Thousands of Local Hotel Workers Move Closer to a Strike

-"The mission of the California Lodging Industry Association is to promote, protect and advance the interests of lodging owners and their management teams statewide, and to provide a network of resources to support member efficiency, profitability and professionalism.”-

June 8, 2023

Thousands of local hotel workers move closer to a strike: ‘Living in L.A. is no longer an option’

BY SUHAUNA HUSSAIN- STAFF WRITER

LA Times

A union is asking 15,000 workers at hotels in Los Angeles and Orange counties to authorize a strike during the height of tourist season.

Unite Here Local 11 said contracts are expiring June 30 at 62 Southern California hotels, including luxury stays such as the Westin Bonaventure in downtown Los Angeles, the Fairmont Miramar in Santa Monica and the Beverly Wilshire in Beverly Hills.

Union officials say they are asking for the strike authorization vote on June 8 to jump-start sluggish negotiations and convince hotel operators to seriously consider pay increases for their workers.

Booking.com Reveals the Contrasting World of Caution and Confidence for LGBTQ+ Travellers in 2023

By Booking.com/proud

Booking.com's LGBTQ+ travel research spotlights the steady progress, and the recent setbacks, for these communities when it comes to travel. For example:

With a background of polarising political decisions in the past 12 months, personal safety has never been more of a focus, with 79% of UK LGBTQ+ travellers reporting that they must consider their safety and wellbeing as an LGBTQ+ person when picking a destination – up significantly from 61% last year.

This year's research shows that mainstream news – from issues around recent major world sporting and music events to celebrity and corporate sponsorships – has put discriminatory legislation and views in the spotlight for many, impacting considerations around vacation decisions for 78% of UK respondents.

Despite the headlines and significant challenges that persist in many destinations, 65% feel that their experience of being LGBTQ+ in the UK actually makes them more confident as a traveller (up from 51% in 2022).

The travel industry is clearly playing a part in shifting attitudes and perceptions. 82% of UK LGBTQ+ travellers feel more comfortable travelling due to the increased inclusivity of the industry.

Booking.com's Travel Proud programme provides free inclusive hospitality training for accommodations to help them gain a better understanding of the specific challenges faced by LGBTQ+ travellers, as well as what can be done to make every guest feel more welcome, regardless of where they come from, who they love or how they identify.

Visit California: Partnering with Communities to Drive Smart, Sustainable Growth in Tourism

By Advocacy CalChambers.com

Tourism is Bouncing Back

As visitors from around the world return to rediscover the Golden State, California’s tourism industry is accelerating recovery from an industrywide downturn during the pandemic. New projections show visitor spending this year will exceed pre-pandemic levels, despite potential headwinds from inflation.

According to Visit California’s recently released Economic Impact Report, visitor spending hit $134.4 billion in California in 2022 – 93% of the way back to pre-pandemic levels.

“I’m happy to report California tourism has bounced back from the devastating human and economic toll of the pandemic and continues to provide value for all Californians,” said Caroline Beteta, president and CEO of Visit California. “California’s iconic destinations are again welcoming visitors from around the world, growing tourism’s economic contributions beyond 2019 levels and putting hundreds of thousands back to work.”

How to personalize tech offerings to enhance independent hotel stays

By Gregg Wallis

Hotel Business

Independent hotels don’t always have the same resources that some of the branded hotels do when it comes to technology. Hotel Business caught up with Max Spangler, director, technology, Charlestowne Hotels, for some of his advice for hoteliers:

What are three simple ways that hoteliers can utilize technology to engage with their guests and increase brand loyalty?

SMS text messaging is an important communication channel for guests prior to checking in and during their stay. This allows hoteliers to personalize information and recommendations and it opens a direct line of communication between the guest and hotel staff.
Utilizing email communications and social media keep your brand top of mind for guests, alerting them to the latest news and offers. This can lead to repeat visitation, word-of-mouth recommendations and increased engagement.
Think like the guest—what would make your life easier? Prioritize technologies that allow for convenience and personalization, including mobile check-in, keyless entry, and real-time communication with hotel staff through digital channels.

Is an omni-channel tech approach important?

Yes, since it enables hotel staff to communicate with guests via their preferred method of communication. Guest engagement and loyalty increase if hotel teams put in the work to meet guests where they are, providing information across multiple channels like social media, email and SMS. At Charlestowne Hotels, we take the extra step and provide personalized recommendations and promotions based on guest behavior and channels of communication.

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