Ed Brock is an award-winning journalist who has worked for various U.S. newspapers and magazines, including with American City & County magazine, a national publication based in Atlanta focused on city and county government issues. He is currently senior editor at Asian Hospitality magazine, the top U.S. publication for Asian American hoteliers. Originally from Mobile, Alabama, Ed began his career in journalism in the early 1990s as a reporter for a chain of weekly newspapers in Baldwin County, Alabama. After a stint teaching English in Japan, Ed returned to the U.S. and moved to the Atlanta area where he returned to journalism, coming to work at Asian Hospitality in 2016.
WITH THE HOSPITALITY industry facing numerous issues even as the economy recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic, two major associations have formed a new partnership to address that need. AAHOA and the American Hotel & Lodging Association have created the American Hospitality Alliance advocate for hotels on state and national levels.
AAHOA and AHLA announced the formation of AHA during the summer meeting of the International Society of Hotel Associations in Boston on Tuesday. The purpose of the alliance is to pool resources and streamline efforts, the associations said, and it also will work with state hotel associations.
The mission
“The majority of hotels are small businesses. That is why the owners and operators are particularly well-suited to inform lawmakers about policies and regulations that will accelerate the industry’s resurgence. This coalition could not have come at a more important time as the hotel industry prepares to welcome back guests,” said Ken Greene, AAHOA’s interim president and CEO.
Greene was appointed to the interim position in early June following the resignation of Cecil Staton, former AAHOA president and CEO. Rachel Humphrey, the association’s executive vice president and COO, also will be resigning on Aug. 7, the day after AAHOA’s 2021 Convention and Trade show in Dallas finishes.
“AHLA has long recognized the importance of state and local governments in policy issues affecting hoteliers, and it is imperative that growing our industry’s state and local presence remain a priority as we look toward the future,” said Chip Rogers, AHLA president and CEO. “AAHOA and our engaged state hospitality associations understand how critical a thriving hotel industry is to reviving the economy at the local and state levels, and we are proud to unite every segment of the industry around this effort.”
On the board
AHLA and AAHOA will co-chair AHA, working with an advisory board of 17 industry representatives and staff serving one-year terms. Key issues the new alliance will address include COVID-19 liability, short-term rentals acting as illegal hotels, drive-by lawsuits, tax reform and workforce development. Advisory board members include Aimbridge Hospitality and Champion Hotels.
“AHLA and AAHOA have long recognized the importance of state and local governments in policy issues affecting hoteliers, and the formation of the AHA will be an invaluable resource for hoteliers and lodging associations across the country,” said Laura Vesely Aimbridge Hospitality senior government affairs officer.
Strengthening partnerships among state and national hospitality associations also will be key to AHA’s mission, said Harshil Patel, Champion Hotels’ vice president.
“COVID-19 wiped out a decade of growth in an industry that creates millions of jobs and generates billions of dollars in tax revenue for local economies. AHA’s creation is an investment in communities across the country,” Patel said. “As governments engage with businesses to spur growth, AHA will be there to help hoteliers and lodging associations make the most out of stimulus measures and other programs designed to rebuild the economy.”
Members’ reactions mixed
Former AAHOA Chairman Mukesh Mowji’s reaction to the new alliance was more lukewarm.
“Not sure why another layer of administration is required,” he said. “Plus, AHLA is an industry advocate and AAHOA is an owners advocate.”
However, Sunil “Sunny” Tolani, California hotelier and AAHOA member, said the AHA is very necessary.
“The hotel industry is a battlefield, and I have over a decade of stories and mental scar tissue to prove it,” Tolani said. “Hoteliers are being hit on all sides by OTAs, the destruction of rates, PIPs, construction cost increases, labor shortages and wage increases. We learn to be resilient and focus on our hearts with hospitality and respect for one and all as our guiding light. We want ‘just and fair’ policies. We have nowhere to hide and do not proselytize publicly as our guests are best served by us doing our job well quietly with our heads down.”
Sonesta launched Americas Best Value Studios, an extended-stay version of ABVI.
The model targets owners seeking limited front desk and housekeeping.
The brand meets demand for longer-term, value-focused stays.
SONESTA INTERNATIONAL HOTELS Corp. launched Americas Best Value Studios by Sonesta, an extended-stay version of its franchised brand, Americas Best Value Inn. The model targets owners seeking limited front desk and housekeeping, optional fitness center and lobby market along with standard brand requirements.
The brand aims to address the growing demand for longer-term, value-driven accommodations, Sonesta said in a statement.
"Americas Best Value Studios by Sonesta represents a strategic evolution of our trusted Americas Best Value Inn brand," Keith Pierce, Sonesta’s executive vice president and president of franchise development, said. "We are expanding our offerings to directly address the increasing demand within the extended-stay segment, providing a practical solution for travelers seeking longer-term lodging at value. This new brand type allows our local franchised owner-operators to tap into a growing market while maintaining the community-focused experience that Americas Best Value Inn is known for."
ABVI has a majority presence in secondary and tertiary markets, the statement said.
The extended-stay brand’s operational model features a front desk, bi-weekly housekeeping, on-site laundry and pet-friendly accommodations, Sonesta said. Guests can also earn or redeem points through the Sonesta Travel Pass loyalty program.
In August, Sonesta named Stayntouch its preferred property management system after a two-year review of its ability to support the company’s franchise model. The company operates more than 1,100 properties with more than 100,000 rooms across 13 brands on three continents.
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