The Industry Leaders Check-In panel , from left : John Cohlan , CEO , Margaritaville ; Sloan Dean , CEO , Remington Hospitality ; John Murray , CEO , Sonesta International Hotels ; Peter Strebel , chairman , Omni Hotels & Resorts ; Jeff Wagoner , CEO , Outrigger Hospitality Group .
CONFERENCE REWIND
Groups , finally , are filling hotel rooms
AND SPENDING MONEY ON PROPERTY
THAT ATTRACTIVE COHORT ALL BUT DISAPPEARED DURING THE PANDEMIC . IT ’ S BACK .
By DAVID EISEN
NEW YORK — When COVID hit , hotels that remained open , particularly resorts and extended-stay hotels , had a modicum of success mainly from the leisure segment feeding them . Evaporated , however , was the group business that hotels traditionally thrive on . These guests are an ancillary revenue goldmine for hotels : they spend money on food , on beverage , on spa , on golf , on parking — on everything not bolted or serviced within the room .
That attractive cohort all but disappeared during the pandemic . It ’ s back now and hoteliers , gathered at an “ Industry Leaders ” panel during the NYU International Hospitality Industry Investment Conference , couldn ’ t be more elated .
“ Group has returned ,” said Peter Strebel , chairman of Omni Hotels & Resorts , whose portfolio of more than 50 hotels is basically split between resorts and convention
12 hotelsmag . com Jul / Aug 2023