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time period, hotel demand (total rooms occupied) across the United States was up 5.3 percent. Demand for Fort Worth hotels was up 5.4 percent city wide while demand for downtown hotels was up 26.2 percent. With the addition of new and renovated hotels, the increase in citywide hotel supply for Fort Worth was up 2.8 percent. In first quarter 2010, total room revenue generated citywide was $58.5 million, with total room revenue for downtown hotels totaling over $21 million, a 21.4 percent increase over the previous year. “These outstanding results from the recent Smith Travel Research report show the strength and continued growth of Fort Worth’s hospitality industry,” said David DuBois, CMP, CAE, CTA, president and CEO of the Fort Worth Convention & Visitors Bureau. “As we go into the summer travel season and prepare for large regional events such as next year’s Super Bowl, we expect to see additional long term positive results for our hotels and hospitality partners.” The Fort Worth CVB, which operates on an October 1-September 30 fiscal year, achieved record-breaking results for 2008-2009. The number of definite room nights booked in 2008-2009 was 271,000 versus 258,000 in 2007-2008, a 4.7 percent increase over the previous year. In 2008-2009, hosted meetings and convention room nights went from 162,000 to 192,000, an 18 percent increase. Group tour definite room nights also increased in 2008-2009 to 3,500 up from 2,300, a 50 percent increase. For more information, visit www.fortworth.come. DIAMONDS ARE A TRAVELER’S BEST FRIENDS Hilton Americas-Houston Receives AAA Four Diamond Rating Hilton Americas-Houston, the city’s largest hotel, has once again received the prestigious Four Diamond rating from the American Automobile Association, the trav- el industry’s most well-known evaluation sys- tem for restaurants and hotels. The luxurious convention hotel, receiving its Four Diamond rating for the fifth consecutive year, is just one of only 13 hotels in the city to achieve the Four Diamond rating. The Four Diamond rating is defined by AAA as applying to properties that are “upscale in all areas. A property deemed to be a Four Diamond hotel is judged on not only exterior appearance but also on details all throughout the interior. Exterior features such as curb appeal, landscaping and impres- sive architecture are considered, as are interi- or amenities including upscale furnishings, excellent quality carpet, wood, marble and granite flooring, well-appointed upscale lighting, spacious registration areas, upscale full-service restaurants and a well-appointed swimming pool, whirlpool and locker rooms. Also considered by AAA when rating a Four Diamond hotel are the variety of well- appointed meeting rooms of outstanding ele- gance and upscale gift shops. Guestrooms in Four Diamond properties are graded on their decorative furnishings, spacious- ness, artwork, floor and window coverings, quality bed linens, closet and clothes storage space, illumination, furniture and seat- ing, television and central air system. In addition, guestrooms must have telephone, high-speed internet access, ironing boards and mini-bars. Bathrooms must reflect the appointments and spaciousness of the guestrooms and feature high quality fixtures of high-grade materials; towels must be plush and bath amenities of excellent quality with an upscale presentation. Additionally, properties are strictly graded on guest services, with only those among the finest receiving the Four Diamond rating. Areas all throughout the hotel are considered, including reservations, arrival, check-in, bell service, housekeeping serv- ices, wake-up calls, room service order taking and delivery, check-out, departure, concierge and miscellaneous service and staff. Hilton Americas-Houston is proud to have garnered the AAA Four Diamond rating each year since its opening by always exceeding the requirements, consistently going above and beyond in guest satisfaction. Directly connected to the George R. Brown Convention Center and conveniently situated between Toyota Center and Minute Maid Park, Hilton Americas-Houston boasts 1,200 luxuriously appointed guestrooms – the most of any hotel in the city – 91,500 sq. ft. of flexible meeting space, two restaurants, lobby bar, coffee emporium and full-service spa and health club. For more information about the hotel, visit www.americashouston.hilton.com. Black Meetings & Tourism May/June 2010: www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 17