The Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA) offered input about how transportation infrastructure can create a solid foundation for promoting and sustaining long-distance travel and tourism, in response to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Request for Comment on the National Travel and Tourism Infrastructure Strategic Plan (NTTISP).

 

The DOT solicited comments to aid it in updating its Strategic Plan, which was developed in response to a mandate in 2015 Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act (FAST Act) that it assess the condition and performance of the national transportation network, identifies issues that create congestion and barriers to travel and tourism, and develop strategies for improving vital travel infrastructure. 

On Thursday, July 20, AAHOA collaborated with the National Association of Black Hotel Owners, Operators & Developers to host a resounding Town Hall meeting in Miami, FL, where nearly 80 local hoteliers gathered in their pursuit of a stronger and more inclusive hospitality landscape.

 

Esteemed speaker Allen Thomas, Small Business Administration SE Regional Administrator, shared the latest Small Business Administration initiatives, including a new update that’ll be available in August to support entrepreneurs and small businesses.

 

The SBA was critical in sustaining hotels during the pandemic through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs). Make sure you bookmark the SBA website to stay in the know about the announcements coming in August that could impact your hotel business. 

 

AAHOA is closely monitoring the upcoming updates from the SBA and will announce changes once they’re implemented next month.

 

Additionally, Dr. Andy Ingraham, NABHOOD President & CEO, spoke on the countless ways AAHOA and NABHOOD work together, sharing during the meeting that "When you talk to AAHOA, you’re talking to NABHOOD. We are the same people.”

 

Bharat Patel, Chairman of AAHOA, expressed pride in the collaboration with NABHOOD, stating, "AAHOA and NABHOOD’s long-time partnership has helped drive progress across the industry and inspired the future generation of hospitality professionals.” 

 

Over the last three decades, AAHOA has played an active role in helping minority entrepreneurs and small business owners succeed. Through this joint Town Hall meeting, AAHOA and NABHOOD brought valuable insights and resources directly to the hands of hotel owners. This Town Hall meeting took place during the annual NABHOOD Summit, where Chairman Patel moderated two panel discussions.

AAHOA has been hard at work to bring you an upgraded member experience, and last week, the new MyAAHOA.com officially launched!

 

Rooted in bringing members increased access to AAHOA and the tools and resources you need to manage and make the most of your membership, the new MyAAHOA.com is streamlined, modern, secure, robust, customized to AAHOA, and user-friendly.

 

Check out the following resources to ensure a smooth transition and make the most of your AAHOA experience: 

LendingCon was founded for one purpose: To help real estate owners increase profits and grow their portfolios.

 

The Third Annual LendingCon event will be held on August 23-24 at the DoubleTree Hotel SeaWorld in Orlando, FL. The theme of this year's LendingCon is "Your Platform for Financial Growth and PropTech Success" and will be centered around growing revenue, creating strategic financial resources, and using information technology (IT) to help individuals and companies buy, sell, and manage real estate.

 

AAHOA President & CEO Laura Lee Blake will be participating in a panel titled "Governmental Affairs Update on Lending & the Current Crisis," along with U.S. Congressman Bill Posey of the House Financial Services Committee, Ed Ramos of the SBA, and Nitin Shah of Embassy Bank. 

 

AAHOA is proud to be a Platinum Sponsor of LendingCon. Other AAHOA Members will be attending, so if you'd like to be one of them, make sure to register today!

The excitement continues this summer! We have the travel numbers to prove it and the phenomenal AAHOA events to back it up. Many AAHOA Members have already been traveling from coast to coast to our Regional Conferences & Trade Shows. In this newly released video, members, industry partners, and elected officials share why they’re going cross country with AAHOA. Take a look at some of the notable quotes featured in the video below:

 

“You never know who you're going to meet,” AAHOA Member Deep Shah said.

 

“Coming to events like this, and just meeting other Lifetime Members has been a really good resource, especially because you have this similar background, a similar journey,” AAHOA Lifetime Member Preet Patel said. “It's easier to connect and network because you share the same values."

 

“You’re meeting different people but also understanding different needs in the different markets. Because every market has its own need,” AAHOA Member Karim Chandani said.

"I always advise other female professionals to look for companies where women are already in place in high-level positions and for companies that offer internal mentoring programs and diversity. It is helpful to be a part of professional associations and groups that show initiative and provides ambitious women with training and support, as well as networking and mentoring opportunities. Taking leaps and breaking barriers is the way we will break ceilings in the work force. Being more assertive when negotiating pay and promotions.

 

Understanding their self-value and not selling themselves short on their skill and will for the job. It is not easy but to earn your name in the industry you have to work hard and prove yourself and others. You do need to be willing to go where the opportunities are and be flexible. Take on challenges and new opportunities and trust in yourself. You can do it!"

 

 

 

 

 

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.

Group whole life insurance issued by MassMutual offer for AAHOA Members with special underwriting! Elect up to $250,000 with only a few health questions to determine insurability; no medical exam required! (Must be enrolled through BeneChoice.) Also available to AAHOA Members through BeneChoice – additional benefits for your employees that are made available at no direct cost to you/the owner! To schedule an appointment to review your life insurance options, please visit www.calendly.com/aahoa.

INFINITI HR is a Master Aggregator, The Professional Employer Organization for Hospitality Management© throughout all 50 states. INFINITI HR is recognized for the exceptional ability to support employer standards, mitigate employer risk and liability, while providing superior economies of scale and purchasing power for world-class, mid-range, and economy hotel properties of all sizes. For more information, visit our website, then contact Daniel Mormino (daniel.mormino@infinitihr.com) today to get started.

WIth more travelers choosing to combine business-related trips with vacations, hoteliers are implementing amenities that cater to the work-from-anywhere crowd.
(Source: Business Travel News)

With AI and GPT (generative pre-trained transformer) capabilities continuing to dominate headlines and reshape modern life, customer-facing industries are scrambling to understand and harness the power of this new technology.
(Source: HospitalityNet)

With California-based workers often leading the charge with regards to industry-wide pay increases, all eyes are on Santa Monica as the local union representing hotel workers is pushing for drastic increase in hourly pay.
(Source: Santa Monica Daily Press)

Truist Securities reports, “Overall U.S. RevPAR was +2.0% y/y for the week ending 7/22/2023, per STR, slightly above the prior week's result of +1.6%, and slightly above the trailing 10-week average of +1.8%. Versus 2019, RevPAR was +11.6%, above the prior week’s result of +8.1%, and similar to the trailing 10-week average of +11.9%.  Last week was a clean comp on both y/y and 2019 comparisons, which we view as helpful for analysis on a leisure-led week. We maintain our view of domestic hotel leisure trends as overall lethargic with MSD-HSD occupancy declines versus 2019. On y/y, we see MSD improvement in higher-rated urban occupancy and LSD/MSD declines in resorts/Economy. Upscale RevPAR: +4.5% y/y and +8.1% versus 2019; Upper Midscale RevPAR: +3.0% y/y and +11.5% versus 2019.”
For more, read the full report here, and read the China/Europe report here.