It appears that no market is immune to the growing economic crisis.

European hotel performance data has shown a sharp slowdown in October according to data from STR Global. The STR Global report uses data from over 3,500 European hotels to build its reports.

“Looking at occupancy, average room rates and revenue per available room data for selected 17 European capitals, we see occupancy declining across the board”, commented James Chappell, Managing Director of STR Global. “Unfortunately, average room rates and RevPAR have started to fall for a majority of capitals this month. The decline of rates comes earlier and faster than expected”.

Some cities did manage to buck the trend however.

Berlin and Helsinki both grew their RevPAR for the month compared to data in October 2007. Other major European cities, however, saw a decrease as a result in the lessening of demand for rooms and  a diving room occupancy rate.

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EcoGreenHotel.com, a company with the goal of reducing the environmental footprint of the hotel industry, has named Mr. Scott Parisi their President.

The mission of EcoGreenHotel.com is to make the industry a greener one by supporting hospitality sustainability. Launched in early 2008, the company is planning for considerable growth in 2009 with vendor partners that will target the hospitality industry, sustainable hotel partners and a consulting arm to work with new developments and improving existing ones.

Parisi is a veteran of the hospitality industry with more than 15 years experience within major hotel chains including Continental, Starwood, Hilton and Choice Hotels.

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Pure Solutions has launched the first online resource for travelers seeking allergy-friendly lodging.

PURE Solutions lets travelers book at over 50 hotels worldwide and is a leading resource for allergy sufferers. THeir technology improves air quality, provide a better sleeping atmosphere and enhance the hotel experience.

“According to the National Center for Disease Control, one in four Americans suffers from allergies.  Our website now makes it possible for travelers with allergies to easily find and book a hotel room that allows them to sleep better at night and wake up feeling rested and refreshed” said Brian Brault, CEO and Founder of PURE Solutions.  “The site now better represents who we are and why a PURE room makes such a difference, as well as providing regular updates of new hotels that offer PURE rooms.”

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UK Hoteliers watched as their numbers took a slight dip in September as a result of lower demand. Room rates declined as a result, and the worsening economic situation being fended off by business travelers is beginning to take a more noticeable toll on business.

A PDF Hotel Consultancy Service report for September reported that in London room rate was down to 1.5% from the same time last year. Occupancy, however, stayed at 81.6%, but this number was still down 5.7% from the same time last year. 

Other regions experienced similar or worse declines in numbers.

Robert Barnard, partner for Hotel Consultancy Services at PKF, commented, “The decreases that hoteliers experienced this month are not surprising given the current turmoil in the markets which is undoubtedly affecting business travel.

“However, it should also be noted that hoteliers did have a particularly strong September in 2007 and this goes some way to explaining some of the decreases.

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