NAACP Lodging Industry Report Card 2003

This is the sixth year of measuring the lodging industry. This report card focuses on the largest hotel chains in the industry, cross referenced with the hotels most often used by African American organizations and consumers for conventions and other gatherings. Twelve hotel chains were included in this review and the industry has scored an overall grade of C (2.44).

When the NAACP began surveying hotels seven years ago, there were originally 16 chains identified for the initiative. Industry changes, including mergers and acquisitions, have resulted in 12 hotel chains being included in the Year 2003 report card.

The hotel industry, commonly referred to as the lodging industry, is part of the much larger industry of travel and tourism. This industry is one of the leading global economic activities, a multi-billion dollar industry with 700 million international travelers per year around the world. Tourism is means for employment and income creation and, especially in poor countries, a method for development. African Americans spend over $5.5 billion annually in transportation, travel, and lodging.

This year�s survey continues to reveal that one area in particular is the foremost problem facing minorities in the lodging industry: property ownership. Despite creative financial incentives by some corporations, the ability of minority entrepreneurs to break into the historically closed-door society of hotel ownership remains hampered and stagnant. Whether this is a result of systemic barriers to financing and lending opportunities by the banking industry or whether this results from a more reprehensible purpose remains to be seen. However, what is indisputable is that the huge revenues that are generated in this lucrative industry are still enjoyed by only a select few. (2002 Report Card)
 

a Includes Marriott Hotels, Ritz-Carlton, Renaissance, Ramada International, Courtyard, Residence Inn, TownPlace Suites, SpringHill Suites, Fairfield Inn, Marriott Vacation Club Intl; 
b Includes Wyndham Luxury Resorts, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Wyndham Garden Hotels, Summerfield Suites; 
c Includes Comfort Inns, Comfort Suites, Sleep Inn, Mainstay Suites, Clarion Hotels, Quality Inns, Econo Lodge, Rodeway Inns; 
d Includes Westin Hotels, Sheraton Hotels, St. Regis Hotel, Four Points Hotels, Luxury Collections, W Hotels; 
e Includes Conrad Hotels, Hilton Hotels, Embassy Suites, Doubletree Hotels, Doubletree Guest Suites, Doubletree Club Hotels, Hilton Grand Vacations, Homewood Suites, Hilton Grand Inns, Hampton Inns, Hampton Inn & Suites; 
f Includes Park Hyatt, Grand Hyatt, Hyatt Regencies, Hyatt; 
g Formerly known as Bass Hotels, includes Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Select, Holiday Inn Express, Crowne Plaza, Staybridge Suites, InterContinental; 
h Includes Days Inn, Howard Johnson, Knights Inn, Super 8 Motel, Travelodge, Villager, Wingate Inn, AmeriHost Inn.
* Pledge Curve Applied

Consumer Alert

This report provides consumers with the tools for empowerment, enabling them to make the most of the choices they have in the continuingly changeable market of the lodging world. While the NAACP intends to keep monitoring the lodging industry for progress and advancement, consumers are encouraged to utilize this guide in making informed choices about where to spend and invest their dollars. .