AAHOA Chairman Bharat Patel on his year as the leader of the world’s largest hotel owners association and the legacy he wants to leave
AAHOA Chairman Bharat Patel
The term of Bharat Patel concludes at next month’s AAHOACON24 in Orlando, FL. Before he passes the Chair’s Gavel to Miraj S. Patel, we caught up with him to talk about a wide range of topics including the specific challenges he’s faced this past year, the long-term importance of industry advocacy, as well as looking at where the industry is headed in the years to come.
WHO INSPIRED YOU MOST DURING YOUR YEAR AS CHAIRMAN?
My family and the AAHOA membership. I received unconditional support from my wife, Manisha, and my two kids, Dia and Sunny. Another example is my mother and father. Due to discrimination in the late 80s, they had a very difficult time getting insurance, which would have forced them to leave the industry altogether. Their passion and drive to keep going despite challenges is something they instilled in me, and I try to follow in their footsteps. They continue to be an inspiration through example. On another note, I find joy in providing service to others. Equipping our members with the tools to be able to provide for their families kept me going. In our native language, there’s a saying called Samaj Seva, which means community service. I was inspired by my family and the membership to help as many people as I could in our industry.
WHAT LEGACY DO YOU HOPE TO LEAVE AT AAHOA AND IN THE INDUSTRY?
Simply put, to have left AAHOA better and stronger for our members than when I began my term as Chairman.
WHAT’S NEXT FOR YOU IN TERMS OF SERVICE AND LEADERSHIP?
I joke that I’m like George Washington. He was called up from his retirement at Mount Vernon to lead the Continental Army then dramatically resigned his commission and returned to his farm once he had fulfilled his duty and mission for which he had been elected. Hypothetically speaking, I will be “returning to the farm” – my family business – when my volunteer service is complete.
WHAT’S THE BEST PIECE OF ADVICE YOU RECEIVED DURING YOUR YEAR AS CHAIRMAN?
“Don’t screw it up!” In all seriousness, I believe the best piece of advice I received during my year as Chairman is to use my moral compass to make the best judgment. If you’re a good person, and you mean well, it will only help your ability to discern what is right and wrong and guide you to act accordingly.
LOOKING BACK AT YOUR YEAR AS AAHOA CHAIRMAN, IS THERE AN ACCOMPLISHMENT OF WHICH YOU’RE MOST PROUD?
How far AAHOA has come in the area of advocacy – that’s what gives me the most pride. Advocacy matters and AAHOA is being recognized for its advocacy leadership. We’re advancing our policy priorities by meeting with legislators and regulators regularly – with more than 200 staff and Members of Congress at one event alone recently – at our Spring and Fall National Advocacy Conferences in Washington, D.C.
AAHOA is helping ensure the sustainability of hotels and the broader American travel industry by supporting many issues such as expanding access to capital by increasing SBA Loan Limit Amounts, protecting Main Street small business owners by supporting the Credit Card Competition Act, and addressing the workforce shortage. These are complex, far-reaching issues that AAHOA is impacting meaningfully through our advocacy.
ON A RELATED NOTE, IS THERE ANYTHING YOU WEREN’T ABLE TO TACKLE THAT YOU’D LIKE TO SEE YOUR SUCCESSORS DEAL WITH?
There is always more left to do. There is no quick method to getting legislation enacted, for example, or repairing brand relationships over disagreements on issues such as franchise agreement equity. AAHOA used to always play defense. So, whenever Congress or state legislators passed laws that could hurt AAHOA Members or the hospitality industry, we spent a lot of energy fighting them. We should actually be on offense. We should be advocating for laws that help our communities. In fact, just last month, AAHOA, alongside the leadership of Congressman Shri Thanedar (MI-13), introduced the Loans in our Neighborhoods Act (LIONS Act), which, if passed into law, would amend the Small Business Act by increasing the maximum gross loan amount for section 7(a) loans. The LIONS Act seeks to raise the limit from $5M to $10M, thereby providing greater financial support to small businesses and hoteliers everywhere. We’ve come a long way, but I think the sky is the limit when it comes to the durable, significant impact AAHOA can and will make.
AAHOA Chairman Bharat Patel with his wife, children, and parents.
WHAT DO YOU FEEL WAS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE FACING YOU WHEN YOU ASSUMED THE CHAIRMANSHIP AND HOW DID YOU ADDRESS IT?
Communicating effectively with our membership, industry partners, and brands. We’re living in the digital age; there are so many communication channels. Once upon a time, I used fax machines to send out messages. Before, you would get a fax once a week from AAHOA with a rundown of what’s going on at the moment. Now, we’ve had to figure out how to get our messaging out quickly, whether it’s through email, social media, our website, newsletters, the media – you name it. So, AAHOA has adapted to the needs of our members and industry partners.
ARE THERE AREAS WHERE YOU FEEL LIKE AAHOA NEEDS TO GROW AND DEVELOP MORE OF A PRESENCE?
Every market in America has a hotel – whether it’s a small town, a medium-sized town, or a big metropolitan city. AAHOA Members own more than 60% of hotels across the country, so we have a hotel in almost every market. While AAHOA has a large presence when it comes to owning hotels, there’s room to grow when it comes to building influence. What I mean by that is, we can’t just continue to build hotels and not be engaged in our local communities. If AAHOA wants to become the true powerhouse that it is, we have to continue to connect with local elected officials, invest in the communities where we own hotels, and participate in charitable causes in the communities we serve. As the old expression goes, you either have a seat at the table, or you’re on the menu.
AAHOA Chairman Bharat Patel and his wife, Manisha, during the opening reception for AAHOACON23 at the Los Angeles Coliseum.
WHAT’S YOUR ASSESSMENT OF THE OVERALL HEALTH OF THE INDUSTRY RIGHT NOW?
It is #AAHOAStrong, but we’re facing a lot of headwinds. The workforce shortage continues to be a formidable challenge, in terms of acquiring talent, retaining talent, and the cost of that talent. A lot of people have left the industry. Supply chain issues also remain prevalent. In the past, if I needed shampoo next week, I ordered two days from now. Now, I have to stock up. Insurance rates are higher than they’ve ever been, and could even force some owners out of the industry. High interest rates are another issue; they’re killing lending, which can hurt refurbishing and renovating hotels, and putting capital back. It’s one reason why it is so important the LIONS Act get passed into law.
WAS THERE ANYTHING THAT SURPRISED YOU DURING YOUR YEAR AS AAHOA CHAIRMAN?
What surprised me most during the past year is the love and dedication of our members. I knew the feelings for the association were strong before I was Chairman, but now I fully understand what it means to “drink the Kool-Aid.” I traveled all around the country this year and attended dozens of events, met so many people, who told me they feel like AAHOA is the only association that can advocate and fight for them. AAHOA makes them feel heard. The love and the intensity of their feelings about AAHOA, and the desire for it to succeed and flourish, is something I’ve never seen before.
AAHOA Chairman Bharat Patel and his family.
DID SERVING AS AAHOA CHAIRMAN SHAPE YOUR OUTLOOK ON THE INDUSTRY?
It definitely has. It has given me a perspective that’s unique to being the Chairman of the largest hotel owners association in the world. It’s like being on the mountaintop looking out at the industry – a bird’s eye view. It humbles you.
It’s clear to me AAHOA is starting to hit its stride and is having a greater impact on the hospitality industry than ever before. This position helped me see the pathway forward, and I know we can do so much more when it comes to educating and informing our members, making sure they’re prepared, and ensuring that we are keeping the AAHOA community connected.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THOSE WHO HAVEN’T YET PURSUED BOARD OR LEADERSHIP POSITIONS?
Do it. Don’t be scared. Choose to serve. Yes, we’re all busy, and we all have constraints because of our family or business commitments, but this is an opportunity to better yourself. I believe that in serving AAHOA and serving the industry, you’ll become a better operator, a better business person, but also a better family man or woman, even a better parent – better all around. In AAHOA’s leadership positions, when you commit to board service, you learn skills that help you in other parts of your life, too.
If and when you choose to serve, you’ll hit it 100 miles an hour, and you will do your best. But when your time is up, your time is up. If you really want an experience that can help transform your life, this is one of the places you can do it. Human capacity and human potential are limitless – AAHOA is one of the best places to put them to use.
