Community sweeps annual awards recognizing achievement and excellence in the hospitality industry.
Five Indian Americans have won all but one of the annual awards given out by the Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA ) recognizing achievement and excellence in the hospitality industry.
Winners received their awards during the 2021 AAHOA Convention & Trade Show held in Dallas, Texas earlier this month.
While Nanda Patel won the 2020 AAHOA Award of Excellence, Cecil B. Day Community Service Award went to Mitesh Jivan IAHA
Priti Patel was declared Outstanding Women Hotelier of the Year, while Saajan Patel won the honors as Outstanding Young Professional of the Year.
The Political Forum Award for Advocacy went to Bijal Patel, chairman of the California Hotel & Lodging Association for 2020-2021.
READ: Indian American hoteliers contribute $368.4 billion to US GDP (August 11, 2021)
The award recognizes the Indian American for guiding numerous successful advocacy initiatives on behalf of hotel owners during “the year of the pandemic.”
“Government officials have a more profound impact than ever on the bottom line of hotel owners,” said Patel in accepting the award, according to a media release.
“Our advocacy activities focus on making sure that hoteliers are helped more and harmed less by the decisions of legislators and regulators.
“I’m honored and humbled that this award salutes the many proactive hours invested by our members and allies,” the award winner added. “Political advocacy is never ‘one and done’ – the issues may change but our mission on behalf of hoteliers always continues.”
Hotel Lexen won the award as Independent Hotel of the Year, while Outreach Award for Philanthropy went to Bangladeshi American Masudur Khan.
“Each year, AAHOA recognizes and honors hoteliers who go above and beyond in service to the hospitality industry,” said Immediate Past Chairman Biran Patel.
Read: Realizing the American Dream: Indian-American hoteliers own 60 percent of industry in U.S.: new study (August 5, 2021)
“During such a challenging year, these individuals made significant contributions to the industry and to AAHOA. We are all honored to highlight their service and commitment to excellence.”
“These awards recognize the best of the best. Following an extremely difficult year for AAHOA Members and the entire industry, these award recipients demonstrate their commitment to excellence in the hospitality industry, regardless of the landscape,” said Interim President & CEO Ken Greene.
“Their hard work and dedication does not go unnoticed, and it is through their leadership, grit, and determinations that the industry continues to thrive.”
AAHOA is the largest hotel owners association in the world. The nearly 20,000 AAHOA members own 60 percent of hotels in the United States, according to a recent study conducted by it in partnership with Oxford Economics.
The study, noted a press release, shows that AAHOA supports a total economic impact of: $680.6 billion of business sales (representing revenue plus sales and lodging taxes); 4.2 million jobs with $214.6 billion of wages, salaries and other compensation; $368.4 billion contributed to US GDP; and $96.8 billion of federal, state and local taxes.