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THE HOTEL PROPERTY types most associated with business travel, upper upscale hotels, are well represented in the U.S. hotel construction pipeline. The volume of projects in the segment points to confidence in the future of business travel, according to STR. "Upper upscale saw the slowest recovery, but a steady climb in performance and the business travel indicators have supported developer confidence in the segment," said Isaac Collazo, STR's vice president for analytics. "The more than 23,000 upper upscale rooms in construction right now represent 3.4 percent of the segment's existing supply. That is well above the long-term growth average, up 2 percent in the U.S." According to STR, a total 154,284 rooms were under construction in March, down 0.5 percent compared to the same period last year. As many as 239,995 rooms are in the final planning state, an increase of 34.6 percent over last year. STR pipeline data showed that 232,517 rooms are under planning, a decline of 21.6 percent compared to March 2022. After three consecutive month-over-month increases, the overall number of U.S. rooms in construction fell slightly in March, which aligns with patterns in previous years. Among the chain scale segments, luxury shows the highest number of rooms as a percentage of existing supply. Luxury segment reports the highest increase in hotel construction in March, up 5.2 percent containing 7,136 rooms, followed by upscale, up 4.1 percent with 36,089 rooms and upper midscale, increased 3.7 percent containing 43,470 rooms.

THE COLLECTIVE RECOVERY indices of U.S. extended-stay hotels exceeded 100 percent in November for the first time in 2021, according to hotel investment advisors Highland Group. The strongest gains were reported by mid-price and upscale extended-stay hotels. Economy extended-stay hotels continue to lead the RevPAR recovery during the month with a 22 percent gain compared to two years ago, according to "U.S. Extended-stay Hotels Bulletin: November 2021" report from the Highland Group. According to the report, the 4 percent increase in extended-stay room supply in November tied with October as the lowest monthly gain in 2021. "The impact to supply growth from reopening hotels closed during the pandemic is effectively over. Early indications are that mid-price and upscale supply growth should be well below pre-pandemic levels during the near term," the report said. "The overall hotel industry lost far more revenue than extended-stay hotels in 2020, so it is now recovering revenue more quickly." STR reported that all hotel room revenue was up 110 percent in November compared to a year ago.

FOUR HOTELS HAVE converted to the AmeriVu brand founded in 2015 by Wisconsin hotelier Nick Rai. Amerivu is now part of Atlanta-based Hospitality Lodging Systems. The 51-room AmeriVu Inn & Suites in Cisago City, Minnesota, is a conversion from a Comfort Inn. Nearby attractions include Bloom Lake Barn wedding venue, Wild Mountain Ski Area, Trollhaugen Outdoor Recreation Area, Cedar Lake Speedway and Somerset Amphitheater. Amenities include an indoor heated pool with hot tub and is ADA accessible. "In the post-COVID environment, hotel owners don't want to work hard to recover and rebound, just so they can send bigger checks to their brand," said Doug Collins, Chairman and CEO of HLS. "Instead, more owners are deciding to work smarter - by switching to a brand that keeps hard-earned money in their pocket." In 2017, Rai opened the 40-room AmeriVu Hotel in Cumberland, Wisconsin, the 42-room AmeriVu in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, and two other conversions.

COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE direct lender and Peachtree Group affiliate, Stonehill, completed $1.2 billion in investments in 2022. Most were through loan originations and commercial property assessed clean energy financing primarily in the hospitality and retail sectors, a statement said. The investment includes $813 million in loans and $163 million as CPACE financing and the remaining $269 million was distributed across the industrial, land, mixed-use, multifamily, office and senior living real estate sectors, the company said. Stonehill said that its 2023 target is $1.5 billion and expects to invest $300 million in the first quarter. "Economic volatility coupled with uncertainty surrounding interest rates has severely decreased overall financing availability with capital providers. However, Stonehill not requiring capital markets execution has allowed it to remain active and to fill the gap in lending supply," said Mat Crosswy, Stonehill president and principal. In May 2022, Stonehill formed Stonehill CRE with Daniel Siegel as president to expand its commercial lending business. It focuses on heavy transitional assets and sectors of the credit market that are traditionally undersupplied. "We have spent years working on our capital formation, specifically so that we can be active and grab market share during periods of economic uncertainty. Also, by building our CPACE division in 2019, which completed $235 million in CPACE financing for the year, and now with Stonehill CRE, we are better positioned to provide lending solutions to a multitude of the market's current inefficiencies," said Crosswy.

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.

The Hyatt House Denver/Aurora is now open in Aurora, Colorado. It is owned by with Chattanooga based Vision Hospitality Group, led by Mitch Patel president and CEO, and BMC Investments Co., LLC. The 140-room extended-stay hotel is nearthe Anschutz Medical Campus, Children's Hospital Colorado, Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center, minutes from Buckley Air Force Base, Aurora Sports Park, Aurora Reservoir and it is 17 miles from Denver International Airport. Amenities include The Commons and the Outdoor Commons social gathering areas, a fitness center and more than 1,800 square feet of meeting space. Additional services including guest laundry and complimentary grocery shopping for extended-stay guests. The property will be managed by Humanist Hospitality, the hotel management division of Vision Hospitality. "We know our property compliments the businesses in the market along with travelers looking for a hotel in the Aurora area, whether they are staying for a few days or an extended time," said General Manager Deacon Cottrell.

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.

THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY needs to re-focus its efforts to meet future staffing requirements if it is to increase interest by job seekers, according to consulting firm HVS. At the moment, the hospitality industry is a jobseeker's market and likely to stay that way for the next year or two. Hence, industry leaders should adapt to survive, said Court Williams, CEO of HVS Executive Search in New York in an article titled 'How to Resolve the Current State of Emergency in Hospitality Employment'. Williams stated that "successful recovery from the pandemic will depend on revising every aspect of sourcing, attracting, compensating, incentivizing, and retaining workers." "The hospitality industry has seen a decrease in staff as many people have found alternate career paths as a result of the impacts of COVID-19. Historical talent shortages are being exacerbated by staff quitting in droves as the world returns to work," Williams said in the article. "Now, the onus is on companies to show employees why they should apply for jobs or stay in their current positions."

The GLō Tulsa East Route 66 is now open in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the first of Best Western Hotels & Resorts' new-build boutique brand to open in the state. It is owned by Champion Hotels Group, led by founder Champak "Champ" Patel, and Jain Hotels led by CEO Jayesh Jain. The 70-room hotel is near the Tulsa Port of Catoosa and Tulsa International Airport. Other nearby attractions include the Tulsa Zoo, Oklahoma Aquarium, ONEOK Field, BOK Center, The Gathering Place, LaFortune Park, Rogers Point park and the Catoosa Activity Center. Hotel amenities include a meeting area and workspaces as well as a fitness center. "This hotel is the perfect addition to the Catoosa and Tulsa area," Patel said. "We are thrilled to introduce the GLō brand to Oklahoma," Jain said. "This property provides the ideal boutique look and feel with the modern amenities and service offerings today's travelers expect."

Aiden by Best Western @ Warm Springs Hotel and Event Center is now open in Warm Springs, Georgia. The 50-acre mountain-top resort is owned by Kathy Patel. The 52-room hotel is one hour away from south of Atlanta. Nearby are the Little White House of President Franklin Roosevelt and F.D. Roosevelt State Park, the Wild Animal Safari and Full Circle Animal Sanctuary, Great Wolf Lodge, Warm Springs Vineyard and Winery and Fitzgerald Fruit Farms. "We are very excited to bring a bold boutique hotel to Warm Springs," said Patel. "Our hotel brings a new lodging choice that is unlike anything else in the area, and we look forward to welcoming guets with our selection of modern amenities and exemplary service."

BEST WESTERN HOTELS & Resort executives say the company is riding a wave of success that brought its members to Hawaii for its 2023 Annual Convention. Best Western benefited from budgeting for a forecasted recession that now seems unlikely this year, and saw continued growth domestically and internationally with India "top of mind." Other topics addressed during the convention at Hilton Hawaiian Village in Honolulu last week include the strategy to be followed by Joelle Park, Best Western's newly hired senior vice president and chief marketing officer. Also, the company's new program to advance women in hotel ownership was getting under way. Making waves Larry Cuculic, president and CEO, opened the conference giving details on the company's performance. "The Big Wave reflects the surge that BWH Hotels has made in the travel industry and how we are making 'big waves' together all over the world," Cuculic said. "Our Big Wave has rippled through our organization, our industry, and our lives, touching our guests, our communities, and leaving a rich legacy of success."

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.

The Best Western Houston Bush Intercontinental Airport is now open in Humble, Texas, following a comprehensive renovation. Previously it was a Baymont by Wyndham. The 52-room hotel is owned by Houston-based Wayside Investment Group, led by Miraj Patel as president. It is near the Houston Bush Intercontinental Airport as well as several restaurants, the Deerbrook Mall, Jess H. Jones Parks and the Old MacDonald's Farm. Amenities include a fitness center, meeting room, guest laundry and business center. It is pet friendly. "We are thrilled to open this newly renovated hotel and join the community by offering visitors traveling the Houston-area, a new and memorable travel experience." said Patel. "The transformational enhancements to this acquisition continues to demonstrates our commitment to value creation and best-in-class guest satisfaction."

The Staybridge Suites in Duluth, Georgia, is now open. The hotel, owned and operated by Duluth Capital Investments led by Sonial Patel as principal, is the first Staybridge Suites in the country using the brand's new "Next Generation 7.0" design that incorporates elements to protect against COVID-19. The 99-room, 5-story hotel has more open room in its public spaces for social distancing, which is strictly enforced. It features no contact check in / check out, as well as extensive disinfecting as part of InterContinental Hotel Group's "Clean Promise" program, including completely cleaning each suite with an electrostatic sprayer. Guests select their housekeeping schedule to further avoid contact.

Recently, Larry Cuculic, president and CEO of BWH Hotel Group, sat down with Asian Hospitality to share his insights into the status of the Best Western Hotel brand and the industry as a whole. A video of the entire interview, the first in Asian Hospitality's "Leadership Series," is now available on the magazine's website. Subjects included the labor crisis, attracting new franchisees and the state of the economy. Below are excerpts from the interview along with additional information on the subjects discussed, including franchise relations, the labor crisis and changes the company has seen since his appointment to the top role. Franchise relations One of the biggest issues Cuculic discusses in the interview is maintaining positive relations with Best Western franchisees. He emphasized the need for openness and transparency. "We disclose all of our contract terms throughout the negotiation. I tell our people, I believe in karma," Cuculic said in the Leadership Series interview. "Karma doesn't forget a name or an address. If you treat someone who's thinking about coming into your brand reasonably fairly, and then when they sign a contract, you drive revenue to them, that's a win-win relationship. That's what we want. If you don't have that win-win relationship, they're going to leave and your reputation is that you don't support your hoteliers or believe in that relationship, which then hinders development." Cuculic said his training at West Point Military Academy and law school at Notre Dame University instilled in him an innate sense of fairness. Also, due to its structure, the company has to involve its members in every decision. "I'm the president, CEO of Best Western, I cannot design a governance change," Cuculic said. "The members vote on all those changes. Our board of directors approves our contracts."

The SureStay Hotel by Best Western Floresville is now open in Floresville, Texas. It is owned by Niraj Patel. The 42-room hotel is near Cycle Ranch motocross venue and the Floresville Event Center. Also nearby are The Alamo, San Antonio River Walk, Sea World San Antonio and Six Flags Fiesta Texas, along with Marathon Oil Company, Holland Energy, Cajun Well Services Inc., Schoeffler Energy Group Inc. and Key Energy Services. Amenities include an outdoor pool and a pavilion with barbeque pits and picnic microwaves and mini-fridges.

The Hampton Inn by Hilton Blue Ridge in Blue Ridge, Georgia, is now open. It is owned by Vision Hospitality Group led by Mitch Patel as president and CEO. The 109-room hotel is in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains near local breweries, wineries, eateries and specialty retail shops in the town's Historic District. Also nearby are more than 300 miles of trails, horseback riding and the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway. Hotel amenities include 1,200 square feet of meeting space and the a rooftop bar and event space.

Magnuson Hotel Little Rock South in Little Rock, Arkansas, is now open. It's owned by Mahesh Patel. The 90-room hotel is a former Choice Hotel close to Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport, University of Arkansas Little Rock, River Market, Little Rock Convention Center, William J. Clinton Library, the Museum of Discovery and the Arkansas Inland Maritime Museum. Amenities include refrigerators and microwaves in the rooms. "We are so proud to be working with Mr. Mahesh Patel and his team in Little Rock," stated company CEO Thomas Magnuson, "We look forward to helping this hotel become one of the most active centers in the Little Rock area."

THERE WAS A family in need, and California hotelier Sunil "Sunny" Tolani could not stand by and idly watch. So, he took action, even though the family was thousands of miles away in Afghanistan. A young girl's life was literally at stake. And now, Tolani is joining an effort to help other refugees from the war-torn country. It began when Tolani saw the story in the Wall Street Journal of Najiba, a 3-year-old girl who was facing being sold to a man to cover her family's $550 debt to the man. Najiba's mother, Saleha, is a housecleaner in western Afghanistan earning only 70 cents a day cleaning homes and her elderly husband does not work at all,according to the non-profit Afghan Assist. Saleha has six children altogether and also raises the children of her sister who died in childbirth. Najiba would not marry the man to whom the family owes money,the charity said.

Tru by Hilton in Mobile, Alabama, is now open. It is owned by the newly formed Wealth Hospitality Group in Ridgeland, Mississippi, led by co-founder Chico Patel, and managed by Integral Hospitality Solutions of Birmingham, Alabama. The 90-room hotel is near Hank Aaron Stadium, with other nearby attractions being Dauphin Street, the Gulf Quest National Maritime Museum and the USS Alabama battleship. It has access to Interstates 65 and 10.