The Bold Collaboration

Just arrived in Cleveland for the 2026 Association of Lodging Professionals - ALP Unlocked Conference! I'll be diving into three conversations that matter deeply to independent lodging owners.

On Tuesday at 9am, I’ll kick things off in the General Session with "DIY or Delegate: Knowing When to Let Go!" — because doing it all isn’t the same as doing it well. We’ll talk about burnout, bandwidth, and how to make smart, strategic delegation decisions that actually move your business forward.

On Wednesday at 10:30am, I’ll join an incredible panel alongside Peter MacLaren, Patrick Finnegan, and Scott Hall for "Tuning Your Strategy: OTAs as a Tool" — a practical, no-drama look at how to make OTAs work for you without sacrificing your brand or profitability.

Then Thursday at 11:30am, I’m closing out with "Climbing the Charts: Proven Revenue Strategies for Small Properties" — high-impact, real-world tactics to drive revenue growth while protecting what makes your property unique.

If you’re attending, I’d love to see you there!

This sounds like an amazing job and adventure for the right person!

✈️ The Bad News + Smart Moves to Adapt

The Bad News: European Travel to the U.S. Drops Off

Recent data from the U.S. International Trade Administration reveals a significant decline in European visitors to the United States, with March 2025 seeing an 11.6% drop compared to the same month last year. Notably, the UK experienced a 14.3% decrease, while Germany and Spain saw declines of 28.2% and 24.6%, respectively. Factors contributing to this downturn include political tensions and perceptions of the U.S. being unwelcoming to foreign travelers.

Data on Canadian and Mexican travel hasn’t been released yet, but predictions suggest a significant decrease in travel from both.

💡 The Tips: How to Fill the Gaps in Your Booking Calendar

Here are 4 ways The Bold Collaboration recommends adapting to the decline in international travel:

🔹 Lean into Your Drive Market
Focus on guests within a 2–8 hour drive radius. Promote seasonal getaways and local experiences. Segment your email list to re-engage past drive-market guests.

🔹 Inspire Domestic Flyers
Americans may stay stateside with the U.S. Dollar down 8.08% since January 1, 2025. Offer packages with value-adds for multi-night stays to entice travelers looking for new U.S. adventures.

🔹 Level Up Local Partnerships
Co-create itineraries with nearby businesses. Offer bundled experiences that showcase what makes your area unique.

🔹 Don’t Stop Marketing
Remember 2020? Properties that continued investing in smart, strategic marketing didn’t just survive—they thrived. The key is to assess, adapt, and repeat.

📣 We Want to Hear from You!

What are you doing to fill the gaps left by fewer international guests? Share your strategies, ideas, and wins in the comments!

Let’s support each other and keep those calendars full!

U.S. Tourism Data Warning: Visits From Europe Dropped in March Data is beginning to show that global travel interest to the U.S. is already impacted by the Trump administration's policies and announcements

Why did you get into the hospitality business? Has what keeps you in it changed over time? Have you discovered new passions within the industry?

Once I started exploring the nuances of financials, especially how to make profitable, long-term business decisions, it was a game changer in how I looked at what made a successful business. It sparked a passion I didn't know that I ever had! It all started with a simple webinar presented by an industry association.

Sign up for the Association of Lodging Professionals - ALP's next webinar, 𝐀𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐓𝐨𝐩 𝐃𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐫: 𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐅𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐀𝐭𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐈𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬 & 𝐁𝐮𝐲𝐞𝐫𝐬, Thursday, July 25th at Noon ET! https://buff.ly/4d8KuuB

The Bold Collaboration is excited to donate an OTA Audit & Tune-Up Package to support The Association of Lodging Professionals - ALP Allied Partner Online Auction, starting May 15th!

Have you created your OTA listings and never returned to update your photos, amenities, policies, confirmed PMS connectivity, occupancy settings, marketing campaigns, points of interest, additional fees, or reviewed your performance ranking? The OTAs constantly change their settings, and you should be OPTIMIZED for the best performance!

Need help with an OTA Tune-Up or creating an OTA Strategy? The Bold Collaboration is here to help! 😄