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MIRAJ PATEL OFFICIALLY became AAHOA's chairman as the association's 35th Annual Convention & Trade Show in Orlando ended on Friday. At 26, he is the youngest person to take on the leadership role. However, Patel also is a second-generation hotelier who began his career in hospitality at a young age, growing up in his family's first 30-room independent property. He served as an AAHOA committee member for several years and joined the AAHOA board of directors in 2019 after being elected as young professional director Western Division. "Serving as the youngest chair in the association's history further demonstrates AAHOA's commitment to fostering the growth and success of the next generation," Miraj said. "I'm always encouraging young professionals not to let age determine success. Many times, people may say you're too young, but that is absolutely not true. There are so many folks who are young but still do whatever it takes to find success. If you never try, you'll never know what you're capable of achieving."

WYNDHAM HOTELS & RESORTS recently named Amit Sripathi as chief development officer, taking over from Chip Ohlsson, who exits the company in June. Sripathi, who previously was Wyndham's senior vice president of strategic and corporate development, will head the company's North American franchise sales team. Before his tenure at Wyndham, he served as vice president of finance and capital markets at RLJ Lodging Trust, and as vice president of global investment banking at Deutsche Bank, Wyndham said in a statement. "Amit's deep experience in mergers and acquisitions and capital markets focused on the real estate and hospitality sectors at Deutsche Bank and RLJ Lodging are instrumental as we increase our focus on growing our midscale-and-above portfolio while reinforcing our leading position in the resilient select-service segments," said Geoff Ballotti, Wyndham's president and CEO. "Since joining Wyndham, Amit has demonstrated a strategic approach to growth. He's helped divest our owned and managed segments leading to a pure-play U.S. franchise business and worked with our sales teams across the country and around the world deploying over $250 million in development support for our owners. He hits the ground running, knowing what our franchise sales teams need to continue outperforming expectations."

STR FILED A motion to dismiss a lawsuit that claims it, along with several major hotel companies conspired to inflate luxury hotel rates. The research firm said in the motion that the seven individuals named as plaintiffs in the lawsuit failed to show a knowing conspiracy to fix prices through STR's "Forward STAR" program in violation of federal antitrust laws. The lawsuit, filed in February in federal court in Washington state, alleges that STR, owned by commercial real estate information researcher CoStar Group, and hotel companies including IHG Hotel & Resorts, Marriott International and Hyatt Hotels Corp., entered an exchange of "competitively-sensitive information about their prices, supply, and future plans" in violation of the antitrust provisions of the Sherman Act, according to the lawsuit. The plaintiffs seek to make it a class-action filing on behalf of every person who stayed at the defendants' hotels from February 2020 until the present for an unspecified amount. However, STR's motion claims it fails to provide evidence of any illegal actions and is mistakenly part of a current legal trend.

IHG HOTELS & RESORTS recently entered a multi-year partnership with global NGO Action Against Hunger to address food insecurity and hunger affecting millions globally. The collaboration will support the NGO's efforts to prevent, detect and treat malnutrition in children through its "screen, treat and sustain" program operating across multiple continents, IHG said in a statement. IHG, operating thousands of hotels in more than 100 countries, supports food security, disaster relief and skills training, pledging to improve 30 million lives in its "Journey to Tomorrow" plan. "Food sits at the heart of our hotels and hospitality, nourishing people and communities, and yet sadly we know it remains in desperately short supply for millions of people, despite enough being produced to feed everyone on the planet," said Elie Maalouf, IHG's CEO. "This is a problem the world can solve if societies, organizations and businesses work together. IHG Hotels & Resorts is proud to partner with Action Against Hunger on their life saving work, in addition to the many other long-standing partnerships we have with incredible charities in local markets. Collectively we want to help create lasting change in a world where people are nourished, always welcome, and always respected."

Group travel business can bring hotels much needed revenue. Jeff Bzdawka, CEO of research firm Knowland, offers tips on how smaller hotels with limited meeting space can capitalize on this revenue stream. There is a science to sales. Those of us who work in the hospitality industry know many essential qualities are needed for successful sales outcomes. Qualities include verbal and non-verbal communication skills, listening skills, and the ability to convey information persuasively. Empathy, product knowledge, problem-solving skills, and a goal-oriented mindset are crucial when understanding and relating to the customer's needs, concerns, and emotions. When these skills come together, the salesperson can build trust and rapport. These are the essential elements for closing the deal.

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."

Hello Traveler, Preparation Needed Before Been to Australiawant to travel abroad, the majority of people are not able to plan and do everything alone. In fact, if you know how and the tips, you can travel the world with ease. Similarly, when you are planning a tour to visit Australia.

Even if your passport has years of validity remaining, you might find yourself needing to replace it because it was lost, stolen, damaged, or because you have changed your name or run out of blank pages. Getting a passport replaced can be a bit of hack when it comes to all the requirements of documents and the application processing, but Passportinfo.com is here to help you. Explore all the reasons that you might need to replace your passport, and know how to get your US passport replaced quickly and easily.

The mercury has started climbing, and it is the time get out of your cozy blanket and travel around, explore the places you never been before. We have a list of international travel destinations that you would love to visit in this summer. Also, know their visa requirements while you get ready with your passports.

It is important to stay informed of your rights, and of great value to continue to participate in the US political process. Even, while you are overseas , either traveling or residing. Read Passportinfo's latest article on the tips and guide for US citizens for voting from abroad. Know everything about the eligibility and documentation requirements, as well as the process and option you can have to vote overseas.

If you're planning an international trip anytime soon, there's a good chance that you'll be flying to one of the world's top destination cities! We have a list of the top ten international travel destinations that you would love to visit this year. Also, know what passport and visa requirements you must have in order to visit for tourism.

It is breaking news that the length of validity of the second US passport will now have a 4 year of expiration. Read on the complete news here, about Second Passport and Passport Renewal. Also, Know how applying through a reliable passport expediting company can get you ready to jet off on your next trip!

Visit India and you're catapulted straight into a chameleonic theatre of color. Even the glorious old architecture is vividly draped, from the sun reflecting

Are you planning to get a passport? And, looking for a US passport help guide? Check this guide that breaks down every component of the passport request, to give you the details you need to do right in the first time. Read the details about official application forms, passport fee, FAQs, passport photo guidelines and other documents required.

As we know, it takes a lot of paperwork to get a US Passport, but Passportinfo.com is here to help you. Our US Passport Help Guide breaks down every component of the passport request to give you the details you need to do everything right the first time. Read our guide to #ExpeditedPassports to find all the answers.

Did you know that your passport can be as small as your driver's license and could fit into your pocket with other cards? Yes, you can get a US Passport Card for traveling Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbeans by land or sea. The card would be accepted as your passbook, and also, can also be used inside the United States as an official identification for any purpose, as well as a proof of US citizenship. So, either you have a passport or not you can apply for passport card that you can easily carry wherever you want (especially as the ID proof for the kids who can't have driving licence. Check out our guide here for the requirements for a passport card and how to get a passport card fast.

People who are traveling for business on behalf of their employers require business visas. Visiting overseas offices, attending meetings, trade shows or conferences are normal activities that would require a business visa. Checkout this guide to know more about the countries that require US citizens to have business visas, and the legal documents you would required to get the your visa.

Are you a bride-to-be or a newlywed? You must have been very busy with your plans for the dress and bouquet and wedding reception, but have you thought about changing the name on your passport? You must need a passport issued with your married name after your wedding. But it doesn't mean you need to postpone your honeymoon. Read the Bride's guide here from PassportInfo.com to know details and tips get your name change after marriage.

Every country maintains its own rules about student visas, and all these regulations typically vary according to the reason for the student's visit to the country. If you are planning to study abroad, you will need to make sure that you get a student visa for your trip. Read the complete post here to know what you can and can't do with a student visa as a US citizen, and other requirements to obtain a student visa.

Americans who cross borders without a US passport or other WHTI-compliant documents, could soon face fines. The proposed fine is expected to only impact travelers who are entering the US by land. The fee is intended to cover the costs of the extra inspection required to admit a US citizen without a passport. Read the complete article here to know everything about the latest non-compliant traveler fees.