Skip to content

Search

Latest Stories

The Witness Group contracts with HE for management

TWG was formed in 2016 by second-generation Asian American hoteliers

THE WITNESS GROUP, an Asian American owned hospitality development and investment group, has contracted with Atlanta-based management and development firm Hotel Equities to manage its portfolio of 36 hotels. The portfolio includes brands from Marriott International Hotels & Resorts, Hilton Worldwide Holdings, InterContinental Hotels Group and Hyatt Hotels Corp.

Discussions for the agreement began earlier this year as TWG looked to further focus on growth and creating new opportunities. HE and its affiliate Virtua Partners will focus on future transactions, conversions and new development.


“While we put the conversations on pause in March [when the COVID-19 pandemic began to affect the U.S.], we eventually picked back up early summer recognizing this as a rare window to integrate platforms with less interruption to business,” said Aakash Patel, TWG’s chief development officer. “We think this better positions us for the rebound.”

HE’s business intelligence systems, training programs, development services and operating platform were factors in landing the contract with TWG, said Brad Rahinsky, HE’s president and CEO.

“Most important is the fact that we are aligned in company culture, vision and goals. We have a shared desire to create a unique and powerful platform for our associates to help them fulfil their aspirations and find purpose and meaning within the hospitality industry,” Rahinsky said. “This was not a transaction rushed into to hit a number. This relationship established over many months of conversations, face-to-face meetings and genuine dialogue is a true partnership founded on trust and shared values and goals.”

TWG, based in Columbus, Ohio, was formed in 2016 as a merger of Alliance Hospitality and KB Hotel Group with Ohm Patel as CEO, according to an article in Asian Hospitality at the time. KB Hotel Group was a management company while Alliance did development.

Ohm’s father Naresh Patel began Alliance in 1999. Nitin Patel is Naresh’s brother-in-law and became partner in Alliance in 2000. His son Sagar Patel is one of TWG’s founders and, along with Ohm and Sagar’s cousin Sachin and Aakash are principals.

Ohm is still a TWG board member as well as a principal at Moment Development, according to his LinkedIn page.

Transitioning the TWG hotels into HE’s portfolio began on Sept. 1 commencing with a series of town hall meetings between both firm’s executive leadership teams. More than 500 new employees have joined HE’s training classes, said Bryan DeCort, HE’s COO.

“HE has invested heavily in our people and infrastructure to ensure we are consistently driving improvement across all our KPI’s,” he said. “We lead with performance which creates stability and growth opportunities for our associates and improved profitability for all of our stakeholders.”

TWG’s people are the main focus for Sachin, who said his teams will benefit from a larger support system and shared best practices.

“Most importantly, this [partnership] will give our property and corporate teams a better platform to learn through HE's training programs and leverage the additional opportunities available to them in the larger portfolio,” Sachin said.

The agreement between the two companies allows HE and Virtua Partners to expand into the Midwest.

“We are excited to expand our presence into the Heartland. Utilizing both team’s knowledge and expertise will create a smooth transition,'' said Quinn Palomino, co-founder and principal of Virtua Partners. “We consider ourselves to be results-driven companies with strong and distinct cultures.

Last February, HE took another step deeper into Canada with a contract to manage a planned dual-branded Four Points by Sheraton and Residence Inn by Marriott in Langley, British Columbia. Construction of the property is expected to begin around the middle of this year with expectation to open in 2021.

More for you

H-2B visa hospitality impact

Study: H-2B visas boost U.S. jobs and wages

Summary:

  • The H-2B visa program protects U.S. jobs and wages, according to AHLA citing a study.
  • It allows hotels and resorts to meet travelers’ needs while supporting the economy.
  • It provides foreign workers for seasonal jobs when domestic workers are unavailable.

THE H-2B VISA program does not harm U.S. jobs or wages but increases pay and supports the labor force, according to an Edgeworth Economics study. Citing that study, the American Hotel & Lodging Association said the program enables hotels and resorts to meet travelers’ needs while supporting the workforce and economy.

Keep ReadingShow less
AI digital assistant redefining guest loyalty in U.S. hospitality industry

Study: AI agents redefine hotel loyalty

Summary:

  • The use of AI agents hotels must rethink customer loyalty, a FAU study finds.
  • The paper proposes strategies as AI becomes the main booking channel.
  • Researchers warn of ethical and privacy issues.

HOTELS MUST RETHINK how they build and maintain loyalty as artificial intelligence systems make travel decisions and bookings for consumers, according to a study by Florida Atlantic University. The rise of artificial intelligence agents will complicate hotel customer loyalty management.

Keep ReadingShow less
HAMA Fall 2025 survey results

Survey: Hotels expect Q4 RevPAR gain

Summary:

  • More than 70 percent expect a RevPAR increase in Q4, according to HAMA survey.
  • Demand is the top concern, cited by 77.8 percent, up from 65 percent in spring.
  • Only 37 percent expect a U.S. recession in 2025, down from 49 percent earlier in the year.

MORE THAN 70 PERCENT of respondents to a Hospitality Asset Managers Association survey expect a 1 to 3 percent RevPAR increase in the fourth quarter. Demand is the top concern, cited by 77.8 percent of respondents, up from 65 percent in the spring survey.

Keep ReadingShow less
Peachtree Group DST Mansfield Texas

Peachtree adds Mansfield, TX, industrial asset to DST

Summary:

  • Peachtree launched new DST with 131,040‑square foot industrial facility in Mansfield, Texas.
  • The property was acquired at $180 per square foot.
  • Peachtree completed $320M in debt-free transactions across multiple markets since 2022.

PEACHTREE GROUP LAUNCHED its latest Delaware Statutory Trust with the acquisition of a newly built 131,040-square-foot industrial facility in Mansfield, Texas. The company has completed about $320 million in debt-free transactions since launching its DST program in 2022, according to its statement.

Keep ReadingShow less
American Franchise Act announced in U.S. Congress to protect hotel franchising and jobs

House unveils act to boost franchise business

Summary:

  • House introduces AFA to boost franchise model and hotel operations.
  • The act establishes a joint employer standard.
  • AHLA backs the bill, urging swift adoption.

THE HOUSE Of Representatives introduced the American Franchise Act, aimed at supporting the U.S. franchising sector, including 36,000 franchised hotels and 3 million workers nationwide. The American Hotel & Lodging Association, backed the bill, urging swift adoption to boost the franchise model and clarify joint employer standards.

Keep ReadingShow less