Looking at the future while keeping an eye on the past with several members of the AAHOA Board of Directors
The inevitability of a new year always seems to bring with it a sense of newness and opportunity. January 1 serves as a convenient waypoint by which new goals can be measured, especially as we conclude a truly challenging two years. And when looking to the future, only a fool would fail to look back at the distant and recent past for guidance. So, as you cast your vision for 2022 and beyond, take a few minutes to find out what several of your peers learned from the pandemic, how they’re planning to leverage those lessons, and where they see the industry going as we all move forward together.
Bharat Patel, CHO, CHIA
Treasurer
WHAT’S THE BIGGEST LESSON YOU LEARNED IN 2020-2021 (DURING THE PANDEMIC), AND HOW WILL THAT AFFECT YOU AS A HOTELIER IN 2022?
During the pandemic, I was reminded that hotel owners may have influence but we don’t have control. That’s true of relationships with brands, with government, and certainly of our karma with the universe around us.
I also learned that the most important problems are the ones we can prevent. So, as I move forward in 2022, my management style will be guided by avoidance. What can I do to avoid situations that are dangerous or decisions that are desperate for my business?
AS A HOTELIER, WHAT ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO IN 2022?
I want hotel owners to find the “up” side of “down.” We’ve done so much for so long with so little that we probably feel like we’re capable of doing anything with nothing. Instead, I want us to finally have more – more answers, more solutions, more resources, and especially more profits.
The pandemic showed us that trouble never sends a warning. But as owners, we responded by being fast on our feet and even faster in our thinking. We became very innovative problem solvers. Now, I’m ready for our industry to enjoy the rebound, because the pandemic sure hurt.
THE INDUSTRY HAS EVOLVED SO MUCH. MOVING FORWARD, WHAT’S ONE THING YOU WON’T DO AS IT RELATES TO HOTEL OWNERSHIP, OPERATIONS, ETC.?
In a perfect world, there would only be perfect options and each of us would always make perfect decisions. But in the real world, we have to evaluate the facts at any given time and make hard choices and the best decisions possible.
So, I won’t ever say “never.” Instead of what I won’t do, I prefer to focus on what I WILL do at my hotels. I will hire, train, and retain the best possible employees. I will maintain the property in a way that achieves high guest satisfaction and retains optimum market value. I will minimize costs so I can maximize revenue. And I will certainly maintain adequate cash reserves for emergencies.
DIFFICULTIES ALWAYS BRING OPPORTUNITIES FOR GROWTH. WHAT CAN HOTELIERS DO TO GROW AND SUCCEED IN 2022 AND BEYOND?
To paraphrase Albert Einstein, “If you can’t explain something to a 6-year-old, you don’t understand it yourself.” That’s great advice for hotel owners in the coming months. Whatever target audience we want to communicate with, we should make our message simple and clear. In every situation, we will be much more successful if we are guided by this simple, yet profound, advice.
Prashant Patel
Director at Large
WHAT’S THE BIGGEST LESSON YOU LEARNED IN 2020-2021 (DURING THE PANDEMIC), AND HOW WILL THAT AFFECT YOU AS A HOTELIER IN 2022?
The period of 2020-2021 was a very unexpected time for us all. As a small business owner and AAHOA Board Member, I’ve realized the important role organizations such as AAHOA played in advocacy and education efforts. Without such tools and resources, many of our members would not have been able to take advantage of the government programs like SBA EIDL, PPP, and statewide grants. Through the help of educational resources provided through AAHOA and AHLA, I feel more confident and prepared to continue to provide a safe and sanitized environment to our guests and staff moving forward.
THE INDUSTRY HAS EVOLVED SO MUCH. MOVING FORWARD, WHAT’S ONE THING YOU WON’T DO AS IT RELATES TO HOTEL OWNERSHIP, OPERATIONS, ETC.?
From the stance of providing a clean and sanitized environment for our guests and staff, by minimizing some of the amenities and services, it has allowed our staff to concentrate more on the cleanliness aspect of the stay. Moving forward, I do not see us extending amenities to our guests. To continue building loyalty with our guests, it’s important we continue to concentrate on providing a clean stay for our guests with exceptional customer service.
DIFFICULTIES ALWAYS BRING OPPORTUNITIES FOR GROWTH. WHAT CAN HOTELIERS DO TO GROW AND SUCCEED IN 2022 AND BEYOND?
We will have to rely more on automation. Front desk virtual assistance and online check-in is gaining traction, but I’m looking forward to seeing how automation will change the operations in the back of the house.
Lina Patel, CHO
Female Director Eastern Division
WHAT’S THE BIGGEST LESSON YOU LEARNED IN 2020-2021 (DURING THE PANDEMIC), AND HOW WILL THAT AFFECT YOU AS A HOTELIER IN 2022?
I appreciate our employees even more than ever. Throughout the pandemic, our team continued to work diligently, in many cases multi-tasking. We have realized that our employees are the most valuable piece of the pie.
DIFFICULTIES ALWAYS BRING OPPORTUNITIES FOR GROWTH. WHAT CAN HOTELIERS DO TO GROW AND SUCCEED IN 2022 AND BEYOND?
Find creative ways to retain employees. Today’s workforce is looking for quality of life, quality of workplace, quality of job, and quality of environment and opportunities.
Sandip Patel
Washington DC Area Regional Director
WHAT’S THE BIGGEST LESSON YOU LEARNED IN 2020-2021 (DURING THE PANDEMIC), AND HOW WILL THAT AFFECT YOU AS A HOTELIER IN 2022?
The pandemic took all of us in unexpected directions and to unimagined lows that we could never have anticipated. However, the response of owners was impressive. We showed tremendous ingenuity, flexibility, and quickness in finding ways to keep our guests and team members safe.
We also proved how essential it is to have a plan because that’s the guideline from which you can adapt and adjust as things go wrong. Our obsession as hotel owners must be to always prepare, prepare, and then prepare some more.
AS A HOTELIER, WHAT ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO IN 2022?
A return to satisfactory return on investment. Period and exclamation point. During the pandemic, we learned how to operate with little-to-no income, so now we should use those lessons to keep costs low while we try to maximize revenue. And the three biggest ways for each owner to reduce hotel expenses is through changes in brand fees, government taxes, and how we build and then manage our budget.
THE INDUSTRY HAS EVOLVED SO MUCH. MOVING FORWARD, WHAT’S ONE THING YOU WON’T DO AS IT RELATES TO HOTEL OWNERSHIP, OPERATIONS, ETC.?
I heard a great expression recently: There are no shortcuts to any place worth going. So, I don’t intend to cut corners because that’s the quickest way to go in circles.
As an owner, I intend to focus on the basics of good business at my properties. Like more carefully managing my people and my finances. Like thinking more creatively outside the box for new sources of revenue, perhaps with expanded marketing to different target audiences or with enhanced services such as F&B.
And as an AAHOA Member, I don’t intend to give up our fight for the interests of owners, especially with brands and with government, the two groups that have the biggest impact on our investment and our bottom line.
DIFFICULTIES ALWAYS BRING OPPORTUNITIES FOR GROWTH. WHAT CAN HOTELIERS DO TO GROW AND SUCCEED IN 2022 AND BEYOND?
AAHOA Members don’t dream small, and we want to grow and succeed on two levels – as an industry and as individual owners.
To grow as an industry, hotel owners must focus on external activities, like building our relationships with brands and with government. By strengthening our voice with these two groups, we can influence and improve the marketplace in which we do business.
To grow as owners, members must focus on internal AAHOA activities, like taking education classes, attending conferences, and serving on committees or in elected positions.
So, my advice to hotel owners for 2022 is simple: Let’s harness our collective drive and determination through AAHOA. If we do that, we’ll create the positive change that improves our industry and enables our personal success.
Mike Riverside, CHO, CHA,
South Pacific Regional Director
WHAT’S THE BIGGEST LESSON YOU LEARNED IN 2020-2021 (DURING THE PANDEMIC), AND HOW WILL THAT AFFECT YOU AS A HOTELIER IN 2022?
The biggest lesson I learned reaffirmed the importance of being involved in all levels of social and professional life, from engagement with fellow hoteliers and the travel and tourism industries to all levels of government. Engagement ensures our voices are heard and we have a voice in shaping the many aspects of life that impact our health and well-being. As a lifelong hotelier, I will continue to be a visible and vocal advocate for our members’ and all stakeholders’ interests.
DIFFICULTIES ALWAYS BRING OPPORTUNITIES FOR GROWTH. WHAT CAN HOTELIERS DO TO GROW AND SUCCEED IN 2022 AND BEYOND?
Hoteliers need to invest in the automation of hotel services to continue to be successful in 2022 and beyond. Automating check-in services to room cleaning with new technologies will improve operational efficiencies and enhance the guest experience.
Vik Zaver
Georgia Regional Director
WHAT’S THE BIGGEST LESSON YOU LEARNED IN 2020-2021 (DURING THE PANDEMIC), AND HOW WILL THAT AFFECT YOU AS A HOTELIER IN 2022?
The biggest lesson I learned as a hotelier was to be as diversified as possible. Yes, it’s great to have other asset types or get into stocks, bonds, NFTs, crypto, etc., but even something as simple as having different hotels in different markets that cater to different clientele is diversifying the portfolio.
THE INDUSTRY HAS EVOLVED SO MUCH. MOVING FORWARD, WHAT’S THE ONE THING THAT YOU WILL NOT DO AS IT RELATES TO HOTEL OWNERSHIP, OPERATIONS, ETC.?
As the industry continues to evolve, the one that I won’t do is succumb to the historic employee burnout. We will adapt and learn other ways to succeed without having to rely on any single facet.
DIFFICULTIES ALWAYS BRING OPPORTUNITIES FOR GROWTH. WHAT CAN HOTELIERS DO TO GROW AND SUCCEED IN 2022 AND BEYOND?
Hoteliers will have to learn what fits their model to set themselves up for success. If you know your strong suit isn’t operations, then let a management company handle that for you. There is no shame in knowing yourself and giving up small things for the bigger picture.
Sunil (Sunny) Patel, CHO, CHIA
Northeast Regional Director
WHAT’S THE BIGGEST LESSON YOU LEARNED IN 2020-2021 (DURING THE PANDEMIC), AND HOW WILL THAT AFFECT YOU AS A HOTELIER IN 2022?
You need to be flexible and adjust your goals and expectations. I’ll look for ways to better position my property to be able to absorb any future downturns.
DIFFICULTIES ALWAYS BRING OPPORTUNITIES FOR GROWTH. WHAT CAN HOTELIERS DO TO GROW AND SUCCEED IN 2022 AND BEYOND?
Let’s take the down period during the pandemic and use it as a reset to look into better ways of doing things in the future to better prepare for any future downturns.
Sanjay M. Patel
Alabama Regional Director
WHAT’S THE BIGGEST LESSON YOU LEARNED IN 2020-2021 (DURING THE PANDEMIC), AND HOW WILL THAT AFFECT YOU AS A HOTELIER IN 2022?
We went through possibly the worst time that not only the hotel industry but the world economy has ever seen. Through this, we as a nation and as a resilient hotel industry showed our true colors and fought through. Some battled through financial trouble, and some struggled with construction delays, while many dealt with employment woes. We had plenty to learn during the pandemic, but the most important thing I learned was to be resilient.
DIFFICULTIES ALWAYS BRING OPPORTUNITIES FOR GROWTH. WHAT CAN HOTELIERS DO TO GROW AND SUCCEED IN 2022 AND BEYOND?
Different situations require thinking outside of the box, and one thing that is more evident than anything else is staying ahead with technology-related solutions.
