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1. Guests at LA Hotels Conflicted Over Labor Strikes
Guests staying at Los Angeles-area hotels are often finding themselves unexpectedly crossing picket lines when checking in, reports the Los Angeles Times. By the time they learn of the strikes, it's usually too late to cancel or find another hotel.
Hotel workers across the city have been striking in waves as they push for higher wages and improved working conditions, the newspaper reports. Along with picket lines, the striking workers have been banging drums and speaking into megaphones.
Online reviews of hotels shared guest frustration at both hotel management as well as protesting workers.
2. Rotana CEO Will Move to Hilton
Guy Hutchinson, president and CEO of Abu Dhabi-based Rotana Hotels & Resorts, will leave his position in early 2024 to serve as president of Hilton's Middle East and Africa operations, reports HNN's Terence Baker. Hutchinson joined Rotana in 2014 as chief operating officer before becoming CEO in 2019.
Hutchinson will be based in Dubai for Hilton, where he will report to Simon Vincent, executive vice president and president in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
3. How Hotel Operations Now Could Affect Future of Labor
During a labor panel at the 2023 Hotel Data Conference, hotel executives spoke about how the workplace environment and career conditions put into place now will shape the future of operations, reports HNN's Dan Kubacki. Along with wages, that includes career development and company culture.
"The first thing we have to do in today's environment is — and it's easy for me because I came from that environment — you work this many years at this job and then you can maybe get a chance at the next job," said Chris Green, president of Remington Hospitality. "We have to take off our thinking caps and listen to this generation because they have no reference for how we feel about where they want to go with their careers."
4. GSA Raises Lodging Per Diem for Fiscal Year 2024
The U.S. General Services Administration raised the maximum standard continental U.S. lodging rate for federal travelers from $98 to $107 for the next fiscal year starting Oct. 1, reports HNN's Bryan Wroten. Meals and incidental expenses will remain at $59 per day.
In a statement, American Hotel & Lodging Association President and CEO Chip Rogers praised the decision to raise rates.
“This is a positive step for many hoteliers across the country, as government travel supports billions in travel spending, and many private-sector organizations also base travel reimbursements on federal per diem rates,” he said.
5. Hawaii Governor Wants To Stop 'Land Grab'
Hawaii's governor plans to work with the state attorney general to put a moratorium on land transactions in Lahaina. The action is meant to take pressure off of landowners and prevent investors from taking advantage as Maui rebuilds from the wildfires, the Associated Press reports.
“My intention from start to finish is to make sure that no one is victimized from a land grab,” Gov. Josh Green said at a news conference. “People are right now traumatized. Please do not approach them with an offer to buy their land. Do not approach their families saying they’ll be much better off if they make a deal. Because we’re not going to allow it.”