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THE NEW YORK City government implemented new regulations last week, enabling oversight of short-term rentals. These rules now mandate hosts to register with the city when renting their homes for less than 30 days, and AAHOA issued a statement supporting the law. Under this rule as of Sept. 5, platforms such as Airbnb, Vrbo, and Booking.com are required to confirm a host's registration approval before processing fees. Failing to register a rental listing could lead to penalties of up to $1,500 per transaction for these platforms, while hosts themselves face potential fines of up to $5,000. "[The Mayor's Office of Special Enforcement]'s initial phase of Local Law 18 enforcement will focus on collaborating with the booking platforms to ensure they are using the city's verification system, that all verifications are occurring correctly, and that the platforms stop processing unverified transactions," said the OSE's website.

CHOICE HOTELS INTERNATIONAL is implementing "Choice Direct Pay," a system that allows corporate customers to make reservations for their employees and guests at multiple Choice hotels. The new system then bills the companies directly through a single, centralized invoice. Choice Direct Pay also would provide weekly consolidated invoicing so corporate travelers can pay for all stays at one time. Users can download and manage their invoice data through an individualized online portal, and centralized customer support can help with the enrollment process, check the status of payments and invoices and resolve issues with charges. The program also allows users to add project costs and department codes to bills to further simplify the reconciliation process. They also can access to existing negotiated and chainwide rates and search for participating hotels, as well as adjust their stay dates.

WITH A GRAND procession through the streets of his home village of Sarona, India, shared online in a video, Jayanti P. "J.P." Rama left this world as a legend among his peers. The former AAHOA chairman and longtime hotelier left a legacy that will last for decades with the younger generation he mentored and inspired. Rama died Feb. 17 while visiting family in Ahmedabad, India, at the age of 74. He was co-founder of JHM Hotels, now Greenville, South Carolina-based auroHOTELS, which now is run by his son, D.J. Rama. He is survived also by his daughter, Rita Rama Patel, wife Ilaben (Laxmiben) Rama and brothers, Hasmukh "H.P." Rama, Manhar "M.P." Rama and Raman "R.P." Rama, all of whom traveled to India for the funeral. For those friends and family of Rama who could not attend the actual ceremony, Auro University in Surat, a private university founded by the Rama family and auroHOTELS, has posted a video on YouTube. Tributes to Rama also continued to come in, as seen below.

CHOICE HOTELS INTERNATIONAL ended its bid to acquire Wyndham Hotels & Resorts after its exchange offer expired Friday. Both companies released statements saying they will now focus on their standalone strategies. Choice also announced that it would withdraw its nominees for Wyndham's board of directors. Last week it made a last effort to encourage Wyndham shareholders to tender shares for the acquisition but still failed to gather sufficient support for the deal. "Since beginning this process in April 2023, Choice has attempted to engage in good-faith negotiations with Wyndham through numerous different avenues, including increasing the proposed offer multiple times and expressing an openness to further enhancing the offer with due diligence, offering a one-way NDA to share its confidential information with Wyndham, and offering above-market regulatory protections," the company said. "Given Wyndham's refusal to constructively and substantively engage on terms, Choice took the extraordinary step of launching the exchange offer to initiate the regulatory review process and engage with Wyndham stockholders. While the support from Wyndham stockholders tendering into the exchange offer was significant considering the number of investors structurally prevented from participating at this stage, it was not sufficient for Choice to conclude - particularly when taking into account the Wyndham board's obvious continuing disinterest in a combination - that a path towards a transaction is available at this time."

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The My Place Hotel-Green Bay is now open in Green Bay, Wisconsin. It is owned by Asharam, LLC led by Principal Atul Patel. The 64-room extended-stay hotel is the 61st My Place hotel in the U.S. and the second in Wisconsin. It is part of My Place's Trend Hotels & Suites brand launched earlier this year. It is near Lambeau Field, home of the Green Bay Packers. "My Place is the perfect fit for this area. With a seamless building and opening process, we are excited to continue bringing family like hospitality to our guests," said Patel. Terry Kline, My Place executive vice president for franchise sales, said the My Place Hotel-Green Bay is suited to the current COVID-19 pandemic crisis. "As we continue to make sense of the new normal that continues to change around us, we look forward to the bright future ahead of us as we inspire future guests with our spirit of hospitality in Green Bay," said Kline.

PEOPLE ARE SHOWING a desire to get back to travel, but within certain limits, according to a Reuters Events Travel webinar. The webinar featured information on the current state of the industry from IHG Hotels & Resorts, Visit California and digital consultancy Appnovation. Whether planning, booking or experiencing a vacation, today's travelers are more cautious than ever and are taking more time to research plans and are using digital tools for it, according to the webinar titled "Destination Experience: Driven by Data, Inspired by Travelers." As many as 41 percent of respondents to a survey from Appnovation cited a readiness to travel out of state or province, while only 19 percent were ready for international trips. Almost half of Americans, 49 percent, are likely to travel out of state and 24 percent are likely to travel internationally. "With data, brands are much better equipped to understand these shifts, and use their marketing tools more effectively. In short, you can't innovate properly until you innovate on your internal processes," said Anton Morrison, vice president of user experience and design, Appnovation.

HILTON HAS LAUNCHED a new extended-stay brand, Project H3, designed to meet the needs of the rapidly expanding $300 billion workforce travel market, looking for apartment-style accommodations for 20 nights or more. Launching in the U.S. as Hilton navigates the final stages of the trademark process, this lower midscale, extended-stay brand is the newest addition to Hilton's portfolio, the company said in a statement. Hilton is engaged in more than 100 active development conversations with many owners expressing interest in multiple locations. According to the statement, the product provides a foundation for the long stay, allowing guests to make the most out of every day, and delivers an exciting investment option for developers looking to diversify their portfolio under the Hilton name. "Project H3 is perfectly positioned to serve the unique needs of the long-stay traveler, thanks to its innovative design, strong value proposition for our owners and of course, the hospitality our team members offer every day," said Chris Nassetta, Hilton president and CEO. "We aim to serve any guest, anywhere in the world, for any travel need they may have, and this new brand represents a greater opportunity for us to grow our portfolio while providing the reliable and friendly service our customers expect from Hilton." Hilton's in-house research shows long-stay travelers, including traveling nurses, military personnel, and those experiencing workforce relocations, place quality time and comfort above all else. In addition, those looking for a long stay will book an average of 20 or more nights and desire a reliable home base that allows them to maintain their routines while delivering simplicity, consistency and convenience.

NATALIE ROBINSON IS now vice president of people and culture for Peachtree Group. Also, the Atlanta-based company, led by Jatin Desai and Mitul Patel as managing principals, also says it's on the way to a record year for new hotel construction. Good with people Previously, Robinson was the human resource director of title company OS National, according to Peachtree Group. She began her career developing accounting and billing policies and procedures, as well as human resources systems for two Atlanta law firms. She holds a bachelor's degree in sociology and criminal justice from the University of Georgia. "It's an exciting time at Peachtree as our organization expands and evolves," said Vivian Clarke, Peachtree's senior vice president of people and culture. "Natalie's strong leadership skills will advance our culture, drive our growth and talent strategy, and strengthen our reputation as an employer of choice. We are proud of Peachtree's high team member engagement, and the company culture built and recognize the opportunity to improve our people processes and discipline as we further scale the business." Peachtree made several changes to its structure and leadership in September.

SONESTA INTERNATIONAL HOTELS Corp. recently launched Sonesta Essential, a new upper-midscale select-service brand. The company now offers 15 brands. Sonesta Essential is meant to offer easier new builds and conversions with modest brand standards, limited food and beverage requirements and simplified conversion processes, according to the company. "Sonesta Essential is a fresh, new brand carefully designed by Sonesta to deliver a core selection of services compared with other hospitality experiences," said Brian Quinn, Sonesta chief development officer. "With tremendous demand in the select-service category, we are confident that Sonesta Essential will become a leading brand in an exciting, timely and relevant segment." The first two Sonesta Essential hotels will be a franchise in Vacaville, California, which is set to open in late spring 2023, and a managed property in Chattanooga, Tennessee, which will be converted from a Sonesta Select in the fall of 2023.

CONTACTLESS CHECK-IN TECHNOLOGY firm Virdee is now integrated with commerce technology platform FreedomPay. The companies will offer a PCI-validated, point-to-point encryption solution with EMV, NFC, currency conversion and real-time data capabilities. The transition will help Virdee to offer end-to-end protection for credit card payments made through FreedomPay's cloud-based payments platform. It also provided FreedomPay compatibility with Virdee's check-in/check-out process with software for identity verification, payment collection, access control and remote support, according to Virdee. "Our integration with Virdee offers our customers expanded options, flexibility and, most important, security," said Chris Kronenthal, president of FreedomPay. "We help streamline and simplify complex payment options, while providing a single flow of data to facilitate consumer insights and engagement for our hotel clients. We're proud to partner with best-in-class solution providers, like Virdee, as we work together to revolutionize hotel operations and guest-facing technologies."

THIRD-PARTY HOSPITALITY management company Twenty Four Seven Hotels has added four California hotels to its West Coast portfolio, a statement said. A member of the Newport Beach, California-based company's executive team said it's part of a controlled growth strategy. The new properties are the 128-room Hyatt House Sacramento/Midtown, the 112-room Hyatt Place Newark/Silicon Valley, the 90-room Hampton Inn & Suites Marina and the 119-room Holiday Inn Express Chino Hills. Currently, the firm is providing pre-opening services and these properties are expected to be fully operational in December, the statement added. "We continue to expand our management footprint throughout California, with these four additions bringing our total Golden State portfolio to twenty. By focusing exclusively on the West Coast, our area operational expertise is unparalleled. This also allows for the ability to more readily share best practices and enact economies of scale," said David Wani, CEO, Twenty Four Seven Hotels. "Twenty Four Seven Hotels provides a full-suite of services, starting at the earliest phases of the pre-construction process to create advantages over companies acquiring or assuming operations at a later stage."

MORE THAN A week after Hurricane Ian devastated parts of Florida, AAHOA is on the ground providing aid and training for members. Hoteliers in affected areas are now in the process of working with insurance companies to repair damages while also taking care of their communities' basic needs. On Sept. 28, Hurricane Ian brought massive flooding from its storm surge in Florida, where at least 119 people died as of Oct. 18, according to NPR. According to AAHOA, 65 percent of hotels in Florida are owned by its members. Rahul Patel, AAHOA's Florida director, owns five properties in the Fort Myers-Sarasota area. He was at his America's Best Value Inn in Fort Myers, Florida, during the hurricane.

STONEHILL PACE, THE Property Assessed Clean Energy financing division of Stonehill, has provided $16.3 million in its first commercial property assessed clean energy (C-PACE) financing in Washington, a statement said. The loan is for the Cornus House, a new 199-unit multifamily project with 1,233 square feet of retail development in Tacoma, Washington. The C-PACE financing is over a 30-year term and will fund lighting, covered process, seismic and qualifying soft costs, according to Stonehill PACE. The project development is expected to start before the year end and is scheduled to be finished by Nov. 1, 2024. "For eligible projects, C-PACE financing remains one of the more attractive venues to get a project over the finish line," said Jared Schlosser, Stonehill's senior vice president and head of Stonehill PACE. "The Cornus House is a great project in a strong market led by a savvy ownership group with 30-plus years of commercial real estate experience and a portfolio of more than 800 apartments. This C-PACE financing is the final piece to complete the financing puzzle."

Phil Norman is executive vice-president of people resources and development for third-party hospitality management company Twenty Four Seven Hotels. Previously, he was chief human resources officer with Canyon Ranch where he operated human resources functions for 1,840 U.S. employees across hotels and cruise ships. Norman will provide oversight for talent management, including leadership development, organizational capability and change management in this newly created role, the company said. He also held similar positions as human resources director at the Homestead, America's oldest resort property dating to 1766, and the Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa, where he oversaw 1,250 team members, while ensuring safety and building an inclusive environment. "With 35 years of hospitality human resources experience, Phil is the ideal candidate to take over our people resources and development team as well as provide immediate support to our on-property teams," said David Wani, CEO for Twenty Four Seven Hotels. "His performance at both the hotel and corporate levels has been amazing, creating workplaces where every associate is gratified by their work and where they feel they belong. Phil's reputation of aligning systems and processes and his focus on workplace culture create the potential for exceptional stakeholder returns and in turn support the growth of the company."

Melissa Ross Smith is now chief operating officer for Peachtree Group. She will be responsible for the overall performance, strategy and organizational development of Peachtree and its operating businesses. Before joining Peachtree, Smith held several high-level positions at organizations. Most recently, Smith was managing director of OS National, where she managed more than 250 professionals and was responsible for evaluating performance management systems and devising improvements to strengthen controls and optimize results, Peachtree said in a statement. "As Peachtree continues to evolve, improving our foundational processes is imperative to the future growth of our business," said Greg Friedman, managing principal and CEO of Peachtree Group. "Melissa is an excellent complement to our team as she has an exceptional blend of leadership, vision and execution needed to be Peachtree's COO." Smith will report to Friedman, and will be a key executive team member, Peachtree's statement said. Peachtree Group is led by Jatin Desai and Mitul Patel as managing principals. "I am deeply impressed by Peachtree's success," Smith said. "Not only am I excited about the future opportunities, knowing that I can help execute and bring operational excellence across all segments, but I am also pleased to be joining an executive team representing some of the best people in commercial real estate."

VIRDEE, THE CONTACTLESS check-in technology firm, secured $12.4 million in an oversubscribed Series A funding round led by Moneta Ventures, bringing its total funding to $21 million. These funds will be used to finance research, expand product features, grow the workforce, and strengthen the company's presence in the hospitality sector, the company said. Other participants in the latest fundraising process include Silverton Partners, Koch Real Estate Investments, Alumni Ventures, DJR Advisors, Capital Factory, and strategic partners, Virdee said. This investment follows Series Seed financing led by Silverton Partners in February 2022 and a 2020 angel investment led by Rajiv Trivedi, former brand president for Wyndham Hotels & Resorts Inc.'s La Quinta Inn and chairman of TST Capital.

MIT SHAH-LED NOBLE Investment Group topped the "2023 Best Places to Work in Money Management" awards by the investment news portal Pensions & Investments. The selection process involved a thorough evaluation of workplace policies, practices, and employee feedback, with combined insights playing a key role in identifying top companies in the industry, Noble said in a statement. Shah, Noble's founder and CEO, expressed honor in being named to the list. "We take pride in the ongoing recognition of Noble's culture, emphasizing excellence, inclusivity, and professional growth," Shah said. "Our team, our greatest strength, shares a dedication to fostering an environment that values and supports one another, as reflected in this honor." "As their employees attest, companies on this year's Best Places to Work list showcase a commitment to cultivating a robust workplace culture," said P&I Executive Editor Julie Tatge. "Even amid challenges like volatile markets and ongoing pandemic stress, employees noted strong support from their managers, empowering them to perform at their best."

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. STATE Department has indefinitely extended a program allowing consular offices to waive in-person interviews for low-risk non-immigrant visa applicants who apply within 48 months of their most recent visa's expiration. Initially scheduled to conclude on Dec. 31, the program will now persist without a specified end date, undergoing regular reviews. This policy applies to consular offices globally. Under the updated program rules, the State Department anticipates the pool of applicants eligible for an interview waiver will at least double, the U.S. Department of State said in a statement. From October 2022 to September 2023, the State Department issued a near-record 10.4 million non-immigrant visas worldwide, partly attributed to interview waiver authority. "Interview waiver authorities have significantly reduced visa appointment wait times at embassies and consulates," the State Department said. "In Fiscal Year 2022, almost half of the nearly seven million non-immigrant visas issued by the Department were processed without an in-person interview. This success in reducing global visa wait times, particularly post-pandemic closures, is ongoing, with continued efforts to swiftly minimize wait times, including for first-time tourist visa applicants."