A Young Woman’s Effort to Honor Motel Pioneers
By AAHOA Staff
When Neeva Patel lost her grandfather at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, she was left with a sorrowful realization: the stories of his hard work and perseverance might go unheard. And if no one asked the right questions, so might the stories of other Asian American motel owners like him.
“I didn’t want their stories to fade away,” said 16-year-old Patel, a high school junior from Suffield, CT. Determined to change that, Patel launched Our Motel Stories, a digital archive that preserves the untold narratives of South Asian immigrants who built their lives in the American motel industry.
Since its start in March 2024, Our Motel Stories has become a platform to share stories of resilience and success. Through interviews and research, Patel captures how South Asian motel owners have overcome obstacles – such as racism, financial hardship, and cultural barriers – to build thriving businesses and create opportunities for future generations.
A Personal Mission
Patel grew up in hospitality. The industry is in her DNA. Her maternal grandfather, Rashmikant Patel, owned a motel in Florida, and it was his life that inspired Patel’s storytelling initiative. Her maternal grand mother, Pravina, is a continued source of strength and inspiration for Patel. Patel’s paternal grandparents, Dinsha and Kokila Patel, have also significantly shaped her understanding of the hospitality industry. Dinsha Patel served as AAHOA Northeast Regional Director in 2006 and 2007, and Kokila Patel ran for AAHOA Women’s Director in 2009. Both are now retired, but they remain active members of the Indian and AAHOA communities. And Patel’s father, Hershal Patel – an AAHOA Lifetime Member – has been a guiding force in her journey. Together, they attended AAHOA’s Helping Young Professionals Evolve (HYPE) Conference in Mexico in February, where she found further inspiration to pursue her passion for hospitality.
Building a Broader Impact
Patel’s vision for the archive goes beyond her immediate community. She aspires to expand its reach, documenting the stories of South Asian motel owners across the United States. Patel also hopes to engage volunteers who are passionate about preserving these narratives. She sees a natural connection between Our Motel Stories and AAHOA’s mission to support and celebrate Asian American hoteliers, too, and she values the opportunity to not only learn from AAHOA Members but also share their stories and insights. “These stories are part of our collective history,” Patel said. “By sharing them, we can honor the past and inspire the future.”
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