In a February 23rd article in USA Today it was reported that some families will cut back on or cut out some of their summer vacations. Prediction is that overall spending will be down 10% this summer. This is obviously bad news when you consider that hotels are already feeling the sting of lowered occupancy, ADR and RevPAR.  Consultants D.K. Shifflet & Associates and IHS Global Insight report that Americans may spend 9.7% less on leisure travel in April, May and June, and 9% less in July, August and September than in 2008.  So this was the bad news of my day...

After anxiously awaiting the weekly pace reports on our clients, studying the booking pace overlayed with online marketing and advertising campaigns I realized that we were hitting the mark and we were affecting bookings. In fact, the good news is that according to STR report we are actually increasing occupancy, ADR and RevPAR, and most importantly we are beating our competitive sets in all of our destinations.  For the month of January that is not bad.  February is strong and March looks really good.  So why am I surprised?  I am not really.  Although there is a 10% drop in travel, that still leaves 90% of the pie in tact. I also beleive that this is one of the best opportunities we could ever have to take brand share away from competitors. In our destination clients we are doing just that.

So the bad news is that 2009 will be harder to make the numbers than 2008, but then 2008 was a banner year.  The good news... it can be done.

till next time

Leah

BTW, please give me some time to answer your emails.... I am swamped and know that I am behind a bit. I do like hearing from you all. : )