The Hospitality Culture Crisis: Tejal Patel, Neem Tree Hospitality
This episode is brought to you by Wheelhouse - the best revenue management platform for vacation and short term rentals. Learn more about Wheelhouse here ➡️ https://usewheelhouse.com Use code KNOWINGHOSPITALITY for 50% off your first month with Wheelhouse. --- Tejal is a third-generation hotelier and Founding CEO of Neem Tree Hospitality based in the greater Houston area. I first got to talking with Tejal on Clubhouse where we would discuss the culture in hospitality and how we can move the needle as the industry reopens. Now that that is happening, I wanted to have her on the show to expand on some of those earlier discussions, but perhaps more importantly, since she’s on the cusp of opening her own hotel, dive in to bridge the theory discussions of the past several months with the realities of a working asset. We’re both very cognisant that discussions about work culture can come across as nothing more that complaining so we try to keep this discussion constructive with concrete examples that hopefully inspire new thinking and actions. About Tejal Tejal Patel CHO, CHIA is a third-generation hotelier based in Texas' greater Houston area. She has held multiple positions in different areas of the industry, such as hotel operations, restaurants, events, and consulting prior to becoming Founding CEO of Neem Tree Hospitality in 2019. She serves as an Ambassador for the Southeast Texas region of the Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA) for 8 years. Since her early involvement with AAHOA, Tejal has developed a passion for advocating on behalf of the hotel industry. She is committed to creating a more inclusive industry for all hospitality professionals. Additionally, she serves her local community as a Board Member of the League City Convention & Visitors Bureau Advisory Board, and a Board Member for the League City Regional Chamber of Commerce. Beyond her community, she serves the industry as a member of organizations such as the Small and Independent Motel Association, the Texas Hotel & Lodging Association, and the International Hospitality Institute as a Board Member/Global Partner. Tejal holds a Bachelor of Science from the Conrad N. Hilton School of Hotel and Restaurant Management at the University of Houston and is completing an MBA with a concentration in Finance and Investment Management. Links Website: https://tejalpatel.co LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tejalpatelhotelier/