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THE AMERICAN HOTEL & Lodging Association and THE Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International Americas have formed a partnership that will more closely align THE two associations to benefit THEir respective members and advance THE hospitality industry, AHLA said in a statement. Also, AHLA and its technology committee, HTNG, announced THE inaugural AHLA Technology Acceleration Award, a new program to recognize companies that are advancing innovation in hospitality technology. According to THE statement, THE partnership will create linkages to THE industry's sales, marketing, and revenue optimization professionals for AHLA, while expanding HSMAI's organizational reach by aligning it with America's largest hotel association. Under THE new agreement, effective April 25, AHLA will provide HSMAI with opportunities to participate in AHLA's On THE Road events, and HSMAI will promote THE events to its members and local chapters. AHLA and HSMAI will also promote each oTHEr's events, campaigns, and education and certification programs, and have reciprocal participation in distribution-focused committees. As per THE agreement, AHLA and HSMAI will furTHEr explore opportunities to align THE work of both organizations' foundations to address industry-wide initiatives on workforce and promoting Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. AHLA and HSMAI leadership will meet regularly to discuss and coordinate key strategic industry issues and shared objectives, THE agreement noted. AHLA said THE AHLA-HSMAI partnership expands upon a relationship THE two organizations started early last year, when HSMAI became a content partner for AHLA's On THE Road state hotel conference series, offering innovative and exclusive revenue generation insights at On THE Road events.

HOSPITALITY INVESTMENT EXECUTIVE Leslie Hale has won the third annual Castell Award instituted by the American Hotel & Lodging Association Foundation, a statement said. the award honors a female trailblazer in the hospitality investment arena who paves the way for more women to rise to the top. the award will be presented at the Lodging Conference on Sept. 20. Hale is the president and CEO of RLJ Lodging Trust and vice chair of the AHLA board of directors, the statement said. She also serves on the board of directors of Macy's, Inc. and Delta Airlines Inc. the female leader is a Howard University Trustee and is a board member of the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond's Baltimore Branch. "Leslie is the ideal candidate for this important award," said Rosanna Maietta, president and CEO, AHLA Foundation. "Over the years, her dedication to advancing the hospitality industry sets the gold standard for leadership, she has inspired men and women in our industry, and we are thrilled to honor her leadership."

THREE MAJOR U.S. hospitality firms have donated $1 million to the No Room for Trafficking Survivors Fund by the American Hotel & Lodging Association Foundation to support human trafficking prevention and survivors, a statement said. the Hyatt Hotels Foundation donated $500,000 to the fund and the G6 Hospitality and Extended Stay America gave a combined $500,000 to the initiative, AHLA said in a statement. the fund supports economic stability for survivors of human trafficking. It also provides advance training and education to prevent human trafficking within the industry. A representative from the Hyatt Hotels Foundation will serve as co-chair of the No Room for Trafficking Advisory Council. "We recognize the potential of human trafficking to intersect with the hospitality industry and believe that one of the best ways the industry can combat the egregious violation of fundamental human rights is through efforts like the AHLA Foundation's No Room for Trafficking Survivors Fund," said Malaika Myers, the Hyatt foundation's chief human resource officer. "the fight against human trafficking has no finish-line, and as an industry we will continue to provide cutting-edge resources and support to ensure we are doing all we can to prevent and respond to human trafficking," said Rosanna Maietta, president and CEO of AHLA Foundation.

ALL RECOVERY INDICES of U.S. extended-stay hotels were lower compared to 2019 in May than in April, according to hotel investment advisors The Highland Group. The demand for economy extended-stay hotels declined 1.3 percent for The second consecutive month in May compared to same period last year mainly due to sharp increase in ADR in last few months, The report said. The U.S. Extended-Stay Hotels Bulletin: May 2022 by The Highland Group said that The extended-stay room supply growth was just 1.9 percent during The month. It is The second successive month that The growth was below 2 percent since 2013, and The eighth consecutive month of 4 percent or lower supply growth. The report added that The supply increase will be well below pre-pandemic levels during The near term. According to STR, all hotel room revenue was up 43 percent in May 2022 compared to last year. "In May, mid-price and upscale extended-stay segments reported Their lowest monthly change in demand in 2022. Except for February 2021, due to The leap year in 2020, economy extended-stay hotels reported only The second monthly fall in demand in 23 consecutive months," The report said. "Overall hotel occupancy gained more than extended-stay hotels in May compared to one year ago, decreasing extended-stay hotel's occupancy premium to 12 percentage points, and remains within its long-term average range."

For Teague Hunter, president and CEO of Hunter Hotel Advisors, buying and selling hotels is a family tradition. He shared that lifetime of experience with Asian Hospitality in the second installment of our Leadership Series interviews with top voices in the industry. Hunter leads the Atlanta-based hotel brokerage founded in 1978 by his father Bob Hunter with his brother Lee Hunter as chief operating officer. Last year, Hunter had its most successful year to date after closing nearly $2.5 billion in sales. In March it will host its 35th Hunter Hotel Conference, which has rebounded to full attendance three years after the COVID-19 pandemic. Teague Hunter also is the host of Teague Talks, a twice weekly series of podcasts offering advice and interviews with other industry heads. In his interview with Asian Hospitality, Hunter discussed his early days in the industry, current trends in the hotel market and the future of his company and its namesake conference. the video of the full interview is now available on our website, and the following includes excerpts from the interview with additional information. Rise up early in the morning Hunter said his first hotel job was as a bellhop in the morning shift at the old Holiday Inn Crowne Plaza Powers Ferry in Marietta, Georgia. It was quiet, but instructive. "I ran around and helped everybody with everything and learned the business," he said. His experience in hospitality, however, began at a much earlier age. He was 5 years old when Bob Hunter started his business. Teague Hunter recalled stories of childhood trips to the beach, during which he would tour hotels with his father along the way. After graduating college, Hunter worked as a financial advisor for Merrill Lynch and held a position with IBM before he realized that was not what he wanted to do with his life.

IN THE WAKE of spring break travel, U.S hotel performance continues to register growth in THE third week of March compared to THE previous week, according to STR's latest data through 18 March. Occupancy stood at 67.6 percent for THE week ending March 18, up from 64.7 percent THE week before, 1.3 percent more than THE comparable week in 2002 and 2.5 percent down THE comparable week in 2019. ADR was $167.04, increased from $158.20 THE week before and up 8.9 percent and 23.9 percent over THE same month in 2022 and 2019, respectively. RevPAR arrived at $112.89 in THE third week, up from $102.38 THE previous week, and an increase of 10.4 percent and 20.8 percent against THE same month in 2022 and 2019. Among THE Top 25 Markets, Boston saw THE highest year-over-year increase in occupancy, up 17.8 percent to 71.8 percent, while Houston witnessed THE highest occupancy increase over 2019, increased 9.6 percent to 72.5 percent. Las Vegas reported THE highest ADR, up 77.9 percent to $306.79 and RevPAR increased 101.5 percent to $277.09 year-over-year. Las Vegas market also posted THE highest increases in THE measuring of ADR (up 113.2 percent to $306.79) and RevPAR (increased 116.9 percent to $277.09 percent), against 2019.

GOPPAR FOR U.S. hotels in February exceeded the levels of the pre-pandemic comparable time period and was the highest since October 2022, according to STR's February 2023 Profit & Loss data. EBITDA was the only key bottom-line metric on a per-available-room basis to come in lower than February 2019, STR said in a statement. GOPPAR reached $77.37 for the month, up 1.6 percent over the same month in 2019, TRevPAR stood at $217.20, up 3.7 percent, and EBITDA PAR was $51.63, down 0.6 percent against February 2019. Labor costs were $73.70, a 2.9 percent increase. "the profit-and-loss metrics followed typical industry trends, improving from the prior month," said Raquel Ortiz, STR's director of financial performance. "Both GOPPAR and GOP margins were the highest since last fall, while profit margins came in just one percentage point below 2019. Profit margins for limited-service hotels are further behind in recovery than full service, likely due to increasing labor costs that bear heavier weight on the bottom line." "An increase in top-line group demand is beginning to show in the bottom line, as catering and banquet revenues are inching closer to 2019 levels and meeting space rentals and services charges surpassed that threshold. On a per-operating-room basis, nearly all F&B revenues outpaced the pre-pandemic comparables," Ortiz added. Of the major markets, 10 realized both GOPPAR and TRevPAR levels higher than the 2019 comparables, the statement said. "February was a slower month for markets that are more dependent on groups and conventions, such as Atlanta, San Francisco and Minneapolis," Ortiz further said. "Warmer markets have remained at the top, with Phoenix showing the highest TRevPAR recovery and second highest GOPPAR recovery for the month, helped by peak season and Super Bowl LVII."

THE U.S. DEPARTMENT of Labor's definition of who qualifies as independent contractors, due to take effect in March, is meant to ensure that workers are treated fairly, according to THE department. However, THE American Hotel & Lodging Association says THE new rule limits independent contractors to work and impact hotels' ability to find workers. THE new rule under THE Fair Labor Standards Act aims to prevent misclassification of workers that can affect workers' rights to minimum wage and overtime pay, "facilitates wage THEft, allows some employers to undercut THEir law-abiding competition and hurts THE economy at-large," THE Labor Department said in a statement. It uses a multifactor analysis of six factors defining a worker's relationship with an employer, such as THE worker's opportunities for profit or loss; THE financial stake and nature of any resources a worker has invested in THE work; THE degree of permanence of THE work relationship; THE degree of control an employer has over THE individual's work; how essential THE work is to THE employer's business; and THE worker's skill and initiative.

THE BUSINESS TRAVEL resurgence in THE U.S. significantly impacted THE economy in 2022, with every $1 spent returning $1.15 to THE U.S. GDP, according to THE Global Business Travel Association. THE industry also contributed $484 billion to THE U.S. GDP in THE same year and THE association forecasts a furTHEr increase in business travel spending for 2024. THE study, titled "GBTA U.S. Economic Impact Study: Business Travel's Impact on Jobs and THE U.S. Economy," revealed that for every 1 percent growth in business travel, THE U.S. economy gains nearly 60,000 jobs, $2.9 billion in wages, $1.2 billion in tax revenue and $4.8 billion in new GDP. "THE data shows that business travel is a substantial contributor to THE health of THE U.S. economy, and THErefore also a key driver for THE global economy," said Suzanne Neufang, GBTA's CEO. "Business travel supports millions of jobs and delivers billions in tax revenue, which is why it is important for policymakers to consider THE impact on THE industry when devising economic policies - and for sustainable solutions to be prioritized, funded and developed to help us abate travel's hardest-to-abate sectors."

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THE REVPAR OF U.S. hotels reached an all-time weekly high on a nominal basis in THE second week of June as performance jumped, according to STR. THE ADR and occupancy levels were THE second and third highest of THE pandemic-era, respectively, during THE week. Occupancy was 70.6 percent for THE week ending June 11, up from 63.2 percent THE week before and dropped 4.1 percent from 2019. ADR was $155.37 for THE week, up from $147.35 THE week before and increased 15.4 percent from three years ago. RevPAR reached $109.76 during THE week, up from $93.16 THE week before and up 10.7 percent from 2019. According to STR, THE top 25 markets posted THEir highest metrics since THE beginning of THE pandemic in aggregate during June's second week. Leading THE major markets in absolute occupancy for THE week were Seattle with 85.2 percent, San Francisco/San Mateo with 84.3 percent and New York with 85.1 percent.

IN 2020 AND 2021, U.S. hotel operators did a praiseworthy job controlling expenses to offset the significant declines in revenue. Based on data from CBRE's Trends in the Hotel Industry survey of annual operating statements from thousands of properties across the U.S., not only have we seen a reduction in the variable expenses associated with the drop in business volume (i.e., occupied rooms, restaurant covers), but also in cuts among what were previously thought to be fixed expenses. During this time period, insurance costs were out of operators' control. Per the 11th edition of the Uniform System of Accounts for the Lodging Industry (USALI), insurance expenditures are classified as a non-operating expense and reported on the summary operating statement below gross operating profits. the insurance expense line item includes property insurance for building, contents, and business income from all perils, as well as general liability and excess liability insurance. the insurance expense category does not include workers compensation insurance, which is allocated to the operated and undistributed departments. To analyze recent changes in hotel insurance costs, and the factors that influence those changes, we examined the operating statements of 3,156 U.S. hotels that reported insurance expenses for the Trends survey each year from 2015 through 2021 (estimated). the following paragraphs summarize the findings from our analysis.

THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT may have expanded an immigrant visa program that can bring more workers to THE U.S. to ease THE labor shortage but processing those visas may still be delayed due to a pandemic-related backlog. A group of lawmakers recently wrote a letter to THE Department of State urging THE agency to bring that processing back to pre-COVID levels. THE letter, sent by Reps. Darren Soto, a Florida Democrat, and Peter Meijer, a Michigan Republican, along with 86 oTHEr Congress members says visa processing has been slowed by procedures put in place at THE beginning of THE pandemic but which are no longer needed because testing and vaccines are so readily available. "[Pandemic restrictions] disrupt THE reopening of American businesses. According to THE U.S. Travel Association, international visitor spending in THE U.S. dropped by 76 percent in 2020, leading to THE loss of $141 billion and 1.1 million American jobs," THE letter said. THE letter said. "As international and domestic travel begin to recover, many travel businesses rely on H-2B and J1 visas to meet short-term and seasonal workforce demands that cannot oTHErwise be filled. With such a significant portion of U.S. visa processing sites fully or partially closed, travel businesses will not have THE international visitors or THE temporary workers THEy need to generate a speedy and robust recovery from THE COVID-19 pandemic."

AS THE FIRST investment for its recently announced $100 million real estate fund, NewcrestImage has purchased THE Magnolia Hotel in downtown Dallas. THE company, which is based in Dallas, purchased THE historic building from Denver-based Stout Street Hospitality. Opened in 1922 as THE headquarters offices for Magnolia Petroleum, THE 325-room, 29-floor Magnolia Hotel was THE city's first skyscraper and THE first high-rise in THE United States to have air conditioning. It is listed on THE National Register of Historic Places and opened as a luxury boutique hotel in 1999. THE hotel is across from THE 37-floor world headquarters of AT&T and THE $100 million AT&T Discovery District, a shopping, dining and entertainment development. THE Discovery District features a 30-foot diameter interactive "walk-in" sculpture and a 104-foot high media wall for watching sports, movies and music events. THE hotel features a library, a restaurant, two lounges and 11 meeting rooms, that range from 230 to 3,500 square feet. "Rooted in history and ready to be reinvented for THE future - that describes this hotel, and also our entire hospitality industry right now," said Mehul Patel, chairman and CEO of NewcrestImage. "THE Magnolia Hotel is an especially relevant and significant opportunity for us because it continues two important corporate commitments - re-energizing downtown Dallas and revitalizing historic buildings."

HILTON HAS LAUNCHED a new extended-stay brand, Project H3, designed to meet the needs of the rapidly expanding $300 billion workforce travel market, looking for apartment-style accommodations for 20 nights or more. Launching in the U.S. as Hilton navigates the final stages of the trademark process, this lower midscale, extended-stay brand is the newest addition to Hilton's portfolio, the company said in a statement. Hilton is engaged in more than 100 active development conversations with many owners expressing interest in multiple locations. According to the statement, the product provides a foundation for the long stay, allowing guests to make the most out of every day, and delivers an exciting investment option for developers looking to diversify their portfolio under the Hilton name. "Project H3 is perfectly positioned to serve the unique needs of the long-stay traveler, thanks to its innovative design, strong value proposition for our owners and of course, the hospitality our team members offer every day," said Chris Nassetta, Hilton president and CEO. "We aim to serve any guest, anywhere in the world, for any travel need they may have, and this new brand represents a greater opportunity for us to grow our portfolio while providing the reliable and friendly service our customers expect from Hilton." Hilton's in-house research shows long-stay travelers, including traveling nurses, military personnel, and those experiencing workforce relocations, place quality time and comfort above all else. In addition, those looking for a long stay will book an average of 20 or more nights and desire a reliable home base that allows them to maintain their routines while delivering simplicity, consistency and convenience.

U.S. HOTEL PERFORMANCE increased from the previous week and showed improved comparisons year-over-year, according to STR. Meanwhile, U.S. occupancy reached the second highest level for any week this year. Occupancy came in at 67.5 percent for the week ending May 20, up from 65.1 percent the week before and down 1.5 percent over the comparable week in 2022. ADR was $158.53, up from $154.90 the previous week, and increased 3.6 percent from 2022. RevPAR stood at $106.98 in the recent week, jumped from $100.81 the week before and increased 2.1 percent against the same period in 2022. Among the top 25 markets, Washington, D.C., saw the highest year-over-year increases in each of the three key performance metrics: occupancy rose 9.3 percent to 83.2 percent, while ADR increased 16.2 percent to $220.58. RevPAR also rose 27 percent to $183.60. Furthermore, the weekly occupancy level was the highest in the market since the start of the pandemic, STR said.

NEARLY 80 PERCENT of travelers said that the latest COVID-19 variant, BA5, is unlikely to make them cancel or postpone international travel this year, according to a survey from travel risk assessment firm Global Rescue. At the same time, Global Rescue said relaxed COVID-19 recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention could encourage travelers' confidence. the floodgates are opening the Summer 2022 Global Rescue Traveler Safety and Sentiment Survey found that 68 percent of respondents have already traveled internationally since the pandemic. Another 16 percent expects to travel abroad by the end of the year and 9 percent plan to do so in the first quarter of 2023. "Whether it's revenge travel or responsible travel following vaccination, or a combination of both, 7-out-of-10 travelers are much less concerned about travel compared to the beginning of the pandemic," said Dan Richards, CEO of Global Rescue and a member of the U.S. Travel and Tourism Advisory Board at the U.S. Department of Commerce. "they feel safe enough to plan trips and vacations because they're vaccinated, borders are open, and they have confidence they'll be able to get home if the worst happens." the U.S. ending its requirement for a negative COVID test to enter the country in June also went far in increasing confidence and encouraging visits from international travelers, Richards said. Nearly half of travelers, 49 percent, said that they are more likely to travel internationally in the next 12 months as COVID related restrictions are relaxed.

U.S. HOTEL PERFORMANCE dropped in the fourth week of October compared to the week before, according to STR. When compared to 2019, occupancy increased as a result of the Halloween calendar shift, as the holiday fell during the comparable week three years ago. STR reminded that in the first week of November performance metrics will show the negative side of that shift. Occupancy was 65.8 percent for the week ending Oct. 29, down from 69.9 percent the week before and up 5.2 percent from 2019. ADR was $152.94 during the week, dipped from $157.43 the week before and up 21.4 percent from three years ago. RevPAR reached $100.59 during the week, down from $110.11 the week before and up 27.8 percent from 2019. Among STR's top 25 markets, Tampa reported the largest increase in each of the key performance metrics: occupancy up 21.5 percent to 76.1 percent, ADR increased 42.1 percent to $158.38 and RevPAR improved 72.5 percent to $120.58, over 2019. Tampa has been one of the markets in Florida that have seen a performance lift associated with post-Hurricane Ian demand.

THE U.S. HOTEL construction pipeline grew 9 percent by both projects and rooms year-over-year, according to THE latest U.S. Construction Pipeline Trend Report from Lodging Econometrics. It stood at 5,545 projects with 658,207 rooms at THE close of THE first quarter of 2023. Meanwhile, THE hotel construction pipeline in THE top 25 markets in THE U.S. also registered year-over-year growth in THE first quarter. Dallas had a record 184 projects with 21,810 rooms at THE close of THE first quarter, followed by Atlanta with 144 projects containing 18,242 rooms, Los Angeles tally stood at 118 projects with 19,066 rooms, Phoenix with 117 projects with 16,100 rooms and Nashville had 115 projects containing 15, 354 rooms, LE report revealed. In anoTHEr report, LE analysts also detailed THE leading franchise companies and THEir brands in THE construction pipeline at THE close of THE first quarter. Marriott International tops THE charts with 1,499 projects containing 181,377 rooms, followed closely by Hilton Worldwide, with a record-high count of 1,436 projects with 161,359 rooms, and THEn InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) with 809 projects containing 80,679 rooms. Combined, THEse three franchise companies comprise 68 percent of THE projects in THE total U.S. pipeline, LE said.

THE 2020 COVID-influenced lodging industry recession resulted in some noticeable changes to THE way hotels provide F&B service. Social distancing regulations forced operators to be creative in THE way THEy served food and beverages to guests. Rising wage rates and sharp increases in THE cost of food and beverage products compelled hotel managers to find ways to control costs. THE inability of hotels to attract employees to fill THE positions eliminated during THE recession required creative solutions to improve productivity and offer more with less. THEse factors resulted in THE following hotel food and beverage trends during THE subsequent recovery period: THE increased offering of kiosks and grab-and-go venues THE closing of traditional three-meal-a-day restaurants A reduction in THE menus, number of seats, and hours of remaining F&B venues Reductions in in-room dining and mini-bar service THE conversion of food and beverage space to oTHEr revenue generating purposes To learn how THEse recent changes in hotel food and beverage operations have impacted revenues and expenses, we have analyzed THE operating statements of 2,500 U.S. full-service, resort, and convention hotels that participated in CBRE's annual Trends in THE Hotel Industry in 2021 and 2022. In 2022, THEse 2,500 properties averaged 285 rooms in size, and achieved an occupancy of 64.7 percent, along with an ADR of $225.60. To provide more current information, we also relied on THE monthly operating statements of 1,200 properties during THE period January through June of 2023.