Guest Contributor - 10 Minutes News for Hoteliers - Page 4

Smaller teams, smarter support: Why fractional finance teams are a win for hotels

📈 Hotels in 2025 are shifting to fractional finance models due to labor cost hikes and tight profit margins. On-site finance teams are costly, with a full-time role exceeding six figures. The U.S. faces a shortage of 340,000 accountants, prompting flexible staffing solutions. Despite higher pay, 65% of hotels report shortages. Fractional teams offer scalable, strategic support, addressing fluctuating financial needs without full-time overhead, aligning with trends in IT and marketing sectors.

4 min

Forecasting the impact of the 2026 World Cup on North America lodging

🏆 From June 11 to July 19, 2026, the FIFA World Cup will occur in 16 North American cities, featuring 48 teams and 104 matches. The U.S. GDP impact is projected at $17.2 billion. The longest distance between host cities, Mexico City and Vancouver, is 3,000 miles. The U.S. hotel industry might see a 1.8% RevPAR boost. Cities like New York and Los Angeles are likely to benefit most, while others may see minimal impact.

3 min

How soft brand hotels became a winning formula for independents and lodging companies

🏨 Soft brand hotels, blending individual charm with major group support, have emerged as a key trend in hospitality since independent hotels faced marketing challenges post-1950s branding surge. Millennials and Gen Z favor authentic, local experiences, driving demand. Soft brands offer brand reliability and loyalty perks alongside unique experiences, attracting both travelers and owners. These hotels balance creative freedom with operational support, leveraging online platforms for global reach. Expected to persist, they cater to travelers' desires for flexibility and authenticity.

4 min

The digital future of procurement in hospitality

📦 Sage Hotel Management and Resolute Road Hospitality are leveraging tech solutions to optimize inventory management. Automated systems enhance accuracy, efficiency, and cost control, addressing challenges like supply-chain disruptions, price volatility, and labor shortages. Amazon Business offers tools like Guided Buying and integrations with over 300 systems, improving procurement strategies. Real-time tracking and data analytics streamline operations, reduce waste, and enhance guest experiences. This digital shift is revolutionizing inventory and purchasing decisions across hospitality.

4 min

How overcoming supply challenges improves the guest experience

📦 Peter Tziahanas, EVP of Hotel Equities, highlights the shift from manual procurement to digital, predictive analytics in the hospitality industry. Labor shortages and fluctuating costs challenge operators, necessitating creative sourcing and ‘just-in-case’ inventory planning. Amazon Business improves efficiency with solutions that integrate shopping, shipping, and analysis. Tools like Business Prime and Spend Visibility facilitate fast, cost-effective purchasing, optimizing time and inventory. These strategies aim to maintain guest satisfaction and operational efficiency.

4 min

Taking stock: Decoding luxury and upper-upscale hotel investment patterns

💰 New York led the U.S. luxury hotel market over the past decade, with $10.1 billion in transactions and 38 deals. California's Montage Laguna Beach set a record in 2015 at $1.45 million per key. By 2025, Q1 hotel transactions hit $4.6 billion, up 23.1% from 2024. Limited supply growth at 0.7% annually supports market strength. Hotel loan maturities of $145 billion over 2025-2026 could accelerate sales.

3 min

How AI operationalization improves performance and guest comfort

💻 Hospitality leaders in 2025 leverage AI and IoT for enhanced guest experiences and operational efficiency. Unified, cloud-based AI platforms enable predictive decision-making by consolidating data on guest preferences, energy use, and staff activity. AI-driven systems optimize resource usage, personalize guest services, and support sustainability goals with intelligent HVAC and water management. Moreover, AI asset tracking and staff safety systems improve service speed and safety, fulfilling sustainability and personalization demands while reducing costs.

What ‘slowcation’ means and how it will impact the future of travel

🌴 Travelers are embracing "slowcation," focusing on longer stays and local immersion over rapid itineraries. This trend, centered on emotional clarity and JOMO (Joy of Missing Out), prioritizes rest and familiar places. The hospitality sector is adapting by simplifying experiences, offering discounts for stays over 10 days, and promoting wellness. Remote work is also blurring travel boundaries. Travel brands can thrive by focusing on wellness, deeper connections, and designing experiences that prioritize simplicity and emotional rewards.

Going south: BD Hotels brings New York attitude to West Palm Beach with The Nora Hotel

🏘️ NDT Development, Place Projects, Wheelock Street Capital, and BD Hotels are developing The Nora District in West Palm Beach, a 40-acre project with retail, restaurants, residential, and a flagship hotel. BD Hotels' first venture outside NYC, The Nora Hotel, opens in August 2026 with 201 rooms, costing $200 million. This Mediterranean-style hotel aims to attract leisure and business travelers, contributing to the area's urban transformation with minimal office vacancy.

6 min

Four Seasons cashed in on “The White Lotus” hysteria. It’s not the only hotel company winning the partnership game.

🏨 Earlier this year, visits to Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui's website rose by 596%, with availability checks up 767%, driven by the third season of "The White Lotus" filmed at the resort. Similar trends were observed in Maui and Taormina, locations for previous seasons. A survey revealed 88% of Millennials viewing "The White Lotus" have a positive outlook on Four Seasons, with 71% eager to visit. Millennials and Gen Z make up 57% of the Four Seasons guest base.

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