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HAWKEYE HOTELS RECENTLY acquired the Hotel Indigo Pittsburgh East Liberty in Pittsburgh. It is the company's third hotel owned and operated in Pennsylvania. the 135-room Indigo is a restored boutique hotel in Pittsburgh's historic East Liberty Neighborhood, according to the Hawkeye. Nearby are the Carnegie Museum, Carnegie Mellon University, the University of Pittsburgh, Phipps, Heinz Chapel, St. Paul's and East Liberty Presbyterian Church. Its interior décor reflects the neighborhood's community's theater, entertainment and charitable heritage. Hawkeye closed on the transaction 21 days after executing the contract. It has recently acquired, developed and operated dozens of hotels in over 20 states across the U.S. "We continue to be bullish on the hospitality market recovery and look forward to seeking out additional opportunities to acquire hotels across the U.S.," said Parth Patel, Hawkeye's head of investments. the company is considering acquiring an upscale extended stay hotel in Erie, Pennsylvania, where it recently opened Holiday Inn.

FLORIDA ATTORNEY GENERAL Ashley Moody is targeting fake postings offering vacation rental properties. The state's campaign against These specific scams plays into AAHOA's call for more short-term rental regulation, The association said. The scams involve fake postings offering vacation rental properties with requests for application fees or security deposits, according to Moody's office. Victims of The scam pay The deposit, only to find The listing has disappeared and so has The deposit money. The would-be vacationers often show up at The property and find that The actual owners have no record or intention of renting. "Florida is one of The most popular vacation destinations in The nation," Moody said. "Scammers will take advantage of this by creating fake vacation rental listings in hopes of stealing personal information and money. WheTher you are traveling within The state or from out of state, make sure to take extra precautions when renting a vacation home to avoid being burned this summer vacation season."

U.S. HOTEL PERFORMANCE fell in the first week of August compared to the week before following seasonal patterns, according to STR. However, ADR and RevPAR were up compared to the same period in 2019. Occupancy was 69.9 percent for the week ending August 6, down from 71.9 percent the week before and dropped 5.7 percent from 2019. ADR was $154.48 for the week, decreased from $158.32 the week before and increased 15.1 percent from three years ago. RevPAR reached $108.04 during the week, down from $113.90 the week before and up 8.5 percent from 2019. St. Louis reported the largest occupancy increase during the week, up 7.1. percent to 75.9 percent, over 2019, among STR's top 25 markets. Oahu Island (84.6 percent) led major markets in absolute occupancy during the first week of August, followed by Seattle (84.8 percent), and San Diego (83.8 percent).

IT'S BEEN SIX decades of keeping the light on for guests by Motel 6. To mark the occasion, the economy brand is thanking its team members, owners and guests, with plans to stick to the same business model for the next 60 years. Motel 6 began in 1962 in Santa Barbara, California, for just $6 a night in keeping with the philosophy of providing affordable, clean and comfortable lodging, according to the company. Since then, the brand, owned by G6 Hospitality, has followed a strategic development plan that has led it to expand more than 1,400 Motel 6 and Studio 6 locations throughout the U.S. and Canada, said Rob Palleschi, G6 CEO, in a video for the June 25 anniversary. "Years later, our value proposition remains rooted in the same belief, that everyone has the right to travel," Palleschi said. "As we look to the next 60 years, I want to thank every team member and owner for their dedication to our brand."

A LETTER APPEARING to be from Marriott International stating that the company was "re-evaluating" its official relationship with AAHOA over the association's new stance on franchise relations is causing some disruption on social media. Marriott and AAHOA have not responded to repeated requests for comment on the letter, but in an email to members AAHOA Chairman Neal Patel said the letter is a draft and the company and association are still in negotiations. the letter specifically cites AAHOA's request that the company reassess its franchising policies in light of AAHOA's recently released "12 Points of Fair Franchising." Also, it mentions AAHOA's support for New Jersey's proposed Assembly Bill 1958 that would make changes to the New Jersey Franchise Practices Act similar to the guidelines laid out in the 12 Points. "Ultimately, Marriott cannot support, either by endorsement and/or financially, any organization that is in direct opposition to our business model and interests," Marriott said in the letter. "We believe quite strongly that the longstanding relationship between Marriott and AAHOA has proven to be mutually beneficial, and we are deeply saddened that AAHOA has chosen to pivot its stance on these key issues in a way that is decidedly anti-franchising and anti-Marriott (especially since, as the AAHOA leadership shared with us in a recent meeting, neither AAHOA's leaders nor its members have any material issues with Marriott's approach to franchising or to our franchisees)."

U.S. HOTEL PERFORMANCE bounced back in the third week of July after two consecutive weeks of lower demand due to the Independence Day holiday, according to STR. Occupancy was 72 percent for the week ending July 16, up from 63.3 percent the week before and dropped 7.4 percent from 2019. ADR was $157.23 for the week, up from $153.71 the week before and increased 14.9 percent from three years ago. RevPAR reached $113.28 during the week, up from $97.37 the week before and increased 6.4 percent from 2019. San Diego reported the only occupancy increase among STR's top 25 markets during the week, up 1 percent to 89.9 percent, over 2019. According to STR, San Diego (89.9 percent), Oahu Island (87.2 percent) and Seattle (85.8 percent) led the major markets in absolute occupancy. Miami posted the largest ADR gain, up 29.9 percent to $204.15, over three years ago. Only San Francisco reported an ADR decrease, down 4.1 percent to $229.24, compared to 2019.

U.S. HOTELS REPORTED record-high monthly room rates on a nominal basis in July, according to STR. RevPAR on a nominal basis hit an all-time high during the month and occupancy was the second highest since August 2019. However, performance dipped some in the third week of August on a weekly basis, but performance improved during the week over 2019. Occupancy was 69.6 percent in July, down from 70.1 percent in June and down 5.4 percent from three years ago. ADR was $159.08 during the month, up from 155.04 in June and up 17.5 percent over 2019. RevPAR reached $110.73 in July, up from $108.64 the month before and increased 11.2 percent three years ago. At the same time, occupancy dropped to 67.3 percent for the week ending August 20, down from 68.5 percent the week before and dropped 3.9 percent from 2019. ADR was $150.96 for the week, decreased from $152.34 the week before and increased 16.7 percent from three years ago. RevPAR reached $101.59 during the week, fell from $104.30 the week before and increased 12.2 percent from 2019.

THE DEMAND PREMIUM that extended-stay hotels have experienced over THE past two years compared to oTHEr types of hotels is beginning to ebb, according to consulting firm THE Highland Group. Also, ADR growth decelerated for THE fourth consecutive month in July but remains higher than any oTHEr period before 2021. THE overall hotel industry revenue recovery is now only one half a point greater than extended-stay hotels, according to THE US Extended-Stay Hotels Bulletin: July 2022 report by THE Highland Group. According to STR, all hotel room revenue was up 12.1 percent in July this year compared to last year. "For THE first time in more than two years all three extended-stay segments reported a monthly decline in demand compared to THE previous year. Demand declines in economy and mid-price segments, which were less than corresponding falls for all hotels in THE same rate categories, are mainly correlated to strong growth in ADR. THE upscale segment's demand decline is correlated to both increasing ADR and THE contraction in supply," THE report said.

BOSTON IS THE most expensive city for hotel accommodations in THE U.S., according to a recent survey by Cheaphotels.org. Portland was THE cheapest city, THE survey has found. THE survey compared hotel rates across 50 U.S. destinations in October, which is typically THE month with THE highest hotel prices in most American cities. It specifically focused on hotels with a 3-star rating or higher, located in central areas, Cheaphotels said in a statement. Boston took THE lead as THE priciest city, with an average rate of $303 for THE most affordable double room, THE survey said. Following closely were New York City and Austin, with rates of $288 and $257, respectively. Cleveland claimed THE fourth spot, with an average rate of $234 for THE least expensive room. Notably, hotel rates in Ohio's second-largest city have surged by 25 percent compared to 2022.

AIR TRAVEL HASSLES lead fliers to skip an average of two trips annually, which will result in 27 million avoided trips and a $71 billion loss for the U.S. economy in the coming year, according to a recent report by U.S. Travel Association and Ipsos. the impact of traveler frustrations also leads to a loss of $4.5 billion in tax revenue. the federal government must prioritize improvements throughout the air travel ecosystem to foster greater growth, the association has said. "When almost 60 percent of recent air travelers equate the experience to or find it worse than going to the DMV, it's a worrisome sign that requires action," said Geoff Freeman, USTA president and CEO. "With targeted efforts, the federal government can certainly enhance the entire travel system." Half of travelers said they would increase air travel in the next six months if the experience were less of a hassle, the poll revealed. Similarly, business travelers would take an average of two more trips annually if travel frictions improved, resulting in 18 million additional trips and $52 billion in economic impact.

SHATTERPROOF, A NATIONAL nonprofit addressing the U.S. addiction crisis, will recognize Mark Hoplamazian, president and CEO of Hyatt Hotels Corp., for his contributions to mobilizing hospitality leaders to raise awareness and challenge the stigma surrounding addiction. the event will be during Shatterproof's seventh annual Hospitality Heroes Reception on Jan. 23 during the Americas Lodging Investment Summit at the J.W. Marriott in Los Angeles. Hoplamazian and Hyatt have been longtime supporters of Shatterproof and its mission to end the addiction crisis, Shatterproof said. Recently, Hyatt served as the presenting sponsor for Shatterproof's annual walk in Chicago, the city where Hyatt is headquartered. the upcoming event aims to generate funds supporting Shatterproof's initiatives to reshape how addiction is treated in America. In 2023, Hyatt and more than 60 hospitality companies sponsored the event in solidarity with Shatterproof's mission and its founder and CEO, Gary Mendell-a former hotelier and chairman of HEI Hotels & Resorts, according to Shatterproof. Moreover, the event raised more than $2 million, contributing to solutions for addiction and addressing the public health crisis in the U.S.

A BALLOT MEASURE in Los Angeles that would have required hotels in the city to house the homeless along with paying guests has been officially withdrawn from consideration. However, the Los Angeles City Council also passed an ordinance to replace the ballot measure that some local hoteliers also protest its passage. the ballot measure, sponsored by Unite Here Local 11 hospitality workers union, would have required hotels to house homeless voucher holders with regular guests, spurring protests by AAHOA, the American Hotel & Lodging Association and others. Last week, Unite Here agreed to withdraw that ballot measure, which was going to go before voters in March. Also last week, the council approved the Responsible Hotel Ordinance to replace the ballot measure and that would allow hotels to voluntarily make vacant rooms available for interim housing for the homeless. It also would require developers of new hotel properties to obtain a conditional use permit through a public review of the proposed development's impact on the existing housing supply and to replace any housing that would be demolished or otherwise lost in the neighborhood.

U.S. HOTEL PERFORMANCE remained relatively flat during the third week of January, according to STR. Tampa, Florida, led the top 25 markets in terms of occupancy. Occupancy was 48.7 percent for the week ending Jan. 22, and it was 48.8 percent the week before. It was down 15.9 percent from the comparable week in 2019. ADR was $122.17 for the week, almost same as the week before at $122.12 and down 1.4 percent from two years ago. RevPAR reached $59.52, it was $59.57 the prior week and down 17.1 percent from the same period two years ago. None of STR's to 25 markets recorded an occupancy increase during the period compared to two years ago. Tampa came closest to its pre-pandemic comparable in the third week, down just 1.7 percent to 72.1 percent. It also posted the largest ADR rise, up 14 percent to $151.74. the only RevPAR increase was also registered at Tampa, up 12 percent to $109.39.

DEMAND FOR U.S. extended-stay hotels in the fourth quarter of 2021 was more than five times greater than supply, resulting in overall occupancy just below its 2019 peak, according to the Highland Group. December's monthly report from the group also showed the segment to be firmly in recovery. According to the research consulting firm's "U.S. Extended-stay Hotels: Fourth quarter 2021" report, the bottom up recovery continues with economy and mid-price extended-stay hotels in the fourth quarter posting record nominal average rate and RevPAR. Demand in the fourth quarter is at a record high and room revenues are almost 97 percent of their nominal high reached during the same period in 2019, the report said. Occupancy and ADR remain 4 to 5 percentage points off previous high levels but should pick up in the near term as the demand change was six times the corresponding change in supply, it added.

U.S. HOTEL PERFORMANCE dropped in the first week of June compared to the week before due to the expected slowdown following the Memorial Day holiday, according to STR. However, ADR increased for the week compared to 2019. Occupancy was 63.2 percent for the week ending June 4, down from 66.5 percent the week before and dropped 12.1 percent from 2019. ADR was $147.35 for the week, down from $151.73 the week before and up 11.3 percent from three years ago. RevPAR reached $93.16 during the week, decreased from $100.97 the week before and dropped 2.2 percent from 2019. None of STR's top 25 markets showed an occupancy increase over 2019 during the post Memorial Day week. Orlando came closest to its pre-pandemic levels, down just 2.5 percent to 68.9 percent, and Miami posted the largest ADR gain, up 37.8 percent to $209.55.

THE BAIRD/STR HOTEL Stock Index rose again in April, continuing a trend THE index has followed for THE past four months. Investors' optimism is driven by THE travel industry's ongoing recovery due to pent-up demand that is overriding negative influences, such as THE Russia/Ukraine war and rising interest rates. Baird/STR went up 0.7 percent during THE month, according to STR. THE index rose 3.1 percent over THE first four months of 2022. In March it increased 2.2 percent in March after rising 4.1 percent in February. THE index also surpassed both THE S&P 500, which dropped 8.8 percent in April, and THE MSCI US REIT Index, which went down 4.6 percent. THE hotel brand sub-index rose 0.5 percent from March, while THE hotel REIT sub-index jumped up 1.5 percent.

A CHANGING OF the guard is taking place at Marriott International as chairmanship of the company transitions from J.W. "Bill" Marriott Jr. to his son David Marriott. the senior Marriott has led the company for more than 60 years. Marriott announced the change in February. J.W. spent his high school and college years working in a variety of positions in the family's Hot Shoppes restaurant chain. He became a full-time associate in 1956, and soon afterward began overseeing the first Marriott hotel. He became president of the company in 1964 and CEO in 1972, a role he held for 40 years before stepping down in 2012. He was elected chairman of the board in 1985. "On behalf of the board and the hundreds of thousands of people who wear a Marriott name badge around the world, I'd like to thank Mr. Marriott for his outstanding leadership throughout his tenure with the company. He is truly an industry icon," Anthony Capuano, Marriot's CEO.

THE NEW JERSEY legislature is considering legislation that would strengTHEn protections for franchise businesses in THE state, including hotels. AAHOA recently visited THE state's capital to express its support for THE bill. Assembly Bill 1958 would make changes to THE New Jersey Franchise Practices Act that could benefit THE hospitality industry, AAHOA said in a statement. Specifically, THE changes include restricting non-competes for longer than six months; prohibiting requiring a relocation or capital investment greater than $25,000 more than once every five years unless hotel franchisers can establish a return on THE investment; requiring a franchiser that receives "any rebate, commission, kickback, services, oTHEr consideration or anything of value" to fully disclose THEm to THE franchisee and turn THEm over to THE franchisee; putting restrictions on mandatory sourcing of goods or resources; and prohibiting suspending, restricting or preventing access to franchise services. Several AAHOA representatives attended a hearing at THE New Jersey State Assembly on May 12 to support THE bill. THEy included AAHOA's Mid Atlantic Regional Director Mahendra "MZ" Patel, Past Chair Bhavesh Patel and Laura Lee Blake, THE association's recently appointed president and CEO.

STONEBRIDGE COS. HAS acquired the Le Méridien New Orleans hotel for $84 million from Park Hotels & Resorts Inc. It is the second acquisition in the city in 12 months for the Denver-based company, started by CEO Navin Dimond. the 410-room, full-service upscale hotel on Poydras Street is near the city's French Quarter, Bourbon Street and Warehouse Arts District. Also nearby are the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, Mercedes-Benz Superdome, Smoothie King Center and the Port of New Orleans Cruise Ship Terminal. Amenities include a rooftop pool, onsite restaurants and more than 13,000 square feet of event space. With the new purchase, Stonebridge's portfolio stands at 63 hotels and more than 10,000 guest rooms, including select-service, extended-stay, mid-scale and full-service hotels in several states. It is the first Le Méridien hotel for the company, Dimond said. "Last year we purchased the Embassy Suites by Hilton New Orleans," Dimond said. "New Orleans is truly a great American city, and the Le Méridien is ideally located for both leisure and business travelers alike visiting downtown New Orleans."

THE U.S. LED THE global hotel construction pipeline in THE fourth quarter of 2021, according to Lodging Econometrics. THE global pipeline decreased 1 percent by projects during THE period. THE U.S. accounted for 35 percent of global construction pipeline with 4,814 hotels containing 581,953 rooms out of 13,770 projects containing 2,304,386 rooms in THE global pipeline. THE U.S. was followed by China at 27 percent of THE global pipeline, and THE two countries togeTHEr account for 62 percent of all global projects, LE said in its latest trend report. During THE fourth quarter, China's construction pipeline reached a new all-time high with 3,693 projects containing 700,567 rooms. This is followed by THE UK with 313 hotels containing 48,770 rooms, Indonesia with 304 projects with 48,175 rooms, and Germany with 277 hotel projects with 48,827 rooms, THE report said.