The Coastal Virginia lodging market is one of the Mid-Atlantic's most stable hotel regions, supported by a diverse mix of military, maritime, government, business, and leisure demand. While Virginia Beach continues to command the region's highest rates, Norfolk/Portsmouth has led RevPAR growth in 2026, highlighting the strength of year-round demand across the region's distinct coastal submarkets.

This study examines the current status and historical trends of lodging taxes and policy trends in the US and analyzes lodging tax rates and revenues across a broad range of US cities. It includes lodging tax rates/collections on 150 US cities and all 50 US states.

This year's BLLA Boutique Hotel Owners Conference centered on wonder: how independent hotels can stand apart through distinctive guest experiences, food and beverage, art, community, and storytelling in an industry drifting toward sameness. My session added the numbers behind it, as healthy rate growth and limited new supply support the outlook, while rising operating costs continue to pressure profitability.

Our forecast is anticipating a strong fall meeting and convention season, following very solid summer performance. ADR is the star of the show this year, with a robust stock market and a propensity for booking more luxury and upper-upscale stays lifting the overall average well beyond initial expectations. Other factors currently impacting our industry include inflation and staffing challenges.

The tone of this year’s Lodging Conference was measured optimism, as strong 2026 RevPAR growth and limited new supply support the industry outlook. However, rising operating costs, expensive debt, loan maturities, and geopolitical risks continue to pressure profitability. Owners are increasingly focused on AI adoption, active asset management, brand economics, and converting revenue increases into asset value.

Downtown Dallas hotels are navigating convention-center disruption, corporate relocations, and sports venue shifts, with FIFA boosting 2026 rates. While occupancy may remain soft until the revamped convention center reopens in 2030, factors such as Uptown development, elevated hotel/residence projects, airport investments, and major projects support a strong longer-term outlook.

Our forecast is anticipating a strong fall meeting and convention season, following very solid summer performance. ADR is the star of the show this year, with a robust stock market and a propensity for booking more luxury and upper-upscale stays lifting the overall average well beyond initial expectations. Other factors currently impacting our industry include youth sports and staffing challenges.

Houston is no stranger to major sporting events, having hosted Super Bowls, Final Fours, and College Football Playoff games. FIFA 2026 added another chapter, drawing an estimated 500,000 out-of-town visitors to Houston, according to the Harris County–Houston Sports Authority. While Houston hotels did not see a broad occupancy surge, they found meaningful pricing power around the matches.

After a stable fiscal-year 2026, the recently published fiscal-year 2027 per-diem rates indicate a return to measured growth, with the standard continental United States (CONUS) lodging allowance increasing by $3 per night. This article explores how long-term trends continue to reveal significant differences among U.S. lodging markets, particularly in major gateway cities and resort destinations.

The St. Louis lodging market struggled to find its footing in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic but appeared to turn a corner in 2025 and continued to strengthen this year. Numerous recent and ongoing developments and initiatives support a positive outlook for market hotels.