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
BCD’s Travel Buyer Survey Reveals Shifting Priorities in Corporate Travel Policies
BCD Travel | June 13, 2024
UTRECHT, The Netherlands, June 13, 2024 – Leading global travel management company BCD Travel’s recent study explores modern corporate travel policies and changes happening due to shifting priorities and trends. The results are based on an online survey from April 2024 of more than 200 travel buyers worldwide. The top three travel program priorities include duty of care, policy compliance and cost control. All three ranked highly in 2023 and have since gained importance. However, the ratings of other priorities went slightly down. Traveler satisfaction dropped in importance as one of the top priorities from 2021 to 2023 to fourth in 2024...
Nominations Open for the ISHC Lori Raleigh Award for Emerging Excellence in Hospitality Consulting
The International Society of Hospitality Consultants | June 13, 2024
June 13, 2024: The International Society of Hospitality Consultants (ISHC) announced that nominations are being accepted for the Lori Raleigh Award for Emerging Excellence in Hospitality Consulting. Launched in 2015 in honor of Lori Raleigh, founder of the Travers Group and executive director of ISHC 2000-2013, the award honors young, successful industry professionals with leadership qualities and a perceived bright future in hospitality consulting. Candidates for The Lori Raleigh Award must be 35 years of age or younger at the time of the award presentation and meet the criteria for ISHC’s associate membership. They also must be recogni...
Jim Butler Asks Mark S. Adams for Update on California Junk Fee law: Would SB 1524 Gut SB 478’s Honest Pricing for All?
Mark S. Adams | June 12, 2024
Mark S. Adams is the go-to senior lawyer in JMBM’s hospitality litigation team for assessing legal exposure, pursuing legitimate claims, and defending a client’s rights involving hospitality matters. Jim Butler caught up with Mark to find out what all the fuss is about over California’s Junk Fee law (SB 478) and a proposed amendment by SB 1524 that has consumer advocates for transparent consumer prices in an uproar. Jim Butler: As a hospitality litigator and advisor, you have been at the forefront in junk fee matters for many years, and have written extensively about the latest developments. Tell us what all the fuss is about c...
Agilysys To Speak on “Revenue Beyond the Room” at HITEC 2024 and on “The Agilysys Turnaround Story: 2017 – 2024” at HITEC IC 2024
Agilysys | June 12, 2024
Agilysys SVP Frank Pitsikalis will present Tuesday, June 25th and CEO Ramesh Srinivasan will present Thursday, June 27th ALPHARETTA, GA (June 12, 2024) — Agilysys, Inc. (Nasdaq: AGYS), a leading global provider of hospitality software solutions and services, today announced two executive speaker sessions, one at the HFTP HITEC event June 24 – 27 and one at the HITEC Technology Investment Conference (HITEC IC) June 27 – 28, both to be held at the Charlotte Convention Center inCharlotte, North Carolina, USA. Produced by Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP®), a global non-profit hospitality association, HITEC ...
Now Accepting Nominations for the 2024 Rising Star Award Asia Pacific To Be Presented at HICAP
ISHC | June 12, 2024
Singapore (12 June 2024): The International Society of Hospitality Consultants (ISHC), in partnership with the Hotel Investment Conference Asia Pacific (HICAP), is now accepting nominations for the Rising Star Award Asia Pacific to be presented at HICAP on 16-18 October 2024 at the Fairmont Singapore & Swissotel The Stamford in Singapore. Candidates must meet the following criteria: 35 years of age or younger, born on or after 16 October 1989 Have a minimum of five years in a hotel development and/or investment-related field with a minimum of one year with the current company Recognized by leaders in the hospitality field ...
House Passes No Hidden FEES Act, a Major AHLA Legislative Priority
AHLA | June 12, 2024
The legislation would establish a comprehensive single standard for transparent and mandatory fee displays across the lodging industry – from short-term rental platforms, to online travel agencies, metasearch sites, and hotels. WASHINGTON (June 12, 2024) – 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. The legislation would establish a comprehensive single standard for transparent and mandatory fee displays across the lodging industry – from short-term rental platforms, to...
HFTP Announces Hospitality Code of Digital Responsibility
HFTP | June 11, 2024
Global nonprofit to develop guidelines for the industry. Austin, Texas (June 11, 2024) — Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP®), the global spokes group for the industry’s hospitality technology segment and producers of the HITEC® brand, announced today a new project that will develop a code of digital responsibility for hospitality. Earlier this year, HFTP commissioned the University of Houston College of Global Hospitality Leadership to write a white paper on digital responsibility, which is featured in the inaugural issue of HFTP’s Tech+Fin Hospitality Magazine available at HITEC 2024 and on the associatio...
Pricing Transparency Without Hidden Mandatory Junk Fees. Does This Apply to Restaurants Too?
Mark S. Adams | June 10, 2024
New California proposed law (SB 1524 ) says “No!” Can this be right? By Jim Butler and the Global Hospitality Group® Hotel Lawyers | Authors of www.HotelLawBlog.com Note: If you are a consumer with a Junk Fee issue, please do NOT contact us! We do not represent consumers against hotels, restaurants, or other business owners. We are part of the fabric of the hospitality industry and are committed to informing, educating, and assisting the industry. We represent business owners, helping them to understand and comply with applicable laws and defending them from consumer charges. Pricing transparency without hidden mandatory junk f...
76% of Surveyed Hotels Report Staffing Shortages
AHLA | June 10, 2024
Hotels on hiring spree with higher wages, better benefits, more flexibility WASHINGTON (June 10, 2024) – More than three-quarters of surveyed hotels are experiencing a staffing shortage, and hotels are increasing pay, benefits, and perks to recruit and retain employees, according to a May survey of hoteliers conducted by the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA). Over the last six months, 86% of respondents have increased wages, 52% have offered greater flexibility with hours, and 33% have expanded benefits to cope with the nationwide workforce shortage. Nonetheless, 79% say they are still unable to fill open positions. ...
AHLA Workforce Report: Hotels Add 700 Jobs in May
AHLA | June 10, 2024
Hotels more than 190,000 jobs short of pre-pandemic levels amid economy-wide labor shortage WASHINGTON (June 10, 2024) – U.S. hotels added 700 jobs to their payrolls in May, according to the latest government data that shows the nationwide workforce shortage continues to make it difficult for hotels to fill open jobs. Total hotel employment stands at about 1.92 million, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. That’s 191,500 fewer workers in the industry than in February 2020, just before the pandemic hit, a shortfall that reflects the scarcity of available employees since then. “Hotels are ready to grow and create more...
New Labor Challenges Arise in 2023
Robert Mandelbaum | June 6, 2024
By Robert Mandelbaum, Andrea Grigg The scarcity of employees has long been the primary labor concern for U.S. hoteliers, even before the onset of the COVD-19 pandemic. Historically, jobs in the lodging industry have had a negative perception as being too physically demanding, requiring too long of hours, and requiring work on weekends and holidays. The shortage of personnel was exaggerated during 2021 and 2022 as many of the employees that were laid off during the pandemic in 2020 opted not to return to the industry. The difficulty of attracting workers to fill line-level positions within hotels lessened somewhat in 2023. Reductions in ...
It’s Never Been Better for Investment in the Hotel Technology Industry
Frank Wolfe | June 5, 2024
By Frank Wolfe Just as the hospitality industry evolves, so too must the format of its conventions, especially one as influential to the hospitality industry as HITEC. This year, the senior team at HFTP has expanded the tradeshow’s depth and impact with the inaugural HITEC Technology Investment Conference, taking place immediately after the main event on Thursday, June 27 and Friday, June 29. While it’s been in the making for a long time, we couldn’t have hoped for a better year to debut this addition. Why is 2024 particularly ripe for investment in this sector? Needless as it may be to the mention at this point, the pandemic acce...
University of Houston Conrad N. Hilton College of Global Hospitality Leadership To Launch Online Bachelor of Science and Doctorate at HITEC 2024
HFTP | June 4, 2024
The University of Houston Conrad N. Hilton College of Global Hospitality Leadership, one of the world’s leaders in hospitality and tourism education, announced today that it will sponsor and exhibit at the Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition and Conference (HITEC) 2024, the world's largest and most influential hospitality technology event. The College will use this opportunity to launch its online Bachelor of Science in Global Hospitality Leadership and online Doctorate in Global Hospitality Leadership. These new additions align well with the existing online Executive Master of Hospitality Management. The online BS degree serves a...
HSMAI Global Launches Certified Hotel Sales Leader (CHSL) Certification
HSMAI Global | June 4, 2024
McLean, VA (June 4, 2024) – The Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI) Global is proud to announce the launch of its Certified Hotel Sales Leader (CHSL) certification. This new program is designed to recognize the expertise of hotel sales leaders, emphasizing the most up-to-date sales and commercial principles, practices, and strategies. The CHSL certification is tailored for hospitality sales leaders who are proficient in leading high-performing teams, demonstrating overall commercial acumen, applying best practices in hotel sales to drive revenue growth, and more. The certification covers a wide range of top...
“Travel Works for America” Roadshow Visits Charlotte, North Carolina
U.S. Travel Association | June 4, 2024
U.S. Senator Ted Budd headlines anchor event joined by U.S. Travel and local and state leaders to highlight the essential contributions of travel industry WASHINGTON (June 3, 2024)—The U.S. Travel Association’s “Travel Works for America” Roadshow arrived in Charlotte on May 29-30, bringing a message of travel’s value to the success of North Carolina and the nation. U.S. Travel’s roadshow tour spotlights how travel powers nearly every industry and community across America. An anchor event, held on Thursday at the Charlotte Convention Center, included remarks by United States Senator Ted Budd, a member of the Senate Committee on...
Maestro Cloud & On Premises All-In-One PMS Showcasing Game Changing Innovations for Independents at HITEC
Maestro PMS | June 4, 2024
As a 20-year platinum sponsor of the hospitality industry’s premier technology tradeshow, the hotel industry’s preferred provider of property-management solutions for independent hotels will be available at Booth 1844 June 24 to 27 MARKHAM, Ontario, June 4, 2024 — Maestro PMS, the hotel industry’s leading Web Browser based cloud and on-premises all-in-one property-management system, will showcase the latest enhancements to its industry-defining technology at the upcoming HITEC 2024 event in Charlotte, N.C. Updated mobile functionality, enhancements to payment processing tools, and more will be on display at Booth 1844 at the Charl...
HSMAI Americas Announces 2024 Marketing and Revenue Optimization Honorees
HSMAI | May 30, 2024
McLean, VA (May 30, 2024) – The Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI) Americas is proud to introduce the 2024 Marketing and Revenue Optimization award recipients who will be celebrated during HSMAI’s Commercial Strategy Conference. HSMAI will honor Dr. Kelly McGuire, managing principal of hospitality at ZS Associates, with the prestigious Vanguard Award for Achievement in Revenue Optimization. Scott Dahl, senior vice president of sales, marketing, and revenue management at Wurzak Hotel Group, and Taylor Baca, CRME, CHDM, corporate director of revenue management at Balboa Bay Resort & Club, will be pr...
Famed Chef, Restaurateur and Humanitarian José Andrés Announced as Keynote Session for The Hospitality Show 2024
The Hospitality Show | May 30, 2024
Join us in San Antonio at the Henry B. González Convention Center Oct. 28-30, 2024. Apply for media credentials here. NEW YORK - Internationally recognized culinary innovator, author, educator and humanitarian José Andrés has been announced as the opening keynote session speaker for the second iteration of The Hospitality Show, produced by Questex and the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA). Additional speakers and programming updates will be announced in the coming months. In this lively discussion on Monday, Oct. 28, titled “Changing the World Through the Power of Food,” Andrés will share his passion for aff...
AAHOA Welcomes Memorial Day Travel Reports; Looks Forward to Strong Summer
AAHOA | May 29, 2024
ATLANTA, GA, May 29—AAHOA (Asian American Hotel Owners Association) welcomes the good news about the record highway and air travel numbers set over Memorial Day weekend and is optimistic about the tone it sets for summer travel. "With the summer travel season underway, the numbers from Memorial Day weekend travel, considered the kickoff to summer, indicate great things for America's hotel industry during the upcoming summer months," AAHOA Chairman Miraj S. Patel said. The Transportation Security Agency (TSA) reported a staggering 2.95 million travelers were screened at U.S. airports on Friday, May 24, surpassing a previous record ...
Patricia Affonso-Dass of Ocean Hotels Group in Barbados Named Caribbean Hotelier of the Year
Ocean Hotels Group, Barbados | May 28, 2024
Affonso-Dass accepts Caribbean Hotelier of the Year award at Caribbean Travel Marketplace in Montego Bay, Jamaica Saint Lawrence Gap, Barbados – May 28, 2024 – Patricia Affonso-Dass, CEO/Group General Manager General Manager of Ocean Hotels Group in Barbados, was named the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association’s (CHTA) Hotelier of the Year. Affonso-Dass was announced the winner at the CHTA 2024 Caribbean Travel Marketplace in Montego Bay, Jamaica on May 21, 2024. “I consider myself immensely fortunate and blessed to have been awarded this honor,” said Affonso-Dass. “I have been privileged to know many of the past recipients,...
Rising Star Award Presented to Brittany Brathwaite From Ocean Hotels Barbados at Caribbean Hotel & Resort Investment Summit
Ocean Hotels Barbados | May 28, 2024
Saint Lawrence Gap, Barbados – May 2024 – The International Society of Hospitality Consultants (ISHC) in partnership with Caribbean Hotel & Resort Investment Summit (CHRIS) presented Brittany Brathwaite, Chief People and Development Strategist of Ocean Hotels Group Barbados & Chickmont Foods Ltd, with the prestigious Rising Star Award Caribbean. “I’m truly humbled to be the recipient of the 2024 Rising Star Award – Caribbean,” said Brathwaite. “At my core, I’m driven by the ethos of adding value, through my efforts, to every space I occupy. To have those efforts recognized by the Caribbean’s top tourism leaders is...
Hospitality in the Time of COVID-19
School of Hotel and Tourism Management | May 28, 2024
Hospitality employees’ stress levels during the COVID-19 pandemic and their later career trajectories may depend on both their experiences in the workplace and personal traits, according to Dr Wei-Jue Huang of the School of Hotel and Tourism Management (SHTM) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University and co-authors. Hospitality work is demanding, and the pandemic and associated economic crisis may have led hospitality workers to reconsider their career trajectories. Through direct interviews with current and former employees in the U.S. hospitality industry, the researchers explored how workplace experiences during the pandemic affected these...
Taking the “Swift Lift” Overseas
U.S. Travel Association | May 24, 2024
By Joshua Friedlander This summer, millions of Americans will travel to Europe, many to visit historical cities and one-of-a-kind beaches like Sitges, Biarritz, Tropea and Mykonos. But in Europe this year there is another one-of-a-kind attraction drawing travelers from the States in record numbers—the European leg of Taylor Swift’s “Eras” tour. Taylor's record-setting concerts across the U.S. in 2023 made fans and economists alike rethink the impact an artist can have on a city or region. With ticket prices regularly reaching 4-digit levels, and fans traveling distances reminiscent of festivals like Coachella, the economic impac...
HSMAI Foundation Releases Special Report on The Transformational Power of ‘Commercial’
the HSMAI Foundation | May 24, 2024
McLean, VA (May 24, 2024) – The Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI) Foundation has released a special report, “From Solos to Symphony. The Transformational Power of ‘Commercial’,” which outlines the findings of the HSMAI Foundation’s study on how industry professionals conceptualize the role and scope of commercial strategy within the hotel industry. The report is authored by Breffni M. Noone, Associate Professor at The Pennsylvania State University, and Chris Boyd, Revenue Management Specialist at Hilton. As ‘Commercial’ and ‘Commercial Strategy’ are relatively new additions to the ho...
