Group items tagged

AAHOA RELEASED ITS updated resource guide for member franchisees. The updates reflect the current business landscape and the long-term, mutually beneficial relationship between industry franchisors and franchisees. AAHOA's 12 Points of Fair Franchising is officially titled "An Educational Primer: A Best-Practice Approach to Designing, Developing, and Implementing Best-in-class, Mutually Beneficial Franchise Systems." The importance of franchise relations was highlighted last year when several hotel owners filed lawsuits against InterContinental Hotels Group regarding what they call the company's retaliatory actions against franchisees who complain. "Because of the changing business environment post-COVID-19 and the ever-evolving need to educate our members, it was time for AAHOA to revisit the 12 Points and review them carefully to ensure that they're relevant and reflective of industry changes and evolution," said Vinay Patel, AAHOA chairman. "AAHOA created the 12 Points of Fair Franchising Ad Hoc Committee, which was tasked with recommending revisions to the 12 Points of Fair Franchising. With the help, support, and input of the 12 Points of Fair Franchising Ad Hoc Committee and the AAHOA Board of Directors, we're releasing the updated 12 Points of Fair Franchising," he added.

AAHOA's 12 POINTS of Fair Franchising are meant to serve as a template for hotel franchisers to use in how they relate to association members. One of those franchisers, G6 Hospitality, recently responded and let AAHOA leadership know how they're applying the points. G6, parent company of Motel 6 and Studio 6 economy brands, provided an analysis of all the 12 points in which the company provides additional commentary and clarification around the brand's practices related to its franchisees, according to AAHOA. The association released the 12 Points in April as part of educational offerings. Rob Palleschi, CEO of G6 Hospitality, said his company emphasizes open communication and collaboration with its franchisees. "We value our relationship with AAHOA and are committed to open communication and collaboration to support both our owners and our industry," said Rob Palleschi, CEO of G6 Hospitality.

THE BAIRD/STR Hotel Stock Index rose 12.7 percent in December over the previous month. It was up 25.6 percent for 2021 as a whole. The index outperformed both the S&P 500, up 4.4 percent, and the MSCI US REIT Index, which rose 8.2 percent in December. The hotel brand sub-index increased 13.2 percent from November while the Hotel REIT sub-index rose 10.9 percent. Investment was bolstered by some, if not good, then less bad than expected news regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, said Michael Bellisario, senior hotel research analyst and director at Baird. "Hotel stocks ended a volatile year with strong gains in December as the worst-case scenarios related to the Omicron variant appeared unlikely to unfold as initially feared," Bellisario said. "With the big rebound into year-end, the hotel brands ended up slightly outperforming the S&P 500 in 2021, while the hotel REITs - despite gaining 12 percent on the year - significantly lagged the RMZ's best-ever annual performance. Turning the calendar to 2022, leisure travel strength is expected to persist, but the wildcard for the overall industry's continued recovery remains a more substantialreturn of the business traveler."

U.S. HOTEL PERFORMANCE exhibited mostly positive year-over-year trends in the first week of March, compared to the previous week, according to CoStar. Despite a slight increase in occupancy, RevPAR declined, while RevPAR remained static. Occupancy rose to 62.5 percent for the week ending March 2, up from the previous week's 62 percent, marking a 0.3 percent year-over-year decline. ADR decreased to $155.29 from $156.62 the prior week, reflecting a 2.7 percent increase compared to the previous year. RevPAR remained unchanged at $97.12 from the prior week's $97.12, indicating a 2.4 percent increase compared to the same period in 2023. Among the top 25 markets, Seattle reported the largest year-over-year occupancy increase, rising 12.1 percent to reach 66.5 percent.

Annapurna Base Camp Trek - 12 Days, from Pokhara are one of the mainly eye-catching trekking combined with an outstanding view and mixed cultures unmatched by any other trekker's in Annapurna Himalayan region of Nepal.

THE U.S. HOTEL construction pipeline was slightly up at the end of the first quarter of 2022, according to Lodging Econometrics. Dallas was the top U.S. market for building. The pipeline stood at 5,090 projects containing 606,302 rooms, up 2 percent by projects, but down 3 percent by rooms, during the period. There are 961 projects with 128,784 rooms currently under construction in the first quarter, down 27 percent by projects and 28 percent by rooms compared to 2021, stated the latest trend report by LE. There are 1,911 projects with 223,030 rooms are scheduled to start in the next 12 months, up 2 percent by projects and 3 percent by rooms. Projects and rooms in early planning reached a record high in the first quarter, with 2,218 projects containing 254,488 rooms, up 24 percent by projects and 12 percent by rooms, compared to a year ago.

BEST WESTERN HOTELS & Resorts is the most recent large hotel company to meet with AAHOA leaders over the association's 12 Points of Fair Franchising. The two parties discussed their ongoing relationship and the needs of the industry. Members of the Best Western team included Larry Cuculic, president and CEO; John Kelly, board chairman; Danny Lafayette, board vice-chairman; Phil Payne, board secretary-treasurer; and board directors Mike Merchant, Ishwar Naran, Viral "Victor" Patel and Stephen Wahrlich, according to AAHOA. Best Western has a portfolio of 19 brands, and approximately 4,500 hotels across all chain scale segments, and it joins G6 Hospitality, parent company for the Motel 6 and Studio 6 brands, in reviewing the 12 points. "Best Western Hotels & Resorts has been a longtime partner of AAHOA - a span of time that includes more than three decades - and we always welcome the opportunity to continue the dialogue for the betterment and prosperity of the entire industry," said Nishant "Neal" Patel, AAHOA chairman. "Our recent meeting underscores how open communication, collaboration, and partnership are key to maintaining a fruitful relationship that benefits both organizations and, ultimately, the industry as a whole."

HYATT HOTEL CORP. plans to acquire Dream Hotel Group's lifestyle hotel brands, including the Dream Hotels, The Chatwal Hotels and Unscripted Hotels brands, for approximately $300 million. The deal will add more than 1,700 rooms to Hyatt's lifestyle portfolio and increase Hyatt's room count in New York City by more than 30 percent. The acquisition includes a portfolio of 12 managed or franchised lifestyle hotels, with another 24 signed long-term management agreements for hotels expected to open in the future, Hyatt said in a statement on Nov. 29. The transaction, expected to close in the coming months, continues Hyatt's asset-light growth strategy following acquisitions of Two Roads Hospitality in 2018 and Apple Leisure Group in 2021. Post-acquisition, Hyatt will pay a base purchase price of $125 million, with up to an additional $175 million over the next six years. It would generate management fees of about $12 million a year on the first dozen hotels.

MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL IS withdrawing its support for AAHOA in opposition to the association's 12 Points of Fair Franchising, according to an alert to AAHOA members. Indications of the split began in July, when a letter to this effect was circulated but not confirmed, and AAHOA said its efforts to make the situation right in the meantime have failed. The AAHOA member alert also said Marriott had expressed opposition to AAHOA's support for legislation proposed last year in the New Jersey legislature that would strengthen protections for franchise businesses in the state, including hotels. In its alert, attributed to Neal Patel, chairman of AAHOA, said most hotel franchisers did not take issue with the association's support for the New Jersey legislation nor the 12 Points. "Many of our other hotel brand partners have taken an open-minded and collaborative approach to fair franchising. We appreciate their willingness to work together to ensure better outcomes for AAHOA members, the industry, and hotel customers," Patel said. "However, we wanted to inform you that Marriott International - one of our longtime brand partners - has decided to take a different position."

THE AMERICAN FRANCHISE business model is in trouble, according to a recent survey commissioned by AAHOA. The survey was inspired by a webinar AAHOA co-sponsored to gather public comment on the state of franchising for the Federal Trade Commission. The survey found that only 5 percent of the franchisee respondents are satisfied that their current franchise agreements provide fair terms representing a balanced relationship between themselves and their franchiser. Also, 72.6 percent of respondents would "possibly" or "probably" terminate their current franchised business within the next year if they could do so without penalty. "Franchising is in dire straits unless changes are made," said Laura Lee Blake, AAHOA president and CEO. "Franchising is still a powerful tool for economic mobility for America's small-business owners, including AAHOA Members. But franchising only works when both franchisors and franchisees are committed to its success, which requires transparency, fairness, and sustainable business practices. As this survey shows, there is much room for improvement when it comes to relationships that allow our small-business owners to thrive." Blake recently wrote an editorial supporting AAHOA's 12 Points of Fair Franchising and its promotion of a proposed New Jersey law that would reform that state's franchising regulations in ways similar to the 12 points. Several large hotel companies, including Choice Hotels International and Marriott International, protested AAHOA's recent annual convention in protest to its position on franchise reform The survey was conducted among owners of hotels, restaurants, retail stores and other small businesses that had participated in the FTC webinar. It was co-sponsored by the American Association of Franchisees and Dealers, and the Coalition of Franchisee Associations, conducted the survey after a recent webinar with FTC Chair Lina Khan. The FTC is soliciting comments through June 8 about issues that affect franc

A LETTER APPEARING to be from Marriott International stating that the company was "re-evaluating" its official relationship with AAHOA over the association's new stance on franchise relations is causing some disruption on social media. Marriott and AAHOA have not responded to repeated requests for comment on the letter, but in an email to members AAHOA Chairman Neal Patel said the letter is a draft and the company and association are still in negotiations. The letter specifically cites AAHOA's request that the company reassess its franchising policies in light of AAHOA's recently released "12 Points of Fair Franchising." Also, it mentions AAHOA's support for New Jersey's proposed Assembly Bill 1958 that would make changes to the New Jersey Franchise Practices Act similar to the guidelines laid out in the 12 Points. "Ultimately, Marriott cannot support, either by endorsement and/or financially, any organization that is in direct opposition to our business model and interests," Marriott said in the letter. "We believe quite strongly that the longstanding relationship between Marriott and AAHOA has proven to be mutually beneficial, and we are deeply saddened that AAHOA has chosen to pivot its stance on these key issues in a way that is decidedly anti-franchising and anti-Marriott (especially since, as the AAHOA leadership shared with us in a recent meeting, neither AAHOA's leaders nor its members have any material issues with Marriott's approach to franchising or to our franchisees)."

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.

U.S. HOTEL PERFORMANCE remained relatively flat during the third week of January, according to STR. Tampa, Florida, led the top 25 markets in terms of occupancy. Occupancy was 48.7 percent for the week ending Jan. 22, and it was 48.8 percent the week before. It was down 15.9 percent from the comparable week in 2019. ADR was $122.17 for the week, almost same as the week before at $122.12 and down 1.4 percent from two years ago. RevPAR reached $59.52, it was $59.57 the prior week and down 17.1 percent from the same period two years ago. None of STR's to 25 markets recorded an occupancy increase during the period compared to two years ago. Tampa came closest to its pre-pandemic comparable in the third week, down just 1.7 percent to 72.1 percent. It also posted the largest ADR rise, up 14 percent to $151.74. The only RevPAR increase was also registered at Tampa, up 12 percent to $109.39.

REFLECTING THE NORMAL ebb and flow of spring break season, U.S. hotel performance has decreased in the fourth week of March from the week before, according to STR. Chicago and Phoenix saw rises in occupancy. Occupancy was 64.9 percent for the week ending March 25, down from 67.6 percent the week before and 0.6 percent down than the comparable week in 2002 and 6.3 percent down the comparable week in 2019. ADR was $158.61, down from $167.04 the week before, up 4.7 percent from last year and up 19.5 percent from 2019. RevPAR stood at $102.98 in the last week, down from $112.89 the week before and increased 4.1 percent and 12 percent against the same month in 2022 and 2019. Among the top 25 markets, Chicago saw the highest year-over-year increase in occupancy in the fourth week of the month, up 12.2 percent to 63.4 percent, while Phoenix witnessed the only occupancy lift over 2019, up 3.1 percent to 81.5 percent. Washington, D.C., reported the most substantial ADR, up 20.9 percent to $194.18, while RevPAR increased 33.4 percent to $139.83 year-over-year. Las Vegas reported the highest growths in the measuring of ADR, up 42.7 percent to $187.21, and RevPAR, which increased 31.5 percent to $148.86 percent, against 2019.

ANOTHER LARGE HOTEL company, Red Roof, has met with AAHOA leaders to discuss the association's 12 Points of Fair Franchising. Red Roof executives, including President George Limbert, affirmed their commitment to work with AAHOA on maintaining strong relationships with its franchisees. Along with Limbert, Red Roof's representatives included Matthew Hostetler, chief development officer; and Fouad Malouf, senior vice president franchise operations. The company's portfolio includes 680 properties in the U.S., Brazil and Japan. AAHOA released the 12 Points in April as part of educational offerings, and previously executives with G6 Hospitality and BWH Hotel Group, parent company to Best Western Hotels & Resorts, held similar meetings to discus the points. "Red Roof has been a longtime partner of AAHOA, and we appreciate their commitment to open dialogue for the betterment of our hoteliers and the broader hotel industry," said Nishant "Neal" Patel, AAHOA chairman. "We look forward to continuing our productive and mutually beneficial partnership with Red Roof, including conversations about AAHOA's efforts to educate its members and promote fair franchising across our industry."

U.S. HOTEL PERFORMANCE rose in the second week of March compared to the previous week but declined year over year, according to CoStar. Key metrics, including occupancy, ADR, and RevPAR, all saw increases compared to the prior week. Occupancy climbed to 63.2 percent for the week ending March 9, up from the prior week's 62.5 percent, reflecting a 2.2 percent year-over-year decline. ADR rose to $156.96 from $155.29 the previous week, marking a 0.6 percent decrease compared to last year. RevPAR reached $99.17, up from the previous week's $97.12, signifying a 2.8 percent decrease compared to the same period in 2023. Among the top 25 markets, Minneapolis saw significant year-over-year growth across all three key performance metrics: occupancy surged by 25.1 percent to 63.7 percent, ADR rose by 15.9 percent to $143.12, and RevPAR increased by 45.1 percent to $91.11.

JUST OVER ONE year ago, Marriott International severed its support for AAHOA over the association's 12 Points of Fair Franchising and support for franchise reform legislation in New Jersey. At AAHOA's 35th Annual Convention & Trade Show this year in Orlando, Marriott came back, albeit with its status remaining unclear. Also, AAHOA made alterations to the 12 Points aimed at providing more protection for members in the event of the franchiser's acquisition by another company. Also at AAHOACON24, Miraj Patel became the youngest chairman in the history of the association, Pinal Patel became its new secretary and immediate Past Chairman Bharat Patel and AAHOA President & CEO Laura Lee Blake spoke on how the history of the association led to its success.

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.

APPROXIMATELY 53 PERCENT of Americans plan not to use all their vacation time this year, despite receiving 12 days annually, the fewest of any country, according to a recent study by travel platform Expedia. Vacation deprivation in the U.S., defined as the feeling of not having enough time off, reached an 11-year high at 65 percent, even as rates have decreased in many other parts of the world. Expedia's 24th annual Vacation Deprivation Report 2024, which surveyed 11,580 people across 11 countries in March and April, found that American and Japanese workers take a similar number of days off each year, 11 and 12 respectively. However, Japan has the world's lowest vacation deprivation level at 53 percent. This may be due to Japanese workers taking more frequent short vacations and prioritizing relaxation during their getaways, Expedia said.

A TOTAL OF 347 mergers and acquisitions, private equity and venture financing deals were reported in the global travel and tourism sector during the first half of 2024, according to GlobalData, a data and analytics company. That is a 12.6 percent year-over-year decline from the 397 deals in the same period of the previous year. North America saw a 31.7 percent year-over-year decrease in deal volume, while the U.S. experienced a 31.5 percent decline in the first half of 2024 compared to the same period the previous year, GlobalData said in a statement. "Even though there was a decline globally due to a dent in deal-making sentiments, the trend was a mixed bag across different markets and regions, with some countries contributing to the decline while some experienced improved activity," said Aurojyoti Bose, GlobalData's lead analyst. "And the same was the case for the deal types under coverage."