By Stanley Turkel, CMHS, ISHC
July 9, 2012

1.  Drop in European Travel to the U.S.
In the first five months of 2012, travelers from European countries booked 1.1% fewer rooms in the U.S. compared to last year.  This is a sharp decline from 2011 when European bookings increased by 13.7% over 2010.

2.  AAHOA Needs to Level the Playing Field
Contrary to the position of Hotel Business magazine (June 7, 2012), which urged AAHOA to "back off the criticism of brand executives", I believe that AAHOA needs to push harder to overcome the sharply one - sided franchisor advantage.  Just in case you need substantiation of this position, take special notice of the typical franchise agreement in which most hotel franchisors, in addition to nonnegotiable termination and encroachment positions, have the ultimate power to arbitrarily:

• impose higher fees
• grant new franchises (similar or sister brands) anywhere at its sole discretion
• impose new physical and design requirements
• mandate sole - source procurement
• reduce service to franchisees
• sell, merge or consolidate the franchise organization
• impose exorbitant liquidated damages in the event of termination
• restrict a franchise owner's freedom to sell his or her property
• require personal guarantees from owners of franchised hotels
• sell market data, including the names, addresses and preferences of millions of hotel guests
• control the membership and agenda of the in - house franchise advisory council
• expand marketing and reservations funds without an independent audit and full disclosure
• change rules regarding training, technology upgrades, frequency programs, guest discounts, required franchisee services, quality standards, etc.

Impertinent Question:  Given these circumstances, shouldn't AAHOA intensify its criticism of brand executives?

3.  Expand the Javits Center
Now that the negotiations between Governor Cuomo and Genting have ceased for a new convention center at the Aqueduct Racetrack in Queens, proper attention can be given to expansion of the Javits Center.

One idea is to connect Javits to Pier 76 with a skywalk over the West Side Highway.  Pier 76 now home to the Police Department's tow pound garage and stables.  This massive development project would include a Las Vegas - style casino, hotels, a retail mall, or public park and an 800 - car garage along the Hudson River.

4.  At Long Last, Cleaner Hotel Rooms
Best Western International has recognized that hotel guest rooms need far better attention paid to cleanliness.  Their "I Care Clean" program has been installed in 700 Best Western hotels in the United States and Canada with the remaining 1,500 hotels to follow by the end of 2012.

Housekeepers are equipped with ultraviolet sterilization wands and inspection black lights.  The wands are used to sterilize high touch points in the guestroom such as telephones, alarm clocks, light switches, door handles, bathroom fixtures and TV remote controls.  The black lights are used to detect any biological matter or food particles anywhere in the room that the human eye cannot see.  In addition, Best Western has begun using a custom - designed remote control adapted from models used in hospitals that are easier to clean and disinfect after each guest stay.  To alert guests that the new remotes are germ free, they are placed in special biodegradable sleeves that is discarded after each use.  Similarly, an extra pillow and blanket are now being stored in the same kind of biodegradable bags to alert guests that they have been thoroughly cleaned.

Impertinent question in search of a pertinent answer: When will other hotel companies improve the cleanliness of their guestrooms?

5.  Litigation Support Services
Since 1992, I have provided hotel expert services to attorneys involved in hotel - related litigation.  My extensive hotel operating experience can be helpful to attorneys who are litigating cases that involve:

• Hurricane damage and/or business interruption cases
• Franchisee/franchisor disputes
• Management contract disagreements
• Wrongful deaths
• Fire and other catastrophes
• Slip and fall accidents

Since more than 65% of U.S. hotels are franchised, a hotel expert should be thoroughly familiar with franchise license agreements and franchise disclosure documents.  I am one of the most widely - published hotel consultants in the United States with more than half of my 200 plus published articles dealing with franchising.

A knowledgeable hotel expert can offer an attorney a better understanding of hotel industry standards and practices.  I provide thorough research, expert report writing, thoughtful testimony and indispensable litigation support assistance.

6.  Quote of the Month

How to Stay Young

1. Avoid fried meats which angry up the blood.
2. If your stomach disputes you, lie down and pacify it with cool thoughts.
3. Keep the juices flowing by jangling around gently as you move
4. Go very light on the vices, such as carrying on in society.  The social ramble ain't restful.
5. Avoid running at all times.
6. Don't look back. Something might be gaining on you

                            Leroy Satchel Paige

Reviews of My New Book:  "Built to Last: 100+ Year-Old Hotels in New York"

• "passionate and informative"

                 The New York Times

• "You have done an amazing job... your research into the history.... of these properties embellishes the topic immensely"

                Stephen Rushmore, President, HVS International

It's easy to order the book.  Just visit www.centuryoldhotelsinnewyork.com

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