In a pre-conference survey, delegates were polled on their outlook for the hotel/tourism industry.  Results showed that 67 percent believe there will be less new construction in 2003 versus 2002; 52 percent believe there will be more portfolio transactions and 47 percent believe there will be more sale and leasebacks.  Delegates chose Poland, Russia, Germany and the Czech Republic as the top four countries where demand for economy lodging will grow most during the next three years.  Co-host Jim Burba, President of Burba Hotel Network (BHN) stated, �These survey results reflect the cautious mood in the capital markets regarding new development and the belief that many hospitality companies might actually be good acquisitions today, the later view validating the underlying belief in the long term prospects in the industry.�

IHIF has become the largest and most important annual gathering of top hotel and tourism industry executives.  The event covers three days and is held immediately after ITB, the massive hospitality travel trade show in Berlin, Germany.