EMPLOYEE RECRUITMENT & RETENTION
086 | Hiring for Personality and Fit with Al Munguia
EMPLOYEE RECRUITMENT & RETENTION
Al Munguia is the general manager of the Jupiter Hotel, a mid-century renovated motor inn turned boutique hotel in the heart of Portland. He has worked in the travel and tourism industry since the age of 20 and has worked in many major destinations, including San Francisco, San Diego and Guadalajara, Mexico. Using his experience with Starwood, Marriott and Holiday Inn Hotels, Al has been successful in helping make Portland a unique destination for travelers from around the globe. He enjoys using his network to attract international visitors to the broad range of activities, hotels, restaurants and events that the state of Oregon has to offer.
Through his involvement in the Oregon Tourism Commission and other organizations, Al has helped drive incremental business to Portland and Oregon through niche markets including international and LGBTQ groups. Earlier this year, Al was named Lodging Operator of the Year by Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association (ORLA).
In This Episode, Al Reveals
- How Jupiter Hotel’s converted from Travelodge to independent, and the ideal customers they now attract.
- Some of the tools they use, that not only help them grow their business, they also help them better serve their guests.
- That the Jupiter is passionate about creating a place where people can come and be who they are, rather than the hotel forcing the guest to conform to their identity.
- Some of the innovative things they do to take care of their associates.
Resources & Links
Al Munguia
Jupiter Hotel
800 E. Burnside St.
Portland OR 97214
(503) 230-9200
(877) 800-0004
EMPLOYEE RECRUITMENT & RETENTION
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288 | ‘The Big Pause’: Hotels retooling employment policies as business slowly returns
Two viruses emerged in the U.S. this year – COVID-19 and society’s backlash against racism. The coronavirus pandemic forced hotels to close or drastically cut back on their workforces as occupancy plummeted to unprecedented lows. And America’s streets resounded with the voices of citizens protesting racism as businesses began to respond by promising new and better commitments toward diversity, inclusion and equality in hiring and promotion. In Episode 288 of Lodging Leaders podcast, we explore the issues hotels are facing in bringing back laid-off workers and recruiting new employees in the midst of a health pandemic that seems to have no end and society’s desperate call for Corporate America to get serious about ending systemic racism.
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287 | The Long Haul: Extended-stay hotels show their strength in a crisis
Extended-stay hotels are weathering the coronavirus crisis better than their transient cousins, according to reports. The Highland Group’s half-year report shows economy and mid-priced extended-stay hotels are faring better than upscale extended-stay accommodations. Second-quarter earnings reports from companies such as Extended Stay America prove the resiliency of the sector, especially when sales teams shift their focus to new prospects such as college students, leisure travelers who value the kitchen and essential workers in it for the long haul. Long Live Lodging examines what gives extended-stay its muscle in a weak economy. This report is part of our ongoing coverage of the coronavirus crisis and its impact on the hotel industry.