TOP NEWS

🏨 Rosanna Maietta became the new president of the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA). AHLA's certifications provide essential training in hotel management aspects like guest services, revenue strategy, marketing, operational efficiency, and leadership. Certified professionals in the hospitality industry can improve guest experiences, profitability, and adapt to global market trends. This investment in education promotes industry success, sustainability, and growth, emphasizing innovation and guest satisfaction.

🏖️ Tourism in Finland has seen consistent growth due to increased visitor numbers, infrastructure enhancements, and promotion. Public investments and government strategies are shaping the tourism sector, with events and trade fairs boosting hotel demand. Seasonal draws include the Northern Lights and Christmas markets. Statistics Finland reports a total of 23 million overnight stays, highlighting the sector's contribution to the economy, regional development, and Finland's international reputation.

🏨 Creating a superior guest experience in hotels hinges on a "Guest-First Culture," empowering teams with guest-centric processes, and focusing on the small details. General Managers (GMs) play a crucial role in fostering this environment by employing strategies like regular training in empathy and active listening, cross-departmental communication, and employee recognition. Business intelligence tools are vital for tracking guest preferences and satisfaction, informing decisions to enhance guest experiences. Modern practices such as kiosk check-in/check-out systems and mobile apps are examples of innovative processes that streamline operations while improving guest service quality. Attention to tangible details, like cleanliness, personalized amenities, and unique decor, contributes significantly to guest satisfaction. Conversely, compromises can detract from the experience. GMs must continuously evaluate practices and feedback to maintain high standards and eliminate mediocrity, ensuring every detail contributes to an outstanding guest experience.

💡 The hospitality industry is recovering post-COVID, facing inflation and high energy costs, with HVAC accounting for 40-50% of a hotel's energy bill. In the US, commercial buildings, including hotels, consume 75% of electricity, half of which is for heating and air conditioning. The Hampton Inn and Suites in Bakersfield saved 40% on electricity with solar panels. The Beverly Hilton and Waldorf Astoria utilize thermal energy storage for 40% of peak summer cooling, reducing costs. Thermal storage offers a safer and potentially more cost-effective alternative to batteries for energy management.

🏨 September Banks, Director of Design at Mint House, has earned the 2024 Rising Star Award from Hospitality Technology for integrating technology into hospitality design. She utilizes real-time analytics and guest sentiment to optimize property layouts, spearheading projects such as "Shop Your Stay" and implementing smart lockers for operational efficiency. Banks led the redesign of the historic 1010 Vermont building with modular, smart technology. Her strategies enhance Mint House's digital-first impressions and directly contribute to driving bookings and guest retention.

🏨 Liam Brown, Marriott International's Group President for U.S. and Canada, is the new AHLA Vice Chair for 2025. Brown, influenced by a mentor to pursue hotel management, transferred from University College of Dublin to study hospitality at Trinity College Dublin. He began his U.S. career in 1989 with Appleton Inns, which was soon acquired by Marriott. As AHLA Vice Chair, he plans to support the hospitality industry's growth, the guest experience, and career opportunities, while working alongside AHLA Chair Mitch Patel. His outlook for the lodging industry in 2025 is cautiously optimistic with expected steady growth.

🏨 In 2024, major hotel groups like Hyatt, Hilton, Choice Hotels, Marriott, and Radisson reported growth, with plans to open thousands of new rooms. Hyatt's global pipeline includes 138,000 rooms, with 30+ properties set to open in 2025. Hilton added over 973 hotels and nearly 100,000 rooms in 2024, with a pipeline of 3,600 hotels and 498,500 rooms. Choice Hotels opened 61 extended stay hotels in 2024, including the 500th WoodSpring Suites. Marriott signed over 1,200 deals, adding 120,000 rooms, with a development pipeline of 577,265 rooms across 3,766 properties. Radisson added nearly 40,000 rooms in 2024, with its Radisson Collection brand growing to nearly 70 hotels.