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.
SOME OF THE perils of travel can happen before the journey even begins. Online travel scams remain prevalent and often target travelers over 50 years old, but a campaign by the American Hotel Lodging Association aims to prepare them to avoid those traps.
In December, AHLA and AARP launched a coordinated campaign between AHLA’s Search Smarter program and AARP’s Fraud Watch Network. It included several initiatives, such as promoting the associations’ consumer holiday travel guide on social media that provides tips on safely booking travel online.
Those tips include:
Book on the official website of a hotel or use a reputable third-party resource.
Carefully check a travel website’s URL. Scam sites may use “domain spoofing” tricks such as an extra letter in the address.
Call the hotel to confirm your reservation after booking on a third-party website. If they don’t have a record of your booking, that may signal a problem.
Be leery of pressure tactics, such as “Only 2 rooms left. Book now!” Third-party sites do not have access to a hotel’s inventory.
A previous AHLA study found that 23 percent of consumers report being misled by third-party traveler resellers on the phone or online. That led to $5.7 billion in fraudulent and misleading hotel booking transactions in 2018.
Baby boomers expected to spend $6,600 on travel in 2019, according to an AARP survey, and 35 percent said that was an increase over 2018.
“False and misleading websites all too often deceive consumers as they plan their travel,” said AHLA President and CEO Chip Rogers. “Together with AARP, our efforts will empower [travelers over 50] to search smarter and avoid travel scams.”
AARP’s Fraud Watch Network, launched in 2013, allows consumers to sign up for alert emails about potential scams. It also includes a helpline, 877-908-3360, to speak with staff and volunteers trained in fraud counseling, as well as its podcast series “The Perfect Scam.”
“Through the AARP Fraud Watch Network, we work to educate consumers about the scams and fraud that claim billions of dollars each year,” said AARP’s Director of Fraud Prevention Programs Kathy Stokes.
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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