*Clarification: This article was updated on Nov. 15 to add a statement from Omni Hotels about the nature of the settlement with the Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office.
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1. US Inflation Cooled in October
The U.S. Department of Labor data reports that inflation slowed further in October, according to the Wall Street Journal. The Consumer Price Index grew 3.2% year over year during the month, down from September's increase. Prices remained flat on a month-to-month basis, however.
Core consumer prices, excluding food an energy costs, rose 4% year over year in October, which is the slowest pace since September 2021, the newspaper reports. Easing gasoline and housing prices also helped consumers' budgets.
2. Omni Hotels Reaches Resort Fees Agreement With Pennsylvania Attorney General
The Pennsylvania attorney general's office reached a settlement with Omni Hotels Management over the disclosure of resort fees and drip pricing, according to a news release. As part of the agreement, the hotel company agreed to "immediately disclose all fees attached to a stay so consumers can budget responsibly and have the ability to compare prices."
According to the release, the attorney general's office reached similar settlements with Marriott International in 2021 and Choice Hotels International last month.
“The fairness we seek for consumers is reasonable and appropriate— be up front with shoppers who have many lodging options and are free to explore those options,” Attorney General Michelle Henry said in the release. “These hidden, 11th-hour, resort fees dupe consumers into thinking they are getting a better deal than the actual bottom line. We credit Omni for stepping up and committing to fix this deceptive practice.”
*According to a statement from Omni Hotels, "the 'settlement' is essentially identical to one previously executed by Omni Hotels with the Texas AG office, creates no new obligations for Omni Hotels, and requires no payment by Omni Hotels. But most importantly, while the settlement was submitted for judicial approval, the Pennsylvania AG never filed a lawsuit against Omni Hotels relating to mandatory fee disclosures."
3. Fall Foliage, Football Drive Bookings
Fall foliage and college football are traditionally in high demand in the U.S. this time of year, and two hotel markets in particular are reporting related boosts in occupancy.
Stowe, Vermont, hotels achieved record occupancy this fall leaf-peeping season, up to 85% — with a "flurry of last-minute bookings" beating expectations, according to Stowe Reporter.
“I feel like the season is longer than it used to be, and that’s a lot of what’s really making a difference for businesses in town,” said Sheri Baraw Smith, general manager of The Green Mountain Inn. “It started a little earlier, it definitely went a little later, as compared to years ago, when it was much, much more compact.”
Meanwhile, in Harrisonburg, Virginia, hotel bookings are surging ahead of a visit by ESPN's College GameDay to the campus of James Madison University this weekend, local news station WHSV-3 reports.
“Having a hotel room in the city of Harrisonburg this weekend is a hot ticket,” said Martha Fraser, director of sales and marketing at the Hotel Madison, the only hotel on the JMU campus. “People will want to be here, even if they don’t have game tickets. They just want to be here for the excitement and the energy. JMU has had an undefeated season so far this year; how often does that ever happen?”
4. Sage Hospitality on Track To Surpass $1 Billion in Revenues
Sage Hospitality Group, in its 40th year in business, is set for the first time to surpass $1 billion in systemwide revenues, a year-over-year improvement of 22%, Hotel News Now's Dana Miller reports.
The hospitality development, management and investment firm also has 45 hotels in its pipeline heading into the tail end of 2023, and Daniel del Olmo, the company's president of hotels and restaurants, said its focus is on being "the experts in the experiential business."
"What I am very proud of is despite the fact we are still as an organization, and frankly as an industry, rebuilding our teams, continuing to deliver against the heightened expectations of our guests as a result of the inflationary pressure on [average daily rate]," he said.
5. Oberoi Hotels Founder Dies
Prithvi Raj Singh Oberoi, founder of Oberoi Hotels and chairman emeritus of the Oberoi Group, died yesterday at age 94. The Hindustan Times reports that he "was known for changing the face of the hotel business in India."
In a statement, the hotelier's sons Vikram and Arjun Oberoi said: “Mr. P.R.S. Oberoi was a visionary leader whose unwavering dedication and passion for excellence shaped The Oberoi Group and our hotels, to be recognized amongst the best globally. His legacy extends far beyond our organization, influencing the hospitality landscape in India and across the globe.”