The top hospitality data trackers upgraded their forecasts during ALIS Summer Update.

The pieces that will assemble the hotel industry’s post-recession recovery are beginning to fall into place. Today hoteliers, financiers and brokers are finding new sources of equity, doing smaller deals and trying to bridge the ever-present bid-ask gap.

Outdoor Traveler Destinations hopes to capitalize on one of the fastest-growing niches within the leisure travel market--travelers who enjoy the outdoors and the activities associated with outdoor lifestyles.

Associations in the Gulf Region continue to lobby for more marketing dollars to help them combat the lack of demand. Meanwhile, more data continues to illustrate the oil spill's effects.

Take advantage of low labor and material costs, faster access to inventory and timeless trends now, designers say.

According to recent transactions surveys from HVS and Hotel Brokers International, 2009 was characterized by sharp declines in both the number of hotel properties changing hands and sale prices, compared to 2008 and over the last 10 years.

Understand which tools and services are critical in marketing your property's inventory, then print a PDF of related vendors who will be exhibiting at HITEC.

The surge in 3-D technology at movie theaters has begun to trickle down into the realm of in-home entertainment. And if 3-D becomes commonplace in the home, expect hoteliers to feel the pressure sooner or later.

While a tree museum may sound like something far removed from hospitality, this exhibit's goals are very central to how our business should work.

Ninety-five percent of salespeople say they can sell, but simply need to get in front of more prospects. Trouble is, most salespeople hate to prospect.

Before arriving at your hotel, a guest has a variety of decisions to make, many of which turn into obstacles. Airline tickets, rental cars, and yes, hotel reservations all add to the travel headache. Airport hotels are in the unique position to offer several solutions all at once.

Airport hotels benefit from a fairly steady, built-in customer base, which helps fill rooms but also creates operational issues.

Design and technology is a marriage that should come standard with two therapy couches. Whether the rocky relationship can be blamed on the owner/developer side or the design side is a separate debate, but suffice it to say that the relationship needs to be prioritized from the beginning.

So everyone's business is hurting in the economy, and it seems everyone is desperate for sales, even at lower margins. That means you can get a deal on Asian-produced casegoods for your much-needed property renovation, right? Well, maybe.

The greatest opportunity for business growth is being fanatical about your culture, your strategic direction and building momentum from both.

With many assets coming to market at discounted prices, late 2010 should bring a wealth of opportunity for investors who can access debt and/or equity, says Lodging Econometrics' Patrick Ford.

Answers to your questions about social networking snafus and monitoring private communications on company-issued equipment.

Try to increase marketing and packages in a recession instead of discounting rate.

One of the most important responsibilities a leader has is to hire the right people for the right positions. However, employers often fill in slots quickly rather than take the time to select and train properly.

Premises liability holds owners and property managers legally responsible for accidents and injuries that occur on property. Liability will vary depending on the legal rules and principles in place in the state where the premises liability injury occurred.

Adherence to basic mandates can save legal headaches and even lives.