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APPROXIMATELY 43.8 MILLION Americans will travel 50 miles or more from home, surpassing pre-pandemic figures, according to a forecast by AAA. This represents a 4 percent increase from last year and approaches the 2005 record of 44 million Memorial Day weekend travelers. A record 38.4 million are expected to drive, marking the highest number since AAA began tracking in 2000. "We haven't seen Memorial Day weekend travel numbers like these in almost 20 years," said Paula Twidale, AAA Travel's senior vice president. "We're projecting an additional one million travelers this holiday weekend compared to 2019, which not only means we're exceeding pre-pandemic levels but also signals a very busy summer travel season ahead." The number of drivers this year is up 4 percent compared to last year and 1.9 percent higher than in 2019, the auto club said. Traveling by car is appealing for many people because of the convenience and flexibility it provides.

WHITESTONE CAPITAL RECENTLY partnered with PJD Capital to purchase the 152-room Holiday Inn East Mountain in Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania, marking the first joint venture between the two real estate companies. Whitestone Capital, a division of Whitestone Companies, is led by CEO Jay Batra, while PJD Capital is headed by CEO Prakash Datwani. The Holiday Inn East Mountain features 152 guestrooms and more than 6,000 square feet of event space, the companies said in a joint statement. "We are excited about our new partnership with PJD Capital to reposition this property into a product the Wilkes Barre community has been craving," said Batra. "We expect the transformation to happen in two phases, with the first phase starting later this year. The property will be converted to a very select class of DoubleTree Hotels. A DoubleTree in name, driven by the power of Hilton, but not a typical DoubleTree. This property will feel more like a soft brand with design centered around a community-focused, light resort feel."

HILTON WORLDWIDE HOLDINGS posted a net income of $268 million in the first quarter of 2024. System-wide comparable RevPAR rose by 2 percent on a currency neutral basis, compared to the first quarter of 2023. The company's fee-based business model and development efforts contributed to its performance, with steady momentum in signings, starts and openings, indicating a healthy pipeline. The company said it can continue building momentum in the near future, based on the growth trajectory observed thus far. "We are pleased to report a strong first quarter with bottom-line results meaningfully exceeding our expectations, further demonstrating the power of our resilient, fee-based business model and strong development story," said Christopher Nassetta, Hilton's president and CEO. "During the first quarter, system-wide RevPAR increased 2 percent as renovations, inclement weather and unfavorable holiday shifts weighed on performance more than anticipated."

U.S. HOTEL PERFORMANCE dipped in the final week of April, as anticipated leading up to the Easter holiday, according to CoStar. Key metrics including occupancy, ADR, and RevPAR declined compared to the previous week, with year-on-year figures also showing a decrease. Occupancy fell to 62.3 percent for the week ending March 30, down from the previous week's 65.3 percent, marking a 5.6 percent year-over-year decrease. ADR dropped to $157.14 from $162.28, reflecting a 0.7 percent decline compared to last year. RevPAR stood at $97.83, down from $106.01 the previous week, indicating a 6.3 percent dip compared to the same period in 2023. Among the top 25 markets, New York City saw significant year-over-year growth across all three key performance metrics: occupancy surged by 13.2 percent to 88.2 percent, ADR rose by 14.1 percent to $285.98, and RevPAR increased by 29.1 percent to $252.18.

The foundation for Rip Patel's interest in hotel franchise development was laid in his teen years. Patel, appointed in January as G6 Hospitality's vice president for franchise development, shares that story in this month's Leadership Series. When he was almost 16 years old, Patel and his family were developing their first franchise hotel, a Holiday Inn Express. As part of the process, they had to undergo an inspection by the franchise representative. "I just remember being so nervous and all the family being nervous. This was kind of a make it or break it for us," Patel said. "He came in and just went through everything while we're just sweating, and everything worked out. I always remembered and appreciated that particular meeting, and I thought that's something that I definitely want to do in the future." That future is now, and Patel has definite goals for his new position.

HE WORLD TRAVEL & Tourism Council's Hotel Sustainability Basics, a global initiative assisting hoteliers in improving their sustainability ratings, recently surpassed 1,700 verified hotels across 70 countries worldwide. Hotel groups from destinations such as France, China, Mexico, India, Germany, South Africa, Philippines and Norway joined the initiative, WTTC said in a statement. During its first year, Hotel Sustainability Basics gained endorsements from destinations worldwide, including the Caribbean, Mauritius, Colombia, UAE, Azerbaijan, Mexico, and Ecuador, the statement said. Hotel brands, including Jin Jiang, Louvre Hotel Group, Choice Hotels and Radisson Hotel Group, have adopted Basics. Other major brands joining the initiative include Intrepid, British Airways Holidays, HBX Group, WebBeds and Abercrombie & Kent. "Our goal is to have a globally recognised trademark that shows customers at a glance, that a hotel is supporting the planet by saving energy, cutting plastics, protecting nature, and supporting their local community," said Julia Simpson, WTTC's president and CEO. "It is a win win. We launched the scheme only a year ago and the uptake has been incredible. 70 countries have signed up with over 1700 properties verified with a long waiting list. It will bring lasting change."

CONSUMERS ARE EXPECTED to reprioritize travel in 2024, albeit with demand fluctuations for various products and amenities in 2024, according to Deloitte's 2024 Travel Outlook. The report says hospitality providers need to enhance the experiences they offer or risk losing travelers' attention and Those adept at applying technology to create personalized and flexible services will do better than others this year. The pent-up demand seen following the pandemic that led to travel surges in the prior two years is dwindling, the report said. It's being replaced, however, by a steady increase in traveling for experiences, aided in some cases by the increased prevalence of remote working, meaning travel remains a priority for many consumers. An economic downturn could dampen that enthusiasm, according to the Travel Outlook. However, technology can help provide the flexibility to offer affordable, personalized packages that may compensate for consumers' responding parsimony.

APPROXIMATELY 51 PERCENT of hospitality industry professionals participating in STR's Hospitality Industry Sentiment survey expressed optimism about their business confidence over the next two years. Respondents rated their confidence at "8" or higher on a 10-point scale. Analyzing the results over the survey's first year reveals a gradual, consistent decline in confidence ratings for each time span. Meanwhile, global recession fears have diminished since the last survey, STR said. Among various industry challenges, "concerns regarding a potential recession" saw the most significant drop between the last two surveys, ranking third behind labor costs and supply issues. Energy and utility costs are slightly increasing, while supply chain challenges and group demand issues are gradually diminishing. Regarding hotel performance, outlined trends influence demand forecasting expectations, the survey said. The percentage of respondents anticipating "strong improvement" or "some improvement" is gradually declining across all three hotel demand segments. A majority of experts still foresee growth in both business transient and group demand.

U.S. HOTEL PERFORMANCE declined in the third week of December as anticipated ahead of the holidays, according to CoStar. Three key metrics-occupancy, ADR, and RevPAR-all dipped compared to the previous week. Occupancy fell to 43.9 percent for the week ending Dec. 23, down from the previous week's 54.7 percent, but demonstrated a year-over-year increase of 0.5 percent. ADR decreased to $131.97, compared to the prior week's $142.62, marking a 0.9 percent decline from the previous year. RevPAR also declined to $57.9, compared to the prior week's $77.99, indicating a 0.4 percent decrease from the corresponding period in 2022. Among the top 25 markets, Boston experienced the most significant year-over-year increases, with occupancy rising by 21.5 percent to 46.2 percent and RevPAR up by 23.1 percent to $65.68. Anaheim recorded the highest ADR increase, rising by 14.7 percent to $190.86.

SATORI COLLECTIVE, A real estate investment management firm specializing in hotel properties, sold the 124-suite Holiday Inn Express & Suites at Alpharetta-Windward Parkway to Bukhari Group Hospitality. The sale resulted in an approximate 24 percent internal rate of return and a double equity multiple for the company, Satori said in a statement. Satori Collective is led by Andy Chopra as co-founder and managing partner. Bukhari Group Hospitality is led by Syed Bukhari, while his son Mehboob Bukhari is in charge of the hotel operations. "We acquired this all-suite property in 2013 and promptly executed a thorough, multi-million dollar value-add renovation, repositioning it as a Holiday Inn Express & Suites by IHG," said Samir Yajnik, CIO of Satori Collective. "Over the past decade, we stayed true to our vision and were rewarded by unlocking the hotel's financial potential. Our initial underwriting and research proved accurate, as evidenced by the realized upside from enhanced brand quality and the hotel's unparalleled location in the thriving Alpharetta market."

APROXIMATELY 115.2 MILLION travelers are expected to cover 50 miles or more from home during the 10-day year-end holiday travel period, according to AAA. This year's total number of domestic travelers reflects a 2.2 percent increase over last year and represents the second-highest year-end travel forecast since 2000, when AAA began tracking holiday travel. However, 2019 holds the record for the busiest Christmas and New Year's travel period, with 119 million travelers. "This year-end holiday forecast, with an additional 2.5 million travelers compared to last year, mirrors what AAA Travel has been observing throughout 2023," said Paula Twidale, senior vice president at AAA Travel. "More Americans are investing in travel, despite the cost, to make memories with loved ones and experience new places. AAA expects approximately 104 million people to drive to their holiday destinations, representing a 1.8 percent increase from 2022. This year's projected number of drivers is the second-highest on record, with 2019 holding the top spot when 108 million drivers traveled for the holidays, AAA said.

APPROXIMATELY 71 PERCENT of travelers seek a separate vacation to unwind after family time, according to a recent survey by IHG Hotels & Resorts. The survey found that many respondents prefer to avoid staying with family during their trips as well. Among respondents avoiding stays with friends and relatives, 55 percent expressed a preference for hotels. These travelers gravitate towards simple relaxation activities, with 60 percent opting for a nap, 46 percent preferring a jacuzzi and 42 percent considering a spa day. "The holidays often go hand-in-hand with traveling to see loved ones, but as much as we enjoy visiting friends and family, it can leave us feeling drained," said Connor Smith, IHG's vice president of masterbrand strategy. "When that happens, people want to relax and be taken care of, enjoy a free breakfast from holiday Inn Express, or have a glass of wine at Kimpton's social hour without worrying about cleaning their room in the morning."

NEXGEN HOTELS RECENTLY acquired Holiday Inn St. Petersburg West in St. Petersburg, Florida. The 129-room hotel will be managed by St Louis-based Genuine Hospitality Group. The property, which is located minutes away from downtown St. Petersburg, is close to Tropicana Field, the Dali Museum, Morean Arts Center, Duke Energy Center for the Arts - Mahaffey Theater, and Al Lang Stadium, NexGen said in a statement. The hotel is also near the University of South Florida - St. Petersburg Campus, St. Petersburg College and Stetson University. "We are excited to expand our portfolio and enter the St. Petersburg area," says Chris Patel, president of Itasca, Illinois-based NexGen. "This acquisition provides NexGen Hotels with an excellent opportunity to establish a significant presence in the robust St. Petersburg hotel market."

APPROXIMATELY 55.4 MILLION U.S. travelers are expected to travel 50 miles or more from home during the Thanksgiving holiday, marking a 2.3 percent increase from last year, according to AAA. This forecast represents AAA's third-highest Thanksgiving estimate since 2000, with 2005 and 2019 ranking as the top two years. "For many Americans, Thanksgiving and travel go hand in hand, and this holiday, we expect more people on the roads, skies, and seas compared to 2022," said Paula Twidale, Senior Vice President of AAA Travel. "Travel demand has been strong all year, and AAA's Thanksgiving forecast reflects that continued desire to get away and spend time with loved ones." According to AAA, the majority of Thanksgiving travelers will drive to their destinations. About 49.1 million Americans are expected to be on the road, a 1.7 percent increase from 2022. Gas prices this Thanksgiving could be lower than last year's national average of $3.58. The national average peaked at $3.87 in mid-August this year and has been decreasing despite global tensions affecting the oil market."

APPROXIMATELY 35 PERCENT of U.S. travelers have concerns about potential airport delays and flight cancellations for the upcoming 2023 holiday travel season, according to a recent survey by exchange services firm IPX103. Despite 23 percent experiencing flight disruptions this year, a substantial 62 percent of Americans are planning to travel this season. The IPX103 survey found that of the Americans intending to travel, 42 percent are opting for air travel and 54 percent are choosing to drive. Moreover, if gas prices decrease during the holiday season, two in three individuals express a higher likelihood of choosing to drive. Specifically, 44 percent plan to travel for Thanksgiving, while 84 percent have plans for December travel. Regarding holiday destinations, 38 percent are venturing to a neighboring state, 25 percent are embarking on cross-country journeys, 25 percent are remaining within their own state, and 12 percent are venturing abroad.

IHG HOTELS & RESORTS is set to launch a new brand targeted at midscale conversions, the company said during its first-half earnings call. Although the company has kept the brand's name under wraps, more than 100 hotels and their owners have displayed strong interest in the new brand. IHG, has previously established brands such as Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express in the upper-midscale category. It expects that the forthcoming brand will advance the company's growth within a $14 billion segment exclusive to the U.S. market. "As we expand our brand portfolio, we're pleased to announce an upcoming launch of a new brand aimed at midscale conversion opportunities," said Elie Maalouf, IHG's CEO. "Conversions offer substantial growth potential, constituting approximately 40 percent of global first-half openings and signings, reflecting owners' increasing eagerness to swiftly benefit from IHG's reach and enterprise. We're thrilled that over 100 hotels have already expressed definite interest in this new brand."

U.S. HOTEL PERFORMANCE has increased from the previous week, aligning with the extended holiday weekend, while year-over-year comparisons also continue to show positive trends, according to CoStar. The percentage changes showed positivity on weekdays due to comparisons with the Yom Kippur period from the previous year, but year-over-year occupancy rates still experienced a decline. Occupancy stood at 67.8 percent for the week ending on Oct. 7, a slight rise from the preceding week's 66.7 percent, with a marginal year-over-year decline of 0.2 percent, according to CoStar. ADR was $163.19, showing an increase from the previous week's $157.89 and a notable 5.4 percent surge compared to the previous year. RevPAR also saw an uptick to $110.68, surpassing the previous week's $105.31, and reflecting a 5.2 percent rise from 2022.

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The golden-hooded tanager (Tangara larvata) is among the most striking of the neotropical tanagers, a group of more than 200 species, most with extraordinarily colorful plumages. In common with most other tanagers, this species is not a proficient songster and its vocal repertoire comprises a few coarse rattles and a sharp 'tsit'. This tanager, sometimes called 'golden-masked tanager', is common in the Selva Verde area, where it occurs primarily in the upper forest canopy and in clearings. However, pairs and small flocks often can be seen in gardens and at fruit feeding stations, where bananas seem to be a particular favorite item.

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A NEW SURVEY finds that U.S. travelers are getting the urge to explore and acting on that spur-of-the-moment travel bug as temperatures begin to rise. Around 67 percent of Americans with travel plans this year say that the best trips are spontaneous and decided on a whim, a study by Motel 6 and Studio 6 found. The study, which surveyed more than 2,000 Americans who plan to travel this year, also found that almost three-quarters, or 73 percent, would be willing to visit a surprise destination. "Taking a last-minute getaway is a great way to add some joy into your life," said Julie Arrowsmith, president/interim CEO, G6 Hospitality, parent company of Motel 6 and Studio 6. Traveling distances, with companions According to the survey, seven in 10 (70 percent) U.S. travelers say they are indulging in longer excursions by traveling more than three hours from their hometown. When asked about companions, more than three in four (78 percent) travelers prefer to journey with other people, while almost one in three (28 percent) are planning to explore with pets, it added. Off-season and longer trips With impromptu trips on the rise, more than two in five (44 percent) vacationers admit they are switching up their travel experiences this year. Most notably, the typical "travel season" may be a thing of the past, with almost half (47 percent) indicating that they are just as likely to get away during the off-season or weekdays as opposed to peak times like holidays and weekends. Another 32 percent are taking longer vacations than ever before, the study pointed out.