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.
Editor’s note: This story has been updated to account for a change in time perspective and to include additional tributes to Rama.
FUNERAL SERVICES WERE held Saturday in Orlando for Manhar P. “MP” Rama, AAHOA past chairman and co-founder of Greenville, South Carolina-based Auro Hotels. Friends, family and colleagues are remembering Rama, who passed away July 7 at age 74, as a man with a big heart.
The funeral was at Faith Assembly on Curry Ford Road. The family asks that, in lieu of flowers, gifts be made to the Mandala Foundation Inc. at 9036 Mayfair Pointe Drive, Orlando, FL 32827.
Rama was born in Africa and raised in India, according to Auro Hotels. He completed high school in Gurukul Supa, Navsari, and graduated from M.S. University of Baroda with a degree in civil engineering. In 1973, he came to the U.S. and attended California State Polytechnic University in Pomona, California, where he earned a master’s degree in engineering. He worked with the city of Pomona before entering the hotel business.
Rama is survived by his wife, Surekha, and children, Sima and Vinay Rama, along with his two brothers, HP and Raman “RP” Rama, and his sisters, Madhu Vivek, Hansa Deva, Pushpa Lala and Pravina Thakor.
Other leaders in the industry shared their condolences with the Rama family:
Geoff Ballotti, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts president and CEO
“[Rama was a] kind, caring person with ‘an awful big heart.
“I've been close to the Rama family for years. They're part of the founding fathers of AAHOA, incredibly giving, caring, powerful, thoughtful forces of what we've been supportive of for all these years. [His family] has our hearts and prayers.”
Krishna Paliwal, president of Hawthorn Extended Stay by Wyndham and head of architecture, design and construction for Wyndham Hotels & Resorts
“The Ramas are a great family, some of the founding fathers of AAHOA, who have done great things for the hotel industry and for our company.”
Hemant Patel, AAHOA past chairman 2011-2012
“I had the distinct pleasure to serve on AAHOA board with MP Rama. M.P. Rama was truly a gem of a person. He played the role of mentor to me. His loss is a personal loss to me as I lost a near and dear friend. He was a very humble, giving and grounded person. He always wanted to help others. The lodging industry has lost an Icon. His charity work in his Malawi, Africa, helped a lot of poor and needy people. MP will be missed, and his memories will be in our heart forever.”
Mitch Patel, Vision Hospitality Group president and CEO
“MP Rama's passing marks the loss of an exceptional individual whose influence extended far beyond his achievements in the hospitality industry. As a family friend, I witnessed firsthand his unwavering dedication and commitment to his family, community and this industry. He was always so personable, generous and supportive of young people in our industry.
“MP Uncle’s journey from Africa to India and finally to the United States, where he co-founded JHM Hotels is a testament of perseverance. His leadership roles as past Chair of AAHOA, the Marriott Advisory Council, the University of Central Florida Foundation, and numerous other organizations reflect his profound impact and service.
“His efforts laid the foundation upon which many of us now stand, and his legacy will continue to inspire us for generations. M.P. Uncle’s life was one of perseverance, leadership, and community service. His memory will forever be cherished, and his contributions will never be forgotten.
“Our hearts go out to Surekha Aunty, Sima, Vinay and the entire Rama family during this difficult time. May we honor his memory by continuing to build upon the foundation he and his family have created.”
Mit Shah, Noble Investment Group president
“MP Uncle always honored the bonds of family while leading a life that mattered to so many. May God rest his beautiful soul.”
Sunil “Sunny” Tolani, The Prince Organization CEO
“I have been his and his family’s fan since 2006, reading about them and following them in hospitality news. He also urged new hotel owners and young people to get involved in AAHOA and the industry. That is why I started to bring my own two sons to hotels, meetings and conferences since they were less than a year old. Looking up to them, we are constantly striving to be the best version of ourselves, staying true to our values.
“One time, I read, despite his huge success, no task was beneath him. He would often make beds or conduct repairs in his hotels and will be remembered for his lasting contribution to AAHOA, his honesty and integrity and his commitment to his family. MP Rama was a true leader. He and his brothers HP and JP are iconic examples for all of us. They worked incredibly hard and accomplished many wonderful things. I have no doubt that their family will continue the great work and help grow the legacy.”
Jay “Jimmy” Patel, AAHOA past chairman 2016-2017
“There have been only a handful of individuals who we can truly point to as individuals who have played a significant role in forming AAHOA. Most of us in the industry have all heard about the Rama Family and how they have been influential in making in-roads for the Asian American Hotelier Community. MP Rama was one of the key Rama brothers who helped us form AAHOA and took a leadership role in the organization. MP Rama had been involved from AAHOA’s infancy and in 2005 he served as AAHOA chairman after serving the board for several years.
“MP was from Malawi in Africa and was an Indian educated engineer who earned a post graduate degree in the United States prior to his involvement in the Lodging Industry. He also had received many awards and accolades as he had served on the Marriott advisory council, the University of Central Florida Board, the Vedic Center of Greenville Board, the Advisory Council for Hampton by Hilton, the Greenville CVB and the South Carolina Hospitality Association Boards.
“As I became a regional director in 2009 and the chairman of 2016, I did not get the opportunity to serve AAHOA alongside MP, I had over the past decade consulted with MP for advice from his industry knowledge. As an AAHOA Past Chairman, he continued to remain involved with the organization and severed on several committees over the last decade. There have been many times where we discussed processes that could be implemented that could help continue AAHOA’s positive trajectory. Prior to the last convention in Orlando, we had a specific discussion regarding AAHOA’s finances and the specific needs and direction needed and we brought those discussion points to our last PCC meeting in Orlando. MP always wanted the best for the organization and wanted to secure AAHOA’s future by staying involved.
“MP also played a significant role in helping the Leuva Patidar Samaj (LPS) of USA. MP helped organize the LPS of USA Convention in Orlando several years ago and further often attended and participated with the organization. In 2019, when I became President of LPS of USA, we were honored with his attendance at our conference in Dallas. We had several discussions regarding how best to serve the organization. Just last month, we met at the Marriott Connect conference in Orlando and had an opportunity to further catch up and discuss the industry.
“MP Rama will definitely be missed and as Asian Americans we all thank him for being such a significant and impactful leader. MP and the Rama family have and continue to be true pioneers within our Leuva Patidar community and they continue to leave their mark on the Lodging Industry.”
Kalpesh Joshi, AAHOA Upper Midwest regional director
“MP Rama was a great human being and always available to help others, particularly during the pandemic. He was one of the first hoteliers to offer free rooms for Indian students who had no place to go. May his soul rest in peace.”
Peachtree recognized by Inc. and the Atlanta Business Chronicle.
Named to the 2025 Inc. 5000 list for the third year.
Chronicle’s Pacesetter Awards recognize metro Atlanta’s fastest-growing companies.
PEACHTREE GROUP ENTERED the 2025 Inc. 5000 list for the third consecutive year. The company also won the Atlanta Business Chronicle Pacesetter Awards as one of the city’s fastest-growing private companies.
The Inc. 5000 list provides a data-driven look at independent businesses with sustained success nationwide, while the Business Chronicle’s Pacesetter Awards recognize metro Atlanta’s fastest-growing privately held companies, Peachtree said in a statement.
“We are in the business of identifying and capitalizing on mispriced risk, and in today’s environment of disruption and dislocation, that has created strong tailwinds for our growth,” said Greg Friedman, managing principal and CEO. “These recognitions validate our ability to execute in complex markets, and we see significant opportunity ahead as we continue to scale our platform.”
The Atlanta-based investment firm, led by Friedman; Jatin Desai, managing principal and CFO and Mitul Patel, principal, oversees a diversified portfolio of more than $8 billion.
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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.
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.