The pandemic has been less harsh to mid-market, nationally focused hotel chains than to their global luxury counterparts, as the chill on corporate business travel brings the latter's business model into question. Stock market analysis shows Hilton Worldwide faring better than Marriott International and, in Europe, InterContinental Hotels Group besting Accor.

The Asian American Hotel Owners Association has written a success story through advocacy and adaptability that will continue even through these dire times, attendees at the group's 20th annual convention were assured. The AAHOA began its first virtual convention Tuesday with record membership of nearly 20,000.

Israeli startup Splitty has acquired Boston-based, marketing-savvy Cancelon to help with its push to offer mixed-rate hotel deals for approximately 500,000 hotels around the globe in a more consumer-friendly way than the big-name online travel agencies. But some hotel insiders worry that such a service will cut into their profits and confuse customers with varying prices, some of which weren't intended for the general public.

A 46-story multiuse project in downtown St. Petersburg, Fla., will include a boutique hotel with 223 guest rooms. The full-service hotel will be joined by luxury condo units and space for restaurants, retail and offices.

Nearly half of hotels need to provide more detailed information on safety and health protocols for travelers to feel comfortable booking, because nearly three-quarters of travel agents' clients are wary of staying in hotels in the absence government sanitization standards, according to surveyed advisers. Consumer-oriented cancellation policies and ease of working with guests or agents are other top issues.

Hotelier Rod Bradley is enjoying heavy bookings and declares that good cheer prevails in the South Dakota city that's hosting motorcycle enthusiasts despite coronavirus fears. "It could be a catalyst for America as far as being able to hold events again," the owner of the Sturgis Hotel says of the 80th annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.