IAHI's Rick Takach

Rick Takach has a lot on his mind lately, ranging from decreases in travel spending to labor problems related to federal immigration laws. He currently serves as chairman of IAHI, a 3,000-member group consisting of InterContinental Hotels Group owners (formerly the International Association of Holiday Inns). Takach is also president of Vesta Hospitality LLC, a Vancouver, WA-based hotel chain with locations primarily along the West Coast. He spoke with GlobeSt.com about a range of issues affecting small and large hoteliers alike.

GlobeSt.com: Which one is a bigger concern for you lately, a slowdown in business travel or vacation travel?

Takach: It’s an equal concern for me. We have hotels in both business and leisure markets, and when that business falls off it becomes a concern. We’ve seen some slowing, but it’s not horrible. Our hotels had a pretty decent first quarter, but I started seeing some slowdown in June. Most of our stabilized hotels are a little ahead of 2007, yet revenues are behind budget. On the other hand, 2007 was a good year so it’s hard to complain too much.