The Americas Lodging Investment Summit (ALIS) is a highly anticipated hotel conference held in Los Angeles each January. The event brings together industry leaders, including CEOs from major hotel companies like Marriott, Hyatt, and Wyndham, as well as their leadership teams and analysts. ALIS provides valuable insights into the direction of the hotel sector for the rest of the year.
ALIS offers a unique opportunity for reporters to observe the industry and engage with key players. This year’s conference highlighted several exciting developments in the hotel industry that will impact travelers. These include the introduction of new brands, the development of new booking platforms, and improvements in hotel amenities.
However, ALIS also shed light on tensions between hotel brands and property owners. In the hotel industry, brands dictate the overall look and amenities of a hotel, while property owners are responsible for meeting brand standards. Failure to meet these standards can result in the loss of franchise rights. The pandemic led to a relaxation of these standards, allowing owners to conserve cash. However, with travel rebounding, brands are reinstating these standards, leading to increased tensions.
Hotel owners are reluctant to invest in costly upgrades, especially considering the current state of the market. Hotel brand stocks have soared in recent years, while lodging ownership groups have struggled. This discord, combined with a challenging financing market, has led hotel owners to push back on additional costs. This could result in hotels charging high rates but failing to maintain quality, negatively affecting customer satisfaction and the reputation of these brands.
At ALIS, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts and Choice Hotels engaged in a battle over lifestyle hotel offerings. Wyndham introduced Project HQ, a partnership with nightlife legend Sam Nazarian, aiming to bring trendy lifestyle hotels to a broader audience. Choice Hotels, on the other hand, focused on the Radisson Blu brand as its top-tier offering, signaling a new chapter for the brand in the Americas.
Barry Sternlicht, former CEO of Starwood Hotels, now leads SH Hotels & Resorts, the parent company of 1 Hotels, Baccarat Hotels, and Treehouse Hotels. The company is expanding each of its brands, with multiple properties in development worldwide. SH Hotels & Resorts offers diverse options for different consumer bases.
Paris-based Accor, which owns luxury brands like Raffles and Fairmont, as well as lifestyle hotel company Ennismore, aims to expand its presence in the U.S. through Ennismore. While Accor’s recent announcements focused on other regions, the company has promised future developments in the U.S.
Overall, ALIS provides valuable insights into the hotel industry’s direction for the year ahead. It highlights both exciting developments and ongoing challenges, giving travelers a glimpse into what they can expect on their next trip.