Cameron Sperance

European tourist organizations should use coronavirus as an opportunity to solve overtourism concerns. But going overboard may ultimately do away with the economic benefits of recent years that put much-needed funds into both local and national coffers.

The U.S. and China have taken similar hotel recovery paths following coronavirus shutdowns, but how U.S. leaders respond to recent case spikes may determine if the transpacific rebound correlation continues.

The Big Apple's hotel building bonanza of recent years swamped the market with an overabundance of supply. But even now with permanent closures expected and fewer rooms available, hotel operators won't be able to price up in a way to turn big profits.

The U.S. hotel industry may have strong momentum behind its initial recovery, but strong government leadership will be key in keeping the recovery consistent.

Hotel owners face rising operational costs to keep up with new coronavirus cleaning standards. While some technology platforms could trim labor costs, these offsets aren't expected to hit until tech-savvy business travel returns.

Partnering with colleges and universities to turn hotel rooms into temporary student housing is a viable short-term revenue stream for Choice Hotels, but it still won't be enough to snap the company back to 2019 performance levels anytime soon.

Unless a vaccine or widespread coronavirus treatment becomes available this year, a W-shaped hotel industry recovery seems likely. But that doesn't mean hoteliers should accept that fate — alternative revenue streams are out there.

Ashford Inc. wants to tout the strength of its smaller businesses that could benefit from changing guest expectations around health and safety, but it can't ignore the billions of dollars in hotel debt held by two of its associated real estate companies.

There is always the potential of going too far with layoffs during an economic downturn. But coronavirus has upended the travel industry with so much uncertainty that Hilton's sizable layoffs reflect a narrowed corporate focus on near-term health, survival, and reopening.

Many hotels won't come back from coronavirus shutdowns, but the downturn in travel won't last forever. It is a shrewd business strategy to plan for future growth, if you can stomach the short-term occupancy meltdown.