Amy Bradley-Hole sounded off on her frustration with Hotel Advertising at MSNBC, and laid out several points that prove she’s right.

Hotels are feverishly upgrading these days, trying to offer faster Internet service, or better beds, or all non-smoking properties. But while they’re trying to make their properties more modern and appealing for today’s travelers, they seem to have forgotten to upgrade their ad campaigns.

-MSNBC

Ms Bradley-Hole goes on to make several big points:

1. Rates are the most important factor, and with the internet guests can compare quickly and easily. No marketing mumbo jumbo is likely to get someone to shell out more than they want.
2. Business make contracts, meaning they business travelers usually have little say in where they stay. TV Commercials do little to change this crucial source of steady income.
3. Consumers aren’t stupid. They know that they won’t be eating a gourmet breakfast, but a cold muffin and some cereal. They also know that “sullen teenagers do not morph into human beings upon check in.”
4. Generic crap. All Hotel commercials show the same thing — big comfy beds, bonding families, hard working professionals at a desk — Bradley-Hole says, who cares?

Monitors and reports to-date show that the Dominican Republic’s hospitality industry is well positioned to weather the US Economic storm.

“The Dominican Republic’s high number of European-based travellers makes the country more resistant to economic changes than other Caribbean destinations which are more dependent on U.S. demand. This in turn has helped spur resort developments,” said Fernando Garcia-Chacon, senior vice president for Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels.

Dominican Republic resorts are popular for their beautiful beaches, hospitable population, low labor and construction costs.

 ”Punta Cana is now shedding its all-inclusive label and is attracting investment in 4- and 5-star properties under brands such as Ritz-Carlton, Westin, and Fairmont,” said Garcia-Chacon.  “Additionally, Cap Cana, located adjacent to Punta Cana, features a major in-progress upscale hotel and residential development.  This development offers multiple golf courses, one of the Caribbean’s largest marinas, as well as retail and other services required by a resort of this magnitude.”

Read more here.

The leading super-budget hotel operator in the UK, easyHotel, has announced another major deal between themselves and the Eclipse Hotel Group to develop 10 new easyHotels across the country.

With the finalization of the deal, easyHotel looks set to reach their growth plans of adding 200 Hotels under the franchise’s belt in 10 years.

Lawrence Alexander, CEO of easyHotel says, “Eclipse is delighted with the initial performance of easyHotel Luton and the signing of this development deal with them, demonstrates the belief and commitment they have in the easyHotel business model. Signing with easyHotel provides investors with the opportunity to leverage a hugely powerful brand as well as benefiting from a concept that delivers higher than average room densities, low build costs and greater operating margins.”

In the pinched world economy budget and super-budget hotels have seen a rise in popularity and growth.

Read more here.