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1. Hoteliers Look To Address Labor Challenges With Opt-In Housekeeping
Housekeeping models have shifted throughout the pandemic as hoteliers seek to balance the labor shortage and guest preference, HNN’s Dana Miller writes.
Hilton will soon move to an opt-in housekeeping model at its non-luxury hotels in the U.S.
On July 8, a spokesperson from the company said, "Our guests have told us that they have varying levels of comfort with someone entering their rooms after they have checked in."
Sheenal Patel, CEO of Arbor Lodging Management, which manages properties under Marriott, Hilton, IHG Hotels & Resorts and Hyatt Hotels Corp. brands as well as independents, said he expects all brands to move to an opt-in housekeeping model.
2. Day Two of the Americas Lodging Investment Summit
Hoteliers on the second day of the Americas Lodging Investment Summit in Los Angeles used a phrase not heard since before the pandemic: cautious optimism.
But this phrase has new meaning. Hoteliers believe the worst is over but know there are things outside their control affecting the recovery.
"Trends in the U.S. hotel industry are generally positive. Occupancy, rate and [revenue per available room] have been heading in the right direction for months. Consumers are spending comfortably thanks to savings and federal stimulus dollars. Numerous indicators point to pent-up travel demand," HNN's Bryan Wroten and Sean McCracken report live from the conference.
3. European Countries Require Vaccine Passports for Activities
With the Delta variant pushing COVID-19 cases higher, some European countries are requiring vaccination proof for staying in hotels, eating in restaurants and visiting museums, Forbes reports.
"From France to Greece and from Denmark to Portugal, governments are adding friction to everyday life by mandating proof of vaccination status for a wide array of activities, which often include staying at hotels, dining at restaurants and visiting museums," the news outlet reports.
In Austria, patrons must show proof of vaccination status, recovery from the virus or a negative PCR test to go to hotels, nightclubs and cultural events.
4. Hotel Room Surge in Israel
Travel and hotel room demand has driven hotel rates higher in Israel, where hoteliers have been relying on government grants to help their businesses survive the pandemic. Now, hundreds of hotels are in the planning or construction phase in the country, Haaretz reports.
While hundreds of hotel rooms will be coming online, with Tel Aviv-Jaffa leading the way, that doesn't mean hotel prices will drop.
"The rate of building starts of hotel rooms is still not sufficiently high to satisfy local demand during the summer months or to spur price reductions," the news outlet reports.
5. US Hotels Push for Government Aid
According to the American Hotel & Lodging Association, the hospitality industry cut 500,000 jobs throughout the pandemic that won't be coming back. Now, hotels are asking for another round of government assistance, The Hill reports.
Lenders allowed hoteliers to delay loan payments during the pandemic, but there's less leeway now, according to AHLA President and CEO Chip Rogers.
"That’s created financial difficulties for hotel owners who went without customers for much of last year, particularly those that rely on still-dormant business travel," the news outlet reports.
Hoteliers are also trying to let the government know that most hotels, even branded ones, are small businesses.
“Our struggle has been communicating the message that assistance to our industry is very akin to assistance to the restaurant industry,” Rogers said. “These are small business owners that usually live and work in the local community.”