No, they can't - because in today's travel environment there is no chance that either property has the excess capacity to absorb that many extra guests. This is why we see the dynamic that we see in many mid-size markets, where this is one "better" hotel that is sold out with professional services every single week, and then the remainders who book late trudge over to the dumpier property.

Either way, yes, the point is that in small markets with fewer choices and demand outstripping supply, the incumbent properties have little incentive to improve.


I didn't name a price, I named a brand. If you'd have to actually pay $1,000 for that room, you either work for a small firm or one with a very bad travel department. Most big professional services firms' rates would be much, much less than rack (for fun, I checked my company's rates at that property to confirm).