Josiah Mackenzie - 10 Minutes News for Hoteliers - Page 12

1 min

Why STR’s 40 Years of Proprietary Data Is Its Superpower in the AI Era

💻 STR President Amanda Hite discusses AI's future role in hospitality at the 2025 Hotel Data Conference. STR's 40 years of hotel data is its key advantage. Her team is carefully testing AI to enhance data onboarding and analysis while safeguarding data integrity. Human judgment remains crucial for interpreting data. This dialogue provides insights on leveraging AI in forecasting without compromising trust.

3 min

The Real Purpose of Hotel Benchmarking – Amanda Hite, STR

📈 **Josiah and Amanda discuss the importance of benchmarking in the hotel industry.** When? 2025. Where? U.S. hotel market. What? The key is consistency in tracking data to grow market share. How? By adapting to changes and focusing on competitive growth. The U.S. hotel demand forecast has been revised to -0.1%. With no new demand growth, businesses must shift demand from competitors to succeed. Why? To survive in a rapidly changing environment.

1 min

Protecting Margins in the Profitability Squeeze of 2025 – Amanda Hite, STR

📑 Amanda Hite, President of STR, discusses 2025's hospitality profitability challenges. Shrinking margins result from ADR lagging behind inflation, rising labor costs, and debt service challenges, despite strong demand. STR's new tools and global benchmarking capabilities assist owners, operators, and brands in aligning data and making faster decisions. This episode offers practical insights for navigating current market pressures and maintaining strong business performance in the hospitality sector.

1 min

Six Months of Challenges: STR President Amanda Hite on Hotels’ Short-Term Outlook

📈 Amanda Hite, President of STR, shared the latest hotel industry forecast on August 7, 2025.

5 min

Calm Minds, Bold Moves: Amanda Hite on Leading STR Through Change

📈 In August 2025, at the Hotel Data Conference in Nashville, STR President Amanda Hite discussed leadership lessons inspired by STR founder Randy Smith. Smith's leadership style emphasized recognizing personal limitations, valuing team expertise, and encouraging risk-taking within set guardrails. Hite applies these principles to lead in CoStar Group, promoting calm and thoughtful decision-making in fast-paced environments. She highlights the significance of making quick decisions with available data, iterating as needed, and fostering an environment of autonomy and execution.

1 min

From Forts to Function: The Innovation Kids Love That Drives Repeat Stays – Saar Shai

🏨 Saar Shai, co-founder of Wanderland, introduces "Screener," a modular, themed room divider for hotels, inspired by observing his children on vacation. This innovation addresses the lack of connecting rooms and enhances the family stay experience, thereby boosting guest loyalty. Saar emphasizes the importance of partnerships with creative hoteliers and advocates for starting small to achieve significant wins in hotel operations.

1 min

The Lantern Hotel: Pioneering Inclusive Employment in Hospitality – David Tart, Raines

🏨 David Tart, Managing Partner at Raines, discusses The Lantern Hotel, transforming an old fire station in Columbia, South Carolina, into a hotel. The project creates inclusive employment opportunities by empowering individuals with intellectual disabilities. Hospitality leaders can learn about the impact of intentional employment practices on communities and the industry.

11 min

Risk, Reward, and Relationships: David Tart’s Proven Playbook for Hospitality Success

🏨 David Tart leveraged his family's North Carolina farmland to develop a Hampton Inn, learning the ropes of hospitality through relationships and risk-taking. Despite lacking prior experience, he acquired a franchise before 2008, benefiting from mentors like David Swinter and Dwayne Parrish. Now with Raines, David manages a diverse hotel portfolio, emphasizing relationship-building. The initial venture into management with Grey Raines, transformed into a company with nearly 3,000 employees, focused on sustainable, relationship-driven growth.

1 min

Winning Without OTAs: How Unplugged Achieves 100% Direct Bookings by Creating a Brand Guests Love – Hector Hughes

📰 Danica Smith interviews Hector Hughes, co-founder of Unplugged, about achieving 100% direct bookings and nearly full occupancy year-round without OTAs. Unplugged's success comes from organic growth and strategic marketing using social media. By building a movement, not just a brand, Unplugged has transformed its business model. Hospitality leaders can learn from their approach to boost direct demand and authenticity.

1 min

Digital Detox Done Differently: How Hector Hughes Built Unplugged into a Hospitality Phenomenon

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