Small travel businesses face long odds of recovery
More than half (55%) of all small travel businesses in the U.S. are at risk of either taking longer than six months to recover or never recovering at all, according to data released Wednesday by the U.S. Travel Association. The numbers indicate an extreme threat to travel-supported jobs, which employed one in 10 Americans pre-pandemic. A massive 95% of all accommodation and food service employment is found within small and mid-sized businesses, as defined by the U.S. Small Business Administration, with only 5% of those sectors’ employment found in businesses categorized as “large.” By comparison, only 28% of manufacturing jobs are found in small- or mid-sized businesses.
Grand Chicago hotel in foreclosure
The Palmer House Hilton has been one of Chicago’s grandest hotels for more than a century, with guests including Oscar Wilde and Frank Sinatra. Over the past 15 years, the owner spent US$173 million to overhaul the hotel, modernizing most of the 1,641 rooms. But today, the property faces a bank foreclosure and has become one of the most potent symbols of the troubled hospitality industry during COVID-19, writes the Wall Street Journal.
Accor launches in-room wellness program
This month, Accor is launching an in-room restorative wellness programming at several North and Central America properties through a partnership with wellness technology company Three Sages. The partnership gives Fairmont, Sofitel and Swissôtel guests complimentary yoga, stretching, breathwork, mindfulness and sleep practices, all available on the in-room entertainment system.
Lodging conference postponed, but instead, a free show
This year’s Lodging Conference was postponed due to COVID-19, but organizers instead set up a free online 45-minute presentation from economist Bernard Baumohl. Baumohl has been a regular speaker at The Lodging Conference since 1995 and in 2018, he was voted the most accurate forecaster in the world by The Wall Street Journal.
Elsewhere
Raines picks up The Foundry: Florence, South Carolina-based Raines Hospitality has added The Foundry Hotel in Asheville, North Carolina to its portfolio. Asheville’s former steel foundry underwent extensive updates and renovations to open in 2018 as The Foundry Hotel, a Curio Collection by Hilton property. The 87-room boutique hotel also has a restaurant, Benne on Eagle, led by local chef and John Fleer.