On Sunday, August 27, AAHOA Chairman Bharat Patel attended the Indo-American Chamber of Commerce business mixer in Farmington Hills, MI. 

 

The event was a powerhouse with Governor Gretchen Whitmer, the City of Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, Michigan Economic Development Corporation CEO Quinton Messer, Michican Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist II, along with several other elected officials and business icons of the Indian community in Michigan. Now, more than ever, these events are crucial as AAHOA works to strengthen the economic relationship between the U.S. and India.

 

Additionally, Chairman Patel was honored to accept a Business Icon Award for Exemplary Service and Commitment to Excellence in the Hospitality Industry. A special thanks to IACC-USA and everyone who supported his nomination. As a second-generation hotelier, Chairman Patel is passionate about championing the hotel industry and business community.

AAHOA hosted the North Carolina Region Charity Golf Tournament on August 26-27 at the Rocky River Golf Club in Concord, NC. The event marked the third charity golf tournament of the summer and saw a notable turnout of 125 players, many of whom are active AAHOA Members and industry leaders.

 

Set against a backdrop of a stunning and challenging course, participants enjoyed a full day of golf and raised nearly $100,000 for the following charities:

AAHOA thanks North Carolina Regional Director Pinkesh Patel, local Ambassadors, and influential leaders in North Carolina: Jay Trini Patel, Vinay Patel, and Vimal Hardev. Their hard work and outstanding leadership paved the way for an impactful event.

 

Check out what some AAHOA leaders had to say about the event:

"What an incredible weekend with #TeamAAHOA! 125 players showed up and showed out at the North Carolina Region Charity Golf Tournament," AAHOA Chairman Bharat Patel shared.

 

"My first-ever visit to the North Carolina charity golf tournament left me in awe. From past regional directors to the AAHOA Past Chairman, and now the current North Carolina Regional Director, Pinkesh Patel, along with his team of ambassadors and local community leaders, they put on a great tournament," Mid South Regional Director Harikrishna (HK) Patel shared on Facebook.

This week, AAHOA is partnering with the California Hotel & Lodging Association to host the Greater Los Angeles Area Regional that took place on Tuesday, August 29, and the South Pacific Regional that's happening TODAY, August 31.

 

AAHOA Members own 61.8% of the hotels in California, contribute $62.9 billion to the state GDP, and are responsible for creating nearly 600,000 jobs in the Golden State. It's vital to come together with CHLA, one of the most influential state lodging associations, and effectively serve the needs of California's hoteliers.

 

But wait, there's more! At the end of September, AAHOA will be back in California for the AAHOA North Pacific Charity Golf Tournament, taking place on September 26 at the Bay View Golf Club in Milpitas, CA. Join AAHOA North Pacific Regional Director Ankit Panchal and the AAHOA North Pacific Region Ambassadors to support local charities and network in person while playing on one of the country's premier golf courses.

AAHOA, the Asian American Hotel Owners Association, a leading innovator in the hospitality industry that represents 20,000 hoteliers, proudly endorses the findings of a recent study conducted by the University of Houston’s Conrad N. Hilton College of Global Hospitality Leadership. The study examined hotel guests' acceptance of artificial intelligence (AI)-based systems and how they are reshaping the industry. 

 

Additionally, Morgan Stanley Research on Aug. 18 issued a report, “AI for Hotels: Will the Hotel of the Future Fit in the Palm of Your Hand?,” which documented the upsides of early adoption of AI technologies by hoteliers, online travel agencies, and hotel brands. 

 

“Artificial Intelligence can be a game-changer for the entire travel experience, from researching a trip to booking to engagement on property to continued engagement post-stay,” Morgan Stanley analysts wrote. “From an owner/operator standpoint, AI should also power more personalized experiences and lower costs given opportunities across hotels' systems for more tech integration.”

 

As AI technology continues to transform hospitality, it presents new opportunities for hotels to deliver highly personalized services that enhance the guest experience. For example, by optimizing workforce management, AI can allow hoteliers, who are primarily small business owners, to manage their resources more efficiently. AI also can help hoteliers better anticipate trends in hotel bookings and stays, allowing them to better manage inventory and staff, price rooms competitively, and identify new revenue opportunities.

 

AI-powered chatbots and virtual assistants can help overcome labor shortages by handling tasks like routine guest inquiries. AI can allow hotel staff to focus on high-touch services and tasks that have more complex needs, giving guests more personalized services. 

 

AAHOA recognizes the benefit-risk tradeoff that consumers face in this evolving landscape. AAHOA believes that it is essential for hoteliers to prioritize transparency and effective communication to address any concerns related to sensitive areas like data privacy.

 

“As an industry leader, AAHOA is dedicated to embracing AI as a tool for innovation and enhancement to make the guest experience more personalized and remarkable,” said AAHOA President & CEO Laura Lee Blake. “We remain committed to upholding ethical practices, championing transparency, and continually improving the guest experience through the thoughtful integration of AI technology.”

"The biggest challenge I see in the industry today is representation. In the various organizations I participate in for the hospitality industry, one of my main goals has always been to provide a voice to the women behind the curtains. Those who are on the property every day handling the day-to-day interactions of the business and are too busy to come out and share their voice."

 

 

 

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Evolutions in transportation, sustainability efforts, food-service, and ecotourism are set to play major factors in hospitality within the next few years.
(Source: HospitalityNet)

WIth guests expressing a preference for increasingly transparent pricing, legal action regarding so-called "hidden fees" is increasing in frequency.
(Source: TravelPulse)

Once thought to be a stopgap measure in a time when in-person contact was intentionally limited, QR codes have become an intergral part of daily life in the hospitality industry.
(Source: Channel 3000 News)

Truist Securities reports, “Overall U.S. RevPAR was +2.1% y/y for the week ending 8/26/2023, per STR, slightly above the prior week's result of +1.8%, and slightly above the trailing 10-week average of +1.8%. Versus 2019, RevPAR was +14.8%, slightly above the prior week’s result of +14.1%, and above the trailing 10-week average of +12.9%. Last week's results showed continued negative impact from Tropical Storm Hillary (San Diego, in particular), relatively soft ADR for Luxury (we suspect resort-driven), and a decent group week given the traditionally lower demand period of late August. The MTD August results are slightly stronger than the weekly results would imply. Upscale RevPAR: +4.1% y/y and +11.6% vs. 2019; Upper Midscale RevPAR: +2.2% y/y and +15.0% vs. 2019.”
For more, read the full report here, and read the China/Europe report here.