


<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en-US" class="static str-hnn-article fluid-layout fixed-nav "> 

<head>
    <meta charset="utf-8" />
    <meta name="robots" content="index, follow, archive" />
    <title>HNN - How Hurricane Harvey could affect US hotel industry</title>

    <link href="/Modules/STR.HNN.Article/styles/nivo/themes/default/default.css" rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" />
<link href="/Modules/STR.HNN.Article/styles/nivo/nivo-slider.css" rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" />
<link href="/Themes/HNN.Bootstrap/Styles/site-hnn.css" rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" />
<link href="/Themes/HNN.Bootstrap/Styles/comments.css" rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" />
<link href="/Themes/HNN.Bootstrap/Styles/top-categories.css" rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" />
<link href="/Themes/HNN.Bootstrap/Styles/trending.css" rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" />
<link href="/Themes/HNN.Bootstrap/Styles/home-news.css" rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" />
<link href="/Themes/HNN.Bootstrap/Styles/specialreports.css" rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" />
<link href="/Themes/HNN.Bootstrap/Styles/data-dashboard.css" rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" />
<link href="/Themes/HNN.Bootstrap/Styles/staples.css" rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" />
<link href="/Themes/HNN.Bootstrap/Styles/opinions.css" rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" />
<link href="/Themes/HNN.Bootstrap/Styles/about-us.css" rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" />
<link href="/Themes/HNN.Bootstrap/Styles/eventsPage.css" rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" />
<link href="/Themes/HNN.Bootstrap/Styles/pager.css" rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" />
<link href="/Themes/HNN.Bootstrap/Styles/personal-profile.css" rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" />
<link href="/Themes/HNN.Bootstrap/Styles/drop-down-menu.css" rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" />
<link href="/Themes/HNN.Bootstrap/Styles/slim_menu.css" rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" />
<link href="/Themes/HNN.Bootstrap/Styles/jquery-ui.min.css" rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" />
<link href="/Themes/HNN.Bootstrap/Styles/jquery-ui.theme.min.css" rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" />
<link href="/Themes/HNN.Bootstrap/Styles/hotelstockindex.css" rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" />
<link href="/Modules/STR.HNN.Article/Styles/trendingbox.css" rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" />
<!--[if lt IE 9]>
<script src="/Core/Shapes/Scripts/html5.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
<![endif]-->
<meta content="Orchard" name="generator" />
<meta content="How Hurricane Harvey could affect US hotel industry" name="og:title" />
<meta content="article" name="og:type" />
<meta content="http://hotelnewsnow.com/Articles/233201/How-Hurricane-Harvey-could-affect-US-hotel-industry" name="og:url" />
<meta content="http://hotelnewsnow.com/Media/Default/Images2017/FeatureArt/20170901_research_harveyUS.jpg" name="og:image" />
<meta content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0" name="viewport" />
<meta content="IE=edge,chrome=1" http-equiv="X-UA-Compatible" />
<link href="/Themes/HNN.Bootstrap/Content/favicon.ico?v=2" rel="shortcut icon" type="image/x-icon" />
<link href="/Themes/HNN.Bootstrap/Content/apple-touch-icon.png" rel="apple-touch-icon" />

<link rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml" title="GetEvents" href="/rss?projection=190" />

<link rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml" title="GetPresentations" href="/rss?projection=194" />

<link rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml" title="GetInfographicArticles" href="/rss?projection=197" />


    <script type="text/javascript">
        (function (d) { d.className = "dyn" + d.className.substring(6, d.className.length); })(document.documentElement);
        window.applicationBaseUrl = "/";
    </script>
</head>

<body class="theme-HNN.Bootstrap">
    

<div class="tripel-123" id="layout-wrapper">

<div class="zone zone-cookie-message">
<article class="widget-cookie-message widget-html-widget widget">
    <div id="divCookieMessage" class="CookieMessage">We use cookies to enhance your visit to our site. Read our <a href="/terms-of-use">Privacy and Cookies policies</a> to find out more. <a onclick="HideCookieMessage()">Close</a></div>
</article></div>


    <div class="navbar-wrapper">
        <div class="banner navbar-fixed-top">
            

<div class="site-container container">
    <a class="navbar-brand" href="/">
        <div id="banner"></div>
        <div id="banner-sm" style="margin-left: 25px; height: 108px;"></div></a>
    <div id="brandidg-right">
        <ul style="display: block; list-style: none;">
            <li id="login"><a href="/login">Log In</a></li>
            <li id="sign-up">
                <div id="sign-up-container">
                    <ul>
                        <li id="sign-up-left">
                            <a href="/Registration">SIGN UP!</a>
                        </li>
                        <li id="sign-up-right">
                            <a href="/Registration"><img src="/themes/hnn.bootstrap/content/red-arrow.png"></a>
                        </li>
                    </ul>
                </div>
            </li>
        </ul>
    </div>
    <div id="brandidg-left" style="vert-align: middle;">
        <div id="follow-us">
            <ul id="socialMediaHead">
                <li><a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/HotelNewsNowcom/172720326103825" target="_blank"><img src="/Media/Default/Images/facebook-head.png"/></a></li>
                <li><a href="http://twitter.com/Hotel_News_Now" target="_blank"><img src="/Media/Default/Images/twitter-head.png"/></a></li>
                <li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/HotelNewsNow" target="_blank"><img src="/Media/Default/Images/you-tube-head.png"/></a></li>
            </ul>
        </div>
    </div>
    <div id="nav-button-top">
        <button type="button" id="navButton" onclick=" javascript: $('#drop-down-menu-container').scrollTop(0); $('#drop-down-menu-container').toggle(300); " class="icon-button-top">
            <span class="icon-line"></span>
            <span class="icon-line-top"></span>
            <span class="icon-line-top"></span>
            <span class="icon-line-top"></span>
        </button>
    </div>
</div>
<div id="slimHeaderWaypoint" style="width: 100%; float: left;"></div>


        </div>
        <div class="navbar navbar-default navbar-fixed-top navbar-lower">
            <div id="layout-navigation" class="group">
                <div class="zone zone-navigation">
<article class="widget-navigation widget-menu-widget widget">
    


<div class="navbar-collapse collapse" id="main-menu">
    <a href="/"><div id="slim_banner"></div></a>
    <ul class="nav navbar-nav menu menu-main-menu">
    
    

<li>
<a href="/Articles/ByCategory?category=News">News</a></li>
<li>
<a href="/Articles/ByCategory?category=Opinions">Opinions</a></li>
<li>
<a href="/data-dashboard">Data Dashboard</a></li>
<li>
<a href="/Advertise">Advertise</a></li>

<li class="featured">
<a href="/Articles/269668/ALIS-2018">ALIS 2018</a></li>


















































    </ul>

    <div id="navBar-Right">
        <div id="nav-button">
            <button id="navButton" type="button" onclick=" javascript: $('#drop-down-menu-container').scrollTop(0); $('#drop-down-menu-container').toggle(300); " class="icon-button">
                <span class="icon-line"></span>
                <span class="icon-line"></span>
                <span class="icon-line"></span>
            </button>
        </div>
        <input type="button" id="searchIconSlim">



<form action="/Search" class="navbar-form navbar-right" method="get">    <div class="form-group" style="width: 200px; background-color: #2d2c2c;">
        <input id="q" name="q" placeholder="Search" type="text" value="" /><input type="submit" id="searchIcon" />
    </div>
</form>        <div id="nav-container-slim">
            <div id="brandidg-right-slim">
                <ul style="display: block; list-style: none;">
                    <li id="login"><a href="/login">Login</a></li>
                    <li id="sign-up">
                        <a href="/Registration">SIGN UP!</a>
                    </li>
                </ul>
            </div>
        </div>
    </div>
</div>

</article></div>
                <div id="searchBar" class="col-xs-12">
                    


<form action="/Search" id="slimSearchForm" method="get" name="slimSearchForm"><input id="searchInput" name="q" placeholder="Search" type="text" value="" />    <input type="submit" id="searchIcon" class="slim">
</form>
                </div>
            </div>
            
        </div>
    </div>
    
<div id="layout-main-container">
    
    

<div id="drop-down-menu-container">
    <div id="arrow-container">
        <img id="scrollUp" src="/themes/hnn.bootstrap/content/White-Arrow-Up.png" style="width: 20px;" />
    </div>
    <div id="drop-down-menu-body">
        <div id="drop-down-menu">
            <ul>
                <li id="drop-down-login"><a href="/login"><span>Log In</span></a></li>
                <li id="drop-down-loggedin"><a href="/registration"><span>Sign up</span></a></li>
                        <li class="line"><hr/></li>
                        <li><a href="/Articles/ByCategory?category=News"><span>News</span></a></li>
                        <li><a href="/Articles/ByCategory?category=Opinions"><span>Opinions</span></a></li>
                        <li><a href="/data-dashboard"><span>Data Dashboard</span></a></li>
                        <li><a href="/Advertise"><span>Advertise</span></a></li>
                        <li><a href="/Articles/269668/ALIS-2018"><span>ALIS 2018</span></a></li>
                        <li><a href="/Articles/ByCategory?category=Presentations"><span>STR Data Presentations</span></a></li>
                        <li id="drop-down-newsletters"><a href="/login"><span>Newsletters</span></a></li>
                        <li class="line"><hr/></li>
                        <li><a href="/Articles/ByCategory?category=5%20things%20to%20know"><span>5 Things to Know</span></a></li>
                        <li><a href="/Articles/ByCategory?category=academic%20research"><span>Academic Research</span></a></li>
                        <li><a href="/Articles/ByCategory?category=Alternative%20Accommodations"><span>Alt. Accommodations</span></a></li>
                        <li><a href="/Articles/ByCategory?category=brands"><span>Brands</span></a></li>
                        <li><a href="/Articles/ByCategory?category=Design"><span>Design</span></a></li>
                        <li><a href="/Articles/ByCategory?category=Development"><span>Development</span></a></li>
                        <li><a href="/Articles/ByCategory?category=Distribution"><span>Distribution</span></a></li>
                        <li><a href="/Articles/ByCategory?category=Earnings%20Recaps"><span>Earnings Recaps</span></a></li>
                        <li><a href="/Articles/ByCategory?category=Food%20and%20Beverage"><span>F&amp;B</span></a></li>
                        <li><a href="/Articles/ByCategory?category=Forecasts"><span>Forecasts</span></a></li>
                        <li><a href="/Articles/ByCategory?category=Financing"><span>Financing</span></a></li>
                        <li><a href="/Articles/ByCategory?category=How To"><span>How To</span></a></li>
                        <li><a href="/Articles/ByCategory?category=Human%20Resources"><span>Human Resources</span></a></li>
                        <li><a href="/Articles/ByCategory?category=Independent%20Insights"><span>Independent Insights</span></a></li>
                        <li><a href="/Articles/ByCategory?category=Independents"><span>Independents</span></a></li>
                        <li><a href="/Articles/ByCategory?category=Infographics"><span>Infographics</span></a></li>
                        <li><a href="/Articles/ByCategory?category=Legal"><span>Legal</span></a></li>
                        <li><a href="/Articles/ByCategory?category=Lists"><span>Lists</span></a></li>
                        <li><a href="/Articles/ByCategory?category=Management"><span>Management</span></a></li>
                        <li><a href="/Articles/ByCategory?category=Market%20Reports"><span>Market Reports</span></a></li>
                        <li><a href="/Articles/ByCategory?category=Mobile"><span>Mobile</span></a></li>
                        <li><a href="/Articles/ByCategory?category=News%20Release"><span>News Release</span></a></li>
                        <li><a href="/Articles/ByCategory?category=Operations"><span>Operations</span></a></li>
                        <li><a href="/Articles/ByCategory?category=Ownership"><span>Ownership</span></a></li>
                        <li><a href="/Articles/ByCategory?category=OTAs"><span>OTAs</span></a></li>
                        <li><a href="/Articles/ByCategory?category=Profiles"><span>Profiles</span></a></li>
                        <li><a href="/Articles/ByCategory?category=Renovations"><span>Renovations</span></a></li>
                        <li><a href="/Articles/ByCategory?category=Research"><span>Research</span></a></li>
                        <li><a href="/Articles/ByCategory?category=Revenue%20Management"><span>Revenue Management</span></a></li>
                        <li><a href="/Articles/ByCategory?category=Running%20the%20Show"><span>Running the Show</span></a></li>
                        <li><a href="/Articles/ByCategory?category=Sales%20and%20Marketing"><span>Sales &amp; Marketing</span></a></li>
                        <li><a href="/Articles/ByCategory?category=social%20media"><span>Social Media</span></a></li>
                        <li><a href="/Articles/ByCategory?category=Special%20Reports"><span>Special Reports</span></a></li>
                        <li><a href="/Articles/ByCategory?category=Sponsor%20News"><span>Sponsor News</span></a></li>
                        <li><a href="/Articles/ByCategory?category=Sustainability"><span>Sustainability</span></a></li>
                        <li><a href="/Articles/ByCategory?category=Technology"><span>Technology</span></a></li>
                        <li><a href="/Articles/ByCategory?category=Tech%20Impact%20Report"><span>Tech Impact Report</span></a></li>
                        <li><a href="/Articles/ByCategory?category=Transactions"><span>Transactions</span></a></li>
                        <li><a href="/Articles/ByCategory?category=Video"><span>Videos</span></a></li>
                        <li class="line"><hr/></li>
                        <li><a href="/Articles/ByCategory?category=americas"><span>Americas</span></a></li>
                        <li><a href="/Articles/ByCategory?category=asia%2Fpacific"><span>Asia/Pacific</span></a></li>
                        <li><a href="/Articles/ByCategory?category=europe"><span>Europe</span></a></li>
                        <li><a href="/Articles/ByCategory?category=middle%20east%2Fafrica"><span>Middle East/Africa</span></a></li>
                        <li class="line"><hr/></li>
                        <li><a href="/about-us"><span>About Us</span></a></li>
                        <li><a href="/terms-of-use"><span>Terms of Use</span></a></li>
                        <li><a href="/events"><span>Events</span></a></li>
            </ul>
        </div>
    </div>
    <div id="arrow-container">
        <img id="scrollDown" src="/themes/hnn.bootstrap/content/White-Arrow-Down.png" style="width: 20px;" />
    </div>
</div>


        <div id="layout-main" class="group">
            <div id="layout-content" class="group">

                                    <div id="content" class="group">
                        <div class="zone zone-content">


<title>How Hurricane Harvey could affect US hotel industry</title>

<link href="/Modules/STR.HNN.Article/Styles/Article.css" rel="stylesheet"/>

<script src="/Modules/STR.HNN.Article/Scripts/jquery-1.11.3.js"></script>
<script src="/Modules/STR.HNN.Article/Scripts/jquery.waypoints.min.js"></script>
<script src="/Modules/STR.HNN.Article/Scripts/shortcuts/infinite.min.js"></script>

<!-- Go to www.addthis.com/dashboard to customize your tools -->
<script type="text/javascript" src="//s7.addthis.com/js/300/addthis_widget.js#pubid=ra-55b3bcc90a1ba297" async="async"></script>

<form action="/Articles/233201/How-Hurricane-Harvey-could-affect-US-hotel-industry" method="post"><input name="__RequestVerificationToken" type="hidden" value="1KVcdjuw6OOfW3XZviefMegCPuK4EJv1UZGA0dreo5H_FGMqvD3Cm1S_DQMujALmeYoghmge92Wgk7LQ_h94s7KHNhgRMe1VcE1UmEmzgfU1" /></form>
    <div class="ArticleBannerAd">
            <div class="bannerAd_top"></div>
    </div>
    <div class="site-container">

        


<div id="articleOuterContainer">

    <div id="mainArticleContainer" class="scrollContent" data-url="/Articles/233201/How-Hurricane-Harvey-could-affect-US-hotel-industry" data-articleid="233201" data-primaryCategory="Research">
        <div style="width: 100%">
                <!-- Go to www.addthis.com/dashboard to customize your tools -->
                <div class="addthis_sharing_toolbox" style="float: right; margin-right: 20px; margin-top: -19px;"
                     data-url="http://hotelnewsnow.com/Articles/233201/How-Hurricane-Harvey-could-affect-US-hotel-industry"></div>
            <div id="mainArticleCategory" style="width: 60%">
                    <a href="/Articles/ByCategory?category=Research">
                        <span>Research</span>
                    </a>
            </div>

        </div>

        
        <div style="height: 20px;">&nbsp;</div>

        <div id="mainArticlePageDiv">
                <div class="mainArticleHeadlineDiv">
                    How Hurricane Harvey could affect US hotel industry
                </div>
            <div class="mainArticleDatelineDiv">
                <div style="margin-right: 40px;">
                    01 SEPTEMBER 2017
                    8:13 AM
                </div>
            </div>
                <div class="mainArticleSummaryDiv">
                    <p>A look back at the impact of Hurricane Katrina and Superstorm Sandy may provide some hints as to what Hurricane Harvey will mean for the total U.S. lodging industry.</p>
                </div>
                            <div class="theme-default">
                    <div id="slideshow" class="nivoSlider">
                            <img src="/Media/Default/Images2017/FeatureArt/20170901_research_harveyUS.jpg" title="This stock image from NASA shows a hurricane approaching the coast of Texas. (Photo illustration: Annamarie Hudson)"/>
                    </div>
                </div>
                            <div style="margin-top: 20px; width: 100%; display: inline-block">
                        <div class="authorByline" style="float: left; width: 50%; margin-top: 15px; clear;">
                            <div style="float: left;"><div class='authorByline'>By &nbsp;<a class='authorByline' href='/Author/206/Jan-Freitag'>Jan Freitag</a></div></div>
                                <div style="clear: left;"><a style="cursor: pointer; color: #1d1e1e" href="mailto:jan@str.com">jan@str.com</a></div>
                            <div>
                                <a style="color: #606161;" href="https://twitter.com/jan_freitag">@jan_freitag</a>
                            </div>
                        </div>
                </div>
            <div class="mainArticleBody">
                <p>HENDERSONVILLE, Tennessee&mdash;Now that Hurricane Harvey has moved off the Texas Gulf Coast and its devastation becomes more visible, it is worth considering how this single event could affect&nbsp;U.S. hotel performance. While it is too early to put hard numbers on the loss of inventory or revenue, looking at the effects of Hurricane Katrina and Superstorm Sandy could assist in thinking about how the U.S. hotel industry results could fare.</p>
<p><strong>Supply will drop</strong><br />We expect that the room supply number of Texas will decline for at least a year. After Katrina, Louisiana room supply dropped by roughly 25% between September 2005 and August 2006. This equated to a supply loss for the U.S. of 0.5%, in fact negating the slow U.S. supply growth we had reported so that&mdash;for the first time in history&mdash;the annualized supply growth for the U.S. was negative.</p>
<p>It is still too early to tell <a href="http://www.hotelnewsnow.com/Articles/232624/Hoteliers-assess-damage-mobilize-in-response-to-Harvey" target="_blank">which hotels are closed for business</a>. We hope that the number is relatively small, and current industry commentary gives us reason for optimism. But it is not a stretch to assume that the supply decline in and around Houston will affect the national numbers.</p>
<div class="imageContainer"><img class="img-responsive" alt="" src="/Media/Default/Images2017/Charts/20170901_HarveyImpact_Freitag.JPG" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></div>
<p>In our <a href="http://www.hotelnewsnow.com/Articles/212022/STR-CEO-Hite-delves-into-trends-behind-revised-forecast" target="_blank">latest forecast</a>, we projected that U.S. room supply should grow by 2% in 2017. It is likely that we will need to revise this number downward.</p>
<p>Renovation and rebuilding work will likely take time. Construction crews were hard to come by prior to the hurricane and will now be even more scarce. Costs for raw materials and labor will increase and will also affect&nbsp;the new construction pipeline in other southern states as resources are reallocated to Houston. We have not yet seen the full impact of the water damage on existing pipeline products, but it is likely that the number of rooms in construction in our pipeline database will also be negatively affected, which will then impact supply growth numbers going forward.</p>
<p><strong>Demand will hold or increase slightly</strong><br />If a hotel makes it through the storm unscathed or can be re-opened pretty quickly after the event, there is a high likelihood that it will post very strong demand numbers in the months to come. Demand will be generated by multiple sources: displaced residents, FEMA and other federal personnel, insurance adjusters and contractors. Most of these will stay for months in the area keeping room demand numbers artificially high.</p>
<p>Group demand, on a national level, has historically not suffered as displaced groups found other venues in which to meet. Large meeting markets in Texas such as Austin, Dallas, San Antonio or in southern states (Orlando, Chicago, Nashville, Atlanta) may benefit from meeting planners looking for new venues while Houston is rebuilding.</p>
<p>As oil prices for the U.S. are expected to increase given the impact on U.S. refinery capacity, it is worth remembering that oil prices have little to no discernable impact on demand in the U.S. And even if leisure travelers would vote with their wallet to postpone a trip, the timing of Harvey, after the summer holidays, will likely make the impact on leisure spend even more muted.</p>
<p><strong>Occupancy should increase</strong><br />If the room supply declines, but room demand remains steady, then occupancy is increasing. This could imply that our STR forecast of 0% occupancy growth for 2017 is too low and that we may be able to report a slight occupancy increase this year and through the second half of next year.</p>
<p><strong>ADR should not be&nbsp;affected</strong><br />Hoteliers are first and foremost in the business to provide shelter and secondarily to make money&mdash;as Carter Wilson was able to show <a href="http://www.hotelnewsnow.com/Articles/17581/Data-shows-no-price-gouging-during-Sandy" target="_blank">after Superstorm Sandy</a>, when called upon hoteliers open their doors quickly and without taking advantage of people in need.&nbsp;</p>
<p>A leveling effect on room rates could also be the U.S. government per diem rate, which is paid by federal employees. This rate is set by the <a href="https://www.gsa.gov/portal/category/100120" target="_blank">General Services Administration</a>&nbsp;and stands at $91 for fiscal year 2017. For Houston&rsquo;s main counties (Montgomery, Fort Bend and Harris), the per diem rate currently stands at $135. Those three counties had ADR of $105 ending in 2016. In addition, <a href="https://www.fema.gov/transitional-shelter-assistance" target="_blank">FEMA might&nbsp;pay for hotel rooms of displaced people</a>&nbsp;after shelters close.</p>
<p>Groups looking for new meeting venues may have to contend with markets that are already fairly full. Meeting rooms and room blocks may be at a premium if conferences cannot be flexible in their timing or choice of market. But if meeting planners have some ability to adjust their schedules, they may find willing hoteliers who are able to accommodate their needs with no impact to the room rate that was expected.</p>
<p>Overall, we expect little to no impact on the U.S. ADR performance.</p>
<p><strong>RevPAR growth could be stronger than expected</strong><br />STR currently projects that RevPAR in 2017 will increase around 2.3%, driven by ADR increase of 2.3%. Given the slightly stronger occupancy expectation, it is likely that we may have to adjust our forecast up a little to allow for the new reality after Harvey.</p>
<p>For 2018, our RevPAR forecast currently stands at 2.3% growth, driven by an ADR increase of 2.5% and a slight nationwide occupancy decline. It is, of course, too early make any predictions about the supply numbers in early 2018, but it is not too farfetched to assume that supply growth in 2018 will also be affected, giving some positive lift to the 2018 results.</p>
<p><span style="font-size: 8pt;">This article represents an interpretation of data collected by STR, parent company of HNN. Please feel free to comment or contact an editor with any questions or concerns.</span></p>
            </div>
        </div>
    </div>

    <div class="bannerAd_bottom">
        
<div id="two-halfpencil-ad" style="width: 100%; margin: 25px auto 0px; display: inline-block;">
    <div class="col-xs-12 col-sm-6">
        <div class="category_halfPencilAd bannerAd_bottom_left" style="margin: 10px 0 10px 0"></div>
    </div>
    <div class="col-xs-12 col-sm-6">
        <div class="category_halfPencilAd bannerAd_bottom_right" style="margin: 10px 0 10px 0"></div>
    </div>
</div>



    </div>

    <div id="commentsDiv">
        <article class="article content-item">



<h3 class="comment-count">
    <i class="fa fa-comments"></i>
    No Comments
</h3>






<div class="validation-summary-valid" data-valmsg-summary="true"><ul><li style="display:none"></li>
</ul></div>    <span id="sMessage"></span>
    <span id="comment-form-beacon233201"></span>
<form action="/Comments/Comment/Create?ReturnUrl=%2FArticles%2F233201%2FHow-Hurricane-Harvey-could-affect-US-hotel-industry%23commentPostMarker" class="comment-form" id="CommentForm233201" method="post"><div class="edit-item">
    <div class="edit-item-primary">
            <div class="edit-item-content">
                

<span id="commentPostMarker"></span>

    <fieldset class="who">
        <div>
            <label><a href="/login?returnUrl=/Articles/233201/How-Hurricane-Harvey-could-affect-US-hotel-industry">Log In</a> or enter name</label>
            <input data-val="true" data-val-length="The field Author must be a string with a maximum length of 255." data-val-length-max="255" id="Comments_Author" name="Comments.Author" type="text" value="" />
        </div>
    </fieldset>

<fieldset class="what">
    <div>
        <label for="Comments_CommentText">Comment</label>
        <textarea class="comment-text" cols="30" data-val="true" data-val-required="The Comment field is required." id="Comments_CommentText" name="Comments.CommentText" rows="10">
</textarea>
    </div>
    <div class="comment-termsofuse">Comments that include blatant advertisements or links to products or company websites will be removed to avoid instances of spam.
        Also, comments that include profanity, lewdness, personal attacks, solicitations or advertising, or other similarly inappropriate or offensive comments or
        material will be removed from the site. You are fully responsible for the content you post. The opinions expressed in comments do not necessarily reflect
        the opinions of Hotel News Now or its parent company, STR and its affiliated companies. Please report any violations
        to our <a href="mailto:pmayock@hotelnewsnow.com">editorial staff</a>.</div>
    <div>
        <input data-val="true" data-val-required="The CommentedOn field is required." id="Comments_CommentedOn" name="Comments.CommentedOn" type="hidden" value="233201" />
        <input id="Comments_RepliedOn" name="Comments.RepliedOn" type="hidden" value="" />
    </div>
</fieldset>
<fieldset>
    <input id="CommonPart_ContainerId" name="CommonPart.ContainerId" type="hidden" value="" />
</fieldset>
            </div>
    </div>
    <div class="edit-item-secondary group">
            </div>
</div>

        <div id="sCommentMessage"></div>
        <button class="primaryAction" type="submit" onclick="return CheckCommentLength(233201);">POST</button>
<input name="__RequestVerificationToken" type="hidden" value="2ay2Xup1n58n8932-AUQibxMHnqxWjMKfYz_dIzhAG1IkwbjQbBd_RS2KAlLpXSbSKiKuILEXQC7vDZJVhD5t9v3U_6ZNiT8uQ9PyFTaemw1" /></form>
        </article>
    </div>

        <div class="trendingRight">
        </div>

    <div id="relatedArticles233201" class="relatedArticlesRight"></div>

</div>




        <div id="continuousContainer" class="site-container" style="float: left;">

        </div>
        <div id="waypointDiv" style="width: 100%; float: left;"></div>
    </div>


</div>
                    </div>
            </div>

        </div>
    
</div>


<div class="layout-news">
</div>
<div class="layout-kickers">
</div>

<div class="layout-data-dashboard">
    <div id="data-dashboard-head">
    </div>
    <div id="data-dashboard-top">
        <div class="site-container">
            <div id="data-dashboard-top-container">
                <ul id="data-dashboard-top-list">
                    <li>
                    </li>
                    <li>
                    </li>
                </ul>
            </div>
        </div>
    </div>
    
    
</div>

<div class="layout-special-reports">
</div>

<div class="layout-newsletter-subscribe">
</div>

<div class="layout-hsi">
    <div id="hsi-head">
    </div>
    <div class="site-container">
        <div id="hsi-container">
            <ul id="hsi-list">
                <li>
                </li>
                <li>
                </li>
            </ul>
        </div>
    </div>
</div>

<div class="layout-trending">
</div>

<div class="layout-opinions">
</div>

    <div class="layout-staples">
        <div class="staples">
                <div id="staples-first">
                    <div class="zone zone-tripel-first">
<article class="widget-tripel-first widget-html-widget widget">
    <div class="staplesHeader"><a href="/Events">EVENTS</a></div>
<div class="staplesHeaderDivider">&nbsp;</div>
</article>
<article class="widget-tripel-first widget-projection-widget widget">
    

<div class="eventItem">
        <div class="eventDate">
            <span class="eventDay">5</span>
            <span class="eventMonth">FEBRUARY</span>
        </div>
        <div class="eventDivider">&nbsp;</div>
        <div class="eventLocation">
            <a href="http://hifi-india.com/program/" target="_blank">
                HOTEL INVESTMENT FORUM INDIA
            </a>
        </div>
        <div class="eventDivider">&nbsp;</div>
        <div class="locationContainer">
            <a href="http://maps.google.com/?q=JW Marriott Hotel Mumbai Sahar Mumbai" class="eventLocationLink" target="_blank">
                <img class="eventFooter-locationMarker" src="\Themes\HNN.Bootstrap\Content\Red-Location-Marker.png"/>
                        <span class="eventFooter-venue">JW Marriott Hotel Mumbai Sahar</span><br>
                        <span class="eventFooter-location">Mumbai</span>

            </a>
        </div>

    </div>
<div class="eventItem notFirst">
        <div class="eventDate">
            <span class="eventDay">7</span>
            <span class="eventMonth">FEBRUARY</span>
        </div>
        <div class="eventDivider">&nbsp;</div>
        <div class="eventLocation">
            <a target="_blank">
                HBI ANNUAL MEETING 2018
            </a>
        </div>
        <div class="eventDivider">&nbsp;</div>
        <div class="locationContainer">
            <a href="http://maps.google.com/?q=Tropicana Las Vegas Las Vegas" class="eventLocationLink" target="_blank">
                <img class="eventFooter-locationMarker" src="\Themes\HNN.Bootstrap\Content\Red-Location-Marker.png"/>
                        <span class="eventFooter-venue">Tropicana Las Vegas</span><br>
                        <span class="eventFooter-location">Las Vegas</span>

            </a>
        </div>

    </div>



</article>
<article class="widget-tripel-first widget-html-widget widget">
    <ul class="staplesEventViewAll">
<li><a href="/Events">VIEW ALL&nbsp;&nbsp;<img width="20" src="\Themes\HNN.Bootstrap\Content\Red-Arrow.png" /></a></li>
</ul>
</article></div>
                </div>
                            <div id="staples-second">
                    <div class="zone zone-tripel-second">
<article class="widget-tripel-second widget-html-widget widget">
    <div class="staplesHeader">HNN STAPLES</div>
<div class="staplesHeaderDivider">&nbsp;</div>
<ul class="hnnStaples">
<li><a href="/Articles/21922/Hotel-Acquisition-Funds-List"><img width="20" src="\Themes\HNN.Bootstrap\Content\Red-Arrow.png" />&nbsp;&nbsp;Hotel Acquisition Funds List</a></li>
<li><a href="/Articles/6217/Hotel-Industry-Terms-to-Know"><img width="20" src="\Themes\HNN.Bootstrap\Content\Red-Arrow.png" />&nbsp;&nbsp;Hotel Industry Terms to Know</a></li>
<li><a href="\Media\Default\Images\chainscales.pdf"><img width="20" src="\Themes\HNN.Bootstrap\Content\Red-Arrow.png" />&nbsp;&nbsp;STR chain scales PDF</a></li>
<li><a href="/Stock/BairdSTRHotelStockIndex"><img width="20" src="\Themes\HNN.Bootstrap\Content\Red-Arrow.png" />&nbsp;&nbsp;Hotel Stock Index</a></li>
<li><a href="/Events"><img width="20" src="\Themes\HNN.Bootstrap\Content\Red-Arrow.png" />&nbsp;&nbsp;Events</a></li>
</ul>
</article>
<article class="widget-tripel-second widget-html-widget widget">
    <div class="staplesHeader"><a href="/Articles/ByCategory?category=presentations">PRESENTATIONS</a></div>
<div class="staplesHeaderDivider">&nbsp;</div>
</article>
<article class="widget-tripel-second widget-projection-widget widget">
    
<ul class="staplesPresentations">
        <li>
            <a href="/File/271354?fieldName=PresentationMedia">
                <img width="20" src="\Themes\HNN.Bootstrap\Content\Red-Arrow.png" />&nbsp;&nbsp;
                New Mexico Trends Conference
            </a>
        </li>
        <li>
            <a href="/File/270577?fieldName=PresentationMedia">
                <img width="20" src="\Themes\HNN.Bootstrap\Content\Red-Arrow.png" />&nbsp;&nbsp;
                Hostelworld Investor Day
            </a>
        </li>
        <li>
            <a href="/File/267835?fieldName=PresentationMedia">
                <img width="20" src="\Themes\HNN.Bootstrap\Content\Red-Arrow.png" />&nbsp;&nbsp;
                Kansas Hotel Association
            </a>
        </li>
        <li>
            <a href="/File/267646?fieldName=PresentationMedia">
                <img width="20" src="\Themes\HNN.Bootstrap\Content\Red-Arrow.png" />&nbsp;&nbsp;
                Greater Miami &amp; Beaches Hotel Association
            </a>
        </li>
        <li>
            <a href="/File/265999?fieldName=PresentationMedia">
                <img width="20" src="\Themes\HNN.Bootstrap\Content\Red-Arrow.png" />&nbsp;&nbsp;
                Barclays Capital Webinar
            </a>
        </li>
</ul>
</article>
<article class="widget-tripel-second widget-html-widget widget">
    <ul class="staplesViewAll">
<li><a href="/Articles/ByCategory?category=presentations">VIEW ALL&nbsp;&nbsp;<img width="20" src="\Themes\HNN.Bootstrap\Content\Red-Arrow.png" /></a></li>
</ul>
</article></div>
                </div>
                            <div id="staples-third">
                    <div class="zone zone-tripel-third">
<article class="widget-tripel-third widget-html-widget widget">
    <div class="staplesHeader"><a href="/Articles/ByCategory?category=Infographics">INFOGRAPHICS</a></div>
<div class="staplesHeaderDivider">&nbsp;</div>
</article>
<article class="widget-tripel-third widget-projection-widget widget">
    

    <a href="/articles/271335/Where-women-stand-in-US-hotel-industry-leadership-roles">
        <div class="infographicLeft">Where women stand in US hotel industry leadership roles</div>
        <div class="infographicRight"><img src=/Media/Default/Images2018/Infographics/20180201_WomeninLeadership_REV-1.jpg /></div>
    </a>
    <a href="/articles/268025/Baby-boomers-travel-less-spend-more">
        <div class="infographicLeft">Baby boomers travel less, spend more</div>
        <div class="infographicRight"><img src=/Media/Default/Images2018/misc/20180117_BoomerTravel_Feature.jpg /></div>
    </a>
    <a href="/articles/266303/Tech-causing-staffing-issues-in-Europe">
        <div class="infographicLeft">Tech causing staffing issues in Europe</div>
        <div class="infographicRight"><img src=/Media/Default/Images2018/Infographics/20180110_TIR_Infographic-1.jpg /></div>
    </a>

</article>
<article class="widget-tripel-third widget-html-widget widget">
    <ul class="staplesViewAll">
<li><a href="/Articles/ByCategory?category=Infographics">VIEW ALL&nbsp;&nbsp;<img width="20" src="\Themes\HNN.Bootstrap\Content\Red-Arrow.png" /></a></li>
</ul>
</article></div>
                </div>
        </div>
    </div>

</div>
    <div id="layout-footer" class="group">
        <footer id="footer">
            <div id="footer-sig" class="group">
                <div class="zone zone-footer"><div class="site-container">
    <div id="footerTop">
        <div id="footerLogo">
            <img src="/Media/Default/Images/HNNLogo_Black_On_White.png" />
            <div id="footerLogoText">
                Vital information for <br />
                hotel decision makers
            </div>
        </div>
        <div id="footerFollowUs">
            <ul id="socialMediaFoot">
                <li><a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/HotelNewsNowcom/172720326103825" target="_blank"><img src="/Media/Default/Images/facebook-foot.png" /></a></li>
                <li><a href="http://twitter.com/Hotel_News_Now" target="_blank"><img src="/Media/Default/Images/twitter-foot.png" /></a></li>
                <li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/HotelNewsNow" target="_blank"><img src="/Media/Default/Images/you-tube-foot.png" /></a></li>
            </ul>
        </div>
    </div>
    <div id="footerBottom">
        <ul id="bottomNav">
            <li>Copyright &#169 2008-2018 STR, Inc.</li>
            <li><a href="/about-us">About Us</a></li>
            <li><a href="/terms-of-use">Terms of Use</a></li>
            <li><a href="/Advertise">Advertise</a></li>
            <li><a href="/Sitemap">Site Map</a></li>
            <li class="last"> <a href="http://www.hoteldataconference.com" target="_blank">Hotel Data Conference</a></li>
        </ul>
    </div>
</div></div>
            </div>
        </footer>
    </div>
<div id="toTop">
    <h1><i class="fa fa-chevron-up"></i></h1>
</div>
<!-- google -->
<script type="text/javascript">var _sf_startpt = (new Date()).getTime()</script>

<script type="text/javascript">
    var gaJsHost = (("https:" == document.location.protocol) ? "https://ssl." : "http://www.");
    document.write(unescape("%3Cscript src='" + gaJsHost + "google-analytics.com/ga.js' type='text/javascript'%3E%3C/script%3E"));
</script>
<script type="text/javascript">
    var pageTracker = _gat._getTracker("UA-5641217-1");
    pageTracker._trackPageview();
</script>
<!-- end google -->

<!-- getclicky -->
<script type="text/javascript">
    var domainy = location.protocol == "https:" ? "https://static.getclicky.com" : "http://static.getclicky.com";
    document.write(unescape("%3Cscript src='" + domainy + "/119628.js' type='text/javascript'%3E%3C/script%3E"));
</script>
<noscript>
    <p>
        <img alt="Clicky" width="1" height="1" src="http://static.getclicky.com/119628-db16.gif" />
    </p>
</noscript>
<!-- end getclicky -->

<!-- Start of StatCounter Code for Default Guide -->
<script type="text/javascript">
var sc_project=4952315; 
var sc_invisible=1; 
var sc_security="6ef9aac8"; 
var scJsHost = (("https:" == document.location.protocol) ?
"https://secure." : "http://www.");
document.write("<sc"+"ript type='text/javascript' src='" +
scJsHost+
"statcounter.com/counter/counter.js'></"+"script>");
</script>
<noscript><div class="statcounter"><a title="site stats"
href="http://statcounter.com/free-web-stats/"
target="_blank"><img class="statcounter"
src="http://c.statcounter.com/4952315/0/6ef9aac8/1/"
alt="site stats"></a></div></noscript>
<!-- End of StatCounter Code for Default Guide -->
<!-- Chartbeat -->
<script type="text/javascript">
    var _sf_async_config = { uid: 56654, domain: 'www.hotelnewsnow.com', useCanonical: true };
   


    (function () {
        function loadChartbeat() {
            window._sf_endpt = (new Date()).getTime();
            var e = document.createElement('script');
            e.setAttribute('language', 'javascript');
            e.setAttribute('type', 'text/javascript');
            e.setAttribute('src', '//static.chartbeat.com/js/chartbeat.js');
            document.body.appendChild(e);
        };
        var oldonload = window.onload;
        window.onload = (typeof window.onload != 'function') ?
            loadChartbeat : function () { oldonload(); loadChartbeat(); };
    })();
</script>
<!-- End Chartbeat -->
    <script src="/Modules/Orchard.jQuery/scripts/jquery-1.11.1.min.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
<script src="/Modules/STR.HNN.Article/scripts/jquery.nivo.slider.min.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
<script src="/Themes/HNN.Bootstrap/scripts/hnn/js/bootstrap.min.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
<script src="/Themes/HNN.Bootstrap/scripts/hover-dropdown.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
<script src="/Themes/HNN.Bootstrap/scripts/validationEngine/jquery.validationEngine-en.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
<script src="/Themes/HNN.Bootstrap/scripts/validationEngine/jquery.validationEngine.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
<script src="/Themes/HNN.Bootstrap/scripts/custom.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
<script src="/Themes/HNN.Bootstrap/scripts/respond.min.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
<script src="/Themes/HNN.Bootstrap/scripts/hnn/js/highstock.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
<script src="/Themes/HNN.Bootstrap/scripts/hnn/js/hotelstockindex.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
<script src="/Themes/HNN.Bootstrap/scripts/jquery-ui.min.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
        <script type="text/javascript">
            //<![CDATA[
            $(function () {
            });
            //]]>
        </script>

    <script type="text/javascript">
        $(document).ready(function () {
            if ($("#messages .zone-messages").children().length > 0) {
                var message = $("#messages .zone-messages").children().first().html();
                message = message.substring(message.indexOf("</button>") + 9, message.length);
                $("#sCommentMessage").html(message);
                $("#messages").hide();
            }
        });
    </script>

    <script type="text/javascript">
        $(document).ready(function () {

            var slides = $("#slideshow").children("img").length,
                bDisplayNavigation = true;

            if (slides == 1) {
                bDisplayNavigation = false;
            }

            $("#slideshow").nivoSlider({
            	effect: 'fade',
				pauseTime: 8000,
                controlNav: bDisplayNavigation,
                directionNav: bDisplayNavigation
            });
        });
    </script>

    <script type="text/javascript">

    var articlePageNumber = 0;
    var pagesLoaded = [];
    var loadedArticles = $(".scrollContent");

    var waypoint = new Waypoint({
        element: $('#waypointDiv'),
        offset: 'bottom-in-view',
        handler: function(direction) {
            if (direction === "down") {
                articlePageNumber++;
                more(articlePageNumber);
            } else {
                articlePageNumber--;
            }
        }
    });

        $(document).ready(function() {

            var commentPost = false;
            if (window.location.href.indexOf("#commentPostMarker") > -1)
                commentPost = true;

            $.ajax({
                type: "POST",
                url: "/Articles/CheckForceLogin",
                data: { 
                    articleId: 233201,
                    commentPost: commentPost,
                    __RequestVerificationToken: $("[name='__RequestVerificationToken']").val()
                },
                success: function (forceLogin) {
                    if (forceLogin) {
                        window.location.href = "/Login?returnUrl=" + window.location.pathname;
                    } 
                }
            });
            
            if (!commentPost) {

                $.ajax({
                    type: "POST",
                    url: "/Article/UpdateArticleViews/" + 233201,
                    data: { __RequestVerificationToken: $("[name='__RequestVerificationToken']").val() }
                });
        }

        $.ajax({
            type: "POST",
            data: {
                "primaryCategory": "Research",
                "mainArticleId": "233201",
                "__RequestVerificationToken": $("[name='__RequestVerificationToken']").val()
            },
            url: "/Articles/RelatedArticles",
            success: function (data) {
                $("#relatedArticles" + 233201).append(data);
            }
        });
    });

    function CommentReplyClick(replyLinkId, articleId) {

        var self = $('#' + replyLinkId);

        var reply = $('#CommentForm' + articleId + ' #Comments_RepliedOn');
        var currentReply = reply.val();

        
        if (currentReply && currentReply.length > 0) {
            reply.val('');
            $('#comment-form-beacon' + articleId).after($('#CommentForm' + articleId));
        } else {
            
            var id = self.data('id');
            reply.val(id);

            $("#CommentForm" + articleId + " #sCommentMessage").html("");

            
            $('#CommentForm' + articleId).appendTo(self.parents('article > .media-body').first());
        }

        
        return false;
    }

    function CheckCommentLength(articleId) {
        if ($("#CommentForm" + articleId + " #Comments_CommentText").val().length > 4000) {
            $("#CommentForm" + articleId + " #sCommentMessage").html("Your comment must be less then 4000 characters.");
            return false;
        }
        return true;
    }

    function more() {

        if (pagesLoaded.indexOf(articlePageNumber) === 0) {
            return;
        }
        waypoint.disable();
        $.ajax({
            type: "POST",
            data: {
                'pageNumber': articlePageNumber,
                "primaryCategory": "News",
                "mainArticleId": "233201",
                __RequestVerificationToken: $("[name='__RequestVerificationToken']").val()
            },
            url: "/Article/ArticleContinuous",
            success: function (data) {
                if (data === "MainArticle") {
                    articlePageNumber++;
                    more();
                } else {
                    $("#continuousContainer").append(data);
                    loadedArticles = $(".scrollContent");
                    pagesLoaded.push(articlePageNumber);
                    waypoint.enable();
                }
            },
            error: function (args) {
                waypoint.enable();
                debugger;
                alert('error');
            }
        });
    }

    function EditQueryStringParameter(uri, key, value) {

        var re = new RegExp("([?&])" + key + "=.*?(&|$)", "i"),
            separator = uri.indexOf('?') !== -1 ? "&" : "?";

        if (uri.match(re)) {
            return uri.replace(re, '$1' + key + "=" + value + '$2');
        }
        else {
            return uri + separator + key + "=" + value;
        }
    }

    function FormatArticle(id) {

        var article = $(id),
            trendingRightClone = $(".trendingRight").clone(),
            commentForm = article.find(".comment-form"),
            articleUrl = encodeURIComponent(article.find("div.scrollContent").attr("data-url")),
            newCommentFormUrl = EditQueryStringParameter(commentForm.attr("action"), "ReturnUrl", articleUrl + "#commentPostMarker");

        // clone trending sidebar, removing problematic script tags and emptying box ad
        trendingRightClone.find("script").detach();
        trendingRightClone.find(".boxAd_imgContainer").empty();
        article.find(".relatedArticlesRight").before(trendingRightClone[0].outerHTML);

        // fix comment form action URL
        commentForm.attr("action", newCommentFormUrl);

        // get new ads for the article
        GetAds(article);
    }

    // activate continuous scroll articles' share buttons
    $(document).ajaxStop(function () {
        if (window.addthis) {
            window.addthis = null;
            window._adr = null;
            window._atc = null;
            window._atd = null;
            window._ate = null;
            window._atr = null;
            window._atw = null;
        }
        return $.getScript("http://s7.addthis.com/js/300/addthis_widget.js#pubid=sdive");
    });

    $(window).scroll(function () {

        var replaceStatePosition = $(window).height() / 2 + $(window).scrollTop();

        loadedArticles.each(function () {

            var url = $(this).attr("data-url"),
                top = $(this).offset().top,
                bottom = $(this).height() + top,
                articleId = $(this).attr("data-articleid"),
                primaryCategory = $(this).attr("data-primaryCategory");

            if (!!url && location.pathname !== url && replaceStatePosition >= top && replaceStatePosition < bottom) {
                history.replaceState(null, null, url);

                var requestVerificationToken = $("[name='__RequestVerificationToken']").last().val();
                $.ajax({
                    type: "POST",
                    url: "/Article/UpdateArticleViews/" + articleId,
                    data: { __RequestVerificationToken: requestVerificationToken }
                });

                $.ajax({
                    type: "POST",
                    data: {
                        "primaryCategory": primaryCategory,
                        "mainArticleId": articleId,
                        "__RequestVerificationToken": requestVerificationToken
                    },
                    url: "/Articles/RelatedArticles",
                    success: function (data) {
                        $("#relatedArticles" + articleId).html("");
                        $("#relatedArticles" + articleId).append(data);
                    }
                });

                return false;
            }
        });
    });

    </script>

    <script src="/Modules/STR.HNN.Article/Scripts/jquery.waypoints.min.js"></script>
    <script>
        $(document).ready(function() {
            var waypoint = new Waypoint({
                element: $('#slimHeaderWaypoint'),
                offset: 100,
                handler: function(direction) {
                    if (direction === "down") {
                        $(".banner.navbar-fixed-top").slideUp({
                            queue: false,
                            duration: 300,
                            easing: "linear"
                        });
                        
                        $("#nav-container-slim").show();
                        $(".navbar-lower").animate({
                            'marginTop': "0"
                        }, {
                            "queue": false,
                            "duration": 300,
                            "easing": "linear"
                        });
                        slim();
                    } else {
                        $(".banner.navbar-fixed-top").slideDown({
                            queue: false,
                            duration: 300,
                            easing: "linear"
                        });
                        $("#nav-container-slim").hide();
                        
                        $(".navbar-lower").animate({
                            'marginTop': "108px"
                        }, {
                            "queue": false,
                            "duration": 300,
                            "easing": "linear"
                        });
                        notSlim();
                    }
                }
            });
            waypoint.enable();
        });
    </script>

    <script type="text/javascript">
        $(document).ready(function () {
            var step = 25;
            var scrolling = false;

            function scrollContent(direction) {
                var amount = (direction === "up" ? "-=2px" : "+=2px");
                $("#drop-down-menu").animate({
                    scrollTop: amount
                }, 1, function () {
                    if (scrolling) {
                        scrollContent(direction);
                    }
                });
            }

            $("#scrollUp").bind("click", function (event) {
                event.preventDefault();

                $("#drop-down-menu").animate({
                    scrollTop: "-=" + step + "px"
                });
            }).bind("mouseover", function (event) {
                scrolling = true;
                scrollContent("up");
            }).bind("mouseout", function (event) {
                scrolling = false;
            });


            $("#scrollDown").bind("click", function (event) {
                event.preventDefault();
                $("#drop-down-menu").animate({
                    scrollTop: "+=" + step + "px"
                });
            }).bind("mouseover", function (event) {
                scrolling = true;
                scrollContent("down");
            }).bind("mouseout", function (event) {
                scrolling = false;
            });

        });
        
    </script>


</body>
</html>
