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 assistant 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.
AT THE 2024 AAHOA Convention & Trade Show held last week in Orlando, Florida, history was being made at the same time it was being recalled. Miraj Patel assumed his role as the youngest chairman the association has had, while his predecessor Bharat Patel and AAHOA President and CEO Laura Lee Blake spoke on the legacy that led to the association’s current success.
AAHOACON24, the 35th national conference for the association, saw more than 7,000 registered attendees and 524 exhibitors at the Orange County Convention Center, blocks away from Disneyworld and Universal Studios. It included more than 44 education sessions and had two times the number of sponsors than in 2023 with 26. Event revenue was 6 percent higher than 2023 and 31 percent higher than in 2022. The tradeshow sprawled over more than 84,500 square feet of exhibit space.
In a speech during the first general session, Bharat presented his theory on what led to AAHOA’s current status: compound success.
Success breeds success
“Because AAHOA is forever growing and improving for our association and our members, success is an ongoing journey, a journey that will take us to greater heights and major milestones,” Bharat said. “Think of it in accounting terms. We're all familiar with the financial concept of compound interest. So, let me offer a new take on an old idea called compound success.”
Bharat said AAHOA has seen its highest record of achievements for the past 35 years.
“We are earning success today based on success achieved by all leaders and members who came before us,” he said. “These visionaries created a foundation of success for us on which we are standing today, on which we are building today, building on that foundation for future generations. And just like every layer of brick in your home is built on the previous layer, a whole lot is achieving layer upon layer upon layer of success that's carefully built on those who came before.”
On stage during AAHOACON24 are, from left, newly installed AAHOA Chairman Miraj Patel, immediate past Chairman Bharat Patel, U.S. Sen. Rick Scott, AAHOA Vice Chairman Kamalesh “KP” Patel and past Chairman Nishant “Neil” Patel.
One indicator of that success is the fact that Indian Americans started as outsiders but now have increased their influence over the hospitality industry and society as a whole. That shows in AAHOA’s advocacy efforts, Bharat said.
“Government officials at all levels now pay attention when our members speak up and speak out,” he said. “Government agencies and legislators now come to us regularly to hear our opinion, learn from our expertise and understand our point of view. This leads to real results that positively impact the lives of our members.”
One example of that influence came as a result of Choice Hotels International’s recent failed effort to acquire Wyndham Hotels & Resorts. AAHOA spoke out against the proposed transaction to the Federal Trade Commission saying it would not pass antitrust review.
“Choice voluntarily decided to abandon its acquisition, but the situation also shows that government with its elected officials or regulators are forced to take action when concerned citizens are making their voices heard, loud and clear,” Bharat said.
Bharat gave six examples of how AAHOA’s legacy grew over the past year under his chairmanship.
The launch of the new version of MyAAHOA.com.
Raising more than half a million dollars in contributions for AAHOA’s political action committee.
Holding 25 regional conferences and trade shows that helped almost 5000 hoteliers with professional education and networking.
Holding the second annual HerOwnership conference to promote women succeed in the hotel industry.
Continued to offer “back-of-the-house” tours for members of Congress and elected officials, so they can experience firsthand what it takes to run a hotel.
“Traveling the road to success has not been easy for either AAHOA or our members, and the journey hasn't been a sprint, it's been a marathon because building things that are worthwhile takes time,” Bharat said. “It takes hard work, it takes endurance and it takes an uncompromising commitment to our members.”
What AAHOA does today will determine it’s future success, Bharat said.
“Today's success is based on yesterday's success, and today's success will help build still further success tomorrow,” Bharat said. “Compound success has provided the framework for AAHOA’s progress during the past 35 years. It will shape our progress for the next 35 years and beyond.”
In closing, Bharat said there is always a price for taking action, but the same can be said for inaction, especially if it means letting inequality and inequity prevail.
“I can report to you today with confidence and pride that your board and I stay firmly focused on the philosophy of members first. We didn't just do what looked good or sounded good, we did what we believed was actually best for our members,” he said. “We didn't make watered down compromises and we didn't pursue weak party initiatives. Instead, we made decisions that will turn our owners into better, happier owners and more successful.”
A lesson in AAHOA’s history
Blake began her general session presentation by also highlighting the idea that AAHOA is defined by its members struggle to realize the American dream. It’s the story of immigrants who came to the U.S. “with only a suitcase and a hope for a better life,” she said, but who now own more that 60 percent of the hotels in the country.
It’s also a story her family shares, Blake said.
“My family also emigrated to the Americas in the 1900s. I am 100 percent Dutch,” Blake said. “My grandfather came over from Holland when he was only 17 years old. He barely had two pennies to rub together and only one suit to wear. He came through Ellis Island, made it to a small town in Iowa and started a family there. It's where I grew up.”
AAHOA President and CEO Laura Lee Blake spoke during AAHOACON24 on the legacy that led to the association’s current success.
Her father was a Pontiac and Buick dealer and a General Motors franchisee, Blake said. In her childhood he faced many of the challenges as a franchisee that AAHOA members face on a daily basis.
“When I hear stories of our members getting their start in the business, cleaning toilets and making beds, I am reminded of the days when I used to have to climb up a ladder to wash the 20-foot showroom windows in my father's business, and clean the dirty pickup trucks of the farmers who brought them in for service,” Blake said. “We all started by rolling up our sleeves and tackling the issues head on. It's what I love about AAHOA, it is made up of members who had unique beginnings.”
Blake said she is reminded of the history of the association she represents every day as she walks to her office past pictures of AAHOA’s past chairs. Many of them she served as AAHOA’s attorney.
“It might seem trivial or even silly to some, but every morning, I say hi to them as I walk by,” Blake said. “It is a reminder of the great honor and privilege I have personally, but also that we all carry together to continue to build on the history of AAHOA’S leadership.”
She pointed out that AAHOA’s original purpose was to combat racism against Indian Americans that was rampant in the industry at that time. As the association’s attorney, she played an active role in that fight.
“I recall a period only 10 years ago, when ‘American owned’ signs started popping up across this country to distinguish and degrade AAHOA member owned hotels,” Blake said. “It was a practice that implied that these hotels were somehow better than those hotels owned by immigrants and was a threat to their livelihood. Again, I saw the strength and unity of AAHOA as we lobbied and educated the world that our members are loyal Americans who are achieved the true American dream.”
In 2007, past Chairman Mukesh Mowji and is then Secretary Tarun Patel asked Blake and her law department to prepare a progress report on fair franchising to evaluate if franchisers were aligned with AAHOA’s 12 Points of Fair Franchising. Later, past Chairman ChandraKant “CK” Patel and Blake traveled the country and met with the franchisers to discuss their practices.
“Then there was a time when a noted leader of the franchise advisory council made cutting discriminatory remarks against Indian hoteliers. At first, the person denied making such comments, but Past Chair Jimmy Patel had recorded them on his phone, so the evidence was there,” Blake said. “I wrote several strongly worded letters to the groups involved. I think that was actually the only time that our then President Fred Schwartz did not ask me to soften the tone because we were all so highly offended. I actually teared up, because the discrimination was real, and it was personal.”
Charity v. Philanthropy
One of the keynote speakers at AAHOACON24 was Dr. Kiran Patel, AAHOA lifetime member, philanthropist, serial entrepreneur, hotelier and cardiologist. Born in Zambia, Africa to Asian-Indian parents, Kiran and his wife Pallavi are the founders of the Drs. Kiran & Pallavi Patel Family Foundation Inc., focused on promoting health, education and culture around the world, particularly in Florida, India and Africa.
He is a graduate of Cambridge University and The University of London, and he studied medicine at Gujarat University in India. He currently lives in Tampa, Florida.
“I, like most of you, believe that if you can dream something, you can achieve it,” Kiran said to the crowd at AAHOACON24. “What I want people to know is that money and wealth can create comfort and convenience, but remember, they never bring fulfillment.”
Dr. Kiran Patel, AAHOA lifetime member, philanthropist, serial entrepreneur, hotelier and cardiologist, spoke at AAHOACON24 about the difference between charity and philanthropy.
The doctor focused his speech on difference between charity and philanthropy.
“This is important, because charity is essential, it's necessary. But more important is the long-term solution,” Kiran said. “If there is a problem, of course, you need some short term help. But as you see, in charity, you have social service. In philanthropy, you make a social change. You can be reactive in charity, money or to be proactive in philanthropy. And in charity, you will have individual responses, while in philanthropy, collective organized response in charity, and I do believe is that you may create dependent communities. But if you're in philanthropy, you can create empowered, independent communities.”
Philanthropy is a “true cradle to grave strategy to make sure that an individual is healthy and educated,” Kiran said. For an example, he told the story of a single child his organization helped save from starvation.
“Now one who would stop there, that is what I call charity, that you save one life and you are happy,” Kiran said.
Philanthropy addresses the needs of the entire impoverished community in which the child lives, Kiran said. One way his foundation supports permanent change is by supporting medical schools. Kiran said his “Patel college” in the U.S. graduates 800 doctors a year.
“And I have 200 students in India, making it 1000 doctors graduating annually from Patel institutions,” he said.
To measure the impact from the 1000 graduates a year from Patel colleges, Kiran said by 2076 that will come to 50,000 physicians practicing all globally seeing possibly 2.5 million patients daily.
“I like to call myself a global citizen. And I've been blessed enough that I have been able to contribute to the three continents that made me who I am,” Kiran said.
Kiran finished his speech with a philosophical reference.
“I will end here by telling you that vision without action is merely a dream. action without vision just passes time, vision with action can change the world,” he said.
Global hotel rates are expected to remain stable through 2026, according to AMEX GBT.
New York is a key business travel and meetings destination.
India is likely to be a focus for travel programs during 2026 negotiations.
GLOBAL HOTEL RATES are expected to remain stable through 2026, as geopolitical tensions and potential U.S. tariffs limit demand and constrain price increases, according to American Express Global Business Travel. New York remains a popular destination for business travel and meetings.
AMEX GBT’s Hotel Monitor 2026, an annual forecast of global hotel rates in business travel destinations, identified India as a key market, with hotel rates and occupancy set to rise.
“This year’s forecast reveals a global environment where geopolitical uncertainties are tempering hotel rate increases,” said Dan Beauchamp, Amex GBT’s vice president for consulting. “These insights allow businesses to make more informed travel decisions. Understanding local market conditions will help companies optimize travel budgets and strategies.”
The report also projects continued rate increases for high-end accommodation based on demand.
New York hotel rates are projected to rise 4 percent in 2026. Despite expected softening in inbound U.S. travel from tariff uncertainty, New York remains a leading destination for business travel and meetings. The forecast is based on company data and IMF inflation and GDP projections.
India is expected to see rising hotel rates and occupancy in 2026. Rate growth will be below last year’s levels but above regional and global averages. India is likely to be a focus for many travel programs during 2026 negotiations. Bengaluru, a major technology and AI hub, recorded the country’s highest occupancy and ADR in the first quarter of 2025.
Simon Fishman, Amex GBT’s vice president for global hotels, said data shows news cycles can affect hotel prices in unpredictable ways.
“Amex GBT’s hotel marketplace gives companies access to over two million properties across 180 countries, including more than 45,000 hotels with pre-negotiated discounts and amenities via the Preferred Extras Hotel Program,” he said. “It enables companies of all sizes to adapt to changing business needs while accessing the best rates and traveler experiences.”
A May report by commerce media firm Criteo found that hotel booking values in Asia-Pacific rose 23 percent in early 2025, compared with 2 percent growth in the Americas.
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The Trump administration says it is reviewing more than 55 million visa holders.
Reviews cover a wide range of visas for law enforcement and overstay violations.
The administration also suspended worker visas for foreign commercial truck drivers.
THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION is reviewing more than 55 million people who hold valid U.S. visas for potential violations. It is expanding a policy of “continuous vetting” that could result in revocation and deportation.
The State Department confirmed all visa holders are subject to ongoing review, which includes checking for overstays, criminal activity, threats to public safety or ties to terrorism. Should violations be found, visas may be revoked, and holders in the U.S. could face deportation, according to the Associated Press.
Officials said the reviews will include monitoring of visa holders’ social media accounts, law enforcement records and immigration files. New rules also require applicants to disable privacy settings on phones and apps during interviews. The department noted visa revocations since President Trump’s return to office have more than doubled compared to the previous year, including nearly four times as many student visas.
The administration also announced an immediate halt on issuing worker visas for foreign commercial truck drivers, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio citing road safety and competition concerns for U.S. truckers.
“The increasing number of foreign drivers operating large tractor-trailer trucks on U.S. roads is endangering American lives and undercutting the livelihoods of American truckers,” Rubio posted on X.
The Transportation Department linked the move to recent enforcement of English-language proficiency requirements for truckers, aimed at improving safety. The State Department later said it was pausing visa processing while it reviewed screening protocols.
Critics, including Edward Alden of the Council on Foreign Relations, warned the actions could have significant economic consequences.
“The goal here is not to target specific classes of workers, but to send the message to American employers that they are at risk if they are employing foreign workers,” Alden wrote, according to AP.
Data from the Department of Homeland Security shows there are 12.8 million green card holders and 3.6 million temporary visa holders in the United States. The 55 million figure under review includes many outside the U.S. with valid multiple-entry tourist visas.
Earlier this week, the State Department reported revoking more than 6,000 student visas for violations since Trump returned to office, including around 200 to 300 for terrorism-related issues.
The vast majority of foreign visitors require visas to enter the U.S., with exceptions granted to citizens of 40 countries under the Visa Waiver Program, primarily in Europe and Asia. Citizens of China, India, Russia and most of Africa remain subject to visa requirements.
A $250 Visa Integrity Fee in President Donald Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill drew criticism from groups that rely on seasonal workers from Latin America and Asia on J-1 and other visas.
Peachtree Group originated a $176.5 million retroactive CPACE loan for a Las Vegas property.
The deal closed in under 60 days and ranks among the largest CPACE financings in the U.S.
The company promotes retroactive CPACE funding for commercial real estate development.
PEACHTREE GROUP ORIGINATED a $176.5 million retroactive Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy loan for Dreamscape Cos.’s Rio Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. The deal, completed in under 60 days, is its largest credit transaction and one of the largest CPACE financings in the U.S.
The 2,520-room Rio, now under the Destinations by Hyatt brand, was renovated in 2024 and comprises two hotel towers connected by a casino, restaurants and retail, Peachtree said in a statement.
“This transaction is a milestone for Peachtree Group and a testament to the ecosystem we have built over the past 18 years,” said Greg Friedman, Peachtree's managing principal and CEO. “Through our vertically integrated platform, deep expertise and disciplined approach, we have developed the infrastructure to be a leader in private credit. Our ability to deliver speed, creativity and certainty of execution positions us to provide capital solutions that create value for our investors and partners across market cycles.”
Atlanta-based Peachtree is led by Friedman; Jatin Desai as managing principal and CFO and Mitul Patel as principal.
The CPACE loan retroactively funded the renovations, allowing the owners to pay down their senior loan, the statement said. The property improvement plan included exterior work, upgrades to the central heating and cooling plant, electrical infrastructure improvements and convention center renovations.
Jared Schlosser, Peachtree’s head of originations and CPACE, said the deal marks an inflection point, with major financial institutions consenting to its use for the benefit of the capital stack.
“By closing quickly on a marquee hospitality asset, we were able to strengthen the position of both the owner and its lenders,” he said.
The CPACE market has surpassed $10 billion in U.S. originations in just over a decade, according to the C-PACE Alliance, with growth expected as more institutional owners and lenders adopt it.
“We see significant opportunity for retroactive CPACE and its use in funding new commercial real estate development,” Schlosser said. “It is an alternative to more expensive forms of capital.”
In June, Peachtree named Schlosser head of originations for all real estate and hotel lending and leader of its CPACE program. Peachtree recently launched a $250 million fund to invest in hotel and commercial real estate assets mispriced by capital market illiquidity.
Spark acquired the 120-key Home2 Suites by Hilton Wayne in Wayne, New Jersey.
Hunter Hotel Advisors facilitated the transaction with DC Hospitality Group affiliates.
The 2020-built hotel is near William Paterson University and less than 20 miles from Manhattan.
SPARK GHC RECENTLY acquired the 120-key Home2 Suites by Hilton Wayne in Wayne, New Jersey, from affiliates of DC Hospitality Group. Hunter Hotel Advisors facilitated the deal for an undisclosed amount.
The 2020-built hotel is less than 20 miles from Manhattan in a commercial corridor with major employers including Driscoll Foods, FedEx Group, Advanced Biotech, St. Joseph’s Wayne Hospital, and the Passaic County Administration, Hunter said in a statement. William Paterson University, Willowbrook Mall, and MetLife Stadium are also nearby.
It features an on-site fitness center, business center and indoor pool.
“The Home2 Suites by Hilton Wayne represents the type of asset we target,” said Patel. “Its proximity to major corporate demand generators, higher education institutions, and retail and entertainment venues supports strong performance.”
Hunter’s senior vice presidents, David Perrin and Spencer Davidson, brokered the transaction.
Patel said this is their second transaction with Hunter and praised the process and partnership.
“We look forward to building on the hotel’s recent performance and continuing to deliver guest experiences in the Greater New York City community,” he said.
Northstar Hotels Management recently acquired a 78-key Residence Inn and an 81-key Courtyard near the Jacksonville, Florida, airport.
Global pipeline hit a record 15,871 projects with 2.4 million rooms in Q2.
The U.S. leads with 6,280 projects; Dallas tops cities with 199.
Nearly 2,900 hotels are expected to open worldwide by the end of 2025.
THE GLOBAL HOTEL pipeline reached 15,871 projects, up 3 percent year-over-year, and 2,436,225 rooms, up 2 percent, according to Lodging Econometrics. Most were upper midscale and upscale, LE reported.
The U.S. leads with 6,280 projects and 737,036 rooms, 40 percent of the global total. Dallas leads cities with 199 projects and 24,497 rooms, the highest on record.
LE’s Q2 2025 Hotel Construction Pipeline Trend Report showed 6,257 projects with 1,086,245 rooms under construction worldwide, unchanged in project count and down 3 percent in rooms from last year. Projects scheduled to start in the next 12 months totaled 3,870 with 551,188 rooms, down 3 percent in projects but up 1 percent in rooms. Early planning reached 5,744 projects and 798,792 rooms, up 10 percent in projects and 9 percent in rooms year-over-year.
Upper midscale and upscale hotels accounted for 52 percent of the global pipeline, LE said. Upper midscale stood at 4,463 projects and 567,396 rooms, while upscale reached 3,852 projects and 655,674 rooms. Upper upscale totaled 1,807 projects and 385,396 rooms, and luxury totaled 1,267 projects and 245,665 rooms, up 11 percent year-over-year.
In the first half of 2025, 970 hotels with 138,168 rooms opened worldwide. Another 1,884 hotels with 280,079 rooms are scheduled to open before year-end, for a 2025 total of 2,854 hotels and 418,247 rooms. LE projects 2,531 hotels with 382,942 rooms to open in 2026 and 2,554 hotels with 382,282 rooms to open globally in 2027, the first time a forecast has been issued for that year.