NY tourism: New York State’s tourism industry set new records for total number of visitors, economic impact and direct spending in 2016. Last year, a record 239 million visitors traveled to New York state, generating an economic impact of US$104.8 billion – exceeding US$100 billion for the third straight year. In addition, visitors generated an all-time high US$64.8 billion in direct spending. These figures each represent a nearly 3% increase over 2015.
STR data: STR’s April 2017 pipeline report shows 167,950 rooms in 1,068 hotel projects under contract in Europe. The total represents a 15.3% increase in rooms under contract compared with April 2016. In the U.S., 580,427 rooms in 4,843 hotel projects were under contract, representing a 14.7% increase in the number of rooms under contract compared with April 2016.
StepStone: StepStone Hospitality has added the Hilton Cincinnati Netherlands Plaza, a 561-guestroom, 73-suite hotel in Ohio, bringing its third-party management portfolio to 17 hotels.
Hyatt House Denver Airport sells: Colorado-based developer McWhinney bought the 123-room Hyatt House Denver Airport for US$22.66 million. The 3.2-acre property traded on May 11 from seller CPX DIA OPAG, LLC to McWhinney’s MH HHouse, LLC, city records show.
Travelodge premium economy rooms: UK-based budget hotel firm Travelodge launched premium economy rooms for the first time. The SuperRooms have a number of features not included in the chain’s standard service, including a branded coffee machine, a three-jet shower, ambient mood lighting, a larger desk and a chocolate bar.
More from the Belfast Telegraph
Lookout Mountain resort: Plans are being revived for a US$106 million resort hotel at Canyon Ridge on Lookout Mountain in Tennessee. Developer Duane Horton, who was involved in an earlier failed attempt at the site but later won a huge court settlement after suing another principal in the project, was promised sizable tax breaks by the local county. The deal includes no taxes for five years and 10% taxes for the next 25 years.
More from The Chattanoogan.com