Hike Gas Prices for Road Repairs
from San Diego Union Tribune (1/09/2015):
Bob Rauch on the EconoMeter panel as they consider governor’s infrastructure funding options.
Hike taxes for road repairs?
Bob Rauch: NO
“California is consistently ranked as one of the worst states for taxes including having some of the highest income tax rates in the country. It is time that we realize that raising taxes is not a good solution for all cash shortfalls. A better way to balance the budget is to cut wasteful spending, a byproduct of big government. While Gov. Brown is doing a commendable job in this area, if California was run like a successful business, we might be surprised to see how quickly money appears.”
Read More from the panel
TV Channel 10 News: Tourism Reaches Record High in 2014
from TV Channel 10 News (1/04/2015):
…”We didn’t build any new hotels to speak of, on the demand side, we had all these people coming,” said hospitality industry specialist Bob Rauch.
Rauch credits a multi-million dollar marketing campaign which included TV and online advertisements promoting San Diego.
However, many come from a drive away.
“We are a drive market. What that means, oil prices decline, hence gas prices decline will drive people to San Diego more than they will to the fly markets,” said Rauch.
Lodging Industry Forecast – 2015
How does one know what 2015 is really going to look like? What is critical is to examine all of the data and then hope that no event occurs to completely negate the keys to success in 2015. I like to start with macroeconomics. Bernard Baumohl of The Economic Outlook Group points to the expansion of the economy for six years and the fact that he feels this economy still has legs to continue the expansion through 2017. It makes sense that the expansion will continue for a while since we had such a slow start in 2009-2012,” he mentioned just a couple of months ago at The Lodging Conference in Phoenix. (more…)
Top 10 Hospitality Industry Trends in 2015
- Millennials have become the fastest growing customer segment within the hospitality industry. Exploration, interaction and experience are the major focus of Millennials who are willing to pay more for a greater experience. Many of them are looking for an overall gourmet experience for a reasonable price and this has produced all new lobby designs in the hotel sector. Lobby bars and hotel restaurants are wide open with combination work, play and eat/drink spaces designed with this Millennial customer in mind, one who is a “party of one” but “hanging out together.” They are looking for a unique and novel experience and this has and will continue to command change within the market.
Meet the Money National Hotel Finance and Investment Conference
Robert Rauch was interviewed at the 2014 Meet the Money National Hotel Finance and Investment Conference on the current and the future state of the hospitality industry
Where Are All The Scary Ads Targeting Hotel Workers With The Rollout Of Keyless Tech?
from Forbes (Nov. 5, 2014)
Starwood Hotels HOT -1.36% & Resorts Worldwide followed Hilton Hotel’s example this week with the introduction of a smartphone app that allows guests to access their rooms via their smartphones. The appeal of the technology is obvious for users, especially Millennials at whom these offerings are aimed. (more…)
ASU professor opens first hotel in Phoenix
from Phoenix Business Journal (October 2, 2014):
ASU professor opens first hotel in PhoenixThe Metro Plaza Hotel in Northwest Phoenix has a new owner and is slated to reopen in December 2014. It is being fully remodeled as a Radisson property and will be managed by San Diego-based R.A. Rauch & Associates. “We have been watching the Phoenix hospitality market closely and…Read more…
2015 Business Planning Guide
Keep up with the latest trends, drive profits and increase guest satisfaction.
2015 Lodging Industry Forecast
In 2014, the tourism industry has recovered ahead of the economy for the first time in history. This is unusual considering the lodging industry has run in sync with all major economic trends in the past. (more…)