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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."

AS MANY AS 60 percent of Americans are likely to stay in hotels this year, more than last year, according to two surveys commissioned by the American Hotel & Lodging Association. The survey findings apply to business and leisure travelers, with most saying they are travelling as much as or more than they did pre-pandemic. Hotels are the top lodging choice among travelers for business and leisure in the next three months, the new national Hotel Booking Index survey research commissioned by AHLA and conducted by Morning Consult has revealed. According to the surveys, conducted on Dec. 16 to 19 and Dec. 28 to Jan. 2, 52 percent of adults would choose to stay in hotels in the next three months, while 76 percent of potential business travelers would be most likely to stay in a hotel during the same period. Besides, business travelers indicate that nearly 70 percent of their employers have either returned to the pre-pandemic normal or increased amounts of business travel. The survey said that 51 percent of business travelers said that share of employees expected or encouraged to travel for work is now the same as before the pandemic, while another 20 percent said it's more than before. About 53 percent of business travelers said that the average length of business trips is now the same as before the pandemic, while another 20 percent said it's more than before.

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.

U.S. HOTEL PERFORMANCE dropped in the fifth week of September as expected with the Rosh Hashanah holiday, according to STR. ADR and RevPAR were up during the week when compared to 2019, but occupancy was down. Occupancy was 66.4 percent for the week ending Oct. 1, down from 70 percent the week before and decreased 2.4 percent from 2019. ADR was $149.71 for the week, dropped from $157.99 the week before and increased 15.7 percent from three years ago. RevPAR reached $99.36 during the week, down from $110.60 the week before and up 12.9 percent from 2019. According to STR, there was demand shifts in the southeast region due to Hurricane Ian besides the Rosh Hashanah impact on business travel and groups.