Speaking to LODGING at AAHOA’s latest assembly in New Orleans, Chris Guimbellot, president & CEO of hihotels by Hospitality Worldwide, described the very important function its franchisee-led Advisory Council has performed in strengthening insurance policies, launching new initiatives, and driving the success of its 5 financial system manufacturers because it was established in 2023.
Guimbellot stated the Advisory Council, which focuses on what he known as “operational insights,” is at the moment made up of homeowners representing three of hihotels’ 5 lodge manufacturers in addition to himself and an govt from its reservation system vendor Sabre Hospitality Options. These members, he stated, meet as soon as 1 / 4 by way of a videoconference to share concepts and suggestions. At the moment, he stated, they talk about new methods and refinements of current approaches for addressing points within the business and their very own properties, looking for to make sure that franchisees maximize current companies earlier than including new applications.
Noting that its house owners are usually drawn to hihotels for its low franchise charges and comparatively hands-off method relating to requirements, Guimbellot defined, “Suggestions from the Advisory Council and franchisees at giant means that they affiliate with us as a result of they worth their independence—for instance, not having requirements rammed down their throats—whereas additionally recognizing the necessity of the business to evolve to satisfy buyer expectations.”
It’s primarily because of this, he stated, his firm encourages, however doesn’t require, franchisees to fall in step with its suggestions, taking an method reverse that of organizations that penalize or expel franchisees that don’t adhere to burdensome model dictates. “This principally means rewarding properties that go the additional mile for larger high quality and better buyer satisfaction,” he stated.
Amongst applications applied for the reason that Advisory Council fashioned two years in the past, Guimbellot talked about three that “have their fingerprints throughout them.”
Better of the Finest—Probably the most simple “nudge” to house owners open to creating enhancements is Better of the Finest, a certification program that rewards larger high quality and visitor satisfaction. Based on Guimbellot, properties accepted for certification primarily based on their assembly listed standards after being assessed throughout an Assurance and Advertising and marketing Program (AMP) go to obtain particular advantages comparable to: higher placement on the hihotels web site; extra advertising help; and assist discovering authorities contracts and alternatives to safe native grants and loans. “We really feel this certification gives stability between sustaining their individuality, whereas on the similar time, the standard of the manufacturers.”
WhatsApp Group—To streamline messaging, WhatsApp teams, stated Guimbellot, have been launched to extra simply allow real-time discussions on promotions, operations, vendor merchandise, and CRS questions. Noting the sometimes-urgent significance of having the ability to talk with franchisees, Guimbellot claimed, “This can be a much less intrusive manner of speaking on time-sensitive issues. Additional, as speaking with hihotels turns into extra acquainted by way of these texts, it additionally makes franchisees extra receptive to our emails.”
HighHub—This portal for training, operations, CRS, and advertising assets, described Guimbellot, can maintain franchisees knowledgeable and generally maintain them out of bother. “It covers all the things from the right way to handle charges and availability within the CRS, certifications, and issues like trafficking, ADA compliance, and repair animals.”
Reminding that the aim of the Advisory Council is to “nudge, not power, house owners to step up and do extra,” Guimbellot considers the initiatives he described and the existence of this physique most of all “a chance” for hihotel franchisees. “Launching the Advisory Council was one other vital step in achieving our aim of turning into the only option for financial system lodge franchising. We will probably be counting on the Council’s enter and concepts on hihotels applications and initiatives, in addition to methods to maximise franchisees’ ROI potential,” he declared.
