Skip to content

Search

Human content, AI powered search.

Latest Stories

AAHOA hosts second HYPE conference in Mexico City

AAHOA’s 2nd HYPE Conference in Mexico City—hospitality leaders networking, sharing expert insights, and elevating service excellence

AAHOA hosted its second annual HYPE Conference in Mexico City on Feb. 6 to 7, marking its first international event, with Ritesh Agarwal, founder and Group CEO of OYO, as a keynote speaker.

Vishnu Rageev R.
By Vishnu Rageev R.Feb 27, 2025
Vishnu Rageev R.

Vishnu Rageev R is a journalist with more than 15 years of experience in business journalism. Before joining Asian Media Group in 2022, he worked with BW Businessworld, IMAGES Group, exchange4media Group, DC Books, and Dhanam Publications in India. His coverage includes industry analysis, market trends and corporate developments, focusing on retail, real estate and hospitality. As a senior journalist with Asian Hospitality, he covers the U.S. hospitality industry. He is from Kerala, a state in South India.

See Full Bio

AAHOA’s 2nd HYPE Conference in Mexico City: Elevating Hospitality Excellence & Networking Opportunities

AAHOA HOSTED ITS second annual “HYPE – Helping Young Professionals Evolve” conference in Mexico City on Feb. 6 to 7, marking its first international event. Ritesh Agarwal, founder and Group CEO of OYO, and Rahul Patel, managing partner at Patel Gaines, PLLC, were the keynote speakers, addressing around 240 participants.

The conference featured panel discussions on leadership, capital access strategies, multifamily housing opportunities, emerging technologies and insights for independent properties in competitive markets, AAHOA said in a statement.

"The energy at the second annual HYPE Conference was incredible. Bringing together over 200 young professionals in Mexico City to connect, learn, and grow is exactly what AAHOA is all about," said Miraj Patel, AAHOA chairman. "Investing in the next generation of hoteliers is essential to the future of our industry. I want to thank Dylan Patel, AAHOA Young Professional Director Eastern Division, and Tanmay Patel, AAHOA Young Professional Director Western Division, for their dedication in planning this event."

Agarwal shared insights on "From Startup to Global Impact: A CEO's Journey as a Young Professional," emphasizing perseverance: "When the world expects you to fail, you give everything to succeed." His firm, OYO, recently announced a $10 million investment to enhance G6 Hospitality’s digital assets, including its website and app, aiming for a fourfold increase in app users before summer.

Rahul Patel encouraged bold self-advocacy.

"You’ve got to be your biggest advocate. Whatever you're doing, tell people about it. Step outside the box—you’ve got to be different," he said.

AAHOA President and CEO Laura Lee Blake announced the launch of a Tech Task Force, led by young professionals, to explore and implement innovative technologies in hospitality.

"HYPE is more than just a conference—it is a launchpad for young professionals to build networks, gain industry insights, and advance their careers," said Blake. "With the new Tech Task Force, we are empowering the next generation to shape the future of hospitality through technology and innovation."

In February 2024, the "HYPE Ownership" conference in New Orleans attracted around 200 members, focusing on the growth of new hospitality professionals.

aaahoa chairman miraj patelaahoaaahoa hosts second hype conference in mexico cityaahoa hosts second hype conference in mexico city youtubeaahoa's international conference|aahoacon 2023ahoa conventioncapital access strategiesdylan patelemerging technologieshospitality leadershiphotel ownershiphype – helping young professionals evolvehype conferencelaura lee blakeleadershipmexico citymultifamily housing opportunitiesoyopatel gainesrahul patelritesh agarwaltanmay pateltech task forceu.s. hotel industryu.s. hoteliersyoung hoteliers

Related News

AI digital assistant redefining guest loyalty in U.S. hospitality industry
Industry News

Study: AI agents redefine hotel loyalty

HAMA Fall 2025 survey results
Industry News

Survey: Hotels expect Q4 RevPAR gain

Trump Reacts to Dallas Hotel Manager’s Brutal Killing
Industry News

Trump condemns Dallas hotel manager’s killing

Peachtree Group DST Mansfield Texas
Industry News

Peachtree adds Mansfield, TX, industrial asset to DST

More for you

American Franchise Act announced in U.S. Congress to protect hotel franchising and jobs

House unveils act to boost franchise business

Summary:

  • House introduces AFA to boost franchise model and hotel operations.
  • The act establishes a joint employer standard.
  • AHLA backs the bill, urging swift adoption.

THE HOUSE Of Representatives introduced the American Franchise Act, aimed at supporting the U.S. franchising sector, including 36,000 franchised hotels and 3 million workers nationwide. The American Hotel & Lodging Association, backed the bill, urging swift adoption to boost the franchise model and clarify joint employer standards.

Keep ReadingShow less
U.S. holiday travel 2025 trends

Report: U.S. consumers’ holiday travel intent dips

Summary:

  • U.S. holiday travel is down to 44 percent, led by Millennials and Gen Z.
  • Younger consumers are cost-conscious while older generations show steadier travel intent.
  • 76 percent of Millennials are likely to use AI for travel recommendations.

NEARLY 44 PERCENT of U.S. consumers plan to travel during the 2025 holiday season, down from 46 percent last year, according to PwC. Millennials and Gen Z lead travel intent at 55 percent each, while Gen X sits at 39 percent and Baby Boomers at 26 percent.

Keep ReadingShow less
Report: Global RevPAR to rise 3–5 percent in 2025

Report: Global RevPAR to rise 3–5 percent in 2025

Summary:

  • 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.

Keep ReadingShow less
Hotel data challenges report highlighting AI and automation opportunities in hospitality

Survey: Data gaps hinder hotel growth

Summary:

  • 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.

Keep ReadingShow less
Hyatt Way partnership

Hyatt taps Way for unified guest platform

Summary:

  • 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.

Keep ReadingShow less
Asian Hospitality Logo
© Copyright 2025
Contact Us