Hotelier Weekly
December 21, 2023
AAHOA News
  
In December 2023, AAHOA launched HYPE Ownership: Helping Young Professionals Evolve, an initiative dedicated to fostering the growth and success of emerging hoteliers within AAHOA and across the broader industry.
 
Young Professionals bring a youthful dynamism that provides a fresh perspective to the workplace and hospitality businesses. As the hospitality landscape becomes increasingly competitive, these professionals possess the skills and innovation to elevate AAHOA and help our industry evolve with the times.
 
WATCH the newly released HYPE Ownership promo video and get fired up for the upcoming HYPE Conference.
 
Prepare to be inspired as HYPE sets the stage for growth, learning, and invaluable networking opportunities, all against the backdrop of the vibrant city of New Orleans. Don't miss this chance to be a part of history in the making and chart your course toward a successful career in the hospitality industry with HYPE at Harrah's in New Orleans! Register today!
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AAHOA has officially released an infographic containing the findings from a survey AAHOA sent to members regarding the proposed Choice Hotels/Wyndham merger.
 
A couple of notable data points from the infographic:
  • 63.2% of owners who own hotel properties with both brands said that if given the option, they would terminate their current agreement if a merger were to occur.
  • 77.6% of owners stated that a merger between Choice Hotels and Wyndham would have a negative impact on business.
To read more of the findings from this impactful survey, click here.
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AAHOA Greater Los Angeles Area Regional Director Naresh (ND) Bhakta joined Craig Sullivan, Founder and President of the California Lodging Investment Conference (CLIC), for an interview on the CLIC Connect podcast on December 14, 2023.
 
The conversation covered various topics, including the impact of ​A​AHOA in California, legislative matters, union discussions, and labor issues in the hotel industry. ​Bhakta emphasize​d the importance of educating lawmakers about the challenges hoteliers face, particularly in California. He also shared statistics about the economic contributions of ​A​AHOA Members in the state.
 
​Bhakta also discussed the creation of the Greater Los Angeles​ Area region within ​A​AHOA, the challenges faced by hoteliers in Los Angeles, and the efforts to engage with city councils to address industry concerns.
 
Watch the full interview with Mr. Sullivan and Mr. Bhakta to hear everything that was discussed.
Watch Now
  
AAHOA Upper Midwest Regional Director Kalpesh Joshi met with Illinois Congressman Jonathan Jackson (D-IL) for dinner to discuss a myriad of topics on December 16, 2023.
 
Joshi was joined by Upper Midwest Ambassador Jagmohan Jayara and discussed some of the most pressing issues within the hospitality industry, such as increasing SBA lending limits from $5 million to $10 million, how the H-2C Visa program could potentially assist with the current labor shortage in the industry, property taxes, and other regulations that affect hoteliers and small business owners.
 
This engagement reinforced relationships with policymakers, highlighting AAHOA's commitment to advocating for its members and driving positive industry changes.
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Lead Designs LLC
Ajmera Law Group
AAHOA Advocacy in Action
A ballot measure in Los Angeles that would have required hotels in the city to house the homeless along with paying guests has been officially withdrawn from consideration. However, the Los Angeles City Council also passed an ordinance to replace the ballot measure that some local hoteliers also oppose its passage.
 
The new ordinance allows hotels to voluntarily offer vacant rooms for interim housing for the homeless. It also mandates developers to obtain a conditional use permit, subject to public review, ensuring they replace any housing lost due to new hotel development. Additionally, a police permit is required for hotel developers, existing hotel owners, and short-term rental property owners, screening for criminal history or public nuisance issues.
 
While AAHOA and other hospitality associations praised the withdrawal of the Unite Here ballot measure, some hoteliers, including Ray Patel, president of the Northeast Los Angeles Hotel Owners Association, expressed dissatisfaction with the new ordinance, particularly the police permit requirement. AAHOA acknowledged the voluntary housing component but recommended changes to the police permitting section, expressing concerns about potential negative impacts on hotel values, financing, and investments.
 
“A diminution in the value of the hotels and/or an inability to obtain or maintain financing will be most detrimental to those who need the most protection,” AAHOA said.
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HerOwnership
Read the e-book from Hotel Management that highlights just a bit of the content from AAHOA’s 2023 HerOwnership Conference & Retreat, held November 2-3 at The Beeman Hotel in Dallas. Nearly 300 registrants signed up to take part in the packed schedule of keynote presentations, panel discussions, and networking opportunities over the two-day event.
 
AAHOA President and CEO Laura Lee Blake opened the conference with a moving message. “In this room, I see leaders, innovators, and trailblazers. You are shaping the landscape of this industry, and you are rewriting the narrative of what women in this industry can achieve,” she said.
 
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Red Roof Inn
dormakaba USA Inc.
Member Testimonial
"I always say AAHOA changed my life."
 
-Shumair Panjwani, AAHOA Member
Hotel Equities
DIRECTV Hospitality
Featured Club Blue Member
  
AAHOA Members, get 5 percent off all your everyday purchases when you use the Lowe’s LAR business credit card. There’s no annual fee, and you can make purchases by phone, fax, or at LowesForPros.com.
 
You’ll also be able to take advantage of exclusive cardholder promotions and receive discounted delivery on your purchases! Click here for more details, then contact Anthony Ruiz (Anthony.ruiz@lowes.com) to get started.
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Featured Platinum/Silver Partner
  
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts makes travel possible for all. From big cities and small towns to beachfront resorts and highway hotels, our 24 iconic brands bring a diverse perspective to the travel experience. With friendly service, thoughtful amenities, and a range of options for the everyday traveler, Wyndham will be there to welcome you wherever you go.
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Red Lion Hotel Corp - Sonesta
Alliance Laundry Systems-UniMac
Featured Member Benefit
  
AAHOA Members get a 25% discount on the STAR report (during the 1st year of enrollment), 15% discount on Pipeline reports, and a 10% discount on the School Break Report.
 
Click here to view additional benefits, then contact STR at (615) 824-8664, ext. 3504 or info@str.com to get started.
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Industry News
AI, sustainability, DEI, remote work's continuing effect on travel, and much more are among the key drivers of change and growth in hospitality for the coming year.
(Source: HospitalityNet)
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According to a recent poll of 2,000 workers, only 44% of those employed in the hospitality industry feel adequately prepared for retirement and occupy the highest percentage of workers expecting to rely on family members during that time. 
(Source: Yahoo! Finance)
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As a reminder of the many, often simple, ways hotels can improve the overall experience and make guests feel at home, many properties are having some holiday fun by keeping up with fun family traditions.
(Source: Portland Press Herald)
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Intellihot
Today's Hotelier - In Case You Missed It

DECEMBER ISSUE

The December 2023 issue of Today's Hotelier magazine is out now! This month, we turn our focus to the future of the industry, including a look at harnessing the power of technology to predict the trends of tomorrow, moving past the pandemic, and much more. In addition, we have a very special feature with AHHOA Members, Amit and Brittany Patel.

Featured Content

Join thousands of AAHOA Members, brand CEOs, and industry professionals by subscribing to our magazine. Receive every digital issue of Today’s Hotelier as soon as it’s released to the public. Click here to subscribe.

In the Market
  
Truist Securities reports, “Overall U.S. RevPAR was +5.8% y/y for the week ending 12/16/2023, per STR, above the prior week's result of +3.3%, and above the trailing 10-week average of +2.5%. Versus 2019, RevPAR was +41.9%, above the prior week’s result of +17.0%, and above the trailing 10-week average of +19.2%. Last week's lodging results were ADR-led from urban markets, particularly late-in-the-year Group demand. San Francisco (RevPAR +59% y/y) benefitted from the American Geophysical Union conference. Las Vegas also had strong results throughout the week including from the UFC bout on Saturday the 16th, even though Las Vegas Group RevPAR was -21% y/y last week. Upscale RevPAR: +6.7% y/y and +40.0% vs. 2019; Upper Midscale RevPAR: +2.5% y/y and +34.9% vs. 2019.”
For more, read the full report here, and read the China/Europe report here.
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