AAHOA Board Members offer their thoughts on the obstacles and opportunities facing the industry today
No matter where you look, there are countless stories of optimism, resilience, and positivity in the hospitality industry. Nowhere is that more apparent than among AAHOA Members. In the January issue of this publication, we featured a Q&A with a handful of AAHOA Board Members, gauging their opinions on what the coming year would hold for the industry. Here, we catch up with those same directors to learn a little bit more about their backgrounds, including what they think makes this industry so special.
Arti Patel, Central Midwest Regional Director
Where do you see yourself in 10 years? What influences your vision?
“I’d like to continue to be a part of organizations like AAHOA where I can make an impact for the industry and community. Helping to solve problems and being a part of positive change is rewarding.”
Can you share a time you offered hotel rooms to a person in need in your community?
“We’ve had the opportunity to help in this way too many times. There was one time we provided rooms during a teacher walkout, as well.”
Bhavik Patel, Young Professional Director
What was your first event with AAHOA? What do you remember?
“My first event was the annual convention in Philadelphia. I met a lot of new people at that convention. Fast forward to today, and I have a strong relationship with the people I met at that event because I continually see them at other AAHOA events and foster those relationships.”
Can you share any other acts of community service here in the U.S. or abroad?
“I’m a strong believer in giving back and helping the community, and this passion has been instilled in me since high school. I volunteered more than 400 hours at the local recreational center. My activities ranged from cleaning the floors to helping neighborhood children with their class assignments, basketball drills, or just lending them my support. Additionally, I’ve volunteered with various organizations to help with community clean-ups, building houses for unsheltered individuals through Habitat for Humanity, building birdhouses, road clean-ups, monetary donations and supply donations, and many other forms of community service.”
What do you do when not running and/or operating your hotel businesses and participating in organizations such as AAHOA?
“I’m quite diverse and an introverted extrovert. I love to do everything: go out, travel, play any sport (baseball and basketball are my favorites), go mountain biking, zip-lining, white-water rafting, kayaking, and hiking when I travel to mountainous areas. I’ve always liked painting, and wanted to learn music and other miscellaneous hobbies, but I never got around to them. I plan to pursue them as I get older.”
Deepak Patel, Washington DC Area Regional Director
Can you share any acts of community service you’ve participated in – whether in the U.S. or abroad?
“I’m very active in the local Asian American community in Maryland. With the help of friends and family, I organize all different kinds of community events in the area.”
Where do you see yourself in 10 years? What influences your vision?
“I’d like to run for public office. I strongly believe that, to get your voice heard and make a difference, you must stand up and fight.”
What do you do when not running and/or operating your hotel businesses and participating in organizations such as AAHOA?
“I like to take time for myself. I do that by working out, reading books, and spending time with family and friends.”
Fenil Desai, South Carolina Regional Director
What’s the single biggest challenge you face in your business today?
“Challenges come and go, but we’re bound to make decisions as situations occur. Today’s challenges are tomorrow’s success. To me, there is no such thing as a big challenge or a small challenge. All challenges are an opportunity for me to do better than I did yesterday.”
Where do you see yourself in 10 years? What influences your vision?
“With the use of the vast networking and educational opportunities, and great trade resources that AAHOA offers, I hope to become a savvier multi-hotel operator in the coming years.”
What do you do when not running and/or operating your hotel businesses and participating in organizations such as AAHOA?
“My main priority is my family and, more importantly, my daughter, GiGi. She motivates me to do more for my family and the community each and every day.”
Harikrishna (HK) Patel, Mid South Regional Director
Your volunteer leadership role with AAHOA demands a lot of time, talent, and resources. Why do you invest so much in AAHOA and serving its 20,000+ members?
“My understanding is that if we succeed in life, don’t leave others behind. By serving as an AAHOA Board Member, I’m helping fellow hoteliers succeed in their business so we can all be successful business owners.”
Where do you see yourself in 10 years? What influences your vision?
“I see myself more successful and knowledgeable about the industry because of the resources I have with AAHOA.”
What do you do when not running and/or operating your hotel businesses and participating in organizations such as AAHOA?
“I play golf in my spare time and like to do charitable work for BAPS.”
Lina Patel, Female Director Eastern Division
Your volunteer leadership role with AAHOA demands a lot of time, talent, and resources. Why do you invest so much in AAHOA and serving its 20,000+ members?
“I have been a Lifetime Member of AAHOA since 2002. Through the years, AAHOA has provided me with a platform to meet experts and practitioners and become a better leader. I have learned the importance of building relationships with elected officials and decision-makers in our local and state governments to ensure they understand our businesses and industry. AAHOA has provided its members a platform to share the story of America’s hotel owners far and wide. Thanks to AAHOA, we can represent the voice of hoteliers at industry conferences across the country and have broadened our networks. When the industry comes together to learn about new trends, examine the market, better understand the changing needs and desires of guests, and find ways to become more efficient or integrate new technology, AAHOA is there!”
Naresh (ND) Bhakta, Greater Los Angeles Area Regional Director
When did you own your first hotel? Can you share the story?
“I arrived in the U.S. on December 15, 1980, and purchased my first motel on April 1, 1981, in Seiling, OK. When I first started, I handled all the motel operations, including laundry, cleaning, maintenance, front desk, guest service, and more. It kept me very busy. I lost the motel during the oil crisis of 1983, so I worked in various high school janitor services to earn a livelihood during that time. Thankfully, I never gave up, and I’m proud of the hard work and dedication that got me to where I am today.”
Can you share a time you offered hotel rooms to a person in need in your community?
“Back in 1981, I provided guest rooms during the winter months in Seiling. I’ve also provided free rooms to people in need on various occasions. In 2005, I was a part of a group who started ‘Helping Hands of El Monte.’ The City of El Monte honored us for this initiative with a certificate of appreciation.”
Pinal Patel, Director at Large Eastern Division
What was your first event with AAHOA? What do you remember?
“My first event with AAHOA was Legislative Day on Capitol Hill in 2014. I remember feeling nervous to speak with my elected officials about the hotel industry but also honored to advocate for America’s hotel owners.”
When did you own your first hotel? Can you share the story?
“My parents bought their first hotel property in 1991. My brother and I took over the family hotel business a few years ago.”
Rahul Patel, Florida Regional Director
What is your most successful property and why?
“All my ventures have been equally highly successful. Different properties have different measures of success and, thankfully, I’ve always had the best experience owning each of my properties.”
Where do you see yourself in 10 years? What influences your vision here?
“In 10 years, I see myself having a clearer voice for my fellow hoteliers. I also see AAHOA becoming an even stronger voice when it comes to industry issues.”
Sanjay M. Patel, Alabama Regional Director
Can you share any acts of community service you’ve participated in – whether in the U.S. or abroad?
“Every year, I donate to the deaf and blind kids’ music program in Bardoli, India. They’re an inspiration to me. No matter the hand you’re dealt, you can take the positives and build from there. I also donate to BAPS monthly, and they do a wonderful job locally and abroad of helping people.”
Many things changed in the world during the pandemic. What do you think will never go back to the way it was before?
“I honestly think we are moving toward a seamless check-in process like mobile check-in, which was in the works, but the pandemic accelerated the need for it with all brands.”
When did you own your first hotel? Can you share the story?
“Our first property was an EconoLodge in Birmingham, AL. We bought it right after the recession. We were rebuilding after being affected by the 2008 recession. We came out ahead on that property and grew from there and are still growing today!”
Taran Patel, Northwest Regional Director
What’s the single biggest challenge you face in your business today?
“The last three years have had so many up-and-down moments that led to a large exodus of workers in the industry. As hoteliers, we’re so focused on recruiting new talent that we lose focus on getting creative on ways to retain and reward those loyal team members.”
What do you do when not running and/or operating your hotel businesses and participating in organizations such as AAHOA?
“I enjoy time with friends and family, exploring new restaurants, and staying active.”
How many hotels do you own or operate now?
“We currently have 11 properties in our portfolio of owned/managed hotels.”
Vik Zaver, Georgia Regional Director
Your volunteer leadership role with AAHOA demands a lot of time, talent, and resources. Why do you invest so much in AAHOA and serving its 20,000+ members?
“I volunteer and invest into AAHOA because they invest into our business and our community. Without AAHOA, our voices wouldn’t be heard on Capitol Hill, within our local community, franchise relations, or charitable organizations. This is why I feel it’s my duty to contribute what I can to ensure a brighter future for the next generation.”
Where do you see yourself in 10 years? What influences your vision?
“I see myself building onto my family’s business and, hopefully, within the hospitality segment. Real estate is an ever-changing industry, so my goal is to be adaptive and lean into the changes with an open mind.”
Vimal Patel, Gulf Regional Director
What do you think AAHOA could be doing more of?
“I would love to see AAHOA start a charity foundation that gives back to our hotel owners, team members, and the communities where we live and work.”
Can you share a time you offered hotel rooms to a person in need in your community?
“We donated 548 rooms to medical personnel and first responders during the pandemic. Having the opportunity to quarantine in a clean place and prevent the virus from spreading in their homes eased the minds of these professionals. While we were unable to accommodate our guests, because people weren’t traveling during the height of the pandemic, it meant a lot to accommodate medical personnel and first responders at no cost to them.”
When did you own your first hotel? Can you share the story?
“In 2005, I purchased a closed-down hotel with broken windows, and the doors were absolutely terrible. It was a broken motel. I remodeled it and named it the Royal Inn.”
