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APPROXIMATELY 72 PERCENT of Americans are set to either maintain or increase their hotel stays in 2024 compared to 2023, according to a recent survey by American Hotel & Lodging Association. Over the next four months, around 53 percent plan overnight leisure travel, and 32 percent anticipate overnight business travel. Moreover, hotels continue to be the preferred lodging choice, with 71 percent of likely business travelers and 50 percent of likely leisure travelers favoring them. Despite a positive outlook for hoteliers, the survey, commissioned by AHLA and conducted by Morning Consult, found that inflation is preventing hotels and other travel-related businesses from reaching their full potential. Americans favor hotel stays Approximately 51 percent of respondents plan overnight travel for a family trip in the next four months, with 39 percent expressing a likelihood to stay in a hotel, the survey said. For a romantic getaway, around 38 percent are likely to travel overnight, of which 60 percent anticipate staying in a hotel.

U.S. HOTEL PERFORMANCE exhibited mixed results in the third week of April compared to the previous week, according to CoStar. Key metrics such as occupancy and ADR saw slight increases, while RevPAR declined from the preceding week. Occupancy rose to 66.8 percent for the week ending April 20, up from the previous week's 65.8 percent, but marked a 0.3 percent year-over-year decrease. ADR dropped to $158.60 from $160.20, a 1.5 percent increase compared to last year. RevPAR climbed to $105.94 from $105.48 the prior week, showing a 1.2 percent rise compared to the same period in 2023. Among the top 25 markets, Philadelphia saw the most significant year-over-year occupancy surge, soaring by 14.3 percent to reach 72.1 percent, while RevPAR also notably increased by 23.2 percent to $114.11.

TOURISTS ARE PROJECTED to maintain or increase their travel spending in 2024 compared to the previous year, according to American Express Travel's "2024 Global Travel Trends Report". Approximately 84 percent of respondents from countries including the U.S., Australia, Canada, India, Japan, Mexico, and the U.K. anticipate spending the same or more, with 77 percent prioritizing the quality of their travel experience over cost considerations. "Travelers are focused on creating the right itineraries and building memories, whether that means booking a trip to see a favorite sports team compete or taking a once-in-a-lifetime expedition cruise," said Audrey Hendley, American Express Travel's president. "Our 'Global Travel Trends Report' sheds light on what is driving global travel bookings and provides inspiration for where to go next." About 65 percent of respondents express greater interest in embarking on a major trip in 2024 compared to previous years, the report said. Additionally, 72 percent prefer saving money for a major trip over spending it on social outings with friends. More than half of respondents intend to save for a major trip over a span of six months to two years.

MORE THAN TWO-THIRDS of hotels are struggling with staffing shortages, leading hoteliers to offer increased pay and a variety of incentives to attract and retain talent, according to a new survey conducted by the American Hotel & Lodging Association. In response, AHLA is calling on Congress to take action. Around 82 percent of respondents have increased wages in the last six months, reaching a record high average for hotels in December 2023, according to the survey. Additionally, 59 percent are offering greater flexibility with hours, and 33 percent are expanding benefits. Despite these efforts, 72 percent said they are still unable to fill open positions. Approximately 67 percent of survey respondents reported a staffing shortage, with 12 percent describing it as "severely understaffed," impacting their operations, the survey said. Housekeeping emerges as the most critical need, cited by 48 percent as their top hiring priority. These figures mark an improvement from May 2023 when 82 percent reported staffing shortages.

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 PERFORMANCE dropped in the first week of July compared to the previous week due to Independence Day on July 4, according to CoStar. Key metrics, including occupancy, ADR, and RevPAR, saw declines over the prior week. Occupancy was 61.3 percent for the week ending July 6, down from 71.9 percent the previous week, showing a 0.9 percent year-over-year decrease. ADR dropped to $157.27 from $162.81, marking a 0.5 percent increase compared to last year. RevPAR fell to $96.35 from $117.13 the previous week, reflecting a 0.4 percent decrease compared to the same period in 2023. Among the top 25 markets, New Orleans saw the highest year-over-year increases in each of the three key performance metrics: occupancy rose 15.5 percent to 56.6 percent, ADR increased 35.1 percent to $197.23 and RevPAR grew 56.1 percent to $111.72.

THE U.S. HOTEL industry reported higher performance in the second week of July compared to the previous week, but lower year-over-year results, according to CoStar. The first hurricane of the season impacted one top 25 market. Occupancy climbed to 69.2 percent for the week ending July 13, up from 61.3 percent the previous week, but down 3.7 percent year-over-year. ADR increased to $158.21 from $157.27, marking a 1.5 percent decline compared to last year. RevPAR increased to $109.51 from $96.35 the previous week, reflecting a 5.2 percent decrease from the same period in 2023. Among the top 25 markets, Houston recorded the highest year-over-year increases in key performance metrics: occupancy rose 13.4 percent to 72.2 percent, ADR increased 22.4 percent to $137.17, and RevPAR grew 38.8 percent to $98.97. The market's performance was impacted by Hurricane Beryl.

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