Skip to content

Search

Latest Stories

Hurricane Laura hits near Houston, hoteliers prepare

The storm threatens those already struggling with the COVID-19 pandemic

HURRICANE LAURA SURGED ashore on the coastlines of Texas and Louisiana Wednesday as a powerful storm. In Houston, the city hit by many such storms in the past, local hoteliers, already struggling to survive the COVID-19 pandemic, were making plans to once again make it through the tempest.

Laura was a Category 4 storm as it was approaching the coast and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott urged residents to take all possible precautions.


"The power of Hurricane Laura is unprecedented, and Texans must take action now to get out of harm's way and protect themselves," said Governor Abbott. "The conditions of this storm are unsurvivable, and I urge Southeast Texans to take advantage of these final few hours to evacuate, secure their property, and take all precautions to keep themselves and their loved ones safe.”

That’s exactly what Miraj Patel, president of Wayside Investment Group in Houston, was planning to do, knowing that his company’s recently opened Red Roof Inn PLUS in Galveston was in the line of fire. Patel opened the hotel in the spring, hoping to cash in on the summer season only to see those plans fall to the pandemic, then rise again somewhat in the summer.

“Our Galveston property right now is under mandatory evacuation. It’s unfortunate. Occupancy went down really quickly,” Patel said. “Yesterday there was talk of it coming near Galveston, but now it’s a little bit more toward Beaumont. I think everyone's still evacuating the whole Beaumont area and the whole Galveston area.”

Sawan Patel, managing partner at Unity Hotels Group and director of AAHOA’s Southeast Texas Region, has been preparing for Laura for the last few days.

“We've made sure all of our properties are stocked with supplies and water. We've also made it a point to keep our guests updated on the updated weather forecasts of local authorities and potential storm impacts,” Sawan said. “I've also been keeping in touch with my contacts in the American Red Cross to ensure we can be of service to them during any recovery operations as well as with my contacts in the Harris County and City of Houston emergency management departments to ensure that our areas and nearby areas are prepared to receive assistance in the event of flooding or significant wind impact. I've also been in close contact with other local leaders in the industry to help other hotel owners get prepared.”

Sawan said he was hoping Laura would continue to shift east and spare Houston the worst impact, and that is what happened as the eye of the storm finally came ashore in Louisiana. Along with his father Hasu, Sawan has already been busy helping his fellow hoteliers get through the pandemic.

“I pray that any damage to the greater Houston area is minimal as so many hotel owners have already endured long-term devastation with the ongoing economic crisis due to COVID,” he said.

Information on Hurricane Laura is available at the Texas Hurricane Center and The National Hurricane Center.

Three years ago, Hurricane Harvey flooded several parts of Houston.

More for you

Choice Hotels
Photo credit: Choice Hotels International

Choice posts $81.7M Q2 profit, 93K-room pipeline

Summary:

  • Choice Hotels International reported Q2 net income of $81.7 million.
  • Domestic RevPAR fell 2.9 percent due to macroeconomic conditions.
  • Extended-stay portfolio rose 10.5 percent YoY, with a domestic pipeline of 43,000 rooms.

CHOICE HOTELS INTERNATIONAL reported second-quarter net income of $81.7 million, down from $87.1 million a year earlier. Its forecast for the year remained positive, but was downgraded some to account for changes in macroeconomic conditions.

Keep ReadingShow less
Hotel exterior of Motel 6 Las Vegas under G6 Hospitality and Galaxy Hotels partnership
Photo credit: G6 Hospitality

G6, Galaxy aim to grow Motel 6, Studio 6

Summary:

  • G6 Hospitality and Galaxy Hotels Group are expanding Motel 6 and Studio 6 in the U.S.
  • Galaxy said G6 brands outperform others in guest satisfaction and value.
  • One Galaxy hotel generates $8–10M annually; the full G6 portfolio is expected to reach $50M.

G6 HOSPITALITY AND Galaxy Hotels Group are now working to expand the Motel 6 and Studio 6 footprint in the U.S. About 10 Galaxy-managed hotels, totaling more than 1,300 rooms, will operate under the G6 brands, with more to follow.

Keep ReadingShow less
Marriott International expands global hotel pipeline in Q2 2025

Marriott pipeline hits record 590,000 rooms

Summary:

  • Marriott International ended Q2 with a record pipeline of about 3,900 properties and more than 590,000 rooms.
  • Global RevPAR rose 1.5 percent, including a 5.3 percent gain in international markets.
  • Net income slipped 1 percent to $763 million; 17,300 net rooms were added.

MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL’S GROWTH continued in the second quarter, according to the company’s recent earnings report. Along with its active pipeline, the company saw rising revenue and launched a new brand.

Keep ReadingShow less
OYO Adds 150 U.S. Hotels in 2025, Plans Another 150
Photo credit: OYO U.S.

OYO adds 150 U.S. hotels, plans 150 more

Summary:

  • OYO added more than 150 U.S. hotels in early 2025 and plans 150 more by year-end.
  • Ten additions have more than 100 rooms, reflecting a focus on high-inventory properties.
  • It is targeting urban and suburban markets in the Sun Belt and Great Lakes regions.

HOSPITALITY TECHNOLOGY COMPANY OYO added more than 150 hotels to its U.S. portfolio in the first half of 2025 and plans to add 150 more by year-end. The additions span Texas, Virginia, Georgia, Mississippi, California, Michigan and Illinois.

Keep ReadingShow less
Choice Hotels campaigns

Choice launches campaigns for extended-stay brands

Summary:

  • Choice launched two campaigns to boost bookings across its four extended-stay brands.
  • Based on guest feedback, the campaigns focus on efficiency, cleanliness, value and flexibility.
  • They will run through 2026 across social media, Connected TV, digital display and online video.

CHOICE HOTELS INTERNATIONAL launched two marketing campaigns to increase brand awareness and bookings across its four extended-stay brands. The "Stay in Your Rhythm" campaign promotes all four brands by showing how guests can maintain daily routines, while "The WoodSpring Way" highlights the service WoodSpring Suites staff provide.

Keep ReadingShow less