{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"1031: LGBTQ+ Hotel Brand Axel Hotels Targets U.S. Expansion","description":"Axel Hotels runs 12 properties across four countries with nearly 1,000 rooms, and the brand focuses on the LGBTQ+ community.  I talk with Efrain Castro, COO of Axel Hotels, about how the brand creates community-driven hotels and where the team wants to expand next. \ud83c\udff3\ufe0f\u200d\ud83c\udf08 Efrain calls Axel the largest hotel chain focused on the LGBTQ+ community, built as a \u201cspace of freedom\u201d that welcomes anyone who wants that environment \ud83c\udf0d Axel uses social spaces to connect travelers and locals, and that local\/traveler mix drives repeat demand \ud83c\udfe8 Axel operates through leases, management agreements, and franchise deals, with a current push toward franchising \ud83d\udccd US expansion sits on the table again; Axel previously operated in Miami Beach, and Efrain names Palm Springs, Las Vegas, and New York City as top targets \ud83e\udde9 Efrain says Axel tailors the product to each deal\u2014new build, conversion, or guidance on an existing asset \ud83d\udce9 Franchise and development inquiries: Efrain.Castro@axelhotels.com or the form on axelhotels.com Thanks to Actabl for supporting this episode. Actabl gives you the power to profit. Visit actabl.com. Want the weekly roundup of news, videos, and what you might\u2019ve missed from #NoVacancyNews? Text HOTEL to 66866. ","author_name":"No Vacancy Live and No Vacancy News","author_url":"http:\/\/novacancy.libsyn.com\/podcast","html":"<iframe title=\"Libsyn Player\" style=\"border: none\" src=\"\/\/html5-player.libsyn.com\/embed\/episode\/id\/41003980\/height\/90\/theme\/custom\/thumbnail\/yes\/direction\/forward\/render-playlist\/no\/custom-color\/88AA3C\/\" height=\"90\" width=\"600\" scrolling=\"no\"  allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen oallowfullscreen msallowfullscreen><\/iframe>","thumbnail_url":"https:\/\/assets.libsyn.com\/secure\/item\/41003980"}