Connecticut Lodging Association
04/21/2022
Tax Insights for Hospitality Businesses Virtual Event
This free virtual event will feature industry-specific information and resources to help hotel associations, lodging owners and operators, and other hospitality professionals navigate today’s evolving tax landscape.

With multiple tax types converging to create complexity in the hospitality industry, and new regulations targeting vacation rental operators, compliance requirements are constantly shifting. Avalara CRUSH Global is designed to help you meet the challenges of today’s ever-evolving tax landscape. 
 
Join Avalara for this free virtual event May 17–18 that will include hospitality-focused insights — along with thought leadership on overall marketplace and regulatory trends for businesses of all types and sizes.
 
You’ll be particularly interested in How Successful Hospitality Businesses Use Technology to Automate Compliance and Grow, a session hosted by Oliver Hoare, Avalara General Manager, Lodging. Oliver has over 20 years of experience in the lodging industry, including more than a decade at Expedia. Skift Senior Research Analyst Wouter Geerts will also join the discussion, which will cover the following:
·    How successful hospitality businesses are navigating ongoing changes in the travel landscape, including increased marketplace regulation
·    Why property managers, hotels, and online travel agencies are paying close attention to compliance
·    Best practices for implementing technologies to compete and grow in a rapidly evolving industry
STR: U.S. hotel results for week ending 16 April
Aligned with historical patterns, U.S. hotel performance came in lower during the week of Easter, according to STR‘s latest data through 16 April.

10-16 April 2022 (percentage change from comparable week in 2019*):

  • Occupancy: 62.0% (-5.6%)
  • Average daily rate (ADR): US$147.25 (+14.4%)
  • Revenue per available room (RevPAR): US$91.25 (+8.0%)
Connecticut’s Open House Day 2022 - Saturday, June 11, 2022
The Connecticut Office of Tourism is pleased to announce that on June 11, the 18th annual Open House Day will take place once again! This year, we are excited to return to a fully in-person event.

About the event:
As you‘ve experienced in years past, Open House Day inspires Connecticut residents to become more aware of the amazing experiences in their own backyard. This year‘s Open House Day will do the same, keeping our tourism and hospitality businesses in the hearts and minds of our residents.
As always, the event will be supported with public relations and paid media, driving more awareness of participating businesses.

How to participate:
It’s free and easy to be a part of this event. All you need to do to be included is:
1.      Determine if your business meets the guidelines for inclusion described here.
2.      Offer a FREE experience of any kind. The more creative your offer, the more likely it is to be promoted (and attract visitors, of course).
3.      Register as a participant in the event here.
We hope you will participate in this year’s event! And thank you for all you do for Connecticut Tourism!
Coronavirus (COVID19) in Connecticut
Connecticut Update: as of Apr. 20, 2022 4:00 p.m. portal.ct.gov/coronavirus
Overall Summary Total**; Change Since Yesterday
COVID-19 Cases; 811,359; +4,604
COVID-19 Tests Reported; 13,947,545; +59,930
Daily Test Positivity; 7.68%
Patients Currently Hospitalized with COVID-19; 165; +39
**Includes confirmed plus probable cases
U.S. - COVID19: What is the current situation?
Cases & Latest Updates 4/20/22 Cases in U.S.
Total cases: 80,588,854 +53,345
Total deaths: 987,034 +438
Global
World Health Organization Situation Report who.int
504,079,039 cases; +4,760,069
6,204,155; deaths; +15,727

Connecticut News

COVID numbers creeping up in Connecticut, data shows ctpost.com

CT-7 Day Rolling COVID-19 Positivity Rate at 7.68% nbcconnecticut.com
National News

Moderna says redesigned Covid vaccine produced stronger immunity against omicron than current shots cnbc.com

A new version of omicron is gaining a foothold in the U.S., CDC finds nbcnews.com
Hotel News
Knowland Issues Quarterly Event Activity Forecast

Ways to Make Hotel Guests Feel Safe at Your Property hotelnewsresource.com

90% of Consumers Look for Sustainable Options when Booking Travel According to Expedia Research hotelnewsresource.com

Global Business Travel Recovery Sees Double-Digit Surge Since February hospitalitynet.org
Hotels Projected to End 2022 Down $20B in Business Travel Revenue
According to a new report released today by the American Hotel & Lodging Association and Kalibri Labs, U.S. hotel business travel revenue is projected to be 23% below pre-pandemic levels in 2022, ending the year down more than $20 billion compared to 2019. This comes after hotels lost an estimated $108 billion in business travel revenue during 2020 and 2021 combined. 
 
While leisure travel is expected to return to pre-pandemic levels this year, business travel—which includes corporate, group, government, and other commercial categories—is the hotel industry’s largest source of revenue and will take significantly longer to recover.
 
“While dwindling COVID-19 case counts and relaxed CDC guidelines are providing a sense of optimism for reigniting travel, this report underscores how tough it will be for many hotels and hotel employees to recover from years of lost revenue,” said Chip Rogers, president and CEO of AHLA. “The good news is that after two years of virtual work arrangements, Americans recognize the unmatched value of face-to-face meetings and say they are ready to start getting back on the road for business travel.”

The new report comes on the heels of a recent AHLA survey, which found 64% of employed Americans and 77% of business travelers agree that it is more important than ever to bring back business travel. The survey also found that 80% of employed Americans and 86% of business travelers say face-to-face interactions are important for maximizing company success.
 
The shifting sentiments around business travel are supported by a recent analysis conducted by the San Diego State University School of Hospitality & Tourism Management on behalf of AHLA that found in-person business travel and meetings have undeniable advantages over virtual options, and that businesses and organizations that resume business travel and meetings more quickly are likely to have a competitive edge over those that do not. 
Resources