** Shares of U.S. hotel operators Hilton HLT.N, Marriott MAR.O and Hyatt H.N rise between 3% and 6%

** Fed chairman Jermone Powell signals a possible interest rate cut

** Lower interest rates make borrowing cheaper, allowing hotels to more easily finance and construct new properties.

** Casino firms MGM Resorts MGM.N and Wynn Resorts WYNN.O also rise about 3% each, Caesar's Entertainment CZR.O up 6%

** As of last close, Dow Jones U.S. travel and leisure index .DJUSCG up 10.61% YTD

(Reporting by Aishwarya Jain in Bengaluru)

((Aishwarya.Jain@thomsonreuters.com;))