HFTP® Acquires Leading Hospitality Industry Brands: Hospitality Upgrade, Hotel-Online, The CIO Summit and The Executive Vendor Summit
Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals | June 25, 2024
Industry Happenings
Hospitality Upgrade Announces the Recipient of the John Cahill Student Seat for the 2024 CIO Summit
The CIO Summit | August 29, 2024
College of Hospitality, University of Nevada, Las Vegas Student Selected ATLANTA, August 29, 2024– Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP®) and Hospitality Upgrade today announced the recipient of the 2024 John Cahill student seat is Andrew Pham, a student at the College of Hospitality, University of Nevada in Las Vegas (UNLV). In its 22nd year, the upcoming CIO Summit will be held Sept. 4-6, 2024, at the Thompson Hotel by Hyatt in Nashville, Tennessee. The John Cahill Honorary Seat is awarded to one distinguished student from a selected university or four-year college with a hotel program. This student is recommend...
USALI 12th Revised Edition, Deep Dive: Part II All-Inclusive Hotels
HFTP | August 26, 2024
Just released, the Uniform System of Accounts for the Lodging Industry (USALI) 12th Revised Edition has been meticulously updated by the Global Finance Committee (GFC) with guiding principles to enhance transparency in reporting, broaden data sets to better inform decision-making, and align with contemporary practices. To support its release, GFC members are also presenting a series of webinars. Be sure to register for the monthly “USALI 12th Revised Edition, Deep Dive” webinars running through September 2024. Accompanying the webinars are correlating blog posts, including this one for the webinar “USALI 12th Revised Edition Deep D...
AAHOA Announces Keynote Speakers, Full Agenda for HerOwnership Conference
AAHOA | August 26, 2024
ATLANTA, GA, August 26—Taking place next month, AAHOA's- Asian American Hotel Owners Association Third Annual HerOwnership Conference will feature a full agenda of speakers and sessions focused on helping women in hospitality gain the tools, knowledge, and connections they need to succeed in hotel ownership. The conference will be held September 12-13 in Redondo Beach, CA. Complete information and registration are available here. "As the son of a woman hotelier, I am well aware of the remarkable women who have shaped our industry and continue to drive it forward," said AAHOA Chairman Miraj S. Patel. "Their dedication, innovation, an...
HSMAI Charters Two New Chapters: Greater Denver and Tennessee Valley
HSMAI | August 26, 2024
McLean, VA (Aug. 26, 2024) – The Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International is thrilled to announce the chartering of two new chapters – Tennessee Valley and Greater Denver. These new chapters highlight HSMAI’s strategic priority to broaden the association's reach, focus on developing new markets, and enhance member value proposition through localized engagement. Based in Huntsville, Alabama, HSMAI’s Tennessee Valley Chapter was chartered on July 9, 2024, with a focus on building a strong community of hospitality professionals. The chapter’s inaugural event featured hospitality expert and speaker Bob Anderson wh...
ImageFIRST Announces 1st Annual ServiceSTARS Contest
ImageFIRST | August 26, 2024
10 hospitality professionals will be recognized nationally for representing the best in guest experience KING OF PRUSSIA, Pa., August 26, 2024 – ImageFIRST® is excited to announce the launch of its 1st Annual ServiceSTARS Contest, in which ImageFIRST Associates recognize exceptional hospitality professionals who go above and beyond to enhance the guest experience. SerivceSTARS celebrates individuals who align closely with ImageFIRST’s Values – Be Safe, Be Honest, Be Respectful and most of all, Be Remarkable. ImageFIRST’s Hospitality Division offers specialized programs and services in select markets, including Arkansas, ...
AHLA Statement on Court Ruling Against FTC Noncompete Rule
AHLA | August 26, 2024
WASHINGTON (Aug. 26, 2024) – American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) Interim President & CEO Kevin Carey released the following statement after a federal judge in Texas blocked the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) from enforcing a rule that bans noncompete agreements. “The FTC overstepped its authority by approving a rule that allows federal interference in multitudes of business agreements across the country. In doing so, the FTC set a dangerous precedent for intruding into an area that has been regulated by the states throughout our nation’s history,” said AHLA Interim President & CEO Kevin Carey. “We applaud ...
Federal Per Diem Set for 2024/25: A Win for the Lodging Industry
Chelsey Leffet | August 22, 2024
The federal government per-diem rate is made up of a lodging allowance, a meals allowance, and an incidental expense allowance. The per-diem lodging rates, which set the maximum amount a federal traveler can reimburse, are based on the average rates for mid-priced hotels and are set annually by the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA). Since the 2005 fiscal year, federal lodging per-diem rates have been based on local average daily rate (ADR) data, less 5.0%. The rates are updated annually, with the next fiscal-year rates published in mid-August. For the 2025 fiscal year beginning October 1, 2024, the standard daily lodging allow...
Unveiling the Inaugural NEWH Structures of Hospitality Excellence (SOHE) Award
NEWH, Inc. | August 22, 2024
NEWH To Celebrate Achievements in Hospitality Construction, Coinciding with Two Scholarships Shawano, WI — August 21, 2024 — NEWH, Inc. is proud to announce the launch of the inaugural Structures of Hospitality Excellence (SOHE) Award. Continuing NEWH, Inc.’s commitment to recognizing excellence in the hospitality industry, the award will honor construction companies for their exceptional methods, processes, and team management. Nominations for the program are due November 22, 2024, and the awards ceremony will take place during the ALIS DESIGN+ Event at the JW Marriott in Los Angeles in January 31, 2025. Honorees will be selected...
Top Labor Day Travel Trends of 2024
AAA | August 20, 2024
WASHINGTON, DC (Aug. 20, 2024) – This year’s record-breaking, blockbuster summer travel season comes to a close with many Americans exploring Alaska by cruise. According to AAA booking data, Seattle is the number one Labor Day weekend* destination, up nearly 30% from last year when it also topped the list. Anchorage and Juneau are also on the top ten list of Labor Day destinations. “This is the time of year to go on an Alaska cruise,” said Paula Twidale, Senior Vice President of AAA Travel. “There are fewer crowds compared to earlier in the summer, and if you’re lucky, you might even catch a glimpse of fall colors! It’s no ...
The Hospitality Show Announces 2024 Sustainability Programming, Initiatives
The Hospitality Show | August 20, 2024
World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance to co-locate Autumn Summit at The Show Register for The Show NEW YORK (Aug. 20, 2024) – The Hospitality Show, the industry’s leading technology and operations event produced by Questex and The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA), announced a slate of sustainability programming and initiatives for this year’s event, including the co-location of the World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance’s Autumn Summit at The Show, which will be held in San Antonio, Texas, Oct. 28-30, 2024, at the Henry B. González Convention Center. World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance’s Autumn Summit wil...
AAHOA Celebrates GSA’s Decision to Raise Per Diem Rates for Federal Travelers as a Victory for Hoteliers
Asian American Hotel Owners Association | August 20, 2024
ATLANTA, GA, August 20—AAHOA commends the U.S. General Services Administration's recent decision to raise the per diem lodging and meal rates for federal employees. This move represents a win for the hotel industry and the 20,000 AAHOA Members who own and operate more than 60% of the nation's hotels. The GSA announced that for fiscal year 2025, the daily lodging rate for federal employees traveling within the continental United States will increase from $107 to $110. Additionally, the standard meals and incidental expenses (M&IE) rate will rise from $59 to $68, with M&IE tiers for non-standard areas adjusting to $68-$92 from the ...
Hunter Hotel Investment Conference Opens Registration
Hunter Hotel Investment Conference | August 19, 2024
ATLANTA (August 19, 2024) – The Hunter Hotel Investment Conference (“HUNTER”), founded by Hunter Hotel Advisors and Georgia State University, has officially opened registration for its highly anticipated 36th event, scheduled to take place on March 18-20, 2025, at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis. Dedicated to connecting and educating the industry, the conference offers a variety of pricing options for attendees from all career stages. With both in-person and virtual opportunities available, attendees are ensured unmatched networking opportunities, insightful sessions and expert insights. All registered participants will have access t...
Hoteliers Win as GSA Raises FY 2025 Per Diem Rates
AHLA | August 16, 2024
WASHINGTON (Aug. 16, 2024) – American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) Interim President and CEO Kevin Carey released the following statement after the General Services Administration (GSA) announced its fiscal year 2025 per diem rates for federal workers. GSA’s per diem guidelines govern reimbursement for federal employees’ lodging and meals expenses for official government travel. Starting October 1, 2024, the standard daily lodging allowance for most of the continental United States will increase by $3 to $110 per day, an increase estimated to be worth approximately $100 million to the hotel industry. The standard meals a...
GSA Releases FY 2025 CONUS per Diem Rates for Federal Travelers
GSA | August 16, 2024
WASHINGTON — Today, the U.S. General Services Administration released the fiscal year 2025 continental United States- CONUS per diem expense rates, effective October 1, 2024, through September 30, 2025. Federal agencies use these rates to reimburse their employees for lodging and meals and incidental expenses- M&IE incurred while on official travel. A standard rate applies to most of CONUS. For FY 2025, the standard lodging rate will increase from $107 to $110, and there will be 296 non-standard areas with individual rates that are higher than the standard rate. The M&IE reimbursement rate tiers were also revised for FY 2025; the...
U.S. Travel Honors Destination Marketers with Destiny, Mercury Awards at ESTO 2024
U.S. Travel Association | August 16, 2024
WASHINGTON - U.S. Travel Association announced recipients of the 2024 Destiny and Mercury Awards at the 40th annual ESTO conference (Educational Seminar for Tourism Organizations), held August 11-13 in Columbus, Ohio. Winners were announced at a closing night awards dinner and presentation at the Greater Columbus Convention Center. “The Destiny and Mercury Awards not only recognize creative achievement in destination marketing but also the outstanding effort to inspire visitation and promote travel in savvy and imaginative ways,” said Ellen Davis, U.S. Travel Executive Vice President, Business Strategy and Industry Engagement. “O...
The Curtis Hotel Announces Key Promotions in Partnership with Hotel Teatro
The Curtis Hotel | August 15, 2024
DENVER – August 15, 2024 – The Curtis Hotel is pleased to announce the promotion of Lizzie Raudenbush to Area General Manager and Megan Pierce to Area Director of Sales and Marketing serving the Denver area at The Curtis Hotel and Hotel Teatro, expanding the properties’ excellence in hospitality through downtown Denver under Sage Hospitality Group. The Curtis Hotel is a vibrant and eclectic hotel located in the heart of Denver. Known for its unique pop-culture design and commitment to the local community, the property offers a memorable stay for anyone seeking an immersive experience, with 13 themed floors and accompanying hyper them...
CBRE Hotels Adjusts Outlook for 2024 Due to Economic Conditions, Predicts Modest U.S. RevPAR Growth
CBRE Group, Inc. | August 15, 2024
Dallas – August 15, 2024 – CBRE is reducing its forecast for U.S. hotel performance this year, as lodging demand softens due to weaker-than-expected leisure travel and slowing corporate profit growth. CBRE now projects a 1.2% increase in revenue per available room (RevPAR) growth for 2024, down from the 2.0% estimated in May 2024. Nevertheless, CBRE anticipates 2% year-over-year growth in RevPAR in the second half of 2024, up from 0.5% year-over-year growth in the first half, driven by international tourism and election-related events. CBRE forecasts GDP growth of 2.3% and average inflation of 3.2% in 2024. The performance of the lod...
Travel Prices Remain Stable Through July
U.S. Travel Association | August 15, 2024
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Price Index release for July reflected a continuation of the encouraging trend of stable prices both for consumers overall and for travelers. Overall prices rose slightly for the month, while travel related prices were flat. “Overall, comparisons month-to-month, year-over-year, and against pre-COVID-19 levels all show today’s prices are more favorable for travelers,” said Joshua Friedlander, Vice President of Research at the U.S. Travel Association. According to the U.S. Travel Association-calculated Travel Price Index (TPI), prices were on average the same in July as for the prior m...
Zleep Hotels Merges With Core Hospitality
Core Hospitality | August 14, 2024
All 14 Zleep Hotels in Denmark are merging with the management company Core Hospitality to create one of the largest hotel operators in the country. Danish hotel company Zleep Hotels A/S is merging with the third-party hotel management company Core Hospitality A/S, creating the 4th largest hotel operating company from Denmark. The merger happens immediately after a split with Deutsche Hospitality; while the German hotel group now owns 100% of the Zleep Hotels brand, Core Hospitality owns 100% of the operations in Denmark. Combined, the new management company will continue as “Core Hospitality”, signifying its multi-brand strategy a...
CHLA Hospitality Foundation Awards $175,000 for 62 College Scholarships
California Hotel & Lodging Association Hospitality Foundation | August 14, 2024
Funds propel students seeking long careers in hotels, tourism and culinary arts SACRAMENTO, Calif., Aug. 14, 2024 -- Sixty-two students pursing hospitality, tourism and culinary arts degrees at 14 California colleges and universities have been awarded more than $175,000 in scholarships by the California Hotel & Lodging Association Hospitality Foundation. The CHLAHF scholarships support the education of students who have indicated their dedication toward developing long careers that are focused on all aspects of hospitality. "These students have the potential to redefine the lodging industry in exciting new ways,'' said Michae...
HSMAI Washington DC Announces State of the Industry Program
HSMAI Washington DC | August 14, 2024
WASHINGTON (Aug. 14, 2024) – The Washington, D.C., chapter of the Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International today invited hospitality professionals from throughout the metropolitan area to attend its annual State of the Industry program Aug. 22 at the Hilton Washington DC National Mall The Wharf. The program, designed to help area hospitality sales, marketing and revenue-management professionals prepare their plans and budgets for 2025, will feature Jessica Carey, Knowland vice president, customer operations; Chris Ely, Global Business Travel Association director, research; Michele Gordon, Amadeus vice president, sales - ...
The Airbnb Dilemma: Privacy, Pricing, and the Shift Back to Hotels
André Baljeu | August 13, 2024
This is a guest post, by André Baljeu the Founder of techtalk.travel the opinions shared in this post are those of the author. In a world where your weekend getaway could come with hidden cameras, choosing between Airbnb and traditional hotels is an important decision. In recent months, there have been news reports about Airbnb guests secretly recorded by the hosts of the properties they’ve rented. This blatant invasion of privacy is very concerning, and it’s important to consider the potential outrage if this had occurred within a well-established hotel brand. Yet the hospitality industry remains relatively silent on this issue. ...
An Update On Economic Conditions for Travelers and the Travel Industry
Joshua Friedlander | August 12, 2024
The volatility of markets over the last few days has raised important questions about economic health globally, for the U.S. and for the travel industry. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics released employment figures for July that showed fewer new jobs created than prior months, and an increased unemployment rate of 4.3%. Despite these challenges, the data continues to reflect a resilient and responsive travel industry—an encouraging sign given travel’s essential role in our nation’s economic success and global competitiveness. While many travel indicators have remained positive, we recognize that the industry is not immune to ove...
Green Key Global Announces Inaugural Slate of Board Members
Green Key Global | August 12, 2024
WASHINGTON (Aug. 12, 2024) – Green Key Global – the only sustainability certification designed specifically for hotels – today announced its first-ever slate of board members and the appointment of Heather McCrory, a hospitality expert with 40 years of experience in the industry, as chair. McCrory recently served as CEO of Accor’s North American and Central American operations, and currently advises the hospitality industry as principal of Heather J. McCrory & Associates. She joins other top hospitality professionals who will guide Green Key Global, the world’s leading hotel sustainability certification provider, which is j...
