U.S. occupancy at its lowest since May
U.S. weekly hotel occupancy fell to its lowest level since late May, according to the latest data from STR through November 28.
November 22-28 (percentage change from comparable week in 2019):
Occupancy: 36.2% (-28.5%)
ADR: US$92.49 (-17.8%)
RRevPAR: US$33.49 (-41.2%)
Airport TSA checkpoint counts increased sharply with more than 6 million passengers during both the week before and of Thanksgiving. However, that increased air travel volume did not translate to more hotel rooms sold as weekly demand (13.2 million) and occupancy fell to their lowest levels since late May. This would indicate that a bulk of travelers opted to stay with family during the holiday, according to STR.
Among all markets in the country, the Florida Keys recorded the week’s highest occupancy level (77.8%) followed by Knoxville, Tennessee (61.8%); McAllen/Brownsville, Texas (54.5%); and Daytona Beach, Florida (53.2%). Among the top 25 markets, Tampa/St. Petersburg, Florida (49.7%) saw the highest occupancy level. The 25 markets with the lowest occupancy levels for the week included Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota-Wisconsin (22.0%) and Oahu Island, Hawaii (22.7%). Aggregate data for the top 25 markets showed lower occupancy (34.9%) but higher ADR (US$95.69) than all other markets.
Suit against Trump hotel moves ahead
U.S. President Donald Trump’s daughter Ivanka Trump testified on Tuesday in a closed-door deposition as part of a lawsuit filed in January by the attorney general in the District of Columbia claiming that Donald Trump’s inaugural committee overpaid the Trump International Hotel in 2017. The deposition is one of a series now underway after Attorney General Karl A. Racine of Washington, a Democrat, managed to beat back an effort in September by lawyers for the Trump inauguration committee and the Trump Organization to dismiss the case, which was pending in federal court in Washington.
Aimbridge names lifestyle division president
Plano, Texas-based Aimbridge Hospitality named John Caparella president of its wholly-owned subsidiary Evolution Hospitality, which includes a portfolio of lifestyle, luxury and independent hotels. Caparella’s most recent roles include as CEO of VSS Southern Theaters, and as principal at Redmont Hospitality. Prior to that, he was executive vice president for the Madison Square Garden Co.; president and COO of The Venetian, The Palazzo and Sands Expo complex in Las Vegas; EVP and COO of Gaylord Hotels, and roles at Planet Hollywood and ITT Sheraton. He has served on the boards of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Bureau and the American Hotel & Lodging Association.