Travel News: Airlines, Tourism and Airfares

Westgor & Associates, Inc., charter member of Hotel Brokers International, announces the sale of the 60 unit Americas Best Value Inn located in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, to Shree Laxmi Naryam. Jeff Westgor, CHB, President of Westgor & Associates Inc., represented the seller – US Assets. Financing was an SBA 7A loan.

Supertel Hospitality, Inc. (NASDAQ: SPPR), a real estate investment trust (REIT) which owns 114 hotels in 23 states, today announced that its 2009 results will be impacted by substantial non-cash impairment charges of approximately $24.1 million.

Among other victims of the recession, brands have taken a beating. Private labels have gained market share. Consumers are cutting back. Retailers are turning up the heat. According to panelists who gathered to discuss brand strategy at a recent Wharton Marketing Conference titled, "Connecting with the Evolving Consumer," marketers need to be especially innovative when it comes to making sense of the shifting economy -- and profiting from it.

Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH) today announced that the Cambria Suites hotel in Fort Lauderdale/Dania Beach, Fla. has opened.

From the International Hotel Investment Forum (IHIF) in Berlin, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE:HOT) today announces plans to open 50 new hotels in its Europe, Africa and Middle East (EAME) division by 2012. And with the recent opening of the Sheraton Bratislava Hotel - along with 13 additional hotels slated to open this year - the division is firmly on track to reach this goal.

From February to March 2010, the average price of hotels in Europe stayed constant at 93 pounds. Compared to March 2009's average of 100 pounds a night, this represents a seven percent drop. Prices in 34 of the top 50 European cities also decreased in comparison to last year. In contrast, prices in London have increased by six percent. These are the findings of the trivago Hotel Price Index (tHPI) which is published monthly by the hotel price comparison site www.trivago.co.uk.

Hotel Technology Next Generation (HTNG) awarded the first ever Most Innovative Hospitality Award to MTech for their REX Room Expeditor product at its Members Meeting in Orlando on March 3.

The first W in the Middle East, W Doha Heralds Growth of Starwood’s Lifestyle Brands in Europe, Africa and the Middle East - Starwood On-Track to Open 50 Best-in-Class Hotels in the Region by 2012

Aloft To Be Presenting Sponsor of Exclusive "Live In the Vineyard" Music Series

As part of a global reorganization aimed at accelerating worldwide growth, Marriott International, Inc. plans to double its portfolio in Europe by 2015. Amy McPherson, president and managing director of Marriott International Europe, made the announcement today at the International Hotel Investment Forum.