Boom in lower priced lodgings
A boost in quality at US economy hotels is helping to draw business travelers and cost-conscious leisure visitors, and creating a strong demand for rooms.
Competitive economy chains are adding upscale features that appeal to travelers across the board.
The US’s biggest economy chain, Super 8, has free wireless internet in each of its 124,000 rooms.
“The rates are cheap. Super 8 charged an average of $53 a night last year. A full-service Marriott room went for about $150 a night,” said The New York Times.
The Ritz-Carlton, by comparison, averaged about $288 a night.
The boom is also attributable to penny-pinching corporate travel departments, said the Times.
Business travelers have also shied away from higher end hotels because of the trend to charge for just about everything, including internet access.
Prices at lower priced hotels, however, have not risen as rapidly as the higher end chains. That has helped lower prices by creating a competitive market with a lot of rooms.
Upgrades at lower priced hotels include better mattresses and towels and loyalty programs.
Chains such as Super 8 include among their customers many major companies such as Wal-mart, Home Depot and Deloitte & Touche.
When they first opened in 1974, Super 8 charged only $8.88 a night.
Report by David Wilkening
David
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025
Cyclone in Sri Lanka had limited effect on tourism in contrary to media reports
Higher departure tax and visa cost, e-arrival card: Japan unleashes the fiscal weapon against tourists
Singapore to forbid entry to undesirable travelers with new no-boarding directive
Euromonitor International unveils world’s top 100 city destinations for 2025