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.
AAHOA’S ANNUAL CONFERENCE has come and gone for this year, but it left in its wake permanent changes for the association. They include a new chairman, new secretary, new award winners and new memories of a return to in-person conferences following the COVID-19 pandemic.
New leadership
In the concluding ceremony for the 2021 AAHOA Convention & Trade Show at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas, Virginia hotelier Vinay Patel became the new chair of AAHOA’s board of directors. He said his administration would focus initially on helping members recover from the pandemic and economic downturn.
“Industry estimates continue to project a full recovery some time in late 2023 or 2024,” Patel said. “Coming together as an industry is paramount to economic recovery, especially as new variants threaten to inhibit the reopening of America. I am confident that AAHOA’s enhanced advocacy and education efforts as well as the implementation of our new strategic plan will help our industry get back on track.”
Advocacy on a state and local level also will be a focus of his time as chairman, Patel said. AAHOA recently partnered with the American Hotel & Lodging Association to form the American Hospitality Alliance for that purpose. During the conference, AAHOA also announced the results of a study conducted by Oxford Economics on the association’s economic impact also is meant as a tool for use in advocacy efforts.
“We must be united in our advocacy efforts, especially as we engage with local governments,” Patel said. “I am also committed to broadening our outreach to lawmakers who have not necessarily engaged on the issues we champion. Building a broad coalition that supports small businesses and their employees will help draw more attention to why issues such as 1031 like-kind exchanges and the Save Hotel Jobs Act are so important to rebuilding our economy with new, good-paying jobs.”
In his inaugural address, Patel stressed the need to work together through the pandemic and remain optimistic.
“We are in uncharted territory as a country as we emerge from this crisis. In a way, we are all letting our eyes adjust to the sunlight after spending more than a year in the darkness,” he said. “It will be challenging. It will be frustrating. But, AAHOA is here to help guide us as we rebuild, reinvest, and recover.”
Patel joined AAHOA in 1993 and has served on its board since 2014 and elected secretary in 2018. He also is the president of Fairbrook Hotels which owns and operates eleven properties. Patel also serves on the Virginia Hospitality and Tourism Association board of directors and is the president of the Herndon Hospitality Association.
Born in Malawi, Africa, Patel’s family moved to the U.S. when he was 8 years old. He assisted at the 15-room family motel in Richmond, Virginia, from housekeeping to the front desk, and he continued that business after graduating from Virginia Commonwealth University with bachelor’s degrees in marketing and business.
“I’ve had the pleasure of working with Vinay prior to joining AAHOA, and he truly embodies the characteristics, qualities, and values that make a great chairman,” said Ken Greene, AAHOA interim president and CEO. “I have seen him in action as a property owner and as vice chair of AAHOA, and I couldn't be more excited to work with him now as the chairman.”
Vinay said in an interview during the conference that he has been good friends with Immediate Past Chairman Biran Patel. He learned a strong lesson from his predecessor, he said.
“One of the biggest things and he's told me all the time, is do the right thing, do the right thing for the membership,” Vinay said. “And that's the biggest thing that I've learned from him. There's been times where he's taken a hit for it. Sometimes, when you do the right thing, you take a hit negatively because it’s not a politically right thing to do. But from his perspective, I could tell you that what I've learned is the fact that he did the right thing.”
On the final day of the conference, members flocked to the polls to vote for candidates for several positions within the association. The most important of those positions up for election was that of secretary, because the winner cycles through each position on AAHOA’s board year after year until they become chairman.
Miraj Patel, AAHOA’s new secretary, talks to supporters after the announcement of his victory in the election.
This year, Miraj Patel, president of Wayside Investment Group in Houston, won the race. He said it was an honor to be chosen to help lead the association.
“The election process was very rewarding, because I got the opportunity to hear the membership and I look forward to bringing results for this association,” Miraj said.
Miraj said the first thing he will do is change policies and bylaws that are restricting the board from doing certain things that need doing.
“My goal in the next year is to ensure that we continue our momentum and ensure that we start engaging with our franchise partners or vendor partners and our policymakers,” he said.
In the debate, Miraj said he would focus on saving AAHOA members money by eliminating double charging by brands and OTAs through hidden fees. Previously, hoteliers would receive 25 to 30 percent return on their investments, Miraj said in the debate, but today the ROI is around 11 percent.
“We are messing up this industry, and now it's time to have that dialogue and use our membership. It's time to start changing the consumers’ mindset with a mental shift,” Miraj said during the debate. “Charging for breakfast, charging for shuttles, credit card fees, minimizing service, or even having all reservations prepaid. Those are the type of dialogues we need to have. It's time to change this industry.”
AAHOA members also elected the following 12 members to the board:
“Congratulations to our new AAHOA Secretary and all of our newly elected board members. It is encouraging to see so many members volunteering to serve America’s hotel owners,” Greene said. “AAHOA’s value and resources have never been more apparent as we work tirelessly to reopen our economy and ensure that our communities are prepared to welcome back guests as the nation starts to travel again.”
The winner’s circle
During the conference, AAHOA also announced the winners of its annual awards. They are:
Nanda Patel – AAHOA Award of Excellence
Mitesh Jivan – Cecil B. Day Community Service Award
Hotel Lexen – IAHA Independent Hotel of the Year
Masudur Khan – Outreach Award for Philanthropy
Priti Patel – Outstanding Women Hotelier of the Year
Saajan Patel – Outstanding Young Professional of the Year
Bijal Patel – Political Forum Award for Advocacy
“During such a challenging year, these individuals made significant contributions to the industry and to AAHOA,” said Biran Patel. “We are all honored to highlight their service and commitment to excellence.”
“Following an extremely difficult year for AAHOA members and the entire industry, these award recipients demonstrate their commitment to excellence in the hospitality industry, regardless of the landscape,” Greene said. “Their hard work and dedication does not go unnoticed, and it is through their leadership, grit, and determinations that the industry continues to thrive.”
AHLA Foundation is partnering with ICHRIE and ACPHA to support hospitality education.
The collaborations align academic programs with industry workforce needs.
It will provide data, faculty development, and student engagement opportunities.
THE AHLA FOUNDATION, International Council on Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Education and the Accreditation Commission for Programs in Hospitality Administration work to expand education opportunities for students pursuing hospitality careers. The alliances aim to provide data, faculty development and student engagement opportunities.
Their efforts build on the foundation’s scholarships and link academics to workforce needs, AHLA said in a statement.
"We're not just funding education—we're investing in the alignment between academic learning and professional readiness," said Kevin Carey, AHLA Foundation president and CEO. "These partnerships give us the insights needed to support students and programs that effectively prepare graduates to enter the evolving hospitality industry."
ACPHA will provide annual reports on participating schools’ performance, enabling the Foundation to direct resources to programs with curricula aligned to industry needs, the Foundation said.
Thomas Kube, incoming ACPHA executive director, said the partnership shows academia and industry working together for hospitality students. The collaboration with ICHRIE includes program analysis, engagement through more than 40 Eta Sigma Delta Honor Society chapters and faculty development.
“Together, we are strengthening pathways to academic excellence, professional development and industry engagement,” said Donna Albano, chair of the ICHRIE Eta Sigma Delta Board of Governors.
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Global hotel RevPAR is projected to grow 3 to 5 percent in 2025, JLL reports.
Hotel RevPAR rose 4 percent in 2024, with demand at 4.8 billion room nights.
London, New York and Tokyo are expected to lead investor interest in 2025.
GLOBAL HOTEL REVPAR is projected to grow 3 to 5 percent in 2025, with investment volume up 15 to 25 percent, driven by loan maturities, deferred capital spending and private equity fund expirations, according to JLL. Leisure travel is expected to decline as consumer savings tighten, while group, corporate and international travel increase, supporting RevPAR growth.
Major cities continue to attract strong demand and investor interest, particularly London, New York and Tokyo. APAC is likely to post the strongest growth, fueled by recovering Chinese travel, while urban markets remain poised for continued momentum.
Lifestyle hotels are emerging as the new “third place,” blending living, working and leisure. The trend is fueling expansion into branded residences and alternative accommodations. JLL said investors must weigh regional performance differences, asset types and lifestyle trends when evaluating opportunities.
Separately, a Hapi and Revinate survey found fragmented systems, inaccurate data and limited integration remain barriers for hotels seeking better data access to improve guest experience and revenue.
Fragmented systems, poor integration limit hotels’ data access, according to a survey.
Most hotel professionals use data daily but struggle to access it for revenue and operations.
AI and automation could provide dynamic pricing, personalization and efficiency.
FRAGMENTED SYSTEMS, INACCURATE information and limited integration remain barriers to hotels seeking better data access to improve guest experiences and revenue, according to a newly released survey. Although most hotel professionals use data daily, the survey found 49 percent struggle to access what they need for revenue and operational decisions.
“The Future of Hotel Data” report, published by hospitality data platform Hapi and direct booking platform Revinate, found that 40 percent of hoteliers cite disconnected systems as their biggest obstacle. Nearly one in five said poor data quality prevents personalization, limiting satisfaction, loyalty and upsell opportunities.
“Data is the foundation for every company, but most hotels still struggle to access and connect it effectively,” said Luis Segredo, Hapi’s cofounder and CEO. “This report shows there’s a clear path forward: integrate systems, improve data accuracy and embrace AI to unlock real-time insights. Hotels that can remove these technology barriers will operate more efficiently, drive loyalty, boost revenue and ultimately gain a competitive edge in a tight market.”
AI and automation could transform hospitality through dynamic pricing, real-time personalization and operational efficiency, but require standardized, integrated and reliable data to succeed, the report said.
Around 19 percent of respondents cited communication delays as a major issue, while 18 percent pointed to ineffective marketing, the survey found. About 10 percent reported challenges with enterprise initiatives and 15 percent said they struggled to understand guest needs. Nearly 46 percent identified CRM and loyalty systems as the top priority for data quality improvements, followed by sales and upselling at 17 percent, operations at 10 percent and customer service at 7 percent.
Meanwhile, hotels see opportunities in stronger CRM and loyalty systems, integrated platforms and AI, the report said. Priorities include improving data quality for personalized engagement, using integrated systems for real-time insights, applying AI for offers, marketing and service and leveraging dynamic pricing and automation to boost efficiency, conversion and profitability.
“Clean, connected data is the key to truly understanding the needs of guests, driving amazing marketing campaigns and delivering direct booking revenue,” said Bryson Koehler, Revinate's CEO. “Looking ahead, hotels that transform fragmented data into connected data systems will be able to leverage guest intelligence data and gain a significant advantage. With the right technology, they can personalize every interaction, shift share to direct channels and drive profitability in ways that weren’t possible before. The future belongs to hotels that harness their data to operate smarter, delight guests and grow revenue.”
In June, The State of Distribution 2025 reported a widening gap between technology potential and operational readiness, with many hotel teams still early in using AI and developing training, systems, and workflows.
Hyatt partners with Way to unify guest experiences on one platform.
Members can earn and redeem points on experiences booked through Hyatt websites.
Way’s technology supports translation, payments and data insights for Hyatt.
HYATT HOTELS CORP. is working with Austin-based startup Way to consolidate ancillary services, loyalty experiences and on-property programming on one platform across its global portfolio. The collaboration integrates Way’s system into Hyatt.com, the World of Hyatt app, property websites and FIND Experiences to create a centralized booking platform.
World of Hyatt members can earn and redeem points on experiences booked through Hyatt websites, including wellness programs, cultural activities, ticketed events and local collaborations, the companies said in a statement. Members can also access FIND Experiences, which includes activities and auctions where points can be used to bid on events.
"In our search for an on-brand platform to power experiences and tap into ancillary revenue opportunities, Way's collaboration has been a true unlock for us," said Arlie Sisson, Hyatt’s senior vice president and global head of digital. "After a thorough evaluation of potential solutions, Hyatt chose Way to power the next chapter of our digital strategy by streamlining operations, elevating brand differentiation, enhancing personalization and, most importantly, delivering care at every touchpoint in the guest journey."
The Way initiative spans Hyatt’s portfolio, covering cabana rentals, in-room amenities and partnerships with local providers, the statement said. Way’s technology supports real-time translation, more than 100 currencies, multiple payment methods and data insights to help Hyatt manage operations globally.
"Hyatt set a high bar and Way is proud to bring their vision to life," said Michael Stocker, Way’s co-founder and CEO.
"The platform supports enterprise needs while preserving the guest experience."
U.S. CMBS delinquency rate rose 10 bps to 7.23 percent in July.
Multifamily was the only property type to increase, reaching 6.15 percent.
Office remained above 11 percent, while lodging and retail fell.
THE U.S. COMMERCIAL mortgage-backed securities delinquency rate rose for the fifth consecutive month in July, climbing 10 basis points to 7.23 percent, according to Trepp. The delinquent balance reached $43.3 billion, up from $42.3 billion in June.
Trepp’s “CMBS Delinquency Report July” showed multifamily led the increase, with its delinquency rate rising 24 basis points to 6.15 percent. Lodging fell 22 basis points to 6.59 percent and retail declined 16 basis points to 6.90 percent. Office delinquencies edged down to 11.04 percent after hitting a record 11.08 percent in June.
Loan-level analysis showed $4.4 billion in loans became newly delinquent in July, exceeding $3 billion that cured. Mixed-use, retail and office each accounted for more than $800 million of newly delinquent loans.
The seriously delinquent share, 60+ days, foreclosure, REO, or non-performing balloons, rose to 6.93 percent, Trepp said. Excluding defeased loans, the overall delinquency rate would be 7.41 percent.
A separate report from Lodging Econometrics showed the global hotel pipeline at 15,871 projects, up 3 percent year-over-year, totaling 2,436,225 rooms, up 2 percent.