POLITICS:

The White House announced expansions to the COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan program that will give qualified hoteliers access to as much as $2 million per loan. This is a result of the AHLA’s collaboration with the Biden administration and Small Business Administration officials.

ECONOMIC:

Hotel performance increased due to Labor Day travel, the beginning of the college football season and hurricane evacuations. However, hotels in Hurricane-Ida-impacted areas were closed and some sustained damage.

SOCIAL:

Consumer surveys indicate increasing confidence in the safety of travel, but booking behavior is erratic, business travel future is unclear and ongoing COVID-19 concerns are keeping some from traveling. Vaccination rates and regulations may be key to cementing customer confidence.

TECHNOLOGY:

In a time of worker shortages and technological advances, utilizing tech efficiently can give hotels an edge. The 2021 HotelTechIndex Market Leaders Report details many technology solutions available to hoteliers.

LEGAL:

Hotels can be hotspots for human trafficking. Liability is unclear, but hoteliers can avoid potential human trafficking lawsuits—and help put an end to trafficking—by learning common signs and taking steps when needed.

ENVIRONMENT:

Sustainability and climate change are pressing current issues, but it can be difficult to know where to begin. The HSMAI Rising Sales Leader Council discussed what their hotels are doing to promote sustainability.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT:

Employees are leaving or planning on leaving in swarms, with reasons ranging from burnout to return-to-work conflicts. Inc. has more.