Skip to content

Search

Latest Stories

Survey: Half of webinar attendees plan to keep hotels open despite pandemic

Analytics firm Knowland also advises a focus on the local market for recovery

DESPITE THE SUDDEN hardships foisted upon them, some hoteliers remain optimistic that they will survive the COVID-19 pandemic with their businesses intact, according to a live poll conducted by analytics firm Knowland during a recent webinar. The recent passing of the $2.2 trillion Coronavirus AID, Relief, & Economic Security Act has survey respondents planning on keeping their hotels open.

Of the 700 hoteliers who responded to the survey during Knowland’s “COVID-19 Preparing Today for Success Tomorrow” webinar on March 25, 50 percent said they planned to keep their hotels open despite 70 percent saying 75 percent of their reservations had been cancelled. That “stay the course” outlook is the product of the CARES Act, said Robert Post, Knowland’s CEO.


“Today we are in the middle of a crisis unlike anything we have seen in the past. While we may have a tendency to panic, now is a time to plan and prepare. In light of the economic evaporation of our business, closing the hotel makes the most sense to some,” Post said. “However, with the upcoming CARES Act, there is hope on the horizon that there will be lower cost loans by property that will allow hotels to reduce the impact of the furloughs and keep hotels open and able to prospect for business. Now is the time to help sales teams better manage warm ‘relationship-building’ calls out to their local markets. Customers will absolutely remember how you approach them during this time because at the end of the day, thoughtful communication will win the day.”

At the same time, 23 percent of the webinar attendees said closing their hotels was under consideration.

During the webinar, Kristi White, Knowland’s vice president of product management, told participants to encourage their sales team to reach out with compassion and assistance rather than a focus on making the sale. The survey also found that 50 percent had marketed their hotels toward local businesses this year, up from 38 percent last year.

Those local customers, including corporate, government and local catering business, will come back first, according to Knowland.

In February, the 2020 Annual Global Rescue Travel Safety Survey by travel risk and crisis response provider Global Rescue found 85 percent of respondents had concerns over travel safety.

More for you

Peachtree picked to manage six hotels
Photo credit: Peachtree Group

Peachtree picked to manage six hotels

Summary:

  • Peachtree adds six hotels to third-party platform.
  • Five are owned by La Posada Group, one by Decatur Properties.
  • Third-party portfolio totals 42 hotels.

PEACHTREE GROUP’S HOSPITALITY management division added six hotels to its third-party management platform. Five are owned by La Posada Group LLC and one by Decatur Properties Holdings.

Keep ReadingShow less
AHLA Foundation awards $710K in scholarships

AHLA Foundation awards $710K in scholarships

Summary:

  • AHLA Foundation distributed $710,000 in scholarships to 246 students.
  • Nearly 90 percent of recipients come from underrepresented communities.
  • The foundation funds students pursuing education and careers in the lodging sector.

AHLA FOUNDATION DISTRIBUTED $710,000 in academic scholarships to 246 students at 64 schools nationwide for the 2025–2026 academic year. Nearly 90 percent of recipients are from underrepresented communities, reflecting the foundation’s focus on expanding access to hospitality careers.

Keep ReadingShow less
Congressional deadlock shutters government
Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

Congressional deadlock shutters government

Summary:

  • The U.S. government shut down at midnight after Congress failed to agree on funding.
  • About 750,000 federal employees will be furloughed daily, costing $400 million.
  • Key immigration and labor programs are halted.

THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT shut down at midnight after Republicans and Democrats failed to agree on funding. Disputes over healthcare subsidies and spending priorities left both sides unwilling to accept responsibility.

Keep ReadingShow less
WTTC travel report

WTTC: U.S. tops travel sector with $2.6T GDP

Summary:

  • The U.S. led global travel and tourism in 2024 with $2.6 trillion in GDP, WTTC reported.
  • India retained ninth place with $249.3 billion in GDP.
  • The sector supported 357 million jobs in 2024, rising to 371 million in 2025.

THE U.S. LED global travel and tourism in 2024, contributing $2.6 trillion to GDP, mainly from domestic demand, according to the World Travel & Tourism Council. Europe accounted for five of the top 10 destinations, while India ranked 9th.

Keep ReadingShow less