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OF THE TWO in five Americans going on business trips this year, 49 percent intend to turn it into a "bleisure" trip, according to a recent survey by Howdy.com. Bleisure is a blend of "business" and "leisure," differing from "workcations," where workers integrate vacation with work at a destination of their choice. While about a quarter of survey respondents opt for workcations to save paid time off, 60 percent of American business travelers prefer bleisure trips. Approximately 64 percent of American workers attribute the rise of bleisure to improved work-life balance as business travel rebounds post-COVID-19. Despite only about 30 percent of workers being familiar with the term bleisure, many are embracing the concept, said Howdy.com, a talent sourcing firm based in Austin, Texas. The Howdy.com survey of more than 1,000 full-time employees across the U.S., found that more than two-thirds of respondents would be attracted to jobs that encourage bleisure, while many suggest that companies should offer a "free day" on work trips to promote bleisure. The survey revealed that about 75 percent of respondents would be more inclined to collaborate with international teams if provided with increased bleisure travel opportunities.

THE U.S. HOSPITALITY industry faces an environmental wake-up call as guests seek accommodations that align with their values beyond amenities alone. This trend has fundamentally changed how hotels approach sustainability, with many adopting practices such as reduced water consumption and energy conservation. Large hotel chains like Hilton Hotels & Resorts and Marriott International have openly declared their efforts to minimize environmental impact. However, achieving meaningful sustainability requires franchise owners and operators to be on the same page. "As a global hospitality leader, Hilton is dedicated to providing exceptional guest experiences," said Jean Garris Hand, Hilton's vice president of global ESG. "However, we also recognize our profound responsibility to safeguard the destinations where we operate for future generations of travelers. Our efforts to reduce energy, carbon emissions, water usage, and waste are integral to Travel with Purpose, Hilton's comprehensive environmental, social, and governance strategy aimed at promoting responsible travel worldwide."

HOSPITALITY SOFTWARE PROVIDER Canary Technologies recently closed a $50 million Series C funding round to research AI guest technology in the hospitality sector, bringing its total fundraising to nearly $100 million. The company's software includes mobile check-in and checkout, tablet registration, upsells, guest messaging, Canary AI and digital tipping. The recent investment round was led by global software investor Insight Partners, who also led the company's Series B, with participation from existing investors F-Prime Capital, Thayer Ventures, Y-Combinator and Commerce Ventures, Canary said in a statement. California-based Canary is led by CEO Harman Singh Narula and President SJ Sawhney. "AI is transforming the way we live, work and travel," said Narula. "Canary is at the forefront of delivering enterprise-grade hospitality AI solutions that empower hoteliers to streamline operations, boost efficiency and elevate the guest experience, This funding milestone is a reflection of the team's hard work and the immense impact that Canary is making for hoteliers, including many of the world's largest enterprise hotel brands. We continue to see significant demand in the market for our products and are excited to extend our partnership with existing investors."

THE HISTORY OF Indian immigrants in the U.S. could fill several books, but Mahendra Doshi has captured a core aspect of it with his book "Surat to San Francisco: How the Patels from Gujarat Established the Hotel Business in California 1942-1960." The book is, as the title says, the story of the individuals who first left their home for a roundabout journey to the American Dream. Doshi is journalist in San Jose, California, not a businessman himself, but he is originally from Vadia in the Indian state of Gujarat. His family moved to Calcutta in West Bengal where Doshi earned degrees from Presidency College and the University of Calcutta before moving to the U.S. in 1967 and eventual graduated with a master's degree from the University of Nevada, Reno. "I have never even thought of business. I had a degree in journalism and I did marketing work for General Motors. That's where I made my living for 30 years," Doshi said. "At the same time, I pursued my journalistic impulses. I wrote for mostly all those ethnic papers, Indian ethnic papers like India Times of Chicago and India West and India Post." Doshi also published two "Who's Who among Indians" lists in 1976 and 1981. That whet his appetite for exploring his people's history.

U.S. EXTENDED-STAY HOTELS room supply increased by 3.2 percent in May, slightly above the average monthly rise over the past two years, according to The Highland Group. May marked the 32nd consecutive month with supply growth at 4 percent or less, and the annual supply increase has been under 2 percent for two years. However, both metrics remain well below the long-term average. The 12.8 percent increase in economy extended-stay supply, along with smaller gains in mid-price and upscale segments, is primarily due to conversions, the report said. New construction in the economy segment accounts for only about 3 percent of rooms opened compared to a year ago.

FF&E PROVIDER HÄFELE and Like Magic, a guest experience platform, are producing a new multifunctional hotel room concept. The "Work and Sleep" concept allows hotel operators to transform rooms into offices, meeting spaces and other functional areas using digitally enabled furniture, fitting solutions and specialized software. Work and Sleep integrates a booking engine, guest platform, employee interface and monitoring tools into one central hub, streamlining hotel management, the companies said in a joint statement. It will combine Like Magic's guest and employee experience platform with Häfele's hardware systems, the statement said. The collaboration aims to introduce new revenue models by activating otherwise vacant rooms while reducing outfitting costs. "Our goal is to lead the way in hotel industry innovation with our forward-thinking concepts," said Gregor Riekena, Häfele's CEO. "We are currently testing these new ideas at the ibis Styles Hotel in Nagold, Germany, which serves as a valuable proving ground for our initiatives. This innovation not only allows us to gather essential insights and refine our concepts, but also demonstrates our commitment to pushing the boundaries of what modern hotels can offer. By continuously evolving and enhancing our solutions, we aim to set new standards for guest experience and operational efficiency."

U.S. HOTEL INDUSTRY reported lower performance results in the first week of June from the previous week, according to CoStar. However, there was slightly positive comparisons year over year. All key metrics including occupancy, RevPAR and ADR were down compared to prior week. Occupancy declined to 62 percent for the week ending June 1, down from 67.7 percent the prior week, reflecting a 0.9 percent year-over-year increase. ADR decreased to $150.87 from $160.67, yet still showed a 0.1 percent increase compared to last year. RevPAR stood at $93.50, a decline from the previous week's $108.73, but marking a 1 percent increase compared to the same period in 2023. Among the top 25 markets, New Orleans experienced the highest year-over-year occupancy increase, rising 17.8 percent to 66.8 percent.

THE U.S. LEADS the global full-service hotel pipeline in the first quarter of 2024 with 2,272 projects and 341,854 rooms, accounting for 41 percent of all planned or under-construction hotels worldwide, according to Lodging Econometrics. Dallas and Los Angeles are among the top five cities globally in the pipeline. The global pipeline totals 15,366 projects and 2,382,195 rooms, marking a year-over-year increase of 6 percent in projects and 3 percent in rooms. LE's Q1 2024 Global Hotel Construction Pipeline Trend Report showed a record high in global room counts and a significant rise in full-service projects by the end of the first quarter. In the first quarter, there are 6,195 projects and 1,101,602 rooms under construction worldwide, the report said. Projects set to start within the next 12 months total 3,840 projects and 528,251 rooms, an 8 percent increase in projects and a 5 percent increase in rooms year-over-year. Early planning stage projects and rooms have reached all-time highs at 5,331 projects and 752,342 rooms, rising 12 percent and 9 percent year-over-year, respectively.

Lisa Jordan is the new vice president of marketing at Red Roof. She will lead the development and execution of the company's marketing and digital strategies to drive business growth. Jordan joined the company in 2021 and led the integrated digital marketing team, working on the company's web, advertising, and social media platforms. Jordan played a role in enhancing redroof.com and collaborated across communication, sales, revenue management, and operations to elevate the customer experience and boost revenue, Red Roof said in a statement. "Lisa is a powerful asset on our leadership team and a secret weapon in our marketing mix," said Marina MacDonald, Red Roof's chief marketing officer. "Her promotion is right for the company and a reflection of the value she brings to this critical function, and I know that she will succeed in her new role."

AAHOA recently appointed Viral Patel, Central Midwest regional director, and Nilesh Patel, director at large Eastern Division, to its board of directors for 2024-2025 term. "We are thrilled to welcome Viral Patel and Nilesh Patel to the AAHOA board of directors," said Miraj Patel, AAHOA's chairman. "Their proven leadership and deep-rooted commitment to the hospitality industry make them invaluable additions. Undoubtedly, their expertise will greatly benefit AAHOA and the entire hospitality community as we, the board of directors, continue to advocate for our members as we build tomorrow today." AAHOA recently rebranded its Regional Conferences and Trade Shows as "Hotel Owners Conferences & Trade Shows". The event will focus on initiatives like HerOwnership and HYPE roundtables, fostering connections among industry leaders to promote positive change and empower women and the next generation of leaders.

HILTON HOTELS & RESORTS retained its title as the world's most valuable hotel brand for the ninth consecutive year, while Hyatt Hotels Corp. secured the second spot again, according to the latest data from Brand Finance. Meanwhile, India's Taj Hotels is the world's second-fastest-growing brand, primarily due to revenue growth and improved brand strength. Hilton's brand value is estimated at $11.6 billion in the Brand Finance Global 500 2024 ranking. Hyatt holds a value of $6 billion, and Taj increased its brand value by 45 percent to $545 million, Brand Finance said in a statement. "Many top hotel brands have struggled to grow their brand value as robustly as in the years leading up to 2020, and the Brand Finance Hotels 2024 ranking shows that these challenges are ongoing as the industry recovers," said Henry Farr, Brand Finance's associate director. "Despite an uptick in travel and hotel demand, the actual growth hasn't matched expectations, resulting in slight declines or minimal brand value growth for the world's leading hotel brands."

OKLAHOMA CITY HOTELIER Hemant Shantilal Mistry died on June 23 following an assault in his motel parking lot the previous night. Richard Lewis, 41, was arrested in connection with the attack in which police say he punched Mistry, who died from the impact. Mistry, 59, an AAHOA member, is the second Indo American hotelier this year to die from on-duty violence following the murder of Pravin R. Patel, owner of the Hillcrest Motel in Sheffield, Alabama, in February. A video of the assault has gone viral on social media, showing Mistry in a white t-shirt arguing with Lewis in a sky blue t-shirt. The argument escalates, culminating in Lewis punching Mistry in the face. Mistry collapses as Lewis walks away. Police found Mistry unconscious around 10:00 pm and transported him to a nearby hospital, where he died at 7:40 pm the following day from his injuries, according to a police report.

The American Hotel & Lodging Association Foundation's third annual "No Room for Trafficking Summit" will take place on July 30, coinciding with the United Nations' World Day Against Trafficking in Persons. The upcoming summit will evaluate the first-year impact of NRFT Survivor Fund grants on nearly 650 human trafficking survivors, AHLA Foundation said in a statement. "In 2022, we launched the NRFT Survivor Fund - a first for the hotel industry - to expand the hotel and lodging industry's efforts to support trafficking survivors," said Anna Blue, AHLA Foundation's president. "Since launching the Survivor Fund, we have grown our total raised to $7.5 million towards our goal of $10 million, and we look forward to awarding $1 million in grants to community-based organizations that support human trafficking survivors at our third annual summit." Last year's NRFT Summit announced the inaugural grantees of the NRFT Survivor Fund, including Safe House Project, BEST, Restore NYC, and the University of Maryland SAFE Center for Human Trafficking Survivors, the statement said. AHLA Foundation also shared data showing the impact of the $500,000 distributed to the four Survivor Grantees.

AAHOA PAST CHAIRMAN Manhar P. "MP" Rama passed away Sunday at age 74. Rama was a co-founder with his brothers of JHM Hotels that later became Auro Hotels in Greenville, South Carolina. Rama was born in Africa and raised in India, according to Auro Hotels. He completed high school in Gurukul Supa, Navsari, and graduated from M.S. University of Baroda with a degree in civil engineering. In 1973, he came to the U.S. and attended California State Polytechnic University in Pomona, California, where he earned a master's degree in engineering. He worked with the city of Pomona before entering the hotel business. "In the teachings of Sri Aurobindo, we learn that life is a journey of the soul, and my brother, M.P., lived this journey with unwavering devotion, love, and integrity," said HP Rama, Founder of JHM/Auro Hotels. "His contributions to our family and the hospitality industry are immeasurable. We will honor his memory by continuing to embody the values he held dear. M.P.'s spirit will remain a guiding light for all of us."

U.S. HOTELS ADDED 700 jobs to their payrolls in June, according to the latest government data, but the nationwide workforce shortage continues to make it difficult for hotels to fill open positions, according to the American Hotel and Lodging Association. Total hotel employment stands at about 1.92 million, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, which is more than 196,000 fewer workers than in February 2020, reflecting a scarcity of available employees. Bureau of Labor Statistics also revised down the total number of hotel jobs in the country, which eliminated job gains for the industry that were reported in prior months, AHLA said in a statement. "Halfway through 2024, the hotel industry is behind where it needs to be when it comes to hiring staff, despite near-record high wages and expanding workplace benefits and flexibility," said Kevin Carey, AHLA's interim president and CEO. "The reason is the nationwide workforce shortage, which is preventing hoteliers from meeting their full potential as demand for travel remains strong. Both Congress and the administration can provide relief to our members, many of whom are small business owners, and AHLA will continue to call for action to expand the pool of available workers."

KNOWLAND RECENTLY LAUNCHED Knowland Select, a tool designed for hotels with limited meeting space. Knowland Select subscribers will receive a curated list of target accounts for upcoming need periods directly to the seller's inbox. The general market release of the product is scheduled for later this summer, Knowland said in a statement. "Knowland Select empowers limited service hotels, hardest hit by the recent travel slowdown, with automated prospecting," said Jeff Bzdawka, Knowland's CEO. "It streamlines prospecting for the segment's diverse hotel teams by directly delivering qualified accounts and contacts to the seller's inbox, boosting productivity and group business growth. Importantly, Knowland Select expands our suite of platform offerings to provide valuable sales intelligence solutions for all hotel sizes and chain scales in a portfolio. And with its accessible price point, it lowers the barrier to entry for automated prospecting at scale and helps hotels unlock a clear return on investment."

The Admiralty Inn & Suites is now open in East Falmouth, Massachusetts. The 97-room upper-midscale hotel, part of The Red Collection, is owned by Sai Vani Corp. led by Mark Patel. It is the second hotel in Cape Cod to be in Red Roof's Red Collection, joining the Mariner Resort in Yarmouth, Massachusetts, Red Roof said in a statement. The recently renovated hotel is near Cape Cod attractions like Falmouth Heights Beach, Martha's Vineyard, Nobska Point Lighthouse, Historic Falmouth Village, Highfield Hall & Gardens, Cape Cod Children's Museum, Woods Hole Science Aquarium, Old Silver Beach, Shining Sea Bikeway, and Beebe Woods, the statement said. The property features a business center, onsite fitness facility, heated indoor swimming pool and seasonal outdoor pool. "Cape Cod is a sought-after region for development and with the opening of the Admiralty Inn & Suites Red Roof now has two Red Collection properties in the region," said Matthew Hostetler, Red Roof's chief development officer. "The brand's offerings-increased amenities at an affordable price point-resonate with consumers and we'll continue our efforts to meet guest demand for Red Roof hotels across the country."