Hoteliers are preparing for an especially strong summer with the current state of the oil markets, consumer confidence and an increase in inbound domestic and global travel.
With low gas prices, strong consumer confidence and increasing domestic and international leisure travel, hoteliers around the U.S. are expecting an especially strong summer.
Joseph Khairallah, COO at Marcus Hotels & Resorts, said his company expects those factors to come together to fuel demand for a strong season.
“Our outlook for this summer is positive, our properties are forecasting demand to be similar or higher to last year where summer was very strong,” he said. “We are expecting a good mix of both transient and group business.”
And sources in popular leisure destinations said they’re also seeing positive signs.
Karen Thomson, vice president of sales and marketing at Paramount Hotel Group, said the company is expecting a busy summer at its properties in Charleston, South Carolina.
“We’re forecasting to do extremely well in the Charleston area,” Thomson said. “That’s just such a hot button for destination weddings and the beach is right there, and it’s that whole kind of country environment. It’s really inviting.”
According to data from MMGY Global, travel in Florida is expected to hit an all-time high for the season. As of April, MMGY Global’s Travelhorizons Travel Sentiment Index reached an all-time high in its nine-year history. The index, which calculates leisure travel demand six months out based on several indicators, was at 121, up six points from 2015.
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