hospitalitystyle.com

(January 2009) posted on Tue Jan 20, 2009 EST

A new survey of more than 3,000 past and current delegates of the Americas Lodging Investment Summit (ALIS) found a significant portion of the respondents have a reasonably optimistic outlook for hotel investment in 2009. Just over half the survey participants (53 percent) feel the economic situation for the hotel industry will turn around in the coming year, with the majority anticipating this turn in the 3rd or 4th quarter. The remaining 47 percent of respondents believe the hotel industry will continue to struggle until at least 2010.

Many respondents were forward-thinking, in terms of identifying investment opportunities. More than 77 percent predict money will flow into the acquisitions market before stimulating development. This suggests better times ahead for those involved the buying and selling side of the hospitality industry. Respondents did sound a cautionary note, with 65 percent expressing the belief that the federal government needs to pass more economic stimulus measures to jump-start the economy.

"It's encouraging that those in the hospitality investment community are expressing a cautious optimism toward both future industry growth and returning profitability as early as the second half of 2009," said BHN president and conference chair Jim Burba. "It will be interesting to see the mood at this year's conference, so soon after the Obama administration takes the reins of government and introduces a revised economic stimulus package."

The ALIS conference draws hotel executives, investors, lenders, developers and advisors. This year's event is January 26-28 at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront Hotel.