Companies in the hospitality industry are choosing to make diversity and inclusion a priority. By doing so, their organization best represents today’s market and also helps them attract and retain the best talent in the industry. Hiring a chief diversity officer, developing an inclusivity strategy, and connecting with their varied client base can ensure that diversity is being addressed at every level and companies are successfully achieving their goals.

Rod Clough, President – Americas, interviewed Kasia Russell, Managing Director and Senior Partner overseeing the U.S. Pacific Northwest region, on February 3, 2021, to discuss the current market dynamics and the outlook for recovery.

The challenges faced by the City of Roses in 2020 were nothing short of devastating. Not only did the COVID-19 pandemic wreak havoc on the local economy, but social injustice and political demonstrations, as well as devastating fires that displaced thousands and resulted in hazardous air quality, continued to impede recovery efforts throughout the year. Moreover, the exaggerated national media attention further exacerbated conditions. Looking ahead, Portland as a city works to heal and rebuild.

Seattle effectively closed for business in early March 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Attempts to reignite the local economy have faced multiple setbacks, compounded by 40+ national convention cancellations, the shuttering of the 2020 cruise season, and the substantial decline in inbound domestic and international travel. The effects of COVID-19 on the Pacific Northwest have been nothing short of catastrophic to the hospitality industry.

Based on patterns of recovery following the two most recent recessions, HVS projected the lodging tax revenues of 25 US urban markets. Compared to a baseline scenario without the pandemic, HVS estimates combined lodging tax losses across these markets could range from $4.4 to $6.1 billion. Losses of this magnitude will force stakeholders to consider steps such as debt refinancing or seeking alternative revenue streams until the hospitality industry recovers from this pandemic.

In 2018, Amazon announced the locations for its coveted HQ2. Along with this announcement, the company also disclosed a new Center for Operational Excellence to be built in Downtown Nashville, bringing with it 5,000 new high-paying jobs. But how will this impact the local lodging industry, especially amid a massive number of new hotels flooding the market?

With the Coronavirus scare gaining momentum, this article revisits the 2003 SARS pandemic, seeking insight into the potential impact on individual markets and travel as a whole.

After experiencing year-over-year RevPAR growth since 2010, hotel supply in Downtown Madison has finally caught up with demand; however, the outlook remains positive given the diverse industries and breadth of demand generators in the market.

Vancouver is experiencing a development renaissance. Instilled with a new sense of confidence by The Waterfront’s ongoing success, Portland’s lesser known neighbor is buzzing with new construction projects, including office, multi-family, retail, and hotels along The Waterfront.

HVS C&V leaders offer the pulse of their markets heading into the fall season. Out of 23 markets discussed, ten are rated as hot, nine are rated as mild, and the remaining four are rated as cooling.