Cover Story
Ten Years of Today’s Hotelier
A look back at this magazine’s first decade By Cathleen Draper A little over 10 years ago, AAHOA was at an inflection point. The association had grown from a community connected by its shared heritage into something much larger and more ambitious – an industry-leading organization comprised of entrepreneurs, innovators, and industry leaders. AAHOA leadership felt compelled to create a publication that embodied the same spirit of progress. “The vision was simple: Create something worthy of the modern AAHOA Member,” recalled Past AAHOA Chairman Bharat…
Featured
Flipping the Script
Social media, not search, is now the springboard to travel discovery By A.D. Thompson Hotel research used to be highly active, said Cassady Quintana, but in 2026, as cross-generational guests scroll their social media feeds, the process has evolved considerably. “They’re saving things – destinations, hotels, restaurants – months before they book a trip,” she said. “They’re…
The AI Advantage
Turning guest insights into smart marketing By Amy King Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping marketing in the hotel industry. While much of the attention has focused on AI’s ability to generate emails, social posts, and promotional copy in seconds, the technology’s greatest value comes before the first word is written. Effective hotel marketers are using AI to…
A Trip Down the Mother Road
Hospitality on Route 66, then and now By Cathleen Draper One hundred years ago, the U.S. Bureau of Public Roads created the first federal highway system in an effort to connect small, rural towns with the urban centers between them. The system included an east-west network of existing local, state, and national roads running almost diagonally from…
Columns
Closing the AP Gap
Partial automation yields partial payoffs in accounts payable By Chelsea Figurski Most hotel operators have invested in automation, driven by high hopes of speeding up back-office processes, making them more efficient, and reducing errors. But in many cases, their expectations haven’t been met. Invoice backlogs, payment errors, ever-growing fraud risk, and slow month-end closes continue…
Extended Stay’s Crowded Trade Problem
What separates a great deal from a mediocre one By Suraj Bhakta Every investor at every conference is reciting the same thesis: Resilient demand, favorable demographics, a category built for the moment. The fundamentals are real, but when an entire asset class reaches consensus, it stops being an edge. The nuances that separate a strong…
The New Rules of Hotel Performance
What separates a great deal from a mediocre one By Adnan Malik Large hotel brands and OTAs have a structural advantage most independents can’t match: Data. They have revenue analysts, AI systems, and years of proprietary booking intelligence telling them exactly where demand is shifting, which segments are growing, and where to push rate. Independent…
Culture Is Far More Than Happy Employees
How strong workplace culture protects your hotel’s reputation and revenue By Priya Jariwala A guest checks out of a mid-scale property after a three-night stay. The room was clean. The rate was fair. But the front desk interactions felt rushed, the breakfast attendant seemed overwhelmed, and two requests during the stay went unanswered longer than…