent from two years ago. RevPAR was $84.39 for the week, down from $89.45 the week before and down 3.8 percent from the same period two years ago. None of STR's top 25 markets showed an occupancy increase during the period over 2019. Norfolk/Virginia Beach came closest to its 2019 comparable, down just 0.8 percent to 56.3 percent.

EXTENDED-STAY HOTELS experienced limited growth in July, reflecting the summer travel season's tendency to favor the overall hotel industry more than extended-stay establishments, according to the Highland Group. Total hotels reported a smaller decrease in occupancy and a slightly higher increase in ADR compared to all extended-stay hotels in July 2022. According to Highland, Extended-stay hotels performed similarly to the preceding three months in July. the economy segment reported a decrease in RevPAR, while upscale extended-stay hotels saw the strongest RevPAR increase. However, ADR growth across extended-stay segments has noticeably narrowed over the last three months. For the second consecutive month, the economy segment achieved faster ADR gains compared to mid-price extended-stay hotels. "Extended-stay hotels' 9.2 percentage-point occupancy premium above the overall hotel industry is slightly below the long-term annual average range but typical for the summer travel season," said Mark Skinner, partner at the Highland Group.

THE G20 NEW Delhi Leaders' Declaration underscores tourism's role in promoting sustainable social and economic development, THE World Tourism Organization of THE United Nations said in a statement. THE G20 economies' meeting on Sept. 9 to 10 acknowledged THE potential for constructing a future through development models that implement sustainable, inclusive, and equitable transitions globally, ensuring no one is left behind. THE high-level discussions concluded with THE launch of THE Leaders' Declaration, a set of agreed-upon aims for advancing development and prosperity, THE statement added. THE statement recognizes tourism for its "pivotal" role in driving THE achievement of THE sustainable development goals and THE wider 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

THE AHLA FOUNDATION, is re-launching its ForWard program, created to advance women in leadership and ownership within THE hotel industry, and plans to integrate THE program with THE recently acquired Castell Project, an organization focused on promoting women in hospitality leadership. Also, THE foundation presented THE 2023 Peggy Berg Castell Award to Julienne Smith, IHG Hotels & Resorts' chief development officer for THE Americas. THE integration of ForWard and THE Castell Project will result in a unified platform offering resources, events, professional development, and community-building opportunities, THE AHLA Foundation said in a statement. "THEre is tremendous opportunity for us to do more to celebrate, champion, and create community for women," said Anna Blue, president of AHLA Foundation, THE charitable arm of THE American Hotel and Lodging Association. "AHLA Foundation is uniquely positioned to collaborate across industry and invest in THE women who are advancing hospitality."

U.S. EXTENDED-STAY HOTELS set new performance records for demand, ADR and RevPAR in the third quarter of 2022, according to a report from the Highland Group. However, rate resistance is growing at lower price points as recession fears loom. the "U.S. Extended-stay Hotels: Third quarter 2022" report by the Highland Group said that the economy extended-stay segment reported six consecutive months of demand drop and two successive quarterly falls in occupancy in the quarter ending September. "Mid-price extended-stay hotels reported first quarterly decline in occupancy since fourth quarter of 2020. Excluding the last 15 months, extended-stay hotel ADR is still increasing at the fastest rate for 20 years but, like the overall hotel industry, ADR growth continues to decelerate," the report said. "the slowdown in ADR growth is greatest at higher price points although mid-price and upscale extended-stay ADR is still increasing faster than the economy segment."

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."

BEST WESTERN HOTELS & Resorts is the most recent large hotel company to meet with AAHOA leaders over the association's 12 Points of Fair Franchising. the two parties discussed their ongoing relationship and the needs of the industry. Members of the Best Western team included Larry Cuculic, president and CEO; John Kelly, board chairman; Danny Lafayette, board vice-chairman; Phil Payne, board secretary-treasurer; and board directors Mike Merchant, Ishwar Naran, Viral "Victor" Patel and Stephen Wahrlich, according to AAHOA. Best Western has a portfolio of 19 brands, and approximately 4,500 hotels across all chain scale segments, and it joins G6 Hospitality, parent company for the Motel 6 and Studio 6 brands, in reviewing the 12 points. "Best Western Hotels & Resorts has been a longtime partner of AAHOA - a span of time that includes more than three decades - and we always welcome the opportunity to continue the dialogue for the betterment and prosperity of the entire industry," said Nishant "Neal" Patel, AAHOA chairman. "Our recent meeting underscores how open communication, collaboration, and partnership are key to maintaining a fruitful relationship that benefits both organizations and, ultimately, the industry as a whole."

THERE WAS A slight slip in U.S. hotel performance in THE third week of October compared to THE week before, according to STR. However, numbers improved during THE week when compared to 2019. Occupancy was 69.9 percent for THE week ending Oct. 22, down from 70.3 percent THE week before and down 0.5 percent from 2019. ADR was $157.43 during THE week, slightly dropped from $157.52 THE week before and up 16.7 percent from three years ago. RevPAR reached $110.11 in THE third week of Oct. 22, just dipped from $110.78 THE week before and up 16.1 percent from 2019. Among STR's top 25 markets, Tampa reported THE largest increase in occupancy during THE week, up 7.4 percent to 75.9 percent and RevPAR, increased 39.2 percent to $117.28, over 2019. It has been one of THE markets in Florida that have seen a performance lift associated with post-Hurricane Ian demand.