Hotelier Weekly
December 19, 2024
Champion PTAC, LLC
AAHOA News
Take Advantage of Early Access Rates - Register Today for AAHOACON25!
New Ideas. New Connections. New Orleans.
 
Get ready for the hospitality event of the year! With the industry’s largest trade show, powerful keynotes, and transformative educational sessions, AAHOACON25 is more than a convention—it’s where innovation, networking, and success come to life.

This year, join us in vibrant New Orleans! Immerse yourself in an unforgettable atmosphere while gaining the tools, insights, and partnerships to shape the future of hospitality.
 
Lifetime Members: Early access rates start at just $199—register by December 31 to take advantage of this special offer!
 
Take a look at the brand-new AAHOACON25 promo video and get excited for the event of the year! 
 
ICYMI: Lifetime Member Sweepstakes
  • Lifetime Members, register for AAHOACON25 by December 31, 2024, at the exclusive Early Access rate of $199, and you'll be entered to win:
 
AAHOA Members Shine in Hotel Management’s 2025 "Forty Over 40" List
Hotel Management is honoring leaders shaping the future of hospitality with its 2025 “Forty Over 40” list.
  • Hiren Govind, Chief Operating Officer at Qube Hotel Group, oversees operations across 14 hotels in three states with a team of 272 employees. Govind’s career journey—from learning every role in his family’s hospitality business to rediscovering his passion after a brief career in architecture—highlights his leadership and resilience.
  • Dipal Patel, Principal at Shyana Hospitality Management, brings over 20 years of experience in hotel development, acquisitions, and operations. Patel’s work spans major brands like Best Western, Holiday Inn Express, Marriott, and independents. She currently serves on the Best Western Governors Board and the Member Development Advisory Committee, driving strategies to boost performance and revenues.
Why it matters: AAHOA Members continue to lead with vision, experience, and excellence, inspiring the next generation of hoteliers.
 
AAHOA Applauds FTC Lawsuit Under the Robinson-Patman Act to Address Unfair Pricing Practices
AAHOA supports the FTC’s decision to file a lawsuit under the Robinson-Patman Act to combat harmful pricing practices that unfairly impact small and minority-owned businesses.
  • Why it matters: This legal action is critical to ensuring fair competition and a level playing field for all businesses, especially those disadvantaged by large corporations.
  • AAHOA’s role: As a member of the Main Street Competition Coalition, AAHOA has consistently advocated for fair business practices to benefit both businesses and consumers. The association has long championed fair competition and enforcement of anti-discrimination laws.
"We fully support the FTC’s efforts to restore a competitive marketplace that benefits everyone," said AAHOA Chairman Miraj S. Patel.

"The FTC’s action is a win for small businesses that drive the economy and create jobs," said AAHOA President & CEO Laura Lee Blake.

AAHOA remains committed to advocating for policies that promote growth, innovation, and equality for all hotel owners.
 
LESS THAN TWO WEEKS LEFT! Secure Your Right to Vote in the 2025 AAHOA Elections!
Winter may be slow, but deadlines don't wait! There are only 12 days left to ensure you are eligible to vote in the 2025 AAHOA Elections.
 
In order to be eligible to vote on April 16, 2025, you must satisfy the following requirements:
  • Become a Lifetime Member on or before December 31, 2024 OR
  • Have paid your Annual Membership dues no less than twice in the previous three calendar years, AND
  • Renew your Annual Membership on or before Sunday, March 2, 2025
Reminders:
  • Renewing your 2024 membership also impacts your eligibility to vote in the 2025 AAHOA Election.
  • You can sign up for automatic renewals or upgrade your membership 24/7 at MyAAHOA.com.
  • The 2025 AAHOA Elections will take place online, and all eligible voters will be able to participate, regardless of geographic location.
 
PayRange
AAHOA Advocacy in Action
Support the Hotel Industry! Credit Card Competition Act Update
What Happened: On December 3, the Senate Judiciary Committee held a hearing on the Credit Card Competition Act. Senators criticized Visa and Mastercard for monopolistic practices hurting small businesses.
 
Key Points:
  • Chairman Durbin (D-IL) and Sen. Marshall (R-KS) called for more competition.
  • Since 2006, the credit card industry has collected $1.1 trillion in swipe fees.
  • Even bill opponents, like Sen. Tillis (R-NC), admitted small businesses have valid concerns.
Why it matters: Small businesses need relief from rising swipe fees.
 
Take action: Contact your elected officials and urge support for the Credit Card Competition Act. Your voice can help drive change.
AAHOA Welcomes FTC Ruling Requiring Transparency in Lodging Pricing
What’s new: The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has finalized the Rule on Unfair or Deceptive Fees, also known as the Junk Fees Rule, requiring upfront disclosure of total prices, including mandatory fees, for short-term lodging and live-ticket events.
 
Why it matters: 
  • Ensures transparency for consumers, eliminating surprise fees like "resort" or "service" charges.
  • Levels the playing field for businesses with honest pricing practices.
  • Saves consumers an estimated 53 million hours and over $11 billion in the next decade.
 
Looking ahead: Effective April 2025, this rule aligns with AAHOA's advocacy for transparent pricing, complementing its support for the FEES Act earlier this year.
Featured Content
Get Involved with AAHOA: 2025-26 Ambassador and Committee Applications
AAHOA thrives on the participation of its dynamic members. Apply to serve on a committee or as an Ambassador—or encourage fellow members to apply!
 
Committee Applications
  • Deadline: Thursday, April 17, 2025
  • Apply here
  • Committees with Vacancies:
    • Bylaws & Governance
    • Education & Professional Development
    • Finance & Audit
    • Franchise & Industry Relations
    • Government Affairs
    • Independent Hoteliers
    • Strategic Planning
    • Women Hoteliers
    • Young Professional Hoteliers
Ambassador Applications
  • Deadline: Tuesday, April 1, 2025
  • Apply here
  • Ambassadors assist Regional Directors with member engagement, networking, and promoting AAHOA’s mission.
 
Apply Today! 2025-26 AAHOA Board of Directors Nominations
Calling All AAHOA Members!
 
Are you:
✅ Energetic and motivated to help AAHOA achieve its goals?
✅ A connector who can unite hotel owners and industry leaders with AAHOA?
✅ Passionate about serving the hospitality industry?
 
If you answered YES to any of these, it's your time to lead!
 
Apply to Serve on the 2025-2026 AAHOA Board of Directors.
We’re seeking dedicated members who want to see AAHOA thrive and make a difference in our industry. Submit nominations here.
 
📅 Nomination Deadline: Saturday, February 15, 2025
Learn more about the 2025 AAHOA Elections and Candidates here.
 
Celebrate Excellence: Nominate a Fellow Member Today for the Annual AAHOA Awards!
What's Happening: The AAHOA Annual Awards are an incredible way to recognize the members and properties that exemplify excellence in our industry. From leadership and philanthropy to advocacy and community service, these awards celebrate the best of hospitality.
 
Awards include:
  • AAHOA Award of Excellence
  • Cecil B. Day Community Service Award
  • Outreach Award for Philanthropy
  • Outstanding HerOwnership Award of Excellence
  • Outstanding HYPE Award of Excellence
  • Political Forum Award for Advocacy
  • IAHA Independent Hotel of the Year Award
Deeper Dive: Recipients will be celebrated and announced at AAHOACON25 in New Orleans. The deadline to nominate is February 14, 2025. Submit your nominations here. Help celebrate the best of the best in hospitality and nominate someone today!
 
American Pride Bank
Charter Communications Operating, LLC
Decorative Ceiling Tiles, Inc.
Red Roof Inn
Featured Club Blue Member
O'CONNOR & ASSOCIATES
  
O’Connor is the largest property tax consulting firm in the United States. O’Connor’s team of professionals possesses the resources and unparalleled market expertise in the areas of property tax, cost segregation, and commercial and residential real estate appraisals. Their proven solutions continue to help taxpayers reduce their annual property tax rates. To learn more information about potentially reducing your property taxes, visit their website.
Condair Ltd.
Featured Member Benefit
TV ASIA
  
With an on-ground coast-to-coast presence, TV Asia is aired across multiple platforms, including satellite, cable, and broadband. Available as part of South Asian Combo Packages, TV Asia represents a significant opportunity to market to a South Asian audience with a strong cultural connection. We offer custom ground opportunities to create events, build relationships, and strengthen and reinforce your brand with exposure on social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and Snapchat), TV, print, and radio.
Featured Platinum/Silver Partner
BOOKIT N GO
  
Our mission at Bookit N Go is to provide affordable travel services to customers and deliver pleasurable, seamless travel experiences. We offer hassle-free travel services from the moment you start planning your vacation. We made the search and booking process simpler and stress-free, as it ought to be.
Inn-Flow
Cox Business
Industry News
CEO Murray Sets Up Sonesta for Growth with Unique Franchising Formula
 
Google Says Feedback Shows Old Search Result Format is Bad for Hotels
In response to possible regulatory reform in the EU, which could lead to global ramifications, Google is reporting that a return to an older search style could make it harder for hotels to maximize their visibility on the platform.
(Source: Reuters)
U.S. Hotel Performance Picked up Once Thanksgiving Impact Subsided
Ahead of the annual end-of-year travel surge, hotels enjoyed stronger performances in the early days of December, with many U.S. markets showing nearly double-digit RevPAR growth over the same time period during the previous year.
(Source: CoStar)
Panasonic
Avendra
Today's Hotelier

Blended travel as the big boost for all segments in 2025

Bleisure has been a buzzword since well before the pandemic, but when that event catalyzed the adoption and acceptance of remote and hybrid work, the notion of blending traditionally disparate travel segments has taken on a whole new, and lucrative, meaning. Entering 2025, though, the concept of combining business and leisure – hence the "bleisure" portmanteau – no longer really encompasses all the different travel behaviors and sources of revenue hotels can activate.

The newer, but more ambiguous, umbrella term of "blended travel" can not only imply any combination of corporate, group, or leisure, but it doesn’t presuppose business first, leisure second. Hence, this term better accounts for emerging microsegments like digital nomadism and nomad executives, and how guest context can change over time or across different properties within a brand.

Read More
In the Market
U.S. RevPAR +18.2% y/y Last Week; Hanukkah Shift Tailwind
As Truist Securities wrote, “Overall U.S. RevPAR was +18.2% y/y for the week ending 12/14/2024, per STR/ CoStar, above the prior week's result of +4.3% y/y and above the trailing 10-week average of +6.0% y/y. The timing of Hanukkah this year vs. last year was the driver of y/y strength. Last year, the eight nights of the holiday began on December 8, whereas they begin on December 25 this year. The timing shift was most evident in Group segment results, which were up 55.9% y/y. As we always note when there are exceptionally strong (or weak) Group segment results, a holiday shift is usually the cause. Upscale RevPAR: +18.4% y/y; Upper Midscale RevPAR: +14.9% y/y.”
 
For more, read the full report here, and read the China/Europe report here.