HIHOTELS BY HOSPITALITY International, a franchiser of conversion and new-build economy hotels, recently expanded its communication suite to enhance dialogue with its franchisees, supporting hotel owners through multi-channel engagement. The company maintains open channels at all levels, including direct access to the CEO, hihotels said in a statement.
"At hihotels, the strength of our brands is rooted in the voices of our franchisees and the relationships we build,” said Chris Guimbellot, hihotels’ president and CEO. “We are small enough to listen, yet large enough to deliver—enabling us to focus on individual properties and provide unparalleled industry support.”
The expanded communication suite includes:
- Advisory council: Launched in 2023, this forum meets quarterly and includes franchisees, a vendor and the hihotels director, allowing franchisees to help shape hihotels'
- hihub: Introduced in December 2023, this digital platform facilitates continuous communication between franchisees and the hihotels team, offering educational resources to enhance hotel operations.
- WhatsApp group: Rolled out in the first quarter of 2024, the real-time messaging platform enables franchisees to contribute to system-wide improvements and build relationships with other franchisees and the hihotels corporate team.
- Newsletters: INNside Track, a quarterly newsletter, keeps franchisees informed on industry and marketing trends, company updates, events and networking opportunities. It is complemented by "An Update from Guimbellot," which highlights challenges, opportunities and new programs. Each communication includes Guimbellot’s phone number and encourages franchisees to reach out with questions, concerns, ideas and feedback.
- Assurance & marketing program: This initiative has directors who help service properties and provide owners with ongoing sales, marketing and operations support.
- Regional conferences: Hihotels conducts smaller, regional conferences to nurture personal connections.
This comprehensive communication approach contributes to hihotels' strong retention rate and franchisee longevity, the statement said.
“Hihotels demonstrates care for its franchisees, values our opinions, and genuinely seeks our input,” said Tejal Patel, owner of Scottish Inns & Suites in Hitchcock, Texas, and advisory council member.
In January, five Asian American-owned properties in the Hihotels portfolio won the brand's 2023 awards for exceeding operational standards.
