�Based on our growth over the past five years and our future plans, we believe the timing is right to further strengthen our management team,� said Hasu P. Shah, chairman and CEO. �Jay was instrumental in the formation of Hersha Hospitality Trust in 1999 and has helped us achieve our goals through his leadership at our affiliated management and development company.  He is uniquely qualified to take

Jay H. Shah

As president and COO, Shah will play a key role in the company�s acquisition program, which concentrates on institutional grade, three- and four-star assets, located in selected markets between metro Boston and metro Washington in markets with high barriers to new competition. 

He previously was managing director of the Hersha Group, a hotel development / ownership / management organization with 20 hotels in the Northeast, and was intimately involved in the operational and transactional activities of the Group�s regional real estate development and management company.  He also is the founder and former principal of Shah & Byler, LLP, a boutique real estate and construction law firm based in Philadelphia, Pa.  He is a graduate of Cornell University School of Hotel Administration and earned his law degree and MBA from Temple University.  Shah also serves on the Board of Trustees of the Please Touch Museum, the Philadelphia Children�s Museum.

�Hersha�s management team has established an impressive track record,� Jay Shah said.  �I look forward to focusing my experience and energy on the company�s future success.�

Hersha Hospitality Trust is a hotel-focused real estate investment trust.  The Harrisburg, Pa.-based company�s portfolio is concentrated in established markets along the Eastern seaboard with 19 hotels comprising 1,738 rooms.  The company focuses on owning and operating high-quality, upscale, mid-scale, and premium limited-service hotels under leading brands such as Hampton Inn®, Hilton Garden Inn®, Doubletree®, and Holiday Inns®. 

Certain matters within this press release are discussed using forward-looking language as specified in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.