Skip to content

Search

Latest Stories

Hotel Data Conference sold out for first time since 2019

As many as 92 speakers will attend the event across five general sessions

Hotel Data Conference sold out for first time since 2019

THE 14th ANNUAL Hotel Data Conference, the gathering of the industry data community, has been sold out for the first time since 2019 with 712 participants for the event on Aug. 10 to 12 at the Omni Nashville Hotel, a statement said.

Started in 2009, the conference is presented by IDeaS and co-hosted by STR and Hotel News Now, according to the statement.


“HDC returning to capacity status is another indicator of the hotel industry’s recovery,” said Amanda Hite, president, STR. “Our conference caters to a segment of the industry that was among the most affected in terms of budget and resources. Professionals from this segment have relied upon data to aid in the recovery, and they understand the need for new perspectives as we approach the seasonal transition from leisure to corporate demand amid a time of economic uncertainty. We are proud to deliver those perspectives through the agenda we have built and the content we will deliver.”

As many as 92 speakers will attend the event across five general sessions, 12 breakout panel sessions, 17 “data dash” sessions and six advanced level “data dive” discussions, the statement added.

The topics covered at the conference include business travel, forecasting, group business, guest evolution, inflation and other macroeconomic indicators, labor challenges, market leaders, OTA relationships, pipeline, and profit optimization.

Key speakers are, Erika Alexander with Marriott International, James Carroll with Crestline Hotels & Resorts, Christine Duffy with Carnival Cruise Line, Sourav Ghosh with Host Hotels & Resorts, Michelle Horn with Delta Air Lines, Mitch Patel with Vision Hospitality Group, Adam Sacks with Tourism Economics and Peter Strebel with Omni Hotels & Resorts.

This sold out year comes two years after the HDC, like many other major conferences, was changed to mostly online due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

More for you

Olympic Wage ordinance 2028
Photo credit: Unite Here Local 11

Petition fails to stop L.A. hotels wage increase

Summary:

  • Failed petition clears way for Los Angeles “Olympic Wage” to reach $30 by 2028.
  • L.A. Alliance referendum fell 9,000 signatures short.
  • AAHOA calls ruling a setback for hotel owners.

A PETITION FOR a referendum on Los Angeles’s proposed “Olympic Wage” ordinance, requiring a $30 minimum wage for hospitality workers by the 2028 Olympic Games, lacked sufficient signatures, according to the Los Angeles County Registrar. The ordinance will take effect, raising hotel worker wages from the current $22.50 to $25 next year, $27.50 in 2027 and $30 in 2028.

Keep ReadingShow less
AHLA Foundation expands hospitality education

AHLA Foundation expands hospitality education

Summary:

  • AHLA Foundation is partnering with ICHRIE and ACPHA to support hospitality education.
  • The collaborations align academic programs with industry workforce needs.
  • It will provide data, faculty development, and student engagement opportunities.

THE AHLA FOUNDATION, International Council on Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Education and the Accreditation Commission for Programs in Hospitality Administration work to expand education opportunities for students pursuing hospitality careers. The alliances aim to provide data, faculty development and student engagement opportunities.

Keep ReadingShow less
U.S. holiday travel 2025 trends

Report: U.S. consumers’ holiday travel intent dips

Summary:

  • U.S. holiday travel is down to 44 percent, led by Millennials and Gen Z.
  • Younger consumers are cost-conscious while older generations show steadier travel intent.
  • 76 percent of Millennials are likely to use AI for travel recommendations.

NEARLY 44 PERCENT of U.S. consumers plan to travel during the 2025 holiday season, down from 46 percent last year, according to PwC. Millennials and Gen Z lead travel intent at 55 percent each, while Gen X sits at 39 percent and Baby Boomers at 26 percent.

Keep ReadingShow less
Report: Global RevPAR to rise 3–5 percent in 2025

Report: Global RevPAR to rise 3–5 percent in 2025

Summary:

  • Global hotel RevPAR is projected to grow 3 to 5 percent in 2025, JLL reports.
  • Hotel RevPAR rose 4 percent in 2024, with demand at 4.8 billion room nights.
  • London, New York and Tokyo are expected to lead investor interest in 2025.

GLOBAL HOTEL REVPAR is projected to grow 3 to 5 percent in 2025, with investment volume up 15 to 25 percent, driven by loan maturities, deferred capital spending and private equity fund expirations, according to JLL. Leisure travel is expected to decline as consumer savings tighten, while group, corporate and international travel increase, supporting RevPAR growth.

Keep ReadingShow less
Hotel data challenges report highlighting AI and automation opportunities in hospitality

Survey: Data gaps hinder hotel growth

Summary:

  • Fragmented systems, poor integration limit hotels’ data access, according to a survey.
  • Most hotel professionals use data daily but struggle to access it for revenue and operations.
  • AI and automation could provide dynamic pricing, personalization and efficiency.

FRAGMENTED SYSTEMS, INACCURATE information and limited integration remain barriers to hotels seeking better data access to improve guest experiences and revenue, according to a newly released survey. Although most hotel professionals use data daily, the survey found 49 percent struggle to access what they need for revenue and operational decisions.

Keep ReadingShow less