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Isaac Collazo is the new vice president of analytics for STR. Previously, he was vice president of capacity at InterContinental Hotels Group. Previously, Collazo conducted performance analysis, predictive analytics, modeling and macroeconomic interpretation for Marriott International, Promus Hotel Corporation and La Quinta Inns & Suites. He also is a content committee member for STR's Hotel Data Conference. "Isaac will be an immediate voice in conversations around STR methodology as well as our ongoing product development in the CoStar platform," said Amanda Hite, STR president. "Long-term, he'll contribute to the evolution of the holistic solution we will deliver to the industry." Commercial real estate research company CoStar acquired STR in 2019. Collazo called the new position a "dream come true."

COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE direct lender Stonehill recently originated a $79.8 million, three-year, floating-rate bridge loan for New York-based Churchwick Partners for the acquisition of a 12-property, extended-stay hotel portfolio. The deal was premised on the strong performance by extended-stay hotels even during the pandemic. Stonehill is an affiliate of Peachtree Hotel Group, led by Jatin Desai and Mitul Patel as managing principals. The deal includes 1,432 rooms in nine states, mostly Sonesta Hotels brands. "Our sponsors benefit from experienced real estate lenders able to originate and close complex transactions," said Nick Baer, Stonehill's vice president for business development. "With funding options from traditional lenders limited for hotels and other commercial real estate properties, we are pleased to provide Churchwick Partners with the lending solution, financial capacity and hospitality expertise to close this transaction in a challenging capital market environment."

From the courtroom to the halls of Congress, Laura Lee Blake has been representing AAHOA in some capacity for more than a decade now. For the past year she has served as the organization's president and CEO, and recently she sat for Asian Hospitality's Leadership Series to discuss the issues facing the association today. Those issues include the promotion of franchise reform, programs to advance women in the hotel industry and her future plans in her role at AAHOA. Blake's work for the association began well before her current appointment. Making the decision Blake, who is an attorney, worked with AAHOA from 2005 to 2014, then left to return to her law firm in Newport Beach, California. She had just started a trial on a big case when AAHOA offered her the president position.

Pradip Bhol is now promoted as the cluster director of engineering at Courtyard By Marriott Surat, following his tenure as chief engineer. In the new capacity, he will oversee operations at Courtyard By Marriott Surat, Surat Marriott Hotel, Auro University, and forthcoming projects at Earth Space, Courtyard Surat said in a statement. Courtyard Surat is managed by Gujarat JHM Hotels and owned by the U.S.-based Auro Hotels, founded by the Rama family. "Pradip's promotion is a testament to his remarkable contributions and underscores Courtyard By Marriott Surat's commitment to recognizing and empowering talent within its ranks," said Vikas Sharma, Courtyard Surat's area general manager. "His leadership will undoubtedly chart new heights of success and further solidify the cluster's position. " Bhol has previously worked at Hyatt Hotels Corp., Accor, Lemon Tree Hotels, and Marriott International, the statement added.

THE KABANI HOTEL Group arranged the off-market sale of a 110-room independent hotel in Miami Springs, Florida, for $16.2 million, or $147,272 per room. The 110-room, six-story property, recently updated, is near Miami International Airport and nine miles from Brickell and Downtown Miami. Kabani, led by Ahmed Kabani as president and CEO, and Luis Garino as a partner, brokered the sale of the 1986-built property on behalf of the seller. Despite the current headwinds in the market, such as elevated interest rates and rising insurance costs, we were able to source an international institutional buyer with the capacity to close the deal on favorable terms and aggressive pricing, Kabani Hotel said in a statement.

PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN signed the "American Relief Act, HR 10545" into law Saturday morning, preventing a government shutdown just before Christmas and ensuring funding through March 14. The American Hotel & Lodging Association praised lawmakers for averting a disruption that could have affected holiday travel and left millions of federal employees furloughed or unpaid. However, AHLA said the year-end deal excluded the lodging fee transparency provisions for which hotel industry associations had advocated. "The bipartisan funding bill I just signed keeps the government open and delivers urgently needed disaster relief and funds to rebuild the Francis Scott Key Bridge," Biden said. "This agreement represents a compromise, meaning neither side got everything it wanted, but it rejects the accelerated tax cut for billionaires that Republicans sought and ensures the government can continue to operate at full capacity. That's good news for the American people, especially as families gather this holiday season."

U.S. HOTELS AIM to tap a surge in Indian tourists to boost revenue as domestic leisure spending slows and demand from East Asia remains below pre-pandemic levels, according to a Reuters report. Some hotels have adapted to Indian preferences by offering amenities like chai, samosas, and Indian TV channels. The growing Indian middle class, higher travel budgets, and increased flight capacity are driving the country's international travel boom, according to the report. Nearly 1.9 million Indian tourists visited the U.S. in the first ten months of 2024, a 48 percent increase from 2019, Reuters reported, citing data from the U.S. National Travel and Tourism Office. The surge was driven by a 50 percent rise in visas issued for business visits and a 43.5 percent increase for leisure.

Recognised as the most punctual airport in the UK, London City Airport (LCY) has received consent to extend its aviation capacity under a £200m ($310m) expansion programme. The airport submitted a planning application to the London Borough of Newham for the City Airport Development Programme (CADP) to expand its current infrastructure, in September 2013.