AHLA condemns New York City Council passage of the Safe Hotels Act
American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) Interim President & CEO Kevin Carey released the following statement today after the New York City Council passed the “Safe Hotels Act.”
Operations & Strategy
Marriott International Secures Legal Victory Against Fraudulent Robocall Operators
In a significant legal victory, Marriott International, Inc. (Marriott) has successfully concluded a lawsuit in federal court in Virginia against perpetrators responsible for tens of millions of illegal and fraudulent robocalls to consumers, misusing the Marriott name and the names of its portfolio of brands. Marriott initially filed the case as a “John Doe” lawsuit in May 2021, against anonymous bad actors who were exploiting Marriott’s brands for their own commercial gain and violating both state and federal laws.
Survey: 4 out of 5 American Travelers Embrace Biometrics Use at Airport Security
Following record-breaking air travel over Labor Day weekend, the U.S. Travel Association along with Ipsos released survey results underscoring traveler preference of biometric technology screening to keep air passengers safe and provide greater efficiency at airport checkpoints.
Soft Brands – A Third Alternative
Historically, hotel owners have had the option to either affiliate with a known brand or operate independently. Affiliating with a brand provided access to a reservation system, loyal customers, communal marketing programs, a known identity among consumers, and a sense of stability within the finance and investment community. Brand affiliation, however, comes with costs. Owners pay a variety of fees for royalty, marketing, reservation, and guest loyalty programs, and need to conform to facility, service, and operating standards.
By Paul Isaacson and Robert Mandelbaum
Choice Hotels Announces First Contract Awarded Under Recently Reintroduced SOAR Program to Support Hotel Ownership Opportunities for Historically Underrepresented Entrepreneurs
Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH), one of the world's largest hotel companies, announced its first contract under the recently reintroduced SOAR (Supporting Ownership Access and Representation) program, designed to create hotel ownership opportunities for underrepresented entrepreneurs. Damon Healey of Eternal Companies, a real estate investment and asset management firm, executed a contract to convert two hotels in Georgia to Suburban Studios, one of Choice's four extended stay brands. The pair of properties opened on May 30.
Safe Hotels Act: A public safety measure or blow to NYC’s hospitality industry?
The New York hotel industry is at odds with the NYC Council over a new public safety and worker protection bill that critics say could possibly kill jobs and throw the Big Apple’s tourism economy into turmoil.
Joining forces with top financial crimes association to combat travel scams
As travelers book last minute Labor Day trips and make other holiday travel plans this year, Airbnb has partnered with the International Association of Financial Crimes Investigators (IAFCI) to help consumers book safely online and avoid travel scams. This comes as consumer research from DKC Analytics shows almost half of Americans (47 percent) have fallen for a scam, with victims losing on average $2,697 and 1 in 5 (18 percent) losing $5,000 or more.
AHLA Foundation Announces 2024 – 2025 No Room for Trafficking Survivor Fund Grantees
AHLA Foundation announced the 2024 – 2025 No Room for Trafficking (NRFT) Survivor Fund grantees, eight community-based organizations that provide services and resources to help support human trafficking survivors on their path forward. This year’s Survivor Fund grantees were announced at the third annual NRFT Summit, hosted on United Nation’s World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, a global campaign urging accelerated action to end child trafficking.
AHLA statement on Senate committee passage of Hotel Fees Transparency Act
American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) Interim President & CEO Kevin Carey released the following statement today after the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, & Transportation approved the Hotel Fees Transparency Act, which would create a nationwide standard for lodging cost transparency. The bill now awaits a full Senate vote.
Beloved ICE! Attraction Returns and Expands for the 2024 Christmas Season
The country’s most extraordinary frozen holiday attraction, ICE!, announces its 2024 Christmas season lineup and its debut in San Antonio, Texas. Kicking off this November, the 24-year-old holiday tradition created by and featured across all five Gaylord Hotels will also be held at the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa. Each location will feature 2 million pounds of expertly hand-carved, larger-than-life ice scenes and fan-favorite characters from memorable Christmas classics. Two iconic holiday favorites will join this year’s roster including Elf™ and the long-awaited return of Frosty the Snowman™. Tickets to all ICE! locations are on sale today, including a limited time offer exclusively at ICE.marriott.com.
Luxury Group Flies onto the Scene with Blade Collaboration, Elevating and Redefining Summer Travel in New York City
Luxury Group by Marriott International, the unrivaled portfolio of eight hotel brands including The Ritz-Carlton, Ritz-Carlton Reserve, Bvlgari Hotels & Resorts, St. Regis Hotels & Resorts, EDITION, The Luxury Collection, JW Marriott, and W Hotels, today announces a curated slate of exclusive experiences in collaboration with urban air mobility platform Blade Urban Air Mobility, Inc. (“Blade”). Through this immersive collaboration, the Luxury Group will engage guests with the opportunity to fly directly to and from the airport to their hotel destinations using Blade’s helicopter service, elevating their summer travel plans with unparalleled ease and convenience.
Six NYC hotels are providing free helicopter airport transfers into the city — with one small catch
With New York's congestion pricing plan indefinitely delayed, traffic into Manhattan this summer is set to be gridlocked as usual.
American Escapism? Quarterly Travel Survey Reveals Rising U.S. Interest In International Vacations
Delving into topics such as the classic American road trip and the steady rise of cannabis tourism, MMGY’s Travel Intelligence released today the “Summer Edition” of its renowned and wide-reaching research study, Portrait of American Travelers®. An examination of the evolving habits, preferences and behaviors of today’s U.S. travel consumers, the quarterly survey found that 8 in 10 active leisure travelers are interested in taking an international trip within the next two years, potentially signaling a new era of growth for Americans venturing abroad.
House passes No Hidden FEES Act, a major AHLA legislative priority
The U.S. House of Representatives today passed the No Hidden FEES Act, a major American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) legislative priority that would ensure lodging cost transparency for consumers.
Newport Hospitality Group Expands Portfolio with Acquisition of Best Western Williamsburg Historic District
Newport Hospitality Group, Inc. (NHG), headquartered in Williamsburg, Virginia, proudly announces the addition of the Best Western Williamsburg Historic District to its portfolio of managed hotels. With 34 years of establishment in Williamsburg, Newport Hospitality Group brings extensive experience and expertise to its latest acquisition, marking a strategic move in its commitment to growth and excellence in the local market.
Hospitality is the Family Business at Tru by Hilton Ashburn One Loudoun for Vinay & Jai Patel
My entire life I’ve been surrounded by the hospitality industry, said Jai Patel, current assistant general manager of Tru by Hilton Ashburn One Loudoun in Ashburn, VA.
Summer Travel Awaits: Hilton Officially Rolls Out AutoCamp Properties for Booking
The summer travel season is beginning to heat up, and so is Hilton’s exclusive partnership with premier outdoor hospitality company AutoCamp. As the days get longer, Hilton guests can now experience a stay that blends the spirit of an iconic outdoor adventure with the hospitality and design-forward thinking of a boutique hotel.
Bentley Legacy Holdings Launches Operating Division, Bentley Legacy Group
Bentley Legacy Holdings (“BLH”) is targeting strategic growth with the official launch of its hotel operating division, Bentley Legacy Group, the acquisition of new properties and the hiring of industry-leading talent to further cement its position within the hospitality industry. The intentional investments in dynamic properties throughout the country and the hiring of two experienced industry leaders Matt Berge and Ginger Van Nest allow BLH to be a premier hospitality partner and operator.
Sonesta Executes 15 Franchise Agreements in Q1 2024
Sonesta International Hotels Corporation (Sonesta), the 8th largest hotel company in the U.S., announced the execution of 15 franchise agreements during the first quarter of 2024 spanning several of the company’s brands.
Summer travel poll: 61% of Americans likely to travel for leisure
Sixty-one percent of Americans plan to travel overnight for leisure in the next four months and 34% of Americans expect to increase their overnight leisure travel this summer compared to last year, according to a new survey commissioned by the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) and conducted by Morning Consult.