TripAdvisor, Inc. unveiled the results of its annual TripAdvisor Industry Index incorporating responses from more than 9,000 accommodation owners and managers worldwide, including 1,276 in the U.S. The Index measures the industry's outlook for the year ahead. Among the survey's key findings: 65 percent of U.S. respondents are optimistic about the prospect of an economic recovery in 2012, up 27 percent than the global average of 38 percent.

U.S. respondents also expressed a bullish outlook on their own profitability in 2012. Seventy-six percent said they expect their businesses to be more profitable in 2012 than they were in 2011, as compared to a global average of 58 percent. This optimism extended to hiring plans. Twenty-seven percent of U.S. respondents said they are planning to create new jobs in 2012, while the global industry average was slightly lower at 22 percent.

“The TripAdvisor Industry Index reveals an economic optimism among U.S. accommodation owners which reflects data showing one-third of U.S. travelers are planning to increase travel spending in 2012,” said Christine Petersen, president of TripAdvisor for Business. Some of the top hotel trends cited in the TripAdvisor Industry Index include

Social Media: 52 percent of U.S. hoteliers expect their social media marketing budget to increase in 2012, compared with 50 percent in the rest of the world; 80 percent plan to monitor social media for mentions of the property, compared with 76 percent in the rest of the world; 91 percent plan to respond to guest reviews about their property on TripAdvisor compared with 87 percent in the rest of the world.

Mobile: 61 percent of U.S. hoteliers plan to offer a program to engage travelers using mobile devices (e.g., a mobile app, special offers on mobile, booking through a mobile device) in 2012, compared to 53 percent in the rest of the world; 27 percent plan to offer a program to engage travelers using mobile devices for the first time in 2012, compared to 28 percent in the rest of the world.

Property Investments: Renovations and Acquisitions: 13 percent of U.S. hoteliers are planning to purchase or build new properties in 2012, compared with 17 percent in the rest of the world.

Services and Amenities: 28 percent of U.S. hoteliers plan to add services or amenities in 2012, compared with 38 percent in the rest of the world; 10 percent foresee adding fees for services or amenities in 2012, compared with 15 percent in the rest of the world; 89 percent plan to offer free in-room Internet access to guests in 2012, compared with 77 percent in the rest of the world.

Top Deals and Special Offers: 59 percent of U.S. hoteliers plan to offer discounts on rooms, compared with 52 percent in the rest of the world; 58 percent plan to offer special amenities/services (e.g., free Wi-Fi Internet access), compared with 56 percent in the rest of the world; 38 percent plan to offer free parking, compared with 32 percent in the rest of the world.

"Hoteliers' plans to engage with travelers using social media and mobile devices are also important trends this year," said Petersen. "While it's encouraging to see so many planning to respond to online guest reviews in 2012, TripAdvisor's data show that only 15 percent of property reviews currently have management responses. The owners and managers who follow through on plans to respond to reviews will have an advantage over their competition." For the full report, click on TripAdvisor Industry Index.