STR: Memorial Day pulls U.S. hotel performance down in week of May 27
New York City reported the highest occupancy level at 85.7 percent
By Vishnu Rageev RJun 02, 2023
The Memorial Day calendar shift pulled U.S. hotel performance down in the last week of May, compared to the week before, as expected, according to STR. Meanwhile, the year-over-year comparisons have improved, STR said.
Occupancy was 66.8 percent for the week ending May 27, down from 67.5 percent the week before and increased 0.6 percent over the comparable week in 2022. ADR stood at $156.63 for the week, down from $158.53 the previous week, and up 2.2 percent from the last year. RevPAR reached $104.62 during the week, dipped from $106.98 the week before and increased 2.9 percent against the same period in 2022.
Among STR’s top 25 markets for the week, Washington, D.C., registered the highest year-over-year occupancy lift, up 10.5 percent to 76.2 percent, over 2022.
Of note, New York City reported the highest occupancy level at 85.7 percent, helped by Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour.
Detroit posted the highest ADR lift, jumped 16.9 percent to $137.08) and RevPAR, soared 29 percent to $91.54, against 2022.
The steepest RevPAR declines were seen in Miami, down 10 percent to $143.51) and Dallas, declined 7 to $83.35.
Stonebridge Cos. added the Statler Dallas, Curio Collection by Hilton, to its managed portfolio.
The hotel, opened in 1956 and relaunched in 2017, is owned by Centurion American Development Group.
The property is near Main Street Garden Park, the Arts District and the Dallas World Aquarium.
STONEBRIDGE COS. HAS contracted to manage the Statler Dallas, Curio Collection by Hilton in Dallas to its managed portfolio. The hotel, opened in 1956 and relaunched in 2017, is owned by Centurion American Development Group, led by Mehrdad Moayedi.
It has an outdoor pool and more than 26,000 square feet of meeting space, Stonebridge said in a statement. The downtown Dallas property is near Main Street Garden Park, the Arts District, the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center, Deep Ellum, Klyde Warren Park, and the Dallas World Aquarium.
“The Statler is an extraordinary asset with a storied history in Dallas, and we are thrilled to welcome it to our managed portfolio,” said Rob Smith, Stonebridge’s president and CEO. “Its blend of modern hospitality with timeless character makes it a natural fit within our lifestyle collection. We look forward to honoring the property’s legacy while enhancing performance and delivering an elevated guest experience.”
Stonebridge, based in Denver, is a privately held hotel management company founded by Chairman Navin Dimond and led by Smith. The company recently added the 244-room Marriott Saddle Brook in Saddle Brook, New Jersey, to its full-service portfolio.
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G6 Hospitality and the Texas Hotel & Lodging Association will support Texas hotel advocacy.
G6 adds an economy-brand perspective to policy and support discussions.
The two will co-host workshops for market education and talent development.
G6 HOSPITALITY, PARENT of Motel 6 and Studio 6, recently joined the Texas Hotel & Lodging Association to expand a statewide coalition on advocacy, public safety and market growth for its Texas franchisees. The company brings an economy-brand perspective to discussions that influence policy, operations and guest experience across the state.
The two will co-host workshops, forums and tech showcases to support market education, best-practice sharing and talent development statewide, the duo said in a statement.
“As we join THLA, our goal is to contribute to a stronger Texas lodging ecosystem—advocating smart policy, elevating safety and guest experience and providing collaborative learning opportunities for our franchisees and employees statewide,” said Sonal Sinha, G6 Hospitality's CEO. “We’re proud to add our voice and scale to THLA’s efforts while equipping our franchisees with Texas-specific resources to operate confidently and grow.”
The company will support discussions on competition, consumer protection, tourism promotion and workforce initiatives for independent and branded hotels, the statement said. OYO CEO Ritesh Agarwal is chair of G6 Hospitality.
“G6 Hospitality’s membership strengthens our initiatives that help advance Texas hotels," said Scott Joslove, THLA's president and CEO. "Their reach in the economy segment brings valuable insights to policy development, workforce initiatives and community safety programs that benefit properties in every market and price point."
THLA works with state and local leaders to promote business growth, protect consumers, and support hotels with legal guidance, policy insights and education, the statement said. The association will provide Texas-specific compliance and operations training for G6 owners and teams alongside G6’s standards.
GSA will keep federal per diem rates the same for FY 2026.
The lodging rate stays $110 and meals allowance $68.
AHLA raised concerns over the impact on government travel.
THE U.S. GENERAL Services Administration will keep standard per diem rates for federal travelers at 2025 levels for fiscal year 2026. The American Hotel and Lodging Association raised concerns that the decision affects government travel, a key economic driver for the hotel industry.
The standard lodging rate remains $110 and the meals and incidental allowance is $68 for fiscal year 2026, unchanged from 2025, GSA said in a statement.
“Government travel is a vital economic driver for the hotel industry and the broader travel economy,” said Rosanna Maietta, AHLA’s president and CEO. “That’s why it’s so important for government per diem rates to keep pace with rising costs across the economy. The GSA’s decision to keep per diem rates flat will place a strain on the hospitality industry as well as government travelers seeking lodging. A strong economy requires a thriving hospitality sector. We will continue to advocate with the GSA and members of Congress for per diem rates that reflect hotels’ rising costs of doing business.”
GSA sets per diem rates to reimburse federal employees’ lodging and meal expenses for official travel within the continental U.S., based on the trailing 12-month ADR for lodging and meals minus 5 percent. This is the first year in five that GSA has not raised the rates.
The federal administration said the decision reflects the federal government’s commitment to using taxpayer funds appropriately and for core mission activities. The steady per diem rates are enabled by the reduction in inflationary pressures from the previous administration.
“GSA's decision ensures cost-effective travel reimbursement while supporting the mission-critical mobility of the federal workforce,” said Larry Allen, associate administrator, GSA Office of Government-wide Policy.
The rate applies to federal travelers and those on government-contracted business for all U.S. locations not designated as “non-standard areas,” which have higher per diems. For fiscal year 2026, GSA will keep the number of non-standard areas at 296, unchanged from 2025.
North America recorded a 10 percent decline while Central America dropped 12 percent.
THE GLOBAL TRAVEL and tourism sector recorded an 8 percent year-on-year decline in total deal activity during the first half of 2025, according to market data firm GlobalData. Reduced investor appetite was seen across major deal types: mergers and acquisitions, private equity and venture financing.
GlobalData’s analysis shows venture financing deals fell by about 25 percent and private equity deals dropped by around 20 percent compared to the same period last year. M&A activity proved more resilient with a smaller 3.5 percent decline in volume. North America saw a 10 percent decline while Central America saw a 12 percent decline.
“The overall decline underscores a broader trend where macroeconomic factors and investor sentiments are reshaping deal-making strategies within the industry. The subdued activity suggests that dealmakers are becoming increasingly cautious, likely due to macroeconomic challenges and volatile market conditions,” said Aurojyoti Bose, lead analyst at GlobalData. “The decline in venture financing and private equity deals, suggests a dent in investor sentiment, emphasizing a trend of reduced risk appetite.”
The Asia-Pacific region posted growth, with deal volume rising 11 percent in H1 2025, driven by increased activity in Japan and India. In contrast, Europe saw a 19 percent drop, the Middle East and Africa fell 39 percent and South and Central America declined 12 percent.
Among major markets, the US, China and Germany all recorded declines in deal announcements while the UK maintained deal volumes at similar levels to last year.
GlobalData notes that historical figures may change if additional deals from earlier months are disclosed later.
Last year saw a 12.6 percent decline, with a total of 347 mergers and acquisitions, private equity and venture financing deals reported in the global travel and tourism sector during the first half of 2024.
Vision held its Red Sand Project to combat human trafficking in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
It fights trafficking through partnerships, staff training and philanthropic support.
Tennessee reported 213 human trafficking cases in 2024, involving 446 victims.
VISION HOSPITALITY GROUP held its fourth annual Red Sand Project with WillowBend Farms to combat human trafficking in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The event brought together organizations working to combat human trafficking, including the Family Justice Center for Hamilton County and the Hamilton County Health Department.
“We were honored to stand with our partners and our community to bring attention to this issue,” Patel said. “Together, through awareness and action, we are working toward a future where every individual is safe, seen and supported.”
The Red Sand Project is a symbolic initiative to raise awareness and promote action on human trafficking, the statement said. Participants poured red sand into sidewalk cracks to represent victims who have fallen through the cracks of society. This year’s event came as the Chattanooga community reported progress in prevention and survivor restoration over the past year.
“The Red Sand Project reminds us that human trafficking continues to be a pressing public health issue and a devastating reality in every state,” said Jenelle Hawkins, Vision's director of operation excellence. “As members of the hotel industry, we understand our unique position to help identify and prevent trafficking. We are proud to be part of a community that is not only raising awareness but also driving real solutions. As we mark our fourth year, our commitment is stronger than ever.”
According to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, there were 213 reported human trafficking cases in Tennessee in 2024, involving 446 victims. Events like the Red Sand Project raise awareness, promote education and encourage community action.
Vision Hospitality Group combats trafficking through community partnerships, staff training and philanthropic support. In 2024, it donated $100,000 to the AHLA Foundation’s No Room for Trafficking Survivor Fund, which provides housing and job placement services to survivors nationwide.
If you know someone who needs help escaping trafficking, call the Tennessee Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-855-558-6484. To report a suspected victim, call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or text 233722.
In June, Vision broke ground on a 150-key Hilton dual-brand in Lookout Valley, Chattanooga, Tennessee.