How have hotels responded to the industry crisis that worsened following the terrorist attacks last Sept. 11? How can airlines identify and control unruly passengers? How much debt is too much for hotel properties in crisis to take on? The answers to those, and many other questions relevant to hospitality and travel industry practitioners, can be found at http://www.hotelschool.cornell.edu/chr .

The web site of the Center for Hospitality Research at Cornell University's School of Hotel Administration, the world's premier hotel school, has been publishing the latest research on industry trends and statistics since its inception in 1999. The site continues to grow, attracting a broad audience of industry professionals, with web site traffic in 2002 up 310 percent from the previous year.

"The web site's heavy traffic demonstrates the industry's interest in the research studies that we have posted," said Professor Cathy Enz, director of the Center for Hospitality Research (CHR). The site's content includes the CHR Reports research series and highlighted articles from the Hotel School's award-winning journal, Cornell Hotel and Restaurant Administration Quarterly . In addition to the studies cited above, here are summaries of relevant research now on the site:

• "The Influence of Gas Price Fluctuations on U.S. Lodging Demand" demonstrates that when gas prices rise, demand for hotel rooms drops commensurately.
• "Strengthening the Purchaser-Supplier Partnership " shows that trust and communication between food-service purchasers and suppliers gives restaurateurs a competitive advantage.
• "Developing the Full Picture on Hotel Industry Averages " reveals that the most frequently used tool for measuring hotel performance can produce distorted results – and offers a more accurate measurement approach.
• "A Contemporary Model for Human Resources" provides a model of HR department-as-consultant that puts decision making in its most effective location – with the manager on the job.The CHR web site also carries an annual compendium of research publications by all Cornell Hotel School faculty members as well as a glimpse of research in progress through summaries of working papers.

The CHR, which sponsors research aimed at improving the hospitality and travel industry's fundamental operating knowledge, now has 19 corporate partners, sponsors and friends. "These companies give us valuable connections throughout the industry and in all corners of the world," said Enz. "By joining the center, they become part of a strategic effort to expand the industry's knowledge."

Current partners and sponsors of the CHR are: Bartech Systems International; Cornell Hotel Society Foundation; Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts; Richmond Events (Food & Beverage Forum); Willowbend Golf Management; and Windsor Hotels. CHR Friends now include: ehotelier.com; Gazelle Systems, Inc.; hospitalitynet.org; Hotel Asia Pacific; Hotel China; Lodging Hospitality; Resorts + Recreation Business; National Hotel Executive; Smith Travel Research; Shibata Publishing Co. Ltd. (The Hotel & Ryokan Monthly Japan); The Lodging Conference; The Hospitality Research Group of PKF Consulting; and WiredHotelier.com.

For more information on the Center for Hospitality Research call (607) 255-9780 or visit the CHR web site listed above.