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.
Brian Quinn has a lot of enthusiasm for his job as Sonesta International Hotels Corp.’s chief development officer. In Asian Hospitality’s Leadership Series, he shares that enthusiasm for the company’s current growth and future plans as it prepares for its first global owners’ conference in Las Vegas.
The interview was held on the tradeshow floor of the 35th Annual AAHOA Convention & Trade Show in Orlando. Quinn also recently had his third anniversary of joining Sonesta, the latest turn in a long career in the hospitality business.
“I was lucky enough to get into the industry when I was 17 years old and did about 10 years in hotel operations in almost every job you can imagine in a hotel, bellman, doorman, housekeeping, food and beverage,” Quinn said. “I got an opportunity to move over into franchise operations and ultimately, the most recent 20 years in real estate and finance and franchising, so I’m excited to bring all that talent and skill to Sonesta.”
A lasting partnership
Quinn said 70 to 80 percent of Sonesta’s franchise community comes from the AAHOA community. He said the relationship is strong.
Members of Sonesta’s executive team at AAHOACON 24 were, from left, Jordan Langlois, senior vice president of franchise operations; Brian Quinn, chief development officer; Keith Pierce, executive vice president and president of franchising and development; and Chris Trick, chief marketing executive.
“What is really an interesting statistic is that in every segment of the business, upper upscale, upscale, midscale, extended stay economy, the AAHOA community continues to show strength and leadership and dominance,” Quinn said. “We're very proud of the partnership with AAHOA and we learned from the community and we are continuing to bring brands to the market that we believe will warrant their investment.”
AAHOACON24 proved to be a good source of new business. Sonesta had a boardroom embedded in its tradeshow booth.
“The reason why we have an office on the tradeshow booth is we expect to be signing new deals, working on existing contracts with our franchisees and working through any issues that our franchise bring to bear franchisees bring to bear,” Quinn said. “We have a large contingent of our franchise community here this year, so we're excited about that.”
Taking a strategic approach
Last year, signed 65 franchise agreements in 12 of its 17 brands. Quinn said that is the result of a focused development plan.
“I think we have taken a very strategic approach to target three different segments, the lifestyle/luxury segment, extended stay and premium economy,” Quinn said. “Why do we do that? Because that's where the consumer is. That's where the equity is. That's where the debt is willing to go. And those businesses have margins that create flow through for the owner. And when those two value propositions come together, that's when you have success.”
Two of Sonesta’s strongest brands are Essential, launched a little more than a year ago, and Americas Best Value Inn, which won the JD Power Associates Award, Quinn said. He said the company’s Simply Suites also fits Sonesta’s focus on the extended stay, mid-scale and premium economy segments.
Two of Sonesta’s strongest brands are Essential, pictured, launched a little more than a year ago, and Americas Best Value Inn, which won the JD Power Associates Award recently.
“Those businesses drive incredible margins for the owner and it's where the consumer is in demand,” Quinn said. “I think we're tracking probably 10 to 15 openings in the Sonesta Essential and ABVI space, and we're tracking another 20 that are at different stages of the approval process. So my guess is that those two will continue to be our largest volume brands, but very quickly followed by Sonesta Simply Suites.”
Two becoming one
Quinn also discussed the current status of Sonesta’s integration with Red Lion Hotels Group, which it acquired three years ago. The process is mostly complete, he said.
“When you're integrating two big companies and a lot of brands, and our growth happened very quickly, I think the integration is something that never stops,” Quinn said. “The back-of-the-house work is, for the most part, complete; legal, finance, HR, those kinds of elements.”
The company would be able to discuss the public facing aspects of the integration at the conference at the end of May, Quinn said. There remains work to be done.
“Global sales is another area where we've had quite a bit of success in integrating the systems,” Quinn said. “But, this week, we have tested a lot of our technology, we're out in the marketplace with a more robust approach to our frequency program and our continued integration. We'll have more to say about that at our own conference in about 60 days.”
For now, Quinn said, there are no plans for another merger.
Sonesta’s Brian Quinn said the company’s brand lineup is strong so he does not foresee a new merger in the near future.
“I think we're always in the marketplace, always in the marketplace to look. I do think though, if you look at our roster of brands, I don't see where we've got a lot of gaps left to fill,” he said. “I think we're going to take a little bit of a different approach. We are going to make sure that our swim lanes are strong, that each of our brands stand for something.”
Looking up to the future
Quinn said Sonesta’s potential for the future is strong.
“We have $6 billion invested in our hotel company. We have 10,000 employees, we may be up against competitors that right now may have more dots on the map, but we have one of the largest investments in the hotel space, in the entire industry and that matters. That will make us a better franchiser and that drives alignment with the community like a return on investment, fit and a balanced approach to standards.”
The Nautilus Sonesta Miami Beach Hotel is being renovated and will be rebranded into The James Miami Beach, part of Sonesta’s lifestyle brand.
Along with promoting its economy and midscale brands, Quinn said Sonesta’s lifestyle and luxury products, such as Royal Sonesta and Classico, will play an important role.
“That is where the consumer is. They want experiential, they want elevated F&B, they want an elevated design experience in the guest rooms,” Quinn said. “And, that's one place where inflation helps us. I've been in this industry for a long time, inflation helps us because we can drive rate, the consumer is willing to pay more for those products.”
A PETITION FOR a referendum on Los Angeles’s proposed “Olympic Wage” ordinance, requiring a $30 minimum wage for hospitality workers by the 2028 Olympic Games, lacked sufficient signatures, according to the Los Angeles County Registrar. The ordinance will take effect, raising hotel worker wages from the current $22.50 to $25 next year, $27.50 in 2027 and $30 in 2028.
Mandatory health care benefits payments will also begin in 2026.
The L.A. Alliance for Tourism, Jobs and Progress sought a referendum to repeal the ordinance, approved by the city council four months ago. The petition needed about 93,000 signatures but fell short by about 9,000, according to Interim City Clerk Petty Santos.
The council approved the minimum wage increase for tourism workers in May 2023, despite opposition from business leaders citing a decline in international travel. The ordinance requires hotels with more than 60 rooms and businesses at Los Angeles International Airport to pay workers $30 an hour by 2028. It passed on a 12 to 3 vote, with Councilmembers John Lee, Traci Park and Monica Rodriguez opposed.
The L.A. Alliance submitted more than 140,000 signatures in June opposing the tourism wage ordinance, triggering a June 2026 repeal vote supported by airlines, hotels and concession businesses.
AAHOA called the ruling a setback for Los Angeles hotel owners, who will bear the costs of the mandate.
"This ruling is a major setback for Los Angeles' small business hotel owners, who will shoulder the burden of this mandate," said Kamalesh “KP” Patel, AAHOA chairman. "Instead of working with industry leaders, the city moved forward with a policy that ignores economic realities and jeopardizes the jobs and businesses that keep this city's hospitality sector operating and supporting economic growth. Family-owned hotels now face choices—cutting staff, halting hiring, or raising rates—just as Los Angeles prepares to host millions of visitors for the World Cup and 2028 Olympics. You can't build a city by breaking the backs of the small businesses that make it run."
Laura Lee Blake, AAHOA president and CEO, said members are proud to create jobs in their communities, but the ordinance imposes costs that will affect the entire city.
“Even with a delayed rollout, the mandate represents a 70 percent wage increase above California's 2025 minimum wage,” she said. “This approach could remove more than $114 million each year from hotels, funds that could instead be invested in keeping workers employed and ensuring Los Angeles remains a competitive destination. The mandate increases the risk of closures, layoffs and a weaker Los Angeles."
A recent report from the American Hotel & Lodging Association found Los Angeles is still dealing with the effects of the pandemic and recent wildfires. International visitation remains below 2019 levels, more than in any other major U.S. city.
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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.