Poll of top hospitality investors reveal a majority of positive outlooks for 2009.

A survey of more than 3,000 past and current delegates of the Americas Lodging Investment Summit (ALIS), revealed a split decision on predictions for an economic upswing in 2009. Despite widespread "dooms day" predictions, a significant portion of the ALIS delegates have a reasonably optimistic outlook for the hotel investment community as 2009 begins.

Survey results show more than half of respondents (53 percent) feel the economic situation for the hotel industry will turn around in 2009, with the majority anticipating this turn in the 3rd or 4th quarter. Less than half (47 percent) of respondents believe the hotel industry will continue to struggle until at least 2010.

Respondents were forward-thinking in terms of identifying abundant investment opportunities. More than 77 percent predict money will flow into the acquisitions market before stimulating development. This suggests better times ahead for those involved the buying and selling side of the hospitality industry.

Delegates also sounded a cautionary note, as the majority (65 percent) expressed their belief that the federal government needs to pass more economic stimulus measures to jumpstart the economy.

"It's encouraging that those in the hospitality investment community are expressing a cautious optimism toward both future industry growth and returning profitability as early as the second half of 2009," said BHN President and Conference Chair Jim Burba. "It will be interesting to see the mood at this year's conference, so soon after the Obama Administration takes the reins of government and introduces a revised economic stimulus package."

ALIS conference delegates are hotel executives, investors, lenders, developers, and members of the professional advisory community in the hotel and tourism industry.

This year's event is January 26-28 at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront Hotel and features sessions and workshops on topics including capital markets and finance, owner investments and asset management, development, acquisitions, management and franchising, vacation ownership, international opportunities, and green hotels.

Proceeds from the ALIS conference benefit the educational, research, and training missions of the Educational Institute (EI) of the American Hotel & Lodging Education Foundation (AH&LEF), AH&LA's not-for-profit affiliate. For general event information, online registration, and sponsor opportunities, contact Jonathon Zink, BHN conference manager, at                 (714) 540-9300  or jzink@burba.com, or visit the ALIS Website. Registration price will increase on January 19. For information on the AH&LA or AH&LEF, visit www.ahla.com. Press interested in discussing survey results or more information on ALIS are invited to contact Jessica Soklow, AH&LA media relations manager, at jsoklow@ahla.com.