AAHOA
090 | Hotelier Vendor Relations with Atul Patel
AAHOA
Atul G. Patel, CHO is a second generation hotelier. He and his family moved to the United States in 1979 and settled in Tifton, GA, where his family bought their first independent hotel. After learning the trade in the family business, Atul went on to earn a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from Emory University, and a Master’s Degree in Finance Georgia State. He now has an interest in seven properties, and he and his partners manage a portfolio of five.
In This Episode, Atul Reveals
- What it was like growing up in the hotel business, actually living on property for many years, and why he decided to return to hospitality after college.
- Some of the challenges he’s faced over the years, including the ADR at one of his properties that remained flat for over 10 years ago, while profitability decreased due to rising costs, and what he did about it.
- Why he chose to serve on multiple brand Franchise Advisory Councils (FACs), on the AAHOA Board of Directors, and what he learned from that experience.
- The secret to vendor relations, and how vendors can build meaningful relationships with hoteliers that are mutually beneficial.
Resources & Links
Atul G. Patel, CHO
- atul302@gmail.com
- Phone: (678) 898-9138
Mentioned in this Episode
AAHOA
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330 | Youthful Perspective: Industry leader Bijal Patel mourns the loss of ‘an entire generation’ of hospitality workers
Bijal Patel, 31, is CEO of Coast Redwood Hospitality and the youngest chair of the California Hotel & Lodging Association. He’s made even more history at CHLA by agreeing to serve an unprecedented second term as the lodging industry emerges from the coronavirus pandemic. Patel is a third-generation hotelier. Being so steeped in hospitality at such a young age is not new for members of the Indian American hotelier community, but Patel fears the pandemic has drained the industry of emerging talent. Lodging Leaders spotlights Patel, who represents a leadership demographic that is fighting for the life of the hospitality industry as they watch their peers veer toward other career paths.
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329 | Ruff and Ready: ADA gives hotels a short leash when accommodating guests with service animals
Many hotels these days have made room for guests with disabilities. Hotel managers and staff should also know what the Americans with Disabilities Act says about accommodating guests with pets. During the pandemic lockdowns, a lot of people added a pet to their household and now they’re bringing Fido along on vacation. Hotel employees need to know how to cater to both consumers who are pet owners as well as guests who travel with a trained service animal. Episode 329 of Lodging Leaders podcast reports on how the ADA defines a service animal and how a hotel is legally obligated to serve a guest who comes with a dog or any other animal.