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LODGING Staff

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Las Vegas Leads U.S. Hotel Industry Growth with 90.5% RevPAR Increase in Early March 2026

📅 U.S. hotel industry performance through March 7, 2026, shows growth with occupancy at 63% (up 1.2%), ADR at $166.47 (up 3.6%), and RevPAR at $104.92 (up 4.9%). Las Vegas led with occupancy at 85% (up 19.1%), ADR at $291.25 (up 60%), and RevPAR at $247.61 (up 90.5%), thanks to CONEXPO-CON/AGG. San Diego's occupancy rose 12.5% to 73.5%, boosting RevPAR by 20.7% to $153.11. New Orleans saw the largest ADR drop of 12.8% to $196.89. Orlando's occupancy fell by 6.4% to 76.2%.
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Kimpton Era Midtown New York Opens with 529 Rooms and Four Dining Concepts by Apicii

📍 Kimpton Era Midtown New York, a 33-story skyscraper in Manhattan, opened with 529 rooms. It features four dining concepts, including Bar Rocco by Rocco DiSpirito, and a rooftop bar with skyline views. The hotel includes a 1,375-square-foot gym and offers city views, with some rooms overlooking the Empire State Building. Two suites and nine rooms have outdoor terraces. Apicii operates the dining venues, with Amasa and Jade Rabbit opening in March and April 2026 respectively.
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Lighthouse Launches Review Agent to Automate Guest Review Management for Hoteliers on Booking.com and Expedia

💻 Lighthouse launched Review Agent in Denver, Colorado, offering hoteliers a single dashboard for managing reviews from Booking.com and Expedia. Review management is crucial as 77% of travelers are influenced by owner responses, and 71% of AI hotel recommendations rely on guest reviews. Review Agent offers three control levels, including AI-generated replies. 88% of responses are sent via AI, allowing hoteliers to focus on key feedback. Nadine Böttcher emphasizes the importance of maintaining visibility in AI-powered searches.
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AAA Reveals Top 2026 Spring Break Destinations; Flights to Domestic Spots Average $815 Round-Trip

🗺 AAA's 2026 Spring Break data reveals top destinations. Who? AAA. When? 2026. Where? U.S. and international. What? Top domestic spots include Orlando and Miami, with flights up 2% to $815. International favorites like Rome see flights at $1,300, down from 2025. How? Road trips are popular with rental destinations in Orlando, Los Angeles, and Phoenix. Why? 21.7 million Americans are cruising the Caribbean. Top European cities booked are Rome and Paris.
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Dury Kim Highlights Career Path in Hospitality and Importance of Female Leadership Representation for 2026 and Beyond

📈 Dury Kim was inspired to enter hospitality in middle school after watching a Korean documentary about Cornell’s School of Hotel Administration. By 10th grade, she sought internships in local hotels, working part-time for two years. Her mentors include Calvin Tilokee and Roy Madhok, who helped shape her career. Kim has volunteered with the HSMAI College Relations Committee for three years. In 2025, the lodging industry saw strong female representation in commercial leadership roles but seeks broader diversity.
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Valor Hospitality Partners Promotes Paul Nisbett to Global CFO to Drive Expansion in America, Europe, Middle East, and Africa

📈 Paul Nisbett has been promoted to global CFO of Valor Hospitality Partners. Since joining in September 2015, he managed finance across EMEA. Valor plans global expansion in America, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Euan McGlashan, Valor's CEO, emphasized Nisbett’s leadership and 30+ years of hospitality finance experience. Nisbett is committed to Valor’s growth, leveraging the "Whole World of Local" philosophy to empower teams and align with owners for strong performance.
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Newbond Holdings and HEI Hotels Complete $5 Million Renovation of Aloft Tampa Downtown Hotel

🏨 Newbond Holdings and HEI Hotels & Resorts completed a $5 million renovation of Aloft Tampa Downtown in Tampa, Florida. Led by Studio 11 Design, the project refreshed guestrooms, public spaces, and social areas. The hotel now features updated furnishings, enhanced technology, and an improved Re:Fuel café. The WXYZ Bar offers cocktails and local entertainment, with weekly music and art events. The renovation aims to enhance guest experience and support Tampa's growth.
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Sage Hospitality Group Takes Over Management of The Benson Hotel & Faculty Club in Aurora, Colorado

🏨 In 2023, Sage Hospitality Group took over management of the 106-room Benson Hotel & Faculty Club on the CU Anschutz medical campus in Aurora, Colorado. Developed by AIMCO, the hotel features four design themes inspired by Colorado's landscapes and includes The Faculty Club for academic leaders. The Benson serves as a gathering spot and offers amenities like The Common Good restaurant, a fitness center, and meeting spaces. The University of Colorado recently acquired the hotel to support campus activities.
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Otelier Appoints Ani Gujrathi as Chief Technology and Product Officer to Lead Platform Modernization Efforts

💻 Ani Gujrathi joins Otelier as chief technology and product officer in Bethesda, Maryland. With over 20 years of experience, he previously held leadership roles at Conexiom, Zenoss, Kibo Commerce, Volusion, and Dell. Gujrathi will oversee engineering, product management, data, UX, and cloud operations at Otelier. The company focuses on modernizing platforms and integrating automation and AI for hoteliers. Rob Lawrence, CEO, highlights Gujrathi’s role in enhancing technical vision and operational discipline.
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Hilton Launches Beta Test of AI-Powered Digital Concierge to Enhance Hotel Booking Experience on Hilton.com

💻 Hilton has launched its AI-powered digital concierge, Hilton AI Planner, available in beta on hilton.com. This tool aids travelers in planning their stays by offering real-time responses and recommendations. Initially, it targets a small user group, with plans to expand. Michael Leidinger highlights Hilton's history of innovation, noting the AI Planner as part of their strategy to enhance the travel experience. Hilton aims to improve the tool based on user feedback and needs.
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