Cover Story
Next-Gen Tech Checks In
Meet the winner of the AAHOACON26 Tech Pitch Competition By Cathleen Draper In a rapidly evolving landscape, staying ahead requires vigilance and foresight. Luckily for hotel owners, there are plenty of companies forging ahead with products and applications that promise to boost profitability, simplify operations, enhance staff engagement, and revolutionize guest experiences. The AAHOACON26 Tech Pitch Competition, co-powered by Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP), recognized eight such companies. Selected from a pool of cutting-edge technologies, these eight finalists faced off for the coveted title…
Featured
Own the Guest, Not the Asset
Agentic AI is reshaping how travelers find and book hotels By Cathleen Draper Artificial intelligence is no longer just a buzzword in hospitality – it’s actively running operations, fielding guest inquiries, and filling hotel rooms. At the center of this transformation is a new class of AI: Agentic. Agentic AI plans, takes action, and completes tasks without…
Efficiency Proficiency
Today’s smart tech, via the Internet of Things, is taking savings to the next level By A.D. Thompson The guest-facing side of the Internet of Things (IoT) is sexy. Lights that dim on command. Keyless entry. Asking Alexa to arrange for room service. Your guests love it. But, for hoteliers, sexy is toilets that don’t leak. Operational…
Columns
The Leadership Bench Problem
Why many hotels are one resignation away from operational risk By Robert Krzak While hospitality’s workforce conversation often centers on frontline staffing shortages, another operational challenge is quietly emerging across the industry: The shrinking leadership bench. Many hotels today operate with lean management structures. A single general manager may oversee multiple departments, supported by only…
The Hidden Cost of Turnover
Employee churn is quietly eroding hotel margins By Priya Jariwala On a busy Friday afternoon, the front desk line is longer than usual. A new hire is still learning the property management system. A housekeeping supervisor is covering rooms because two attendants called out. The general manager is in the back office reviewing payroll and…
Weathering the Storm
What independent hoteliers need most when conditions change fast By Aaryan Patel & Jin Laxmidas Disruption rarely arrives with a clear warning or a convenient timeline. It can take the form of labor shortages, inflation, severe weather, technology failures, brand competition, shifting guest expectations, or sudden changes in travel demand. Independent hotel owners do not…