Group items tagged

ON MONDAY THE Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals association politely declined an offer by the American Hotel and Lodging Association to merge the two organizations. Instead, HFTP's board of directors offered to enter into a memorandum of understanding with AHLA similar to agreements it has with other associations, such as AAHOA. HFTP said in a statement that, as a global organization "with members from the entire hospitality spectrum" it would not benefit those members to merge with a localized association such as AHLA. Instead, it suggested the MOU in keeping with HFTP's agreements with AAHOA, Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association, Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association, Hotel Asset Managers Association - Middle East, Hotel Controllers and Accountants Association of Hong Kong, National Club Association and the Association of Private Club Directors. "As a former director of AHLA, I know they do good work for the industry and their recent takeovers of HTNG and HAMA will definitely help these smaller associations," said Frank Wolfe, HFTP's CEO. "But HFTP is a global association with global brands: HITEC, PineappleSearch.com, the Uniform System of Accounts for the Lodging Industry and global certifications/certificates, not to mention our members from non-hotel segments. Our mission is education not advocacy."

WITH THE HOSPITALITY industry facing numerous issues even as the economy recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic, two major associations have formed a new partnership to address that need. AAHOA and the American Hotel & Lodging Association have created the American Hospitality Alliance advocate for hotels on state and national levels. AAHOA and AHLA announced the formation of AHA during the summer meeting of the International Society of Hotel Associations in Boston on Tuesday. The purpose of the alliance is to pool resources and streamline efforts, the associations said, and it also will work with state hotel associations. "The majority of hotels are small businesses. That is why the owners and operators are particularly well-suited to inform lawmakers about policies and regulations that will accelerate the industry's resurgence. This coalition could not have come at a more important time as the hotel industry prepares to welcome back guests," said Ken Greene, AAHOA's interim president and CEO. Greene was appointed to the interim position in early June following the resignation of Cecil Staton, former AAHOA president and CEO. Rachel Humphrey, the association's executive vice president and COO, also will be resigning on Aug. 7, the day after AAHOA's 2021 Convention and Trade show in Dallas finishes.

THE LEADERS OF national hotel organizations, including the American Hotel & Lodging Association, the Asian American Hotel Owners Association, the National Association of Black Hotel Owners, Operators & Developers, and the Latino Hotel Association, came together to commemorate the second annual National Hotel Employee Day on Sept. 1. AHLA and the National Day Calendar established National Hotel Employee Day in 2022 to honor the nearly two million employees in the hotel industry, celebrated each year on Sept. 1. AHLA president and CEO Chip Rogers highlighted the essential role of employees in hotels and emphasized the establishment of NHE Day as a way to express gratitude to America's nearly two million hotel professionals, recognizing their dedication and service.

HOTEL OWNERS MUST treat young associates better as labor is the hot-button issue in the hospitality industry, according to a blog post by HotStats. Increasing wages for entry-level work and promoting career advancement are also vital toward attracting young talent, it added. The blog post said that total payroll on a per-available-room basis is still around two times less in 2021 compared to 2019, according to HotStats data. Year-to-date October 2021, total payroll PAR in the U.S. is $43.46 compared to $85.86 two years ago. "Not only should a hotel care about customers, its number one target market is internal associates," said Leora Halpern Lanz, assistant dean, academic affairs and associate professor of the practice at Boston University's School of Hospitality Administration, in the blog. "If they're treated well, word gets out that it's a good place to work. The industry needs to evaluate why people are working 14-hour days because they're being worn down. There has to be an element of work/life balance." Kyle Allison, host of the Hospitality MD podcast, said that the hotel industry needs to tweak its legacy messaging.

THE AMERICAN HOTEL & Lodging Association and the Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International Americas have formed a partnership that will more closely align the two associations to benefit their respective members and advance the hospitality industry, AHLA said in a statement. Also, AHLA and its technology committee, HTNG, announced the inaugural AHLA Technology Acceleration Award, a new program to recognize companies that are advancing innovation in hospitality technology. According to the statement, the partnership will create linkages to the industry's sales, marketing, and revenue optimization professionals for AHLA, while expanding HSMAI's organizational reach by aligning it with America's largest hotel association. Under the new agreement, effective April 25, AHLA will provide HSMAI with opportunities to participate in AHLA's On the Road events, and HSMAI will promote the events to its members and local chapters. AHLA and HSMAI will also promote each other's events, campaigns, and education and certification programs, and have reciprocal participation in distribution-focused committees. As per the agreement, AHLA and HSMAI will further explore opportunities to align the work of both organizations' foundations to address industry-wide initiatives on workforce and promoting Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. AHLA and HSMAI leadership will meet regularly to discuss and coordinate key strategic industry issues and shared objectives, the agreement noted. AHLA said the AHLA-HSMAI partnership expands upon a relationship the two organizations started early last year, when HSMAI became a content partner for AHLA's On The Road state hotel conference series, offering innovative and exclusive revenue generation insights at On The Road events.

MORE ASSOCIATIONS ARE joining the American Hotel & Lodging Association in protesting the National Labor Relations Board's recently issued final ruling on the definition of joint-employer status. The ruling essentially broadens the definition to any "entity that has an employment relationship with the employees," and AAHOA, AHLA and the other associations say it could damage the current franchise business model. NLRB's new standard, issued last week, defines a joint employer to be any company that shares or codetermines one or more essential terms and conditions of employment. Those include: Wages, benefits, and other compensation. Hours of work and scheduling. The assignment of duties to be performed. The supervision of the performance of duties. Work rules and directions governing the manner, means, and methods of the performance of duties and the grounds for discipline. The tenure of employment, including hiring and discharge. Working conditions related to the safety and health of employees.

BWH HOTEL GROUP will offer cashless tipping to guests via eTip and Visa. The function will allow guests to express gratitude to hotel associates through pre-selected or custom tipping in the U.S. and Canada. The eTip process will be available at properties of the group, including Best Western Hotels & Resorts and SureStay Hotel Group hotels, the statement added. BWH said the new facility will empower guests to financially give to those who rely on tips as latest reports revealed that only 16 percent of U.S. customers carry cash. "We are committed to providing the best possible experience for our guests and bringing value to BWH hoteliers and their associates," said Michael Morton, BWH vice president for brand management. "We're excited to offer eTip digital tipping solution as a convenient way our valued guests can show appreciation to our dedicated hotel associates. We are equally excited to offer our associates a choice to receive their tips in real-time directly into their bank accounts. Innovation and caring are at the heart of our brand and we're proud to partner with eTip to innovate the tipping experience for guests and hoteliers alike."

THE AMERICAN HOTEL & Lodging Association and the Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals Association announced a 10-year agreement to jointly produce the Uniform System of Accounts for the Lodging Industry, a statement said. The USALI is the global "standard" for hospitality accounting and HFTP purchased rights to its contents in 2018. AHLA and HFTP have reengaged the joint Global Finance Committee that is responsible for creating content for USALI's 12th edition to be released next year, according to AHLA. For many years, AHLA's Financial Management Committee was responsible for creating content for the USALI. HFTP purchased USALI's intellectual property, publishing and distribution rights from the Hotel Association of New York City. "After our decision to publish on our own, many in the industry contacted both HFTP and AHLA to see if we could find a way to work together," said Frank Wolfe, HFTP's CEO. "Both organizations had the willingness to work together, but like any business deal the decision was in the details. Associations are a bit different animal than corporate enterprises. Today we may work together on one project and tomorrow will be dead on competitors so there were lots of details to refine. The good news is that both organizations worked exceptionally hard to put those competitive differences aside and advance the industry."

STAFF MEMBERS OF two hotel industry associations donned blue in January to recognize National Human Trafficking Prevention month. AAHOA and the American Hotel & Lodging Association also sought to encourage hotel owners to take advantage of their educational programs on detecting and preventing trafficking in their properties. Like his predecessors since 2010, President Joe Biden issued a proclamation officially designating January as the month to focus awareness on trafficking prevention, according to the U.S. Department of State. The month recognizes the work done by foreign governments, international organizations, anti-trafficking entities, law enforcement officials, survivor advocates, communities of faith, businesses and private citizens to raise awareness about human trafficking, the State Department said. "Since human trafficking disproportionately impacts racial and ethnic minorities, women and girls, LGBTQI+ individuals, vulnerable migrants, and other historically marginalized and underserved communities, our mission to combat human trafficking must always be connected to our broader efforts to advance equity and justice across our society," Biden said in his proclamation.

TAMPA-ST. PETERSBURG, FLORIDA led in meetings and events growth for the top 25 markets in February with a 20 percent year-over-year increase, according to Knowland. Denver and Boston came in second and third, respectively, while National Associations and Technology groups led in four of the top five markets. Overall, year-over-year event volume growth for the industry reached 5.3 percent, the report said. Meetings in the top 25 markets used an average space of 3,507 square feet, compared to 2,890 square feet in secondary markets. The top 25 markets had an average of 124 attendees, while secondary markets averaged 118 attendees. Additional insights into the key industry drivers for the top 25 markets with the highest meeting volumes include: Tampa-St. Petersburg (up 20 percent): national association, healthcare, charity/non-profit/social services, technology and wedding. Denver (up 7 percent): technology, national association, education, healthcare and construction. Boston (up 15 percent): education, healthcare, technology, training/education and travel.

THE AMERICAN HOTEL & Lodging Association philanthropy branch AHLA Foundation has launched a trafficking prevention training program for the hotel industry in collaboration with ECPAT-USA and Marriott International to mark the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons observed on July 29, a statement said. The program titled "Recognize and Respond: Addressing Human Trafficking in the Hospitality Industry" was developed by Marriott by partnering with non-profit organizations and survivor experts. It includes learning paths for associates and managers around increased guidance on responding to potential trafficking situations and interacting with potential victims. It is available to the hotel industry through ECPAT-USA's online learning platform for free, the statement said. The new initiative advances the American Hotel & Lodging Association and AHLA Foundation's "No Room for Trafficking" awareness program which raises awareness about human trafficking. "One of No Room for Trafficking's goals is to train every single hotel employee to identify and respond to a potential human trafficking situation. Through this innovative new training, the industry as a whole will be better equipped to help identify and stop cases of human trafficking," said Chip Rogers, president and CEO of AHLA. "We are extremely grateful to Marriott International and leading trafficking prevention partners who are offering this free training with support from the AHLA Foundation."

THE RECENTLY PASSED federal $1.7 trillion omnibus spending bill contains important gains for the travel and hospitality industries, according to several advocacy groups. That includes the Omnibus Travel and Tourism Act and the creation of a position in the Department of Commerce to coordinate travel and tourism industry strategy. AAHOA, the American Hotel & Lodging Association and the U.S. Travel Association all welcomed the passage of the spending bill that was signed into law by President Biden on Dec. 23. All cited the OTTA legislation created by U.S. Sens. Jacky Rosen, Democrat of Nevada, and Republic Roger Wicker of Mississippi through the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. What is the OTTA? The elements of the OTTA include the Visit America Act, which authorizes the creation of the new position in the DOC. The new assistant secretary would coordinate a strategy across multiple federal agencies to increase travel and tourism nationwide through annual goals and recommendations. "This means the industry will finally have a seat at the policy table after decades of advocating for this to occur," said Laura Lee Blake, AAHOA president and CEO, in LinkedIn.com post.

PUNEET CHHATWAL, MANAGING director and CEO of Indian Hotels Company Limited, the owner of Taj Hotels, has been appointed as the new chairman of the Federation of Associations in Indian Tourism & Hospitality. He succeeds ITC executive director Nakul Anand, who retired this week, FAITH said in a statement. Several national tourism and hotel associations, including the National Associations of Tour Operators, travel agents, hotels, transport operators, conventions & exhibition operators, and restaurants and tourism attractions, are members of FAITH. "With the backing of all members, my commitment is to develop this into a focused policy advocacy organization addressing issues in the tourism and hospitality industry, continuing the legacy established by Anand," said Chhatwal.

Nakul Anand, former executive director of ITC Hotels, is named as the patron-in-chief of the Federation of Associations in Indian Tourism & Hospitality. Anand served as the federation's chairman from its inception until recently. He represented the Hotel Association of India within FAITH, the umbrella body comprising 10 trade associations in the travel, tourism, and hospitality sectors of the industry, FAITH said in a statement. Rajiv Mehra, general secretary of FAITH, said that the decision has been taken considering Anand's "exceptional contributions and unwavering dedication to the tourism & hospitality industry" as former chairman of FAITH and former executive director of ITC Ltd. Under his leadership, FAITH drafted and presented a vision document for Indian tourism for 2035 and 2047, the statement added. Additionally, the International Travel Mart of India was launched. The federation also made interventions to address anomalies in GST, the ECLGS scheme of the government and more.

KEVIN JACOBS, HILTON's CFO and president of Global Development, is the 2024 chair of the American Hotel & Lodging Association. The association also named new officers, executive committee and board of directors, including Mitch Patel, president and CEO of Vision Hospitality Group, as vice chair. The association also named other new officers, executive committee and board of directors. They include Liam Brown, group president for Marriott International, U.S. and Canada, as secretary/treasurer and Julienne Smith, chief development officer, Americas, for IHG Hotels & Resorts, as the chair of the AHLA Foundation Board of Trustees, AHLA said in a statement. "It's an honor to serve as chair and help build upon AHLA's impressive record of accomplishments on behalf of the hospitality industry nationwide," said Jacobs. "I look forward to helping AHLA advance policies in support of our incredible industry, deliver exceptional member services and communications support, and rally the industry around our shared priorities."

AIR TRAVEL HASSLES lead fliers to skip an average of two trips annually, which will result in 27 million avoided trips and a $71 billion loss for the U.S. economy in the coming year, according to a recent report by U.S. Travel Association and Ipsos. The impact of traveler frustrations also leads to a loss of $4.5 billion in tax revenue. The federal government must prioritize improvements throughout the air travel ecosystem to foster greater growth, the association has said. "When almost 60 percent of recent air travelers equate the experience to or find it worse than going to the DMV, it's a worrisome sign that requires action," said Geoff Freeman, USTA president and CEO. "With targeted efforts, the federal government can certainly enhance the entire travel system." Half of travelers said they would increase air travel in the next six months if the experience were less of a hassle, the poll revealed. Similarly, business travelers would take an average of two more trips annually if travel frictions improved, resulting in 18 million additional trips and $52 billion in economic impact.

Jessica Brady is now the vice president of federal affairs for tax policy at the American Hotel & Lodging Association. Prior to joining AHLA, Brady served as the senior director of federal government relations at the Distilled Spirits Council of the U.S., focusing on tax, trade, and other key issues. Before DISCUS, Brady led budget and appropriations advocacy as the associate director of global development policy and advocacy at Save the Children, AHLA said. She also handled congressional affairs and engaged in multilateral diplomacy at the State Department as part of the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief program. "Jessica's extensive tax expertise and profound understanding of the federal policymaking process will prove invaluable for our members as we navigate a myriad of crucial tax issues in 2024 and beyond," said Chip Rogers, AHLA president and CEO. "This addition reinforces AHLA's commitment to securing policy victories for hoteliers."

THE U.S. TRAVEL ASSOCIATION said that the Biden administration's National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program will shape the future of travel mobility in the U.S. It will make foundational investments in the national EV charging network, USTA said in a statement. The association urged state departments of transportation to work closely with the community of destination marketing organizations, state tourism offices, and private travel businesses to make data-driven recommendations on the most popular electric vehicle corridors where investments should be made, a statement said. In early February, the Biden administration announced a new program which will make $5 billion available to states over the next five years to help build out their charging networks. The plan is allocating $615 million in funds for 2022, with the disbursements already planned from now through 2026, with the caveat that the government has to approve the state's individual plans for spending.

PRESIDENT BIDEN'S STATE of the Union address before Congress on March 7 touched on several issues hotel industry associations have been advocating for a while. AAHOA and the American Lodging and Hotel Association both issued responses to the speech and AAHOA held its 2024 Spring National Advocacy Conference during the week of March 14. The issues at hand include the extension of tax credits, handling of junk fees for greater disclosure and transparency and raising the federal minimum wage. During SNAC, more than 200 AAHOA leaders and members spent two days in Washington, D.C. The conference opened with a legislative learning session at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center, followed by an evening Congressional Reception at the Cannon House Office Building and then a full day of Congressional meetings. "Each year we continue to see the relationships grow between our AAHOA Members and their elected officials," said Laura Lee Blake, AAHOA president and CEO. "Our twice-yearly advocacy conferences are quickly becoming the foundation for shaping and driving national policy, and our members are making it happen."

THE NEW JERSEY legislature has passed legislation that will place new requirements regarding employees when a hotel changes hands. Hospitality and business associations are objecting to the law, saying it will hinder hotels' recovering in the state. Assembly Bill 6246 will, among other things, require new owners of a hotel to keep all employees on staff for at least 90 days after the purchase without reducing their wages or benefits. The bills also would require the previous owners to provide a list of all employees' names, addresses, hiring dates, phone numbers, wage rates and employment classifications at least 30 days before the change in control, according to the legislation. It also sets terms for how the new owners can reduce staff if necessary during the retention period as well as how violations of the law should be addressed. The proposed law is well intended, but flawed, Ray Cantor, vice president of government affairs for the New Jersey Business & Industry Association told Center Square newspaper.