STR Appoints Director of Destination Research

STR has hired Ms. Chris Klauda, formerly VP of Lodging Research Services for D.K. Shifflet & Associates, as Director of Destination Research.

Chris will lead the research and analytic efforts for STR’s destination clients in addition to supporting the sales efforts of the company’s business development team.

“We are excited to add someone of Chris’s caliber in this position,” said Amanda Hite, STR’s president and COO. “Chris brings to our company nearly 30 years of experience in travel and tourism research, and as we continue to increase our focus on DestinationMAP and the destination market, Chris will serve a vital role in expanding our presence.”

DestinationMAP (Meetings Assessment Program) provides an in-depth look at the determining factors of why meeting planners select, or do not select, locations for their events. STR also works with CVBs, DMOs and other destination-related organizations on their hotel research needs.

“Having used STR information as a researcher for many years, I am thrilled to be on the inside, where I can combine the incredible resources at STR with my research experience to assist destination organizations,” Chris said.

Chris served for 29 years at DKS&A, where she managed all major hotel clients, including Choice Hotels International, InterContinental Hotels Group and Marriott International.

Chris was also responsible for training and supervising all lodging research directors and analysts, and she was a key member of the team that developed and syndicated the Directions Travel Intelligence System.