The marketplace is dominated by franchised properties. Large hotel chains have scale. They are sizable corporations with consolidated management, large-scale marketing departments, and clearly defined standards, rules, and associated costs.
But, despite the dominance of franchised properties, there is another type of property bringing diversity to the hospitality industry – independent hotels.
Independent hotels are a valuable part of the hospitality industry with highly prized inventory. These hotels have the flexibility to play around with their brand, and they provide freedom to explore and innovate. Not having specific brand standards can open opportunities for creative designs, offerings, and memorable highlights.
AAHOA Members have made a tremendous impact in the independent hotel segment of the industry, and many them got their start in independent properties without help from brands. In fact, our Oxford Data shows that 32% of AAHOA Members currently own independent properties. Thanks to AAHOA entrepreneurs and hoteliers who put everything on the line to support their families, courageously followed their dreams, and enjoyed the freedom to create an alternative type of property, AAHOA Members currently own nearly 14,000 independent hotels.
Whatever type of property you own, AAHOA will continue to lead the way and support all members to ensure the longevity of our industry and keep the promise of being the foremost resource and advocate for America’s Hotel Owners.
With the hype around the traveling public’s desire for a more interesting hotel experience, guests are drawn to these independent hotels. Many of our AAHOA independent hoteliers partner with their local providers to give a more natural experience and capture the essence of their neighborhoods or communities. Guests celebrate the local experience, which further benefits the local economy.
An independent hotel has the opportunity to genuinely distinguish its property as unique. Independent hotels focus on the guest and the customer experience to deliver a more personalized experience. They can respond to guest needs quickly, delivering a personal experience that results in greater guest loyalty.
Given the uniqueness of the independent hotels and the challenges they face, AAHOA is seeking to provide greater resources, benefits, and tools to all of America’s independent hotel owners to help your bottom line and ensure your business is successful.
AAHOA is focusing on new offerings specifically designed for independent hoteliers that include professional development tools, independent hotelier events, along with a renewed focus at regional meetings, town halls, webinars, education sessions, and trainings. Some of those training sessions will include areas like booking technology, revenue management, rate shopping, commercial strategy, distribution and digital marketing, hotel assets, investments, scaling your portfolio, management services, ADA compliance, lawsuits, finances, taxes, and much more.
Whatever type of property you own, AAHOA will continue to lead the way and support all members to ensure the longevity of our industry and keep the promise of being the foremost resource and advocate for America’s Hotel Owners.
