The value of Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) status can't be overstated. By meeting quarterly asset and income tests, REIT dividends can pass through to investors without running a federal corporate income tax gauntlet. It's the reason for REITs in the first place. It's why Ashford Hospitality Trust owns more than 25,000 rooms, and why Apple Hospitality REIT owns 236 hotels operating under Marriott or Hilton flags. And why Hilton recently split into Park Hotels, owners; and Hilton, managers. READ MORE

As a growing number of cities and states legislate minimum wage hikes, hotel operators might be tempted to respond with a hiring freeze to avoid higher labor costs. This article explores the potential negative impacts hotels risk with a halt-on-hiring approach as well as more effective ways to offset higher wages. The not-so-simple truth is that increasing the minimum wage will require hoteliers to take a more measured look at their business in specific time periods. They'll need to understand the wage increase impact at peak and non-peak times, and determine what their true minimum staffing levels can be while still servicing customers to their expectations. READ MORE

Discrimination has been a hot topic in the news lately. The “Hate Has No Home Here” campaign, women's marches, LGBTQ issues and Black Lives Matter protests are just a few examples of how Americans have been turning up the heat on what some view as existing but emerging threats to their race, gender, age, religion, or lifestyle. On the corporate side, the discrimination issue has left virtually no industry untouched. In this article, we will examine the impact of the topic of discrimination as it continues to gain steam in the hospitality industry, in particular. We will also discuss examples, insurance coverages available as well as risk management tips. READ MORE

Creating financial leadership in your hotel has the same fundamental realtionshift at its roots. The traditional relationship in the hotel with reports and deadlines to submit; forecasts, budgets and commentaries is to have the financial leader tell the non-financial department managers when reports, forecast, budgets and commentaries are due and to send out schedules and hound everyone every month several times about the pending deadlines. This system does not work. I know because that was my system for nearly 20 years and all it ever consistently produced was my frustration and a lack of usable content. READ MORE

Technological innovation is transforming business and our lives. And the travel and hospitality industry is on the front lines, looking for ways to deliver meaningful experiences to guests even as their interactions with staff continue to diminish. According to LoyaltyOne Consulting Partner Melissa Fruend, the key to long-term success for hoteliers is personalization - understanding what make great customer experiences, while leveraging new technologies to adapt services and interactions to guests' changing needs and expectations. READ MORE