In our organization, which includes more than one American working in lodging establishments in India, a sociological investigation like this catches the eye.  Click the image to the left for a podcasted author interview.  A few fun facts:

– At least 1 out of 2 motels are owned by Indian-Americans.

– Out of those Indian-owned motels, 70 percent are owned by Gujaratis, people with roots in the western Indian state of Gujarat.

– Of those Gujaratis, three-fourths share the last name Patel. There’s even a name for these overnight establishments: “Patel Motels.”