Preferred Hotel Group reported Wednesday the company saw an increase in reservation revenue during the second quarter, partly due to joining Roomkey.com and strengthening its Preferred Family program.
During the second quarter, the company saw a 16% gain year to date in reservations made via its distribution channels and an increase in its reservation revenue of 21% compared to the second quarter last year. In addition, Preferred Hotel Group became the first “soft brand” invited to join RoomKey.com. This action provided Preferred member hotels a new distribution channel from which to grow their reservation revenue.
STR, parent company of HotelNewsNow.com, released weekly performance data for the week of 12-18 August for the U.S. and Canada.
Overall, the U.S. hotel industry’s occupancy ended the week with a 3.6% increase to 69.6%, average daily rate was up 4.4% to $106.58 and revenue per available room rose 8.1% to $74.21.
In year-over-year measurements, Canada’s hotel occupancy increased 2.7% to 78%, its ADR rose 2% to 133.84 Canadian dollars and its revenue per available room was up 4.8% to CA$104.35.
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide announced Monday it has completed the sale of W Chicago—Lakeshore to Chesapeake Lodging Trust for $126 million. As part of the sale, Chesapeake has agreed to undertake a comprehensive property renovation to the hotel's 520 guestrooms, public spaces and prime meeting space.
Starwood has entered into a 40-year management agreement with full extensions to continue operating the hotel under the W flag.
A recent survey by Directline Holidays found that less than 1% of people use social media when selecting their annual trips, reports TravelMole.
The study by the online travel agency found that people rely on recommendations by family (30%) and friends (12%).
After family and friends, the Internet came out as the next biggest influence (10%).
Traditional media, such as newspapers, TV and magazines made up 13% between them, proving that they are still important influencers.
Another 7% said that work colleagues were their main influence, meaning word of mouth or human interaction made up approximately half of the survey's responses.
Travel management company Hogg Robinson Group released its biannual list of the most expensive hotels by average room rate. For the eighth year in a row, Moscow has the highest room rates. The hotels in Russia’s capital were almost 20% more expensive than any others and prices have risen 3% in the last year. The average room rate for hotels in Moscow was £258.11 ($405.28).
Rounding out the top 10 were the following cities:
2. Lagos, Nigeria: $340.81
3. Geneva: $339.04
4. Zurich: $331.45
5. Rio de Janeiro: $321.34
6. New York: $319.60
7. Sydney: $311.34
8. Hong Kong: $305.42
9. Paris: $304.45
10. Washington, D.C: $301.27
Compiled by Stephanie Wharton.
