A few weeks ago, I asked hoteliers to send in their Christmas wish list, to share the things they want and hope for in 2024.
Thankfully my inbox didn't resemble the judge's bench at the end of "Miracle on 34th Street," but I certainly received a fair number of responses to my request.
Read on to see what they've put in their letters to Santa. Their responses have been edited for clarity and writing style.
Bob Rauch, President, R. A. Rauch & Associates
"I want unions to stop pushing minimum wages up — it will hurt those who need the money the most. I want brands to arm their owner liaisons with more up-to-date info on artificial intelligence, digital marketing and robotics. And I would like online travel agencies to stop selling us room packages that get audited because the OTA didn't net out the tax dollars, hence leaving us with a big fat tax bill."
James Barnett, General Manager of the Deer Path Inn in Lake Forest, Illinois
"First up, let's talk economics but with a hint of holiday cheer. My wish? A steady, stable economic climate. This kind of market stability would be like a gift that keeps on giving. A stable market would encourage more consistent travel patterns, lead to more predictable revenue streams, and enable us to plan and invest more confidently in our property's future. It's about ensuring that we can continue to offer our guests the exceptional service and charm they expect, without the ups and downs of economic uncertainty.
"For my second wish, I'm eyeing a solution to the staffing puzzle — but with a modern twist. Imagine a sleigh full of innovative tools and systems to streamline our staffing processes. This isn't just about filling roles; it's about attracting and nurturing talent. This could include improved pathways for training and development in the hospitality sector, making it an attractive career choice for more people."
Juan Calderon, Hotel Manager of Marriott Marquis Houston in Houston, Texas
"In the past year, economic optimism has been scarce due to soaring inflation impacting various aspects of daily life, from gas prices to grocery bills. The Federal Reserve responded with rate increases to curb prices and stabilize the economy, successfully preventing a recession. I believe we've undergone a soft landing, marked by a gradual economic slowdown post a growth period. It's now crucial to reassess additional rate hikes, fostering consumer optimism for increased travel, city events, dining out and shopping."
Giorgio Di Pietro, General Manager of the Esmé Miami Beach Hotel in Miami, Florida
"Firstly, the current economic trends have significantly affected our guests, especially those who are more sensitive to costs. The exponential rise in prices across various sectors has placed immense pressure on our industry. This impact manifests in two key ways: Our guests have less discretionary spending power, affecting their choices to dine or drink outside, and there's a ripple effect on their own businesses due to rising costs. Notably, our operating costs have surged by 50%, posing a substantial challenge. A return to a more stable inflation rate remains a primary wish to alleviate these financial strains.
"Moreover, Miami's hospitality sector has encountered formidable challenges in 2023, leading to a decline in key performance indicators. Year to date, revenue per available room experienced a significant decrease, primarily influenced by a drop in average daily rate and a decrease in occupancy rates. The increase in hotel room availability compounded by an influx of new hotels and unregulated short-term rentals such as Airbnb, have contributed to an oversupply in the market. This surplus has initiated a price war, negatively impacting the industry's ability to innovate and provide superior guest experiences. I strongly advocate for meaningful regulations governing new hotel construction and short-term rentals to stabilize the market conditions.
"Environmental concerns, particularly the climate crisis, continue to gain prominence in public discourse. Hospitality businesses must not only acknowledge their environmental impact but also changing consumer expectations and behaviors aligned with sustainability. Rising energy costs further intensify the financial repercussions of neglecting sustainable practices. The industry must broadly adopt robust environmental programs — and meaningful regulation on this front would help curb the negative impact and position the hospitality sector as a driver of sustainable future."
Ed Skapinok, Chief Commercial Officer of Appellation Hotels
"My wish list for 2024 is that our industry will continue to attract talented individuals looking for great jobs and a meaningful career. Additionally, I would love to see interest rates come down which would help Appellation and companies like ours to get the many projects in our development pipeline open even faster.
"Beyond that, new advancements in revenue management technology that enable us to truly manage all our revenues (culinary, learning, spa, meetings, events, rooms) and base those decisions off the predicted lifetime value of each customer would be a huge gift to our bottom line."
A special thanks to all the hoteliers who sent in their Christmas wishlists. Here's hoping everyone in the hotel industry ends up on Santa's nice list this Christmas. Let's also hope and strive for peace and compassion for one another in the new year.
You can reach me at bwroten@hotelnewsnow.com as well as LinkedIn.
The opinions expressed in this column do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Hotel News Now or CoStar Group and its affiliated companies. Bloggers published on this site are given the freedom to express views that may be controversial, but our goal is to provoke thought and constructive discussion within our reader community. Please feel free to contact an editor with any questions or concern.