FROM THE EDITORS
By Ed Watkins
Many hotel industry pundits, me included, have discussed the things that could stall or even reverse the industry’s steady march back to prosperity. The list includes the U.S. economy, the world economy, CMBS debt coming due, even terrorism. One thing left off the list that could be a real problem for the entire travel business is an old favorite, gas prices. When you last stopped to fill up your SUV, you probably noticed that prices at the pump have been on a steady climb for weeks. The national average, as of yesterday, was $3.57 per gallon, up 60 cents over a year ago.
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CHECKING IN
By Eric Stoessel
There was no major announcement, nothing like the bold Ambition 2015 strategy unveiled by Carlson Hotels in 2010, but one thing was noticeably different at last week’s global business conference: the company’s name was now Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group.
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By Steve Rushmore
The U.S. lodging market experienced strong demand recovery throughout 2011. However, despite the recovery brought on by a resurgence of corporate travel, average rates in 2011 recovered at a more moderate pace when compared with occupancy. The lodging sector appears coordinated in its efforts to improve average rate as occupancy trends continue to stabilize.
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The Washington Square Hotel in New York City’s historic Greenwich Village has seen a lot in the past 110 years. Once a residential hotel, it became a grand apartment hotel. Then, the not-so-grand low-rent home to struggling artists, poets, actors and musicians. Now it’s back on top as a boutique hotel. Click here for pictures.
TODAY'S TOP READS
The Latest Hotel News From Newspapers, Magazines and Websites:
Guests at Hotel Where Whitney Died Want Refunds
Struggling UK Hotel Chain Set for New American Owners
Busy NBA All-Star Weekend May Mean Orlando-Area Hotels Won't Overbook
Japanese Billionaire to Fight ‘Outrageous’ Wynn Decision
Click here for more Top Reads
HOTEL HAPPENINGS
• Crestline Hotels & Resorts will manage Atlanta’s Loudermilk Conference Center, including management of the food and beverage service for the 15,000-square-foot conference facility and the Magnolia Bistro in the Woodruff Volunteer Center.
• Starwood Hotels & Resorts has opened the 209-room Element Miami International Airport.
• Hunter Realty brokered the sale of the 78-room Hampton Inn in Duncan, OK. Simran Hotels, LLC sold the hotel to St. Louis-based Midas Hospitality for $7.5 million.
• Liberty Group of Companies bought two limited-service hotels in Florida, the Comfort Suites in Clearwater and Comfort Inn in Plant City..
Follow hotel news as it happens with Lodging Hospitality on Twitter.
ON THE ITINERARY
Feb. 26-29
La Quinta Conference
Hilton New Orleans Riverside
www.lq.com/lq
Feb. 27
HSMAI Adrian Awards Gala
Marriott Marquis, New York
www.adrianawards.com
Feb. 27-29
6th Annual HR in Hospitality Conference & Expo
Hyatt Regency San Francisco
www.HRinHospitality.com
Feb. 28
HSMAI Digital Marketing Strategy Conference
Marriott Marquis, New York
www.hsmai.com
March 3-6
Council on Hotel and Restaurant Training (CHART)
Semi-Annual Hospitality Training Conference
Renaissance Austin (TX)
www.chart.org
March 4-5
Ocean City Hotel-Motel-Restaurant Association Spring Trade Expo
Ocean City (MD) Convention Center
www.oceancitytradeexpo.com
March 5-6
Hotel Association of Canada Conference
Sheraton Centre Toronto
www.hotelassociation.ca
March 6-9
Digital Signage Expo
Las Vegas Convention Center
www.digitalsignageexpo.net
Click here to see the schedule for 2012.
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