Josiah Mackenzie - 10 Minutes News for Hoteliers - Page 28

17 min

Tariffs, Unfolding Travel Trends, and San Francisco’s Comeback – Zach Demuth, JLL

📌 In the hospitality industry, optimism peaked in late 2022 due to interest rate cuts beginning in September and strong performance in urban travel, particularly international group and business demand. However, by 2023 and 2024, geopolitical developments and potential trade wars introduced uncertainty. While the fundamentals of travel demand remained robust, hotel investment decisions faced increased uncertainty from tariffs, immigration policies, and inflation, which could lead to higher interest rates. Despite global concerns, the success of individual hotels or hotel collections largely depends on local market conditions. Detailed market knowledge, understanding demand drivers, and leveraging third-party resources like STR and CoStar are essential. Immediate impacts from tariffs include increased construction costs and supply chain disruptions, while longer-term impacts might include reduced consumer discretionary spending, affecting travel demand. San Francisco's hotel market, hit by multiple challenges including the loss of conventions, tech company relocations, and a decrease in Asian travel, particularly from China, saw further declines in 2023 and 2024. Yet, JLL anticipates a recovery starting in 2025, with strong events returning, tech companies reestablishing offices, and investor interest rising, positioning San Francisco for potential growth. Overall, navigating uncertainty requires focusing on controllable factors, understanding local markets, and seizing opportunities during uncertain times.

25 min

Hospitality’s Early Warning Signs: What the Data Reveals About the Economy Ahead – Jamie Lane, AirDNA

📈 Jamie Lane, chief economist at AirDNA, with experience at CBRE and PKF, discussed the evolving role of data in hospitality in a podcast. Data interpretation is vital for trends in demand, internal vs. external market data, and strategizing. Short-term rental (STR) demand trends indicate market changes and development opportunities. STR lead times can provide insights into future hotel demand. Since the start of 2025, uncertainties in the economic climate, like stock market corrections, have impacted consumer travel decisions and increased recession fears. Jamie emphasized the 'wealth effect,' where consumers' perceived wealth influences their spending on travel.

28 min

My Journey to GM: Lessons in Leadership, Culture, and the Power of Resilience – Hazel Hagans Farris, Le Meridien Washington, D.C., The Madison

📝 Hazel, pivoting from chemistry graduate to hospitality during the 2008 recession, became a PBX agent at W Atlanta Buckhead, which sparked her career in hospitality. She quickly ascended from a "whatever, whenever agent" to Director of Style (housekeeping) within 5 years at W, thanks to strong work ethics and seizing every opportunity. Hazel's journey then led her through various cities and roles: she assisted her sister's move to New York in 2013, landed a front office manager position at W New York Times Square, and later became Director of Operations in Chicago and Dallas. After familial events in 2019, Hazel moved closer to family in Washington, D.C., eventually becoming the General Manager at Le Meridien, Washington D.C. She champions building a positive team culture, honest communication, and developing leadership potential within her team, especially amongst women and underrepresented voices.

13 min

Navigating Career Change: Practical Advice for Finding What’s Next for You in Hospitality – Anna Blue

📌 U.S. layoffs reached their highest level since the pandemic over the past month. Anna Blue, a seasoned hospitality leader, shared her experience navigating career transition during this time. She underscores the privilege of having time to explore options and acknowledges the difficult reality for many who have lost their jobs. Anna reflects on determining her next steps, seeking opportunities to make an impact and the "three things" career advice from her father: money, people, and work. She also emphasizes the importance of knowing what you want to do next, nurturing relationships, and being open about being in a time of exploration. Anna is open to connecting with others on LinkedIn or via email during her period of "fun employment.

Less Ringing, More Hospitality: AI-Powered PBX To Give Our Teams More Time for Guests – Steven Marais, Noble House Hotels & Resorts

📱 Steven Marais, Vice President of Rooms at Noble House Hotels & Resorts, on April 4, 2025, discusses AI-powered PBX systems freeing up hotel teams for guest interaction.

Hotel Tech Integration: Why It’s Still Broken (And How You Can Fix It) – Steven Marais, Noble House Hotels & Resorts

This article was written by Hospitality Daily Podcast. Click here to read the original article Hotel Tech Integration: Why It’s Still Broken (And How You Can Fix It) – Steven…

6 min

Creating Careers, Not Just Jobs: How to Recruit, Retain, and Inspire Great Hospitality Talent – Steven Marais, Noble House Hotels & Resorts

👨‍🎓 In San Francisco, recruiting for the hotel industry is challenging due to diminished excitement, negative perceptions, and lack of promotion about the benefits of working in hospitality. The pandemic has caused long-term impacts, and housing costs in locations like the Florida Keys and Wyoming exacerbate the issue. Hybrid work models further complicate recruitment since hotel roles like front desk and housekeeping require onsite presence. Strategies to attract and retain staff include emphasizing skill development for future careers and creating a fun, engaging work environment.

6 min

Creating Careers, Not Just Jobs: How to Recruit, Retain, and Inspire Great Hospitality Talent – Steven Marais, Noble House Hotels & Resorts

📌 In San Francisco, recruiting for the hotel industry is challenging due to a lack of promotion for the benefits of working in hotels, the aftermath of the pandemic, and competition with the tech industry. Housing costs and the need for non-hybrid roles further complicate recruitment. To attract and retain staff, the industry focuses on creating clear development paths, highlighting transferable skills, and fostering an engaging, fun work environment. These efforts aim to make hotels a training ground for skills applicable across various industries, despite high turnover among young workers seeking tech careers.

4 min

Execution is Everything: Turning Hospitality Ideas into Exceptional Guest Experiences – Steven Marais, Noble House Hotels & Resorts

📌 Steven highlighted the significance of execution in achieving success, referencing a guiding quote: "a strategy without execution is just a dream." He emphasized the importance of execution in technology and the guest experience in hospitality. Steven and his team face challenges like system integration failures and hectic events like San Francisco's Fleet Week. Preparation for such events, like Fleet Week which occurs annually after Columbus Day, involves months of planning and communication to ensure a smooth guest experience. Training is deemed a crucial element in fostering a culture of execution.

1 min

Why I Stayed: How Growth, Culture, and Opportunity Kept Me in Hospitality – Steven Marais, Noble House Hotels & Resorts

🏩 On March 31, 2025, Steven Marais, Vice President of Rooms at Noble House Hotels & Resorts, shared his career journey from bellman to VP on the Hospitality Daily Podcast. He discussed the significance of company culture and growth opportunities in the hospitality sector and offered insights into managing change within the industry. The episode covers his initial steps into hospitality, the expansiveness of career opportunities available, his current VP role, and the impact of technology on the sector. Marais also touched on the value of career longevity and his transition from Kimpton to Noble House, emphasizing the importance of a strong team culture.

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