Lina Patel, former AAHOA Women Hoteliers Director, Eastern Division (2017-2023), led a team of 20+ individuals on an extraordinary expedition to the Tibetan Himalayas, scaling an impressive elevation of 20,000 feet.

Patel is a second-generation hotelier with more than two decades of experience in hotel ownership and investments. She is highly experienced in advancing women in hotel ownership by providing networking and educational opportunities. She plays multiple leadership roles in various aspects of life, from leading hikers to the Himalayas to serving as a board of directors on several hotel and cultural organizations. She was also instrumental in helping to launch AAHOA’s HerOwnership: Opening Doors for Women in Hospitality, an initiative aimed at elevating, educating, and empowering the women hoteliers of AAHOA and across the industry. 

Earlier this year, Patel joined the Red Roof team as Director for Strategic Franchise Initiatives. In this role, Patel directs the growth of Red Roof among diverse and underrepresented corporate and franchise communities. 

In an interview with Hertelier this May, Patel emphasized the importance of understanding hotel ownership intricacies, including property selection, franchising, and operational education.

“An area requiring attention [in hospitality] is understanding the steps required for hotel ownership, from finding the hotel that fits their budget and demographics to the franchising process to education and training in operating a hotel,” Patel shared. “We plan to have a strong representation of Red Roof Franchise diversity programs at industry and partner events.”

Since 2010, Lina has successfully led more than 1,000 trekkers for hikes into the Himalayas, also known as "the Roof of the World.”

“Growing up, I always had a passion for the mountains, particularly the Himalayas,” Patel shared. “My experience in mountaineering comes from the past 22 years of hiking throughout the USA. Since 2008, I have traveled throughout Nepal, trekking to the base camp of Mt. Everest and climbing throughout the Khumbu valley.”

These treks offer Patel and fellow adventurers an opportunity for self-discovery and to go beyond their comfort zones.

“We are very proud and excited for Lina Patel and Bipin Patel as they close in on accomplishing another successful trek in the Himalayan Mountains,” Matthew Hostetler, Chief Development Officer at Red Roof, shared. “We celebrate your dedication to life, replenishment, and giving of yourselves. Red Roof Franchising supports you and your hearts. We celebrate and support diversity internally and externally with our RIDE program, leading others in underserved markets to ownership.”

For more updates on Patel's Himalayan expedition this month, please check out the following coverage:

SOCIALS: Lina Patel Stands On Top of the World With #SHELeads

SOCIALS: Lina Patel Transitions From Hoteliers to Avid Trekker

ARTICLE: Himalayan trekker takes side hustles to new heights