Hotels’ profits rose 10.2 percent in 2013, reaching $41 billion and marking continuing growth in the industry’s profitability, STR Analytics reports in its Hotel Operating Statistics Almanac. PKF Hospitality Research says the industry is currently in a “sweet spot” of profitability as room rates have overtaken occupancy as the main driver of profit increases. HOST data also indicate some growth in expenses, with total departmental expenses in 2013 up 4.3 percent to $61.8 billion. Read the HotelNewsNow.com story here