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Sonesta launched Sonesta Franchising , its expanded global hotel franchising organization , in 2021 and now has more than 1,100 hotels worldwide across 14 brands . Working with franchisees has been critical to its growth , but Murray was
Sugar Beach , A Viceroy Resort in St . Lucia . Highgate acquired Viceroy Hotels & Resorts in 2022 .
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adamant that working with the company meant not having to deal with the sometimes onerous brand standards lodging companies exact . “ We are trying to make brand standards and PIPs that don ’ t drive franchisees out of business ,” he said . |
The “ A View from the Top ” panel was moderated by Kevin Carey , interim President & CEO , AHLA and included Julie Arrowsmith , president & CEO , Motel 6 & Studio 6 ; Arash Azarbarzin , principal & CEO , Highgate ; Geoff Ballotti , president & CEO , Wyndham Hotels & Resorts ; Joe Berger , president & CEO , BRE Hotels & Resorts ; and John Murray , president & CEO , Sonesta
Azarbarzin , too , said Highgate ’ s approach with Viceroy is similar and that it allows for much more flexible brand standards , which is easier with only 11 hotels .
Though domestic travel across the U . S . has stormed
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back both on the leisure , corporate and group side , accessing more international travelers , especially from Asia , is still in a slumber . Wyndham ’ s Ballotti bemoaned the still long wait times for visas that hampers inbound U . S . travel . He underscored India , where visa wait times can be as long as 250 days .
There continues to be softness out of Asia , especially China , while Japanese travel to the U . S . has also stalled , in particular to Hawaii , which historically has welcomed a surfeit of Japanese travelers . “ It ’ s definitely not back to full force ,” Berger said .
“ Demand levels on west coast inbound travel from Asia hasn ’ t returned ,” Murray said .
All on stage advocated support for the AHLA and its CEO , Kevin Carey , citing local and national issues and educating civic leaders on the benefits of the hotel industry and the economic engine it brings . Consider a November vote in Glendale , Ariz ., that could determine a vastly higher wages bump for hotel workers . Getting and retaining labor talent is of utmost priority for hotel owners , but many could see their profit margins shrink even further if the minimum wage for hotel workers goes up exponentially .
“ The industry is under siege ,” Berger said . “ We have to stay engaged and work with organizations like the AHLA . We are a huge part of GDP and employment and I feel we don ’ t use our voice enough at every level . We have to own this . We are getting it from everywhere .”
Added Murray , “ Very few civic leaders have ever run a business .”
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Oct / Nov 2024 hotelsmag . com 7 |