A powerful city union that is pushing legislation to ban Big Apple hotels from contracting out certain front-line jobs outsources work all the time to manage its Manhattan headquarters — including to some non-union firms, records show. Read more
By President & CEO of the Hotel Association of New York City, Vijay Dandapani Posted on August 21, 2024 New York’s hotel industry is a critical driver of the regional economy, providing jobs to tens of thousands of people, powering the city’s tourism industry, and contributing billions in tax revenues to city and state coffers. But our industry’s recovery from COVID is still fragile: 62.2 million people visited New York City last year, about 7% fewer than the 66.6 million who visited in 2019. While forecasts predict that number will rise, a full recovery is far from assured. Unfortunately, the City Council is pushing new legislation, Int. 991, also known as the hotel licensing bill, that would impose a broad set of onerous requirements on the industry at a time when we can least afford costly new regulations. Among other provisions, the bill requires all hotels in the city to apply for a license annually from the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection. Supporters of the bill Read more
By LISA ROZNER August 7, 2024, 5:59 PM Video Link NEW YORK – A move to set up a licensing system for New York City's hotels is being met with strong opposition from groups representing hotel owners. Councilwoman Julie Menin has introduced the "Safe Hotels Act," which will require every New York City hotel to be licensed through the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection. Among the rules: Front desk and housekeeping must be employed by the hotel, but security and other departments can be subcontracted out, A prohibition on hourly rate hotels to curtain human trafficking, And panic buttons for employees. NYC councilwoman says "Safe Hotels Act" will protect guests, communities "This bill is incredibly important. It protects guests, it protects communities and it protects workers," Menin said. Menin said while most of the city's nearly 800 hotels are safe, there are a small amount of bad actors that the city doesn't have enough authority to regulate. Back in 2021, an infamo Read more
Hotel Investment Today: Hoteliers fight NYC licensing bill By JEFFREY WEINSTEIN August 5, 2024 AHLA leader calls Hotel Safety Act ‘damaging,’ while the head of the NYC hotel association said it’s a ‘death knell’ for many small hotels. American Hotel & Lodging Association Interim President and CEO Kevin Carey summed up the impact of New York City’s proposed Hotel Safety Act in one word, “damaging.” On a local radio show on Sunday after the city council revised a previously stalled bill that the AHLA said does not address the legislation’s many problems, Carey said it would do damage to hoteliers, even create closures and hurt the broader tourism and hospitality economy in the city. Carey called the licensing bill, in effect, “a government takeover of the hotel industry.” On July 18, New York City Councilwoman Julie Menin proposed Int. No. 991, a bill that would impose what the AHLA called onerous and unnecessary staffing requirements on local hotels and mandate other rules tha Read more
New York Post: Exclusive | NYC hotels launching $20 million blitz against 'nuclear bomb' council bill that could boost room costs By CARL CAMPANILE August 4, 2024, 4:28 PM EST Big Apple hotel owners plan on raising $20 million to launch a new lobbying group to combat a City Council bill they say will destroy the local lodging industry. The new Hotel Owners of New York also will maintain a $15 million annual budget to sustain its lobbying and education efforts, organizers told The Post. “This job-killer bill has done the near impossible — galvanized the diverse interests of New York City’s hotel owners,’’ a HONY rep said. “It’s an existential threat to both the industry itself and the livelihoods of tens of thousands of workers.’’ The dramatic move comes after Democratic City Councilwoman Julie Menin last month proposed new hotel licensing rules that would ban the establishments from contracting out for services and push them to directly employ most workers. Menin — who sourc Read more
Fifteen percent of hotel rooms in New York City are now occupied by illegal migrants, thanks to Mayor Eric Adams' sanctuary city policies. Read more
The HANYC Foundation hosted its Annual Golf Outing on Monday, June 10, 2024, at the prestigious Scarsdale Golf Club in Hartsdale, New York. We were honored to have Assemblywoman Amy Paulin, a dedicated advocate for the hotel industry, address our attendees during the cocktail hour. Her presence and words of support added a significant touch to the event. We extend our heartfelt thanks to all participants, supporters, and especially our sponsors: BMS CAT, Debragga, Dependable, Epic, Everybody Water, Southern Glazers and Tito’s. Your involvement and contributions are deeply appreciated. Your involvement and contributions are deeply appreciated. Read more
Roughly 16,000 New York City hotel rooms have been taken off the market to be used as shelters to house the migrants that have poured into the city over the past year. What comes next for those buildings when the migrant crisis ends is an open question. Read more
On a recent afternoon, sneakered tourists streamed out of the various hotels located along a quiet stretch of Jamaica, Queens. The Radisson, a Hampton Inn, a Residence Inn by Marriott, and erstwhile JFK Hilton just a stone's throw from JFK Airport represent the future of affordable housing in the city, as well as what is perhaps a missed opportunity. Read more
Spotlight on New General Manager: Dieter Schmitz
We are excited to welcome Dieter Schmitz, a seasoned hotelier with over two decades of experience, as he joins Sofitel New York as General Manager. The appointment brings Schmitz back to New York City to focus on rejuvenating the luxury Midtown Manhattan hotel.
Schmitz’s accomplishments are marked by a keen focus on orchestrating successful launches, rejuvenation and repositioning high-profile flagship assets for brands like IHG, Marriott and independent luxury properties such as Riggs DC. He’s spearheaded eight luxury and lifestyle hotel openings and renovations in New York, Washington, D.C., Arizona and California. His dedication to flourishing team cultures and personable guest experiences have earned hotels under his leadership consistent number-one industry rankings.
Schmitz’s General Manager oversight experience includes roles as the market general manager, U.S. mainland for Marriott Vacations Worldwide in Scottsdale, Arizona. In this role, he led the opening of the Marriott ADERO Autograph Collection Resort mid pandemic, following a $100 million redevelopment, achieving a AAA Four Diamond ranking in its first year. Preceding ADERO Schmitz was the area general manager for Lore’s Group luxury debut in the US leading the high profile opening of the five-star Riggs DC where he developed a long-term brand strategy, differentiating luxury guest experience and earned numerous prestigious accolades. He also led Riggs thru a closure and successful reopening in the hotels first year of operations due to the pandemic.
In 2014 Schmitz rejoined IHG Hotels & Resorts as area general manager for the Crowne Plaza HY36 Midtown Manhattan, EVEN Hotel New York – Times Square South, and Midtown East. He spearheaded the opening and operation of the three new Manhattan properties across a five-year tenure, eight years combined with the company. His focus on maximizing guest experiences earned the hotels top rankings on Trip Advisor inclusive of being named onto the “Top 25 Hotels in the USA” list as well as company leading RGI, employee engagement and guest satisfaction scores for three straight years. Prior Schmitz led the openings of the Lakehouse Hotel and Resort in San Diego (“Top 25 Hotels in the USA”), and two additional new builds via the independent Shore Hotel in Santa Monica (Four Diamonds and leading ranking on TA) and IHG’s Hotel Indigo San Diego Gaslamp Quarter. His new post follows tenure as VP of Upscale Brands for Choice Hotels where he spearheaded growth for seven brands and over 300 properties.
“I am tremendously excited to return to NYC during such an exciting time for Sofitel New York,” said Schmitz. “With an unbeatable location and forthcoming renovation, I look forward to introducing our future flagship property to the world. Our team is committed to excellence and creating personable guest experiences. We’re taking Sofitel New York to the next level.”
Schmitz’s leadership has been rewarded with several career achievements, including numerous hotels receiving recognition by Condé Nast Traveler’s esteemed “Hot List” and “Best New Hotels in the World,” and Travel + Leisure’s “It List” for “Best New Hotels” as well as “Best New Bars and Restaurants in the World” for Riggs Washington DC.
Schmitz holds a bachelor’s degree from Johnson & Wales University. He loves spending time with his family and friends in Austria and California, including his wife Isabell, their children Nico and Leni, and their beloved French bulldog Wellington. He enjoys culinary adventures, travel escapades, unwinding with hiking, pickle ball and tennis, and rooting for hockey’s LA Kings and football’s Dallas Cowboys.
