Chuck Richard, vice-president and lead analyst at Outsell commented: “Advertisers are directing dollars toward the channels which generate the most qualified leads and most effective branding.”

He also said:”As they emerge from the recession, they need more accountability, and they’re spreading their spending over a widening set of options.”

Marriott President Arne Sorenson told the Reuters Travel and Leisure Summit: “The most over-the-top excesses will probably be a long time — if ever– coming back”

He also commented that the Marriotts in the U.S. were the hotels that showed 9% less revenue compared to other Marriotts around the world.

“A spokesman for the Afghan Ministry of Health said that nine bodies and at least 25 injured people have been brought to local hospitals.”

“Foreigners were among the dead and wounded, he said. A Taliban spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, claimed responsibility and said five Taliban suicide bombers took part in the operation.”

“LaSalle Hotel Properties (LHO) posted a wider fourth-quarter loss as the upscale hotel real estate investment trust posted lower revenue. But occupancy grew.

Shares fell 1% to $19.75 in after-hours trading as the company projected per-room revenue to fall another 4% to 6% this year.

LaSalle, which owns 31 hotels in 11 states and the District of Columbia, reported lower room rates and revenue per available room throughout 2009.LaSalle reported a loss of $4.9 million, compared with a year-earlier loss of $2 million.”

According to their data, there has been a decrease of Average Treatment Rate(ATR) of 4.5% in 2009 compared to 2008.

Jan Freitag, STR’s vice president of global development commented: “When comparing luxury hotel spas’ 2009 ATR (US$135.40) and the ASR (US$59) to the luxury hotel industry’s ADR (US$243), it might bring up the question as to whether the spa segment will receive increasing attention from general managers going forward.”

The chain is planning to open 50 new hotels and over 20,000 rooms in 15 countries, including the U.S., Russia, Colombia, China, etc.

Simon Turner, President of Global Development for Starwood commented:”Looking ahead, we continue to grow the Sheraton brand’s already robust presence globally by working with our proven development partners to ensure we have best-in-class properties wherever our guests want to travel.”

The hotel closed at 10 am after “an exhaust vent malfunctioned and caused a buildup on the basement level of odorless and colorless carbon monoxide.”

Firefighters and ambulances showed up immediately at the Hilton Garden, but thankfully, none of the guests was injured or intoxicated seriously.

The Best Western Sevastopol Hotel in Sevastopol, is located right on the sea port, in a great cultural area of the country.

Suzi Yoder, Vice President of International Operations at Best Western International commented:“With the first Best Western property in Ukraine, travelers are able to stay with a trusted friend while exploring a city and nation rich in history.”

“The Best Western Sevastopol Hotel will be ideal for foreign tourists and business people traveling in and out of Crimea’s main resort destination.”

According to the STA database report, the U.S. has ended “the week virtually flat with a 0.8-percent decrease to 48.4 percent. Average daily rate dropped 4.8 percent to finish the week at US$95.34. Revenue per available room for the week fell 5.6 percent to finish at US$46.14.”

This is just the begging of 2010 and there is time to recuperate what has been lost, but apparently the U.S. is still facing economic problems in the hotel industry.

According to the STR database the occupancy for the hotel industry ended with a decrease of 58%, while “revenue per available room for the week rose 1.1 percent to CAD$65.50.”

“Among the provinces, Manitoba reported the only double-digit occupancy increase, rising 10.0 percent to 61.4 percent, followed by New Brunswick with a 9.1-percent increase to 45.6 percent. British Columbia experienced the largest occupancy decrease, falling 11.0 percent to 51.9 percent.”