Excerpt:   Midland 's Convention and Visitors Bureau has teamed up with other regional cities to  promote Midland as the  "Window to West ."

The bureau hosted the first Regional Travel and Tourism meeting Wednesday at the Old Rankin Highway Visitors Center -- a move to start group marketing West Texas.

"West Texas has a lot of potential," said Gaylia Olivas, director for Midland 's CVB . "It would be so helpful if all of us in the region work together."

With Midland International Airport, the city hopes to benefit from the travelers headed for destinations such as Big Bend National Park.

A high number of Germans visit the national park with Midland as its closest airport, said Brenda Kissko, Midland's travel and tourism manager.

"In order to attract the European tourists to other West Texas cities, we are working with our partners to start two-week to month-long travel packages," Olivas said. "It would take them from Midland to other cities as they head down to Big Bend for instance."

In order to make communication efficient among the members of the regional group, the bureau has turned toward technology -- such as e-mail groups among industry partners and Web site improvements.

Since launching a new redesign of its Web site in mid-March, the bureau has received 6,000 hits. And it hopes to receive more when its partners help put out content, said Becca Saunders, convention sales manager.

The site features a calendar page which any of its partners or users can update. It also features interactive maps, information on extended tours and help with accommodations.

Source:   Bacalso, Courtney.  "CVB officials hope to market Midland as the ' Window to the West ' - - Meeting draws West Texas travel and tourism industry officials to Midland." Midland Reporter-Telegram (TX).  3 Apr. 2008.  Access World News.  NewsBank. University of Texas at San Antonio, John Peace Library. San Antonio, TX. 29 Apr 2009 

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Excerpt:   Friedman Billings Ramsey analyst C. Patrick Scholes noted that the revpar declines were driven by a sharp decrease in occupancy, as both consumers and businesses continue to put off their travel plans.

The luxury segment posted the steepest declines as consumers continued to favor lower-priced properties. Occupancy at luxury hotels dropped 16.7 percent, driving revpar down by 22.4 percent. The luxury segment's average daily rate fell 6.8 percent to $260.43…

Scholes noted that highway hotels performed better than resorts and hotels in urban, suburban and airport locations. Highway hotels' revpar fell 8.9 percent, compared with double-digit declines at resorts and other locations.

Source:  http://www.thestreet.com/story/10459646/hotel-winners-losers-starwood.html

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Excerpt:   In past downturns, many hotels slashed room rates in an attempt to fill beds. Remember the 2001/02 recession where inventory was literally dumped into the emerging online travel agencies? Following this tactic results in both short- and long-term damage, for two reasons according to Smith Travel Research:

First, lowering rates to stimulate demand and increase occupancy is extremely difficult when the tactic is so easily copied by competition. You have to make up a whole lot of occupancy points to break even when you and your competition are both lowering rates. And in these recessionary times with slack demand that is a tough (some say impossible) proposition…

Second, and most importantly, cuts to ADR are difficult to recoup when travel conditions eventually improve. After dropping room rates, attempts to restore them to previous levels are likely to be met with significant resistance. The ability to benefit from an improving economy will be delayed…

Begin by listing all the possible value-added services and amenities available. Look for those that can enhance the guest experience for little or no cost to you — free upgrades, late check-outs, a $50 resort or drink certificate, free parking, etc. Then think “outside the hotel.” Look to partners to help out. Negotiate a free day at a local car rental company, two dives for the price of one from a local water sports operator.

Source:  http://www.hospitalitynet.org/news/4039890.search?query=hospitality

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