Summary:
- A-1 Hospitality’s Vijay Patel received the Kris Watkins Tourism Champion Award.
- The award honors those who enhance the visitor experience.
- Patel said it inspired him to continue promoting innovation, collaboration in tourism.
Vijay Patel, president of A-1 Hospitality Group, received the "Kris Watkins Tourism Champion Award" from Visit Tri-Cities, Washington. The award is given annually to individuals and organizations that enhance the visitor experience and support Visit Tri-Cities’ initiatives.
A-1, founded in 1997 under Patel’s leadership, has supported community growth and the local tourism industry through development, investments and collaborations, the company said in a statement. The group continues to work with municipalities on projects that benefit communities, employees and guests.
“Being named a Tourism Champion is both an honor and a responsibility,” said Patel. “It recognizes the work I’ve invested in promoting travel experiences that are authentic, inclusive and sustainable. It affirms efforts to support local communities, small businesses and memorable visitor experiences while preserving the cultural and environmental integrity of the destination.”
He said the award inspired him to continue promoting innovation and collaboration in the tourism industry to ensure growth that benefits both travelers and residents.
“Tourism is about people, stories and connections, not just places,” Patel said.
Meanwhile, Patel’s hospitality career began at ASDA Supermarket in the UK, the statement said. In 1994, he moved to the U.S. with his family and managed a family-owned motel in Klamath Falls for three years before starting his own business. In 1997, he acquired and renovated the Travelodge, formerly the Longhorn Motel, beginning his entrepreneurial journey.
He later expanded his hotel portfolio to include brands with IHG Hotels & Resorts, Marriott International and Hilton Worldwide Holdings, A-1 said. The company presently manages a portfolio of 20 hotels, including select-service, boutique and extended-stay properties in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, New Mexico and Texas.
Beyond leading the company, Patel is a member of the Oregon Lodging & Restaurant Association and has been nominated to its board of directors representing Umatilla and Morrow Counties. He is also involved with the American Hotel and Lodging Association and the Asian American Hotel Owners Association.
He also held leadership roles of the Oregon Lodging Association, including vice president from 2003 to 2004 and chairman from 2004 to 2005. He received AHLA’s Most Valuable Volunteer Award in 2003. He served on the Tri-Cities Hotel-Motel Commission and the Eastern Oregon Trade and Event Center Advisory Board. He was recently elected to the IHG Owners Association Global board of directors and chairs the America’s Regional Committee.
Noble Investment Group CEO Mit Shah will receive the 2026 Arne Sorenson Social Impact Leadership Award from AHLA. The award will be presented at the Night of a Thousand Stars gala on Jan. 25 and at the Americas Lodging Investment Summit, Jan. 26 to 28.
