ASFONA and AH&LA Confer in Atlanta to Address Key Hotel Industry Issues in Washington

Ms. Lugar's (pictured right) highly informative presentation to the ASFONA board addressed such critical issues as healthcare, immigration reform and labor, which have been identified as the top three topics affecting hotel brands, franchisees and other members of the lodging industry. Other legislative issues that AH&LA provided advocacy for during 2013 included travel and tourism policies, Online Travel Companies (OTC's) and government travel. AH&LA efforts have resulted in favorable outcomes on a variety of bills and other key legislation this year, including the JOLT (Jobs Originated Through Launching Travel) Act, the H-28 Immigration Reform Act and the Internet Travel Tax Fairness Act. Headquartered in Washington D.C., the AH&LA represents the interests of the U.S. lodging industry, actively working with members of Congress to educate them on the impact of the industry on the nation's economy.

In addition to the outline of AH&LA initiatives on Capitol Hill, the ASFONA Board meeting also included a presentation on the state of the industry, which was conducted by Bobby Bowers, senior vice president of Smith Travel Research (STR). The extensive economic overview of lodging industry performance indicated that 2013 was the fourth consecutive year of positive growth in the U.S., with a 5.8% increase in REVPAR year-to-date. STR research also showed that, after a steady 40-month recovery, rates have now surpassed pre-2008 levels, with an ADR increase of 4.1% over the past year. The strongest growth continues to be in the top end of the market, with upper upscale and luxury segments experiencing the highest REVPAR numbers and occupancy levels nearing an all-time high among luxury chains at 74.2%.

Dave Marr, Starwood Hotels & Resorts senior vice president of brand management North America, presented the company's unique Le Meridien brand, which is positioned in the upper upscale to luxury market. Le Meridien now includes a portfolio of 100 properties around the globe. Marr defined the Le Meridien brand to the group, describing it as a design-led, niche brand that appeals to today's "creative-minded traveler" with such unique concepts as "The Hub," a central, multi-use public space that serves as a focal point for Le Meridien properties.

“With the continued growth of the business this year and, in particular the strong performance of brands such as Le Meridien and Sheraton, which is the fastest-growing Starwood brand internationally, Starwood franchisees and owners continue to experience the benefits of belonging to such a powerful global organization,” said ASFONA president, John Shingler. “One of the goals of ASFONA is to provide our board members with a constant flow of high-level hotel and travel industry insight to ensure we are fully conversant and current with all aspects of the industry.”

For more information on ASFONA, please visit www.asfona.com.

About ASFONA - Association of Starwood Franchisees & Owners – North America
The mandate of ASFONA is to provide an effective line of communication between Starwood and its franchisees, owners and hotel management companies doing business in North America. The association provides Starwood the opportunity to seek the council and opinion of the franchise and ownership community on policy and standard operating procedures that can influence the owners' businesses and the cost of doing business.

ASFONA's Board of Directors is charged with providing the leadership required to build strong working relationships between Starwood and its franchisees and owners. For more information, please visit www.asfona.com.

About AH&LA – the American Hotel & Lodging Association
Serving the hospitality industry for more than a century, AH&LA is the sole national association representing all sectors and stakeholders in the lodging industry, including individual hotel property members, hotel companies, student and faculty members, and industry suppliers. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., AH&LA provides members with national advocacy on Capitol Hill, public relations and image management, education, research and information, and other value-added services to provide bottom-line savings and ensure a positive business climate for the lodging industry. Partner state associations provide local representation and additional cost-saving benefits to members. For more information, please www.ahla.com.