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CHIP ROGERS, PRESIDENT and CEO of American Hotel & Lodging Association, is joining the cast of a magazine-style television series "Hotels ByDesign." The program's host Mike Chapman will showcase up to 35 hotels across the U.S. throughout its four half-hour episodes. Rogers will be part of a panel of architectural, innovation and industry experts who will discuss key design aspects of various hotels, AHLA said in a statement. "Hotels are at the cutting edge of informed design, as brands and hotel companies are constantly evolving to meet the changing needs of guests," Rogers said. "I'm excited to work with Hotels ByDesign to showcase the beauty and ingenuity of our industry." "It is with great pleasure that we turn our design lens towards hotels and vacation experiences," said Chapman, who also serves as the series' executive producer. "ByDesign continues the design conversation in front of a mainstream American and international audience, celebrating, commentating, and educating on excellent design. We are excited to be collaborating with the AHLA as we embark on new adventures - broadening our audience and telling exceptional design stories together."

OFFICIALS OF THE "She Has a Deal" annual hotel investment pitch contest announced the five teams selected to advance to the final round of SHaDPitch 2023. The competition allows early career women to compete for the prize of $50,000 of equity in SHaD's Prosperity Fund I, following the conclusion of a virtual, preliminary round of pitching, SHaD said in a statement. SHaD 2023 will be held at the new Marriott Headquarters in Bethesda, Maryland, on April 27 to 28. According to the statement, the goal of SHaD is to increase the number of women owning and developing hotels. It provides participants with the ability to source, analyse, raise capital and close hotel real estate investment deals. During the preliminary judging round, eight teams comprising 15 participants pitched their hotel investment acquisition or development projects live on Zoom to a judging panel of hotel business executives, entrepreneurs, and investors. The judges evaluated and selected the following five teams: Sydney Young and Rachel Nicholson with SpartanStone, graduates of Michigan State University, pitching a La Quinta Inn & Suites in Lewisville, Texas. Chandler Williamson with Chanders Core Commitment, graduate of North Carolina Central University, pitching a Hilton Garden Inn in Raleigh/Durham, North Carolina. Isabella Suffredini, Veronica Lewis and Alexandra Neoman with CROWN, graduates of Cornell University, pitching a TownePlace Suites in Houston, Texas. Makenna Price with Hookipa Hospitality, graduate of Washington State University, pitching a Fairfield Inn & Suites in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida Allison Busch and Hannah Takekawa with AH Hospitality, graduates of San Diego State University, pitching a Staybridge Suites in Austin, Texas "Every year, I grow more encouraged that we are making an impact," said Tracy Prigmore, founder of SHaD. "These are brilliant women who benefit from the education and programming that SHaD provides, and their hotel investment acumen has grown by leap

AS NORMAL SPRING break patterns continue, U.S. hotel performance increased in the first week of April compared to the previous week, according to STR. Metrics improved over the previous week as well as year-over-year in most cases. Occupancy stood at 66.2 percent for the week ending April 1, up from 64.9 percent the week before, and rose 3.4 percent than the comparable week in 2022 and decreased 3.5 percent over the comparable week in 2019. ADR was $158.40, down from $158.61 the week before, increased 7.3 percent and 19.9 percent against 2022 and 2019, respectively. RevPAR was $104.78 from $102.98 in the last week and rose 10.9 percent and 15.7 percent over the same month in 2022 and 2019. Among the top 25 markets, Washington, D.C., registered the highest year-over-year increase in occupancy, up 18.2 percent to 78.7 percent, while Dallas saw the highest occupancy lift over 2019, up 6.2 percent to 73 percent. Houston showed the most substantial ADR, up 25.8 percent to $133.5, while Phoenix reported the highest ADR increase over 2019, up 49.4 percent to $232.54.

A NEW ENVIRONMENTAL, social and governance report released by Choice Hotels International highlights steps that would allow the company to reduce utility costs, save time for franchisees, and increase Choice's ESG commitments. Those steps include new energy- and water-saving technology, diversity goals for hotel ownership and more. The report entitled "Building a Better Tomorrow, Today" lays out the company's plan to being a good corporate citizen, according to a release. "Choice Hotels shares a uniting belief that tomorrow will be even better than today, and we are committed to building that better tomorrow," said Patrick Pacious, Choice's CEO, in the report. "As one of the largest lodging franchisors in the world, we are building on more than 80 years of success in developing a portfolio of diversified brands and creating a lasting, sustainable legacy for the future - one hotel, one family, one community at a time." Key findings The report further details measures being undertaken by Choice to integrate ESG standards and principles into its long-term decision-making and operations, including: Reporting Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions for the first time and aligning ESG disclosures with the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board standards and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Appointing an executive with knowledge of the business as vice president, sustainability and creating two new ESG governance forums to strengthen Choice's ESG strategy and execution. Joining the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance, a global network that champions responsible hospitality, and becoming one of its largest members. Relaunching HERtels by Choice, driving a 53 percent year-over-year increase in the company's hotel franchise deals with woman owners. Committing $25 million in incentives for contracts with underrepresented minority and woman owners by 2025. Setting a goal to increase the representation of women in senior leadership roles to 50

GOPPAR FOR U.S. hotels in February exceeded the levels of the pre-pandemic comparable time period and was the highest since October 2022, according to STR's February 2023 Profit & Loss data. EBITDA was the only key bottom-line metric on a per-available-room basis to come in lower than February 2019, STR said in a statement. GOPPAR reached $77.37 for the month, up 1.6 percent over the same month in 2019, TRevPAR stood at $217.20, up 3.7 percent, and EBITDA PAR was $51.63, down 0.6 percent against February 2019. Labor costs were $73.70, a 2.9 percent increase. "The profit-and-loss metrics followed typical industry trends, improving from the prior month," said Raquel Ortiz, STR's director of financial performance. "Both GOPPAR and GOP margins were the highest since last fall, while profit margins came in just one percentage point below 2019. Profit margins for limited-service hotels are further behind in recovery than full service, likely due to increasing labor costs that bear heavier weight on the bottom line." "An increase in top-line group demand is beginning to show in the bottom line, as catering and banquet revenues are inching closer to 2019 levels and meeting space rentals and services charges surpassed that threshold. On a per-operating-room basis, nearly all F&B revenues outpaced the pre-pandemic comparables," Ortiz added. Of the major markets, 10 realized both GOPPAR and TRevPAR levels higher than the 2019 comparables, the statement said. "February was a slower month for markets that are more dependent on groups and conventions, such as Atlanta, San Francisco and Minneapolis," Ortiz further said. "Warmer markets have remained at the top, with Phoenix showing the highest TRevPAR recovery and second highest GOPPAR recovery for the month, helped by peak season and Super Bowl LVII."

INFLUENCED BY EASTER and Passover calendar shift, U.S. hotel performance registered lower year-over-year comparisons from the previous week, according to STR's latest data through 8 April. Occupancy was 61.3 percent for the week ending April 8, down from 66.2 percent the week before, and dipped 7.4 percent than the comparable week in 2022. ADR stood at $153.30, down from $158.40 the week before, and rose 0.8 percent compared to 2022. RevPAR was $94, down from $104.78 in the last week and slipped 6.7 percent over the same month in 2022. Among the Top 25 Markets, New York City saw the highest year-over-year increases in occupancy, up 6.3 percent to 82.2 percent and RevPAR rose 19.4 percent to $232.80 over 2022.

Peachtree Group has named Jarred Bussert as vice president of information technology. In this newly created role, Bussert will be responsible for the company's IT infrastructure, including all business applications, information security and data integrity, the company said in a statement. "Jarred's experience and achievements demonstrate his commitment to supporting business strategies with technology infrastructure," said Greg Friedman, Peachtree's managing principal and CEO. "As Peachtree continues to grow, I am pleased to attract talented leaders to our best-in-class team. His leadership will be instrumental in building a successful and high-performing organization." Bussert has extensive enterprise-wide technical and IT leadership experience. Before joining Peachtree, he was vice president, information technology for Majors Management, an Atlanta-based retail operator. Bussert started his career with RaceTrac Petroleum holding numerous leadership positions, leaving as director, information systems. He has an MBA and Master of Technology from Georgia Tech and received his bachelor's degree from the University of Georgia.

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."

Eight new Hihotels by Hospitality International properties recently opened in five states: three in Texas, two in Pennsylvania, and one each in New York, Vancouver, and Ohio. The company provides franchising options across its five brands including Scottish Inns, Red Carpet Inn, Master Hosts Inns, Downtowner Inns, and Passport Inn. In Texas, the three properties include Scottish Inns - Eastex Freeway North in Houston, owned by 59 Little York, Inc. under Sandip Sindha's leadership; Scottish Inns in Decatur owned by Sunlight Partnership LLC led by Leena Patel; and Scottish Inns & Suites in Shenandoah/Woodland owned by Anjali Hospitality LLC under Mahesh Patel's guidance, Hihotels said. In Pennsylvania, two hotels have opened: Scottish Inns in Middletown, owned by Sky Hotels LLC led by Rajan Vesuwala; and Red Carpet Inn & Suites in Philadelphia, owned by Vrisha Lodging LLC led by Kiran Patel.

HILTON WORLDWIDE HOLDINGS posted a net income of $268 million in the first quarter of 2024. System-wide comparable RevPAR rose by 2 percent on a currency neutral basis, compared to the first quarter of 2023. The company's fee-based business model and development efforts contributed to its performance, with steady momentum in signings, starts and openings, indicating a healthy pipeline. The company said it can continue building momentum in the near future, based on the growth trajectory observed thus far. "We are pleased to report a strong first quarter with bottom-line results meaningfully exceeding our expectations, further demonstrating the power of our resilient, fee-based business model and strong development story," said Christopher Nassetta, Hilton's president and CEO. "During the first quarter, system-wide RevPAR increased 2 percent as renovations, inclement weather and unfavorable holiday shifts weighed on performance more than anticipated."

CHOICE HOTELS INTERNATIONAL appears to be moving on from its failed attempt to acquire Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, according to statements from its executive team during the company's first quarter earnings call May 8. The quarter saw overall positive performance for the company, including record growth in its pipeline and $63.7 million adjusted net income, a 9 percent rise over the same period of last year. The main portion of the call was dedicated to reporting the highlights of the quarter. For example, Choice's EBITDA during the quarter grew to $124.3 million, a first quarter record and a 17 percent increase compared to the same period of 2023. Its global pipeline as of March 31 increased 10 percent to a company record of more than 115,000 rooms, including a 36 percent increase in the global pipeline for conversion rooms. Its domestic rooms pipeline increased by 11 percent since Dec. 31, highlighted by a 59 percent increase for conversion rooms.

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AAHOA OFFICERS RECENTLY participated in a White House reception for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. AAHOA Chairman Miraj Patel and Laura Lee Blake, the association's president and CEO, represented the association. President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris made remarks at the reception held in the Rose Garden, recognizing the AANHPI community, AAHOA said in a statement. "We were honored and privileged to represent AAHOA and our 20,000 members at the historic White House celebration," said Patel. "This event highlights the AA and NHPI communities' remarkable contributions to the U.S., mirroring AAHOA's representation of Asian American entrepreneurship in hospitality for the past 35 years. As we reflect on our rich heritage during AANHPI Month, we honor the incredible legacy of Asian American hoteliers and entrepreneurs who have shaped, and continue to shape, our industry and nation."

As we stand on the brink of a new era, the world of finance is undergoing a seismic shift. Fintech, the fusion of finance and technology, continues to revolutionize the way we manage, invest, and interact with money. With each passing year, innovations in fintech reshape industries, challenge traditional banking models, and democratize access to financial services. The fintech industry has been a hotbed of innovation and growth, reshaping how financial services are delivered and consumed. As we look ahead to the next decade, several key trends and predictions are set to define the future landscape of fintech. Looking ahead, the next decade promises to be even more transformative. Here, we delve into some top predictions that will shape the future of fintech.

KNOWLAND, A HOSPITALITY data-as-a-service provider, recently integrated a sub-market filter into its search and dashboard functions, adding to its market snapshot and new-to-market capabilities. This new feature enables precise filtering down to the sub-market level within larger markets, identifying localized opportunities, Knowland said in a statement. "To stay agile in this competitive industry, hotel sellers must be savvy about community activity," said Jeff Bzdawka, Knowland's CEO. "With this localized market view, they see opportunities in their immediate area rather than sifting through broad datasets. We continue to innovate our platform with new features and functionalities to help sales teams excel in account-based selling and automate the sales process for better outcomes." Hotel sales teams rely on detailed data analytics for sourcing new business, Knowland said. The sub-market filter provides accessible metrics on top neighborhoods, aiding teams in adopting an account-based selling approach.

UNIFOCUS, A WORKFORCE management system provider led by CEO Moneesh Arora, recently partnered with Nonius, a guest-facing solutions company for hotels, to integrate Nonius' platform with the Unifocus operations management system. This partnership ensures guest requests inform operational priorities, enabling real-time adaptation to guest needs and improving service delivery and staff efficiency. By integrating Nonius' guest messaging solution, Unifocus connects hotel staff with guests more effectively, the companies said in a joint statement. "Our partnership with Nonius isn't just an additional feature, it's a transformative bridge connecting the guest experience with hotel operations," said Arora. "It blends technology with the guest journey, enhancing human connections and setting the stage for the future of hospitality."

U.S. HOTEL PERFORMANCE improved in the second week of June compared to the previous week, showing mixed year-over-year results, according to CoStar. All key metrics, including occupancy, RevPAR and ADR, increased compared to the prior week. Occupancy rose to 70.3 percent for the week ending June 15, up from 69.1 percent the previous week, despite a slight 0.6 percent year-over-year decrease. ADR increased to $161.70 from $160.90, a 0.9 percent rise compared to last year. RevPAR increased to $113.62 from $111.26 the previous week, marking a 0.3 percent increase compared to the same period in 2023. Among the top 25 markets, San Francisco recorded the highest year-over-year increases: occupancy rose 14.8 percent to 71.1 percent, ADR increased 11.3 percent to $226.70, and RevPAR grew 30.3 percent to $179.97. The market's performance was boosted by the Data + AI Summit.

DUETTO, A REVENUE management software provider, recently introduced BlockBuster, a revenue optimization solution, and rebranded its acquired space optimization tool, MiceRate, as OpenSpace, integrating new functions. BlockBuster coordinates revenue, sales and catering teams to optimize business quotes, while OpenSpace automates revenue management for rooms, event spaces, and ancillary services, Duetto said in a statement. "The addition of OpenSpace, combined with our investment in group management, positions us as a one-stop-shop for hoteliers looking to maximize revenue across their entire property," said David Woolenberg, Duetto's CEO. "Now, our customers can leverage Duetto to optimize pricing, manage inventory, and streamline bookings for individual guests, groups, and function spaces - all in a single, unified solution. These enhancements will streamline the group booking process, improve internal communication, and ensure a more seamless experience for both hoteliers and their customers."

THE UPCOMING SHOW "Grand Indian Hotel," premiering on BBC Player, a BBC Studios streaming service available on Prime Video Channel, on June 14, will depict the 90-year history of Oberoi Hotel & Resorts. The three-part series offers insights into The Oberoi Rajvilas in Jaipur, The Oberoi Udaivilas in Udaipur, Rajasthan, and The Oberoi, New Delhi. The show provides a glimpse into the behind-the-scenes efforts of Oberoi's 90-year history of hospitality, according to BBC Studios. The show is developed by UK-based Voltage TV and distributed by BBC Studios. "Grand Indian Hotel is a first-hand account depicting India's Vibrant culture of 'Atithi Devo Bhava' through the lens of legendary Oberoi Hotels & Resorts, and reflects the great story-telling that is synonymous with BBC Studios," said Stanley Fernandes, BBC Studios' vice president of distribution, South Asia.