October 1, 2009
FORUM
Reasons for Lodging Industry Optimism
OPINION: Despite Operating Numbers, Hoteliers Remain Upbeat
“Lemons from lemonade" may be a cliché, but it appears to be the mindset of many lodging industry entrepreneurs and developers, especially those at The Lodging Conference held last month in Phoenix. ...
CHECK IN
New Tool Aids Hotel Investment Decisions
NEWS: New York City Tops Initial Lodging Market Potential Index
It’s generally accepted that hotel development, investment and acquisition follows three basic steps:
1. Identifying market areas that show long-term potential for hotel investment;
2. Choosing a lodging product that takes advantage of the dynamics of the local supply and demand characteristics; and
3. Searching for and selecting a suitable site.
...
Financial Turmoil Continues to Haunt Hotel Industry
Q&A: High-Profile Bankruptcy May Be Tip of the Iceberg
The hotel investment world was rocked last month with a high-profile Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing of two hotels owned by Illinois-based Harp Group. The filing covers a three-year-old, 580-room Radisson Hotel at the Los Angeles Airport and the InterContinental Chicago O’Hare, ...
Hotel Show Highlights Hospitality Products
NEWS: AH&LA Holds Fall Conference in Conjunction With IH/M&RS
Next month’s International Hotel/Motel & Restaurant Show in New York City will showcase the latest and most innovative products and services available to the hospitality industry. The 94th edition of the show will be held Saturday, Nov. 7 through Tuesday, Nov. 10 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center....
VOIC Report: Timeshare Looks to Rebound
NEWS: Credit Crisis Forces Shift in Business Model
A surprisingly upbeat group of timeshare developers and wannabes met this week in Orlando. While attendance was down a little at this year’s Vacation Ownership Investment Conference, the mood was upbeat, with many speakers and attendees proclaiming an industry rebound is in the offing—not this year, but sometime in 2010....
Evaluating the Total Cost of a Franchise
OPINION: Understanding Fees Key to Picking Right Flag
Every two years HVS evaluates the fees charged by hotel franchise companies in the United States. The purpose of this analysis is to provide a comparative review of various brands based on applicable franchise fees. The selection of an appropriate franchise affiliation affects a property’s ability to compete in ...
FEATURES
Four Points of Pride
It's a good thing the city didn't allow the fifth and sixth floors to be built as part of the new Four Points by Sheraton in Columbus, OH. Planes from...
Dealing With Distress
FEATURE: Investors like Marcus Corp. Are Building Up War Chests to Buy Assets Ripe for the Picking
It’s a late August weekend at the Grand Geneva Resort & Spa in Lake Geneva, Wis., and the place is a beehive of activity. Two wedding parties and a community wide Venetian Night have combined to fill every one of the venerable facility’s 355 rooms. Tee times are booked solid on the hotel’s two golf courses and the spa is busy with women lined up for massages and manicures. Maybe the malaise that has struck the lodging industry so low this year is about to lift after all.
...
Value Place Growing Despite Downturn
FEATURE: DeBoer's Latest Innovation A Hit with Consumers, Developers
Directors of sales and marketing need not apply at Value Place. A one-time cost of $100,000 has replaced what would be your annual salary. The money instead employs a hard-to-miss 50-foot-high pole sign, with a...
DESIGN PERSPECTIVE
Largest Doubletree Debuts in Orlando
The world's largest Doubletree raised its new flag in Orlando last month after a $35-million renovation. Formerly the International Plaza Resort and Spa,...
TECHNICALLY SPEAKING
Digital Signage 2.0: Money in the Bank
FEATURE: An On-Property Moneymaking Opportunity
Digital signage is rapidly becoming an attractive high-tech necessity for full-service convention properties and destination resorts. Guests expect it and it has value for the property when used to its full revenue generating potential. ...
Tech Bytes October 2009
Recent Global PMS installations by IQWare include The Sofia Hotel in San Diego and the Newpark Resort & Hotel in Park City, UT. America's Best Franchising...
Choice Hotels Names CTO Best of the Best
It’s not often back-of-the-house executives get recognized for their contributions to a hotel company’s success. Choice Hotels apparently understands the important role technology plays for the company and its franchisees as it ...
BACK OF HOUSE
How Pests Can Ruin Your Business
Perhaps more than any other quality issue, a pest problem can be extremely harmful for your hotel's reputation and, more importantly, its ability to retain...
Products October 2009
WATER COOLERS Culligan's new Aqua-Cleer Point of Use bottle-less coolers are perfect for small, high-traffic areas. The water comes directly from the...
Products II October 2009
ATMS ATM Systems provides custom designed cabinets to blend with any hotel dcor. Custom screen graphics help promote your amenities and inform guests...
Vendor News October 2009
Helen Wallace is the new chief financial officer of TravelCLICK. Most recently, she held a similar post at American Skiing Co. New vice president of HVS...
