A recession in the U.S. isn't a sure thing, but even if a mild one does happen, the hotel industry is likely to be insulated, according to speakers and presenters at the 2023 Hotel Data Conference.
Also top of mind for industry are how long average daily rate trends might stay elevated, when leisure demand might recover in U.S. resort markets, the technology hotel revenue managers should be using when setting rates, and much more.
Click through Hotel News Now's complete coverage of the conference and favorite this page as it will be updated with more content.
General Sessions and Panel Coverage
article7 Min ReadAugust 16, 2023 10:10 AMA travel economist and hotel industry leaders expect travel to remain resilient through a mild recession while hoteliers hold rates waiting for occupancy growth to return.
article3 Min ReadAugust 14, 2023 10:28 AMDuring a panel at the 2023 Hotel Data Conference, hotel revenue management experts discussed the risks they're taking to empower their teams and drive profitability.
article6 Min ReadAugust 17, 2023 09:13 AMWhile wage negotiations are always at the center of hiring, recruitment and retention, hotel leaders said young employees are also being more direct with their expectations of a career trajectory in the industry.
article4 Min ReadAugust 17, 2023 09:24 AMThe luxury segment has propelled the hotel industry in its recovery, and no obstacles seem to be on the horizon, despite a little softness in a few markets.
article5 Min ReadAugust 15, 2023 10:18 AMExecutives shared the challenges their companies are facing with shifts in demand and consumer trends.
article4 Min ReadAugust 23, 2023 09:30 AMHoteliers said resort or amenity fees likely aren't going away, as they are a profitable revenue stream. However, they agree the industry as a whole could do better with fee transparency throughout a guest's booking journey.
article2 Min ReadAugust 23, 2023 09:16 AMEach global region is undergoing a similar path to recovering hotel occupancy lost from pre-pandemic levels.
article4 Min ReadAugust 23, 2023 09:13 AMHotel industry data experts point to trends of optimism and growth despite some larger economic concerns lingering.
article6 Min ReadAugust 21, 2023 09:13 AMHoteliers and travel experts speaking at the 2023 Hotel Data Conference said leisure travelers want to feel like they're getting a good value in their stay and that they're getting what they pay for.
article4 Min ReadAugust 18, 2023 08:51 AMTraditionally, hotel lenders and managers require owners to reserve 4% of their revenues for capital-expenditure needs. However, that percentage is now landing at 9%.
article7 Min ReadAugust 24, 2023 09:23 AMIndustry experts spoke about the need to prioritize profitability by being selective with group bookings as well as times of the year and available spaces.
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article4 Min ReadAugust 23, 2023 09:30 AMHoteliers said resort or amenity fees likely aren't going away, as they are a profitable revenue stream. However, they agree the industry as a whole could do better with fee transparency throughout a guest's booking journey.
article4 Min ReadAugust 25, 2023 08:40 AMIn a session on fostering data-driven cultures, travel industry experts spoke about how they use clear communication and introduce new concepts and strategies to their teams and partners.
article4 Min ReadAugust 25, 2023 09:15 AMThe increase in wage and food-and-beverage costs, paired with marginal rate growth, has hotel revenue managers considering the future of the group travel segment.
article4 Min ReadAugust 28, 2023 08:50 AMU.S. hotel industry pricing power and the rise of average daily rates are beginning to show signs of weakness, which is requiring hoteliers to fine-tune offerings and experiences in a landscape dominated by inflationary and staffing pressures.
article2 Min ReadSeptember 08, 2023 10:24 AMHotel development projects in the planning and final planning stages of the hotel pipeline have surpassed 2019 levels, but there are fewer actually under construction.
article6 Min ReadAugust 29, 2023 08:38 AMHotels in urban markets have yet to fully recover to pre-pandemic levels of group occupancy and rates, while resorts and suburban hotels have surged ahead.
article3 Min ReadAugust 30, 2023 09:07 AMHotel revenue-management experts say they're still trying to understand the impact of hybrid and remote work on the business travel segment.
article2 Min ReadAugust 29, 2023 08:40 AMHyatt Vice President of Data and Analytics Raymond Boyle said part of his company's efforts to build a data-driven culture includes building data literacy into its leadership training programs.
article2 Min ReadSeptember 05, 2023 09:17 AMIt can be harder for hoteliers to parse which guests are business travelers and which are leisure as as the behaviors and demands of both groups are aligning more.
article6 Min ReadSeptember 11, 2023 08:53 AMPrice sensitivity is top of mind for consumers booking hotel stays, and demand patterns show that some travelers are booking cheaper hotels or staying farther outside of a market's downtown area.
article2 Min ReadSeptember 13, 2023 09:54 AMLeisure travel remains strong, but with many travelers going overseas, U.S. hoteliers have had to put more focus on business transient demand if and when it works.
article3 Min ReadSeptember 07, 2023 08:47 AMDemand for hotels in the 25 biggest U.S. cities, with a few exceptions, has surged back in 2023. Weekday performance indicates a big reason is the return of business travelers.
article5 Min ReadSeptember 07, 2023 09:10 AMHoteliers say generative artificial intelligence will greatly benefit marketing, branding and coding in the hospitality industry, but there are some ethical concerns, such as reinforcing biases, that must be addressed as well.
article3 Min ReadSeptember 06, 2023 09:06 AMSpending and staffing on hotel sales and marketing have reached pre-pandemic levels, but the quality of salespeople has dropped, executives said.
Podcast Episodes
Video Interviews
article1 Min ReadAugust 24, 2023 08:47 AMIn a video interview with Hotel News Now at the Hotel Data Conference, Tourism Economics President Adam Sacks dives into what a "mild" recession could mean for travel and hotels.
article2 Min ReadSeptember 01, 2023 09:13 AMDonohoe Hospitality Services' two hotels under development have faced high interest rates on construction loans as well as supply-chain shortages, but the company has made strides in better reaching its employees.
article1 Min ReadAugust 28, 2023 08:36 AMLuxury hotel demand has shifted somewhat as U.S. travelers in the segment head overseas to destinations in Europe, but innovation and the loyalty of luxury hotel guests continue to drive strong performance.
article1 Min ReadSeptember 15, 2023 09:58 AMMargaritaville's Chief Data Officer Claudia Infante said the company outperformed past summers this year despite most of the hotel industry seeing dips.
article1 Min ReadSeptember 14, 2023 10:07 AMHighgate Principal and Chief Commercial Officer Ankur Randev said recent deals for Viceroy and a portfolio of hotels in Portugal will help fuel growth for the hotel ownership and operations platform.
article1 Min ReadSeptember 11, 2023 08:20 AMAlex Cisneros, senior vice president of revenue generation at Red Roof, said in a video interview that his company is working with franchisees to improve the guest experience on property.
article1 Min ReadSeptember 08, 2023 09:14 AMHow hoteliers adopt, invest in and fine-tune technology to increase profitability will be a differentiator for investors and guests.
article1 Min ReadSeptember 07, 2023 09:16 AMIn a video interview at the 2023 Hotel Data Conference, First Hospitality's Jenna Fishel talks about how revenue strategy has changed and how hoteliers can influence how guests book their stays.
Recaps
article6 Min ReadAugust 11, 2023 10:05 AMHotel News Now editors and reporters recap the first day of the 15th annual Hotel Data Conference in Nashville with takeaways, photos, video, a podcast and more.
article5 Min ReadAugust 11, 2023 04:52 PMSpeakers and attendees at the 15th annual Hotel Data Conference said business and group demand for hotels is inching back toward 2019 levels and competing more against leisure demand.