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HOTEL BRAND HIHOTELS by Hospitality International has launched changes to its INNcentive Instant Rewards program, a statement said. The program offers members access to thousands of discounts and special offers from nationally recognized companies, the company said in a statement. The benefits under the rewards program include a 15 percent discount during each stay (based on availability), early check-in and late checkout, discounts and special offers for dining, shopping, entertainment and travel and weekly emails with special offers for traveling and everyday activities. "A major initiative has been to enhance the structure and offers of the INNcentive program to benefit our franchisees," said Chris Guimbellot, hihotels president and CEO. "These added perks and discounts will help our hotel owners retain current guests and attract new ones, increase repeat visits and brand loyalty, drive direct bookings to our hotels and allow us to compete more effectively with other brands and OTAs - all without any additional fees to franchisees."

DALLAS-BASED INVESTMENT firm NewcrestImage will acquire four LaQuinta-branded hotels in a joint venture between Highgate and Cerberus. The properties, with 696 rooms total, include the LaQuinta Inn & Suites at Los Angeles International Airport that is NewcrestImage's first gateway location in California. The company, led by Mehul Patel as managing partner and CEO, also has received the Partnership Circle Award from Marriott International, a statement said. NewcrestImage closed on the LaQuinta Inn & Suites Irving DFW North, located two miles from Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, on July 14. It expects to close in August on the other three hotels, including the LaQuinta Inn & Suites LAX, as well as LaQuinta Inn & Suites Anaheim and LaQuinta Inn Phoenix North. "These properties are uniquely-positioned in strategic destination locations, making them very appealing as we structure a strong investment-based portfolio," Patel said. Mahmood Khimji, Highgate's managing principal, said the four hotels are "well-located and well-positioned." "We are excited to expand our activities with Mehul and the talented NewcrestImage team, along with our friends at Wyndham - all of whom share Highgate's commitment to delivering exceptional guest experiences and operational results," Khimji said.

Cambria Hotel Waco University Riverfront in Waco, Texas, owned by KB Hotels led by Kiran "Kenny" Bhakta as founder and CEO, is now open. It is the ninth Cambria Hotel in the southwest. The new 4-story, 130-room property joins Cambria's Austin Downtown, Austin Uptown, Austin Airport, Houston Downtown, McAllen, Plano, Richardson and Southlake, Choice said in a statement. KB Hotels, led by Kiran "Kenny" Bhakta, a hotel development company in central Texas, is spearheading the development of this hotel. "With a rich history anchored by academia and agriculture, Texas is quickly becoming a hub for vacationers and business travelers alike," said Indy Adenaw, Choice's senior vice president and general manager for upscale. "We look forward to expanding Cambria's unique offerings and top-notch amenities to even more guests in the Lone Star State with the opening of the new Cambria Hotel Waco University Riverfront."

THE 2020 COVID-influenced lodging industry recession resulted in some noticeable changes to the way hotels provide F&B service. Social distancing regulations forced operators to be creative in the way they served food and beverages to guests. Rising wage rates and sharp increases in the cost of food and beverage products compelled hotel managers to find ways to control costs. The inability of hotels to attract employees to fill the positions eliminated during the recession required creative solutions to improve productivity and offer more with less. These factors resulted in the following hotel food and beverage trends during the subsequent recovery period: The increased offering of kiosks and grab-and-go venues The closing of traditional three-meal-a-day restaurants A reduction in the menus, number of seats, and hours of remaining F&B venues Reductions in in-room dining and mini-bar service The conversion of food and beverage space to other revenue generating purposes To learn how these recent changes in hotel food and beverage operations have impacted revenues and expenses, we have analyzed the operating statements of 2,500 U.S. full-service, resort, and convention hotels that participated in CBRE's annual Trends in the Hotel Industry in 2021 and 2022. In 2022, these 2,500 properties averaged 285 rooms in size, and achieved an occupancy of 64.7 percent, along with an ADR of $225.60. To provide more current information, we also relied on the monthly operating statements of 1,200 properties during the period January through June of 2023.

NEXGEN HOTELS HAS acquired EVEN Hotel Miami - Airport in Miami, marking its first wellness-focused brand in the portfolio. Managed by Missouri-based Genuine Hospitality Group, this upscale hotel represents NexGen's third acquisition in a brief two-week span under the leadership of Chris Patel. Located one mile from Miami International Airport and minutes from the Port of Miami, the hotel offers guests access to Waterford Business District, Brickell City Centre, and Miracle Mile, according to NexGen. Nearby attractions include DRV PNK Stadium, LoanDepot Park, the University of Miami, Florida International University, South Beach, Miami Seaquarium, and the future Miami Freedom Park Stadium. "We see Florida as a growing market for us and this acquisition offers an assortment of value opportunities for our company," Patel said. "We are also excited to add the EVEN hotel brand to our portfolio as it is well received by health-conscious travelers."

WORKFORCE MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE producer Unifocus recently marked its 25th anniversary of doing business. The company recently acquired operations management platform Knowcross and celebrated several other milestones it has met since its founding in 1998. Unifocus was founded in the same year Google started up, the Digital Millennium Copyright Act was released and the first WiFi standards were set. The company's labor management system, the first of its kind according to Unifocus, includes scheduling automation and, with the Knowcross acquisition, real-time data for forecasting, scheduling, task execution and tracking of guest and employee satisfaction. "Twenty-five years of serving the hospitality industry and counting," says Moneesh Arora, Unifocus chief executive. "We're filled with gratitude for our clients who've been part of this journey, as well as our incredibly dedicated team that makes our vision a reality. Our success stems from our commitment to truly understanding the needs of hoteliers, which continually inspires us to enhance and innovate our hotel operations technology."

URBAN PARK HOTEL Collection, an independent budget-conscious hotel group, has partnered with technology firm LodgeTender to integrate its latest hotel technology platform. The new technology offers hotel owners an extra revenue stream, while eliminating the need to pay for a hotel PMS, booking engine, and channel manager, Urban Park Hotel said in a statement. "The partnership with LodgeTender offers our hotel portfolio an opportunity to earn rather than pay for a technology package," said Jay Patel, managing partner of Urban Park Hotel Collection. "We're delighted to introduce products and services that not only save our owners money, but also generate additional revenue for our member hotels." "Hotel owners now have the chance to upgrade their technology while staying ahead with productive features for added revenue and seamless guest service connections," added Kent Comfort, president of LodgeTender.

LESLIE HALE, PRESIDENT and CEO of RLJ Lodging Trust, will join Mit Shah, CEO of Noble Investment Group, for the 10th Annual Bharat Shah Leadership Speaker Series at the Hunter Hotel Investment Conference. The Bharat Shah Leadership Speaker Series was established and endowed in honor of Dr. Bharat Shah at Georgia State's Cecil B. Day School of Hospitality Administration, J. Mack Robinson College of Business. The upcoming series is scheduled for March 21, accessible to registered attendees, special guests, and Georgia State University students. Hale is the first African American woman to lead a publicly listed real estate investment trust. She serves on the board of directors for Delta Airlines, is a trustee of Howard University, and is a board member of the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond. Currently, she is the board chair for the American Hotel and Lodging Association. Hale said she was honored to be included in the Bharat Shah series, she said in a statement.

THE AMERICAN HOTEL & Lodging Association has accepted ClubCorp, an owner and operator of private clubs, as a new member, a statement said. The association hopes to attract more clubs with lodging connections. Ron Vlasic, executive vice president of Operations City & Stadium Clubs, ClubCorp, is a member of AHLA's board and former chair of the board. He will remain on AHLA's Board as an individual representative starting June 2022. Founded in 1957, ClubCorp has more than 200 golf and country clubs, city clubs and stadium clubs in 30 states, the District of Columbia, and two foreign countries. It provides services to members and guests.

The Courtyard by Marriott Portland East opens Oct. 21 in Portland, Oregon. It is owned by Lodging Management Northwest LLC led by Jatin Patel as principal. The 91-room hotel is managed by InnVentures LLC of Tukwila, Washington. It is near Mt. Hood Skibowl, Timberline Lodge, McMenamins Edgefield, Multnomah Falls and Pioneer Place. Amenities include an indoor swimming pool, fitness center, fire pit and 702 square feet of meeting space. Courtyard's new room design includes a luggage drop for storing bags and the "Tech Drop" ledge provides a place for guests to plug personal devices. The rooms also feature hybrid zones for working, sleeping and getting ready.

MAJOR U.S. HOTELS firms Marriott Hotels & Resorts and Hyatt Hotels Corp. announced that they are ceasing operations in Russia due to its ongoing invasion in Ukraine. Also, AAHOA issued a statement condemning the war. The hotel companies also emphasized their efforts to ensure the safety and wellbeing of their employees and guests in both Ukraine and neighboring countries who face these 'unconscionable challenges'. "We have made the decision, effective immediately, to close our corporate office in Moscow, and pause the opening of upcoming hotels and all future hotel development and investment in Russia," Marriott said in a statement. "We have been closely monitoring the deteriorating situation in Ukraine, Russia and neighboring countries, and remain in regular contact with our teams on the ground, as we work to comply with sanctions and applicable laws. Our hotels in Russia are owned by third parties and we continue to evaluate the ability for these hotels to remain open."

The Best Western Plus Orlando East-UCF Area in Orlando opened May 3. It is owned by PRM Hotels led by Ishwar Naran as president and CEO. The newly renovated 70-room hotel is near the University of Central Florida and other local colleges, including Strayer University Orlando East Campus and Valencia College East Campus. Other local attractions include Central Florida Research Park, Orange County Convention Center, Addition Financial Arena and UCF's Bounce House. Amenities include an outdoor pool as well as a 400-square-foot boardroom and 600-square-foot conference room that can accommodate up to 10 and 50 people. "The Best Western Plus Orlando East-UCF Area is ideally situated for business and leisure travelers alike, conveniently located near many popular local attractions," said Ishwar Naran, president and CEO of PRM Hotels. "Our newest hotel also offers a host of amenities and provides the perfect location for families visiting students at UCF and other local colleges. We look forward to welcoming guests to our newly-renovated property in East Orlando and providing our visitors with the unmatched value and comfort they've come to expect with Best Western."

THE FIRST QUARTER of 2022 brought better than the national average performance for Twenty Four Seven Hotels. The Newport Beach, California-based third-party hospitality management company also acquired two new hotels in Southern California. Steady growth in year's beginning Occupancy for Twenty Four Seven properties rose steadily during the first three months of the year, hitting 62.9 percent in January, 67.8 percent in February and 76 percent in March. ADR also rose during the same three months, from $142.66 to $160.99 to $174.02. RevPAR followed the same trend, rising from $89.73 to $109.10 to $132.25. Each metric also rose compared to the first quarter of 2021. "We continue to ride the massive wave of momentum that began for Twenty Four Seven Hotels in 2021, when our portfolio grew by 25 percent with the addition of seven new hotels now totaling 25 hotels with more than 3,100 rooms," said David Wani, CEO of Twenty Four Seven. "We will continue to seek third-party management opportunities with well-respected partners and brands in the western U.S., expanding our concentration in these unique markets where we have firsthand experience improving bottom lines and guest satisfaction scores."

THE PARTNER PROGRAM of American Hotel & Lodging Association reached a record 27 members with the addition of six new partners. The program offers industry suppliers and service providers an opportunity to engage directly with AHLA members at an executive level and increase brand visibility. Proskauer's Hospitality, Gaming & Leisure Group becomes a Gold Partner in the program, the association said. It has one of the broadest and longest-standing commitments to the hotel and lodging sector among major global law firms and has experience in handling every relevant issue in the industry. The five Silver Partners are Guest Worldwide, Marsh, NewGen Advisory, Relay and WizeHire, said AHLA.

WYNDHAM HOTELS AND RESORTS launched the new "Extra Mile" initiative to show support and gratitude towards flight attendants, ahead of the International Flight Attendant Day on May 31, a statement said. The hotel company is partnering with TV personality and former flight attendant Lauren Lane for the project. As part of the scheme, when flight attendants check-in at select hotels across the U.S., some will receive a $10 gift cards, in the form of reward points, to popular retailers like Starbucks and Amazon while others will receive a free weekend stay at the Wyndham hotel of their choice. "Our Wyndham team members consistently go the extra mile and the same is true of our travel counterparts in the sky, so many of whom are the first touch point on our guests' journey to us," said Jurgen Schafers, Wyndham brand leader and vice president of operations. "With thousands of attendants staying with Wyndham, often in between routes, this is our way of saying thank you and letting them know we appreciate all they do."

The Best Western Plus Magnolia Inn & Suites is now open in Cleveland, Tennessee. The recently renovated 87-room hotel, owned by Jay Patel, is near the Ocoee River which offers recreational activities, such as white-water rafting, swimming, fishing and boating. Also nearby is the national headquarters of Church of God, national headquarters of Life Care Centers of America, a Whirlpool Corp. manufacturing plant, the Wacker Chemical Co. plant and Cleveland State Community College. Amenities include a fitness center, outdoor pool and meeting space to accommodate up to 30 people. "The Best Western brand is known for its 75-year legacy of offering the highest degree of hospitality and unmatched value, and we are proud to be one of its newest members," Patel said. "Our newly-renovated hotel, combined with our exceptional service and outstanding amenities, will exceed guest expectations as they experience all a Best Western Plus hotel has to offer, whether for work or play." In early May, the Best Western Plus Orlando East-UCF Area in Orlando, owned by PRM Hotels led by Ishwar Naran as president and CEO, opened in Orlando. The newly renovated 70-room hotel is near the University of Central Florida and other local colleges, including Strayer University Orlando East Campus and Valencia College East Campus.

STONEBRIDGE COS. HAS acquired the Le Méridien New Orleans hotel for $84 million from Park Hotels & Resorts Inc. It is the second acquisition in the city in 12 months for the Denver-based company, started by CEO Navin Dimond. The 410-room, full-service upscale hotel on Poydras Street is near the city's French Quarter, Bourbon Street and Warehouse Arts District. Also nearby are the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, Mercedes-Benz Superdome, Smoothie King Center and the Port of New Orleans Cruise Ship Terminal. Amenities include a rooftop pool, onsite restaurants and more than 13,000 square feet of event space. With the new purchase, Stonebridge's portfolio stands at 63 hotels and more than 10,000 guest rooms, including select-service, extended-stay, mid-scale and full-service hotels in several states. It is the first Le Méridien hotel for the company, Dimond said. "Last year we purchased the Embassy Suites by Hilton New Orleans," Dimond said. "New Orleans is truly a great American city, and the Le Méridien is ideally located for both leisure and business travelers alike visiting downtown New Orleans."

BLACK HISTORY MONTH is a time to think about unity in general and hoteliers of all races acknowledged that this year. AAHOA observed the month, as did others in the industry through actions and testimonials. A way to engage the local community California hotelier and philanthropist Sunil "Sunny" Tolani in a recent article discussed the importance of the month to him. Tolani is CEO of the Prince Organization in Anaheim, California, and in an interview with New York Wire magazine, he discussed diversity and his company's participation in the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service in January. The event supports a sense of family among his employees, Tolani said. "Employees make time to volunteer and the MLK Day of Service is a great way we engage with our local community while honoring the legacy of Dr. King," Tolani said. "Whether we plan on cleaning up a public space, mentoring and providing internships to young people, mentoring our staff, inviting the local students to tour the back of house hotel operations, what they do makes a world of difference. Our entire organization felt a sense of pride at what we were able to achieve." Tolani said supporting minority rights also builds meaningful relationships within the communities in which they operate and "taps the passions of millions of guests."

AAHOA'S NEXT ANNUAL conference and tradeshow, set for April 11 to 14 in Los Angeles, already has set a record for the number of booths sold. It will be the largest conference in 34 years, AAHOA said. The association has sold 81,900 square feet of exhibit space for the upcoming AAHOA Convention & Trade Show, exceeding the 77,500 square feet sold for the 2019 conference, which was previously the record holder. In addition, as of Feb. 8, AAHOA has nearly doubled the registration total of lifetime members compared to AAHOACON22, and the organization is still on pace to exceed 2019 registration totals of more than 8,000 attendees "I've been in the exhibition business for a long time, and I'm so impressed to see the enthusiasm, excitement, and response from vendors who are looking to do business with AAHOA Members," said Dennis Smith, AAHOA vice president of business development. "Our team is thrilled to reach this historical milestone, with the ultimate goal of connecting as many AAHOA Members as possible with the product and service providers who can help them make money, save money, protect their investments, and better serve their guests." AAHOA's 20,000 members spend $50 billion with suppliers attending the event each year. "I always look forward to the industry's Super Bowl event, and this year, as I conclude my term as AAHOA Chairman, I'm proud of the work our association has done to prepare for the event and connect even more vendors directly with decision makers," said Nishant "Neal" Patel, AAHOA chairman. "AAHOA Members spend billions of dollars each year with suppliers, and AAHOA plays an important role in connecting hoteliers directly with those who can help them run a better, more profitable, and more efficient business - AAHOACON is where deals are made."

THE GRADY HOTEL is now open in Louisville, Kentucky, after an extensive renovation by owner Vision Hospitality Group of Chattanooga, Tennessee. It will be operated by Humanist Hospitality, a division of Vision. The 51-room luxury lifestyle Grady is Vision Hospitality's most recent upscale property, such as the recently opened Kinley Chattanooga Southside in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Work began on the restoration in March 2020. "The Grady is a special project for Vision, and we are excited to see how this restored, historic building tells its story to all who step inside," said Mitch Patel, Vision Hospitality Group President & CEO. "The Grady represents Louisville's one-of-a-kind spirit and welcomes both locals and guests to experience its refined comfort and cordial service." The Grady is near the Muhammed Ali Center, Frazier History Museum and the Louisville Slugger Museum. The building originally housed a medicinal bourbon apothecary built in the late 1800s by pharmacist J.B Wilder.