Realizing the American Dream: Indian-American hoteliers own 60 percent of industry in U.S.: new study

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The Asian American Hotel Owners Association, AAHOA, which is predominantly made up of Indian-origin hoteliers, own 60 percent of hotels in the United States.

That finding is the result of a new study done jointly by AAHOA and Oxford Economics released Aug. 5, 2021.

Oxford Economics, headquartered in Oxford, UK, describes itself as a leader in global forecasting and quantitative analysis.

The study focused on the economic impact and industry influence of AAHOA’s nearly 20,000 members, a press release from the organization said.

The study analyzed the share of U.S. hotels and rooms owned by AAHOA members, hotel operations, hotel guest ancillary spending, capital investment, and indirect and induced impacts supported by AAHOA hotels in other parts of the U.S. economy.

Among the study’s conclusions was that “the 34,260 AAHOA Member-owned hotels account for 60 percent of all hotels in the U.S., 3.1 million guestrooms, and 2.2 million direct impact jobs,” the press release said.

The study’s topline results were presented to AAHOA Members during the general session on the first day of the 2021 AAHOA Convention & Trade Show Aug. 3, 2021, at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center Dallas.

“This study gives us the clearest picture to date about the scale, reach, and economic impact that AAHOA Members have in the United States,” AAHOA Chairman Biran Patel is quoted saying in the press release.

“It is remarkable how far AAHOA Members have come since the association’s founding in 1989 when a small group of hoteliers banded together to fight discrimination,” Biran Patel said, adding, “That commitment to helping hoteliers grow their businesses and realize the American Dream is reflected in the impressive numbers revealed today. We are proud of what our Members have accomplished and remain committed to being the foremost resource and advocate for America’s hotel owners.”

AAHOA Interim President & CEO Ken Greene, said, “The findings laid out in this new study are a testament to the strength and influence of AAHOA Members and serve as yet another reminder of hotel owners’ vital economic contributions to communities across the nation.”

“Guests at AAHOA hotels spend billions of dollars in local economies. AAHOA Members employ as many workers as FedEx and Home Depot – combined, and the 1.1 million employees who work at AAHOA Member hotels earn $47 billion annually. AAHOA Members are the heart and soul of the hospitality industry and will continue to play an essential role in our nation’s economic recovery,” Greene added.

The study 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 U.S. GDP
• $96.8 billion of federal, state and local taxes

A comprehensive report will soon be made available on the AAHOA website, the press release said.

AAHOA is the largest hotel-owners association in the world

“With billions of dollars in property assets and over one million employees, AAHOA Members are core economic contributors in virtually every community,” the organization said, adding, “AAHOA is a proud defender of free enterprise and the foremost current-day example of realizing the American dream.”