Marriott International Celebrates the 2024 J. Willard Marriott Awards of Excellence Honorees
Marriott International | May 16, 2024
Industry Happenings
ASSA ABLOY Global Solutions and Traka Americas Reaffirm Commitment to Provide Give Kids The World Families With Enhanced Security and Peace of Mind
ASSA ABLOY | October 10, 2023
ASSA ABLOY Group member organizations combine technology, resources and expertise to ensure a safe and enjoyable environment for children diagnosed with a serious illness. Stockholm –October 10, 2023 – ASSA ABLOY Global Solutions, a leading provider of advanced security technology for the hospitality industry, alongside ASSA ABLOY Group Member, Traka Americas, have combined their resources and expertise in order to donate the latest in security innovation to the Give Kids The World Village in Kissimmee, Florida. A non-profit organization with a mission to provide critically ill children and their families with dream vacation experience...
InterContinental Hotels & Resorts Unveils a Distinctive Global Brand Evolution
IHG | October 9, 2023
InterContinental demonstrates its pioneering spirit while paying homage to its rich heritage, paving the way for the luxury traveller of tomorrow. LONDON: InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, the world's first and largest international luxury hotel brand, is embarking on an exciting new chapter with the launch of an extensive global brand evolution announced today. As part of IHG Hotels & Resorts' luxury and lifestyle portfolio, InterContinental is set to yet again reimagine the luxury travel experience, striking a harmonious balance between freedom and familiarity. This transformative journey is driven by the brand’s long held ...
HFTP Announces 2023 Paragon Award Recipient – Geneva Rinehart
HFTP | October 9, 2023
AUSTIN, TEXAS, USA (October 9, 2023) — Geneva Rinehart was selected as the 2023 Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP®) Paragon Award recipient for her significant contribution to the production of a key hospitality technology information resource for nearly three decades. She is also recognized for inhabiting the role as a central connector amongst industry players — vendors, hotel companies, consultants — ensuring that all are apprised of current trends and recognized for their contributions to the evolution of hospitality technology. Rinehart is senior vice president and managing editor at Hospitality Upgr...
Hilton Global Foundation Announces Record $3.3 Million in Grants Toward Organizations Creating a Better World for Travel as Part of Hilton’s Annual
Hilton | October 9, 2023
MCLEAN, Va. – Today, the Hilton Global Foundation, Hilton’s primary philanthropic arm, announced a commitment to grant a record $3.3 million in funding toward 13 organizations that are supporting career development, community resilience and environmental sustainability. The announcement also marks Travel with Purpose Week, Hilton’s annual global week of service for its more than 450,000 team members around the world. Through funding provided by the Hilton Global Foundation, this year’s grantees are estimated to meaningfully impact more than 50,000 community members, provide nutritious food to more than 25,000 people, divert more ...
HSMAI DC Panel Will Explore Six Need-to-Know Issues in Hospitality
HSMAI Washington DC Chapter | October 9, 2023
WASHINGTON (Oct. 9, 2023) – The Washington, D.C., chapter of the Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International today invited hospitality professionals from throughout the metropolitan area to attend its annual Directors Roundtable & Conference on Oct. 18 at the Washington Marriott Capitol Hill. The program will feature six top minds in the hospitality industry, who will engage the audience with presentations on artificial intelligence, talent acquisition, meeting planners, revenue growth, digital marketing and defining success. The guest speakers will be Michael Goldrich of The Hotels Network and Vivander Advisors, Lor...
MGM Resorts Update on Recent Cybersecurity Issue
MGM Resorts International | October 6, 2023
LAS VEGAS, Oct. 6, 2023 -- MGM Resorts International ("MGM Resorts" or the "Company") recently disclosed that the Company identified a cybersecurity issue affecting certain of its systems and that its investigation into the issue was ongoing. On or around September 29, 2023, MGM Resorts determined that an unauthorized third party obtained personal information of some of its customers on September 11, 2023. The affected information included name, contact information (such as phone number, email address, and postal address), gender, date of birth, and driver's license number. For a limited number of customers, Social Security number and...
IARE Partners With HSMAI to Expand Reach and Elevate Opportunities
HSMAI | October 6, 2023
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: McLean, VA (Oct. 6, 2023) – The Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI) has announced the integration of the International Association of Reservation Executives (IARE) membership and program of work into HSMAI. HSMAI will partner with IARE to elevate the role of contact centers as they continue to play an integral role in all commercial functions of the hospitality industry, and IARE will leverage HSMAI’s extensive network to expand its reach and grow networking opportunities for its constituents. IARE’s mission is to be the premier global travel industry contact center association an...
The Year of the Great Recharge: Hilton Trends Report Reveals ‘Rest and Relaxation’ to Be Top Driver of Travel Decisions Across Generations in 2024
Hilton | October 5, 2023
MCLEAN, Va. – According to a recent global survey conducted by Hilton and Ipsos, travelers say they will reduce other areas of personal spending to prioritize leisure travel in 2024, with a majority across generations indicating their No. 1 reason to travel in 2024 will be to rest and recharge, with more emphasis on sleep than ever before. Those insights and more were unveiled today with the launch of Hilton’s third-annual trends report: “What Millennials, Gen Z, Gen X and Baby Boomers Tell Us About Travel in the Year Ahead.” In addition to defining the preferences and passions of the 2024 traveler, the report takes a deeper look at...
DMV-Like Experience Leading to 27 Million Skipped Trips, $71 Billion in Lost Travel Spend
U.S. Travel Association | October 5, 2023
Federal government must prioritize improvements across air travel ecosystem to achieve greater growth WASHINGTON (October 4, 2023)—A record-breaking summer of travel demand sharpened the impact of government inefficiencies and hassles across the travel system, potentially resulting in air travelers taking an average of two fewer trips per year at a projected total cost of $71 billion to the U.S. economy—according to a new U.S. Travel survey from Ipsos. “When nearly 60% of recent air travelers find the experience the equivalent or worse than going to the DMV, it is a concerning signal that demands action,” said U.S. Travel Asso...
Three JMBM Partners Recognized by EB5 Investors Magazine
JMBM’s Global Hospitality Group | October 4, 2023
JMBM is pleased to announce that partners Jim Butler, Catherine DeBono Holmes and David Sudeck have been named to EB5 Investors Magazine’s “Top 15 Corporate and Securities Attorneys” list for 2023. Jim Butler authors the Hotel Law Blog and chairs JMBM’s Global Hospitality Group®, which provides business and legal advice to hotel owners, developers and commercial real estate investors. Jim’s team has provided clients with global business and legal advice on more than 4,700 hotels worth more than $125 billion. This advice includes both traditional and specialty financing like C-PACE and EB-5. JMBM’s team has closed more than ...
POLL: Union’s Proposed Homeless Policy Will Deter 72% of Americans From Booking LA Hotel Rooms
AHLA | October 3, 2023
More than 70% concerned about safety of hotel employees and guests WASHINGTON (Oct. 3, 2023) – More than seven in ten Americans would be deterred from booking a hotel room in Los Angeles if hotels there are forced to house homeless people next to paying guests. That’s according to a new national poll commissioned by the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) and conducted by Morning Consult. Los Angeles residents are set to vote in March 2024 on whether to require all local hotels to house homeless people next to paying guests as part of a ballot initiative proposed by Unite Here, a labor union that represents LA-area hotel wo...
HTNG, HSMAI to Co-Locate HTNG Connect: Asia-Pacific, HSMAI Revenue Optimization Conference at Marina Bay Sands, Singapore in 2024
HTNG | October 3, 2023
WASHINGTON (Oct. 3, 2023) - The American Hotel & Lodging Association’s technology committee, HTNG, and Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI) announced today that they will co-locate HTNG’s HTNG Connect: Asia-Pacific event and HSMAI’s Revenue Optimization Conference (ROC) May 8-10, 2024, at the Marina Bay Sands in Singapore. HTNG Connect: Asia-Pacific stands as Asia's foremost event for hospitality technology. Simultaneously, HSMAI’s ROC has established itself as the region's premier event for hotel revenue management and commercial strategy. Co-locating the events at the Marina Bay Sands in 2024 prom...
Hospitality Asset Managers Association (HAMA) Releases Fall 2023 Conference Industry Outlook Survey Results
HAMA | October 2, 2023
NEW ORLEANS, October 2, 2023—The Hospitality Asset Managers Association (“HAMA”) today announced the results of its Fall 2023 Industry Outlook Survey. The semi-annual report updated the opinions, experiences and predictions of nearly 80 hotel asset managers from the earlier spring conference survey with a focus on budgetary predictions and potential causes of industry concern. Conducted in conjunction with HAMA'S 2023 Annual Fall Meeting that was held in New Orleans, the results were presented to media live with a concluding Q&A session via online conferencing. In total, 77 asset managers, comprising app...
REPORT: Hotel Boards Are Becoming Increasingly Diverse
ahla foundation | October 2, 2023
WASHINGTON, DC (October 2, 2023) – The percentage of hotel industry board seats held by Black members and women members, respectively, is going up. That's according to recent research commissioned by AHLA Foundation and conducted by Penn State’s School of Hospitality Management. The increase exceeds the 2022 average in both categories for firms in the Russell 3000 Index, signaling progress in the effort to diversify corporate boards. The report highlights multiple gains for the industry. The 2022 data set analyzed 230 board members at 28 companies between 2016-2022. Key findings include: · Women occupied 31.3%...
AHLA Statement in Support of the Modern Worker Empowerment Act
AHLA | October 2, 2023
Washington (Oct. 2, 2023) – American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) President & CEO Chip Rogers released the following statement today in support of the Modern Worker Empowerment Act, which was introduced in the House by Reps. Elise Stefanik (NY-21), Kevin Kiley (CA-03), and Michelle Steel (CA-45). “As America continues to deal with one of the worst labor shortages in decades, hoteliers need flexibility to quickly hire contractors to meet a variety of expanding and contracting needs. However, the Department of Labor’s proposed regulatory changes, coupled with recent decisions by the National Labor Relations Board, will ma...
Israel VWP Admission To Add $1.8 Billion to U.S. Economy
U.S. Travel Association | October 2, 2023
WASHINGTON (October 2, 2023)—U.S. Travel Association President and CEO Geoff Freeman issued the following statement on Israel’s admission to the Visa Waiver Program (VWP): “The highly successful Visa Waiver Program has a proven record of boosting travel exports and U.S. global competitiveness, benefiting U.S. destinations, businesses and the broader American economy. Following Israel’s admission to the Visa Waiver Program, the U.S. can expect to welcome 200,000 additional Israeli visitors per year, generating an additional $800 million in direct travel spending and producing an economic impact of roughly $1.8 billion. “U.S. T...
HFTP Announces Return of Entrepreneur 20X at Major 2024 Events, Applications Now Open
HFTP | September 28, 2023
Austin, Texas (September 28, 2023) — Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP®) is pleased to announce the return of the premier hospitality technology pitch competition Entrepreneur 20X (E20X) at three events in 2024. Startups will have the opportunity to present their cutting-edge platforms at HFTP’s inaugural Digital Horizons 360 (DH360) Symposium in Europe in February and at HITEC Dubai and HITEC North America in June. Applications to compete are now open. Established in 2015, the upcoming E20X events will mark the fourth and eighth E20X competitions at HITEC Dubai and HITEC North America, respectively. DH36...
PolyU School of Hotel and Tourism Management Partners With World Travel and Tourism Council To Define the Future of Global Retail Tourism
PolyU’s School of Hotel and Tourism Management | September 27, 2023
The School of Hotel and Tourism Management (SHTM) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University has joined hands with the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) to support the sustainable development of global tourism. Undertaken collaboratively by teams from the SHTM’s Hospitality and Tourism Research Centre and the Council, the WTTC–SHTM Global Retail Tourism project offers critical data-driven insights into the key trends, challenges and opportunities shaping retail tourism in the post-pandemic era. Although travellers collectively spend billions of dollars every year on shopping, to date there has been a lack of an accurate estimate ...
The Annual Gathering for Boutique Hotel Owners Scheduled to Meet in October
BLLA | September 27, 2023
Charting the Future: Global Boutique Hospitality Industry Convenes to Strategize New Era of Hotel Ownership Los Angeles, CA - September 27, 2023 - The Boutique Lifestyle Lodging Association (BLLA) proudly presents the 12th iteration of the esteemed Boutique Hotel Owners Conference, slated for October 10-11, 2023. This year, the Westlake Village Inn in Los Angeles will play host to a transformative retreat-style experience, captivating attendees from start to finish. The Boutique Hotel Owners Conference, brought to you by the official global association founded in 2009, serves not only as a cornerstone for independent, boutique hotels an...
U.S. Travel to Induct Elliott L. Ferguson, II, Peter Herschend Into Travel Industry’s Hall of Leaders
U.S. Travel Association | September 27, 2023
WASHINGTON — September 27, 2023 — Travel industry leaders Elliott L. Ferguson, II, president and CEO of Destination DC, and Peter F. Herschend, co-founder of Herschend Enterprises, will be honored as the 2023 inductees into the U.S. Travel Association Hall of Leaders, the organization announced Tuesday. "Elliott and Peter each have created a lasting impact across the travel industry while successfully leading organizations that better the communities they serve," said U.S. Travel Association President and CEO Geoff Freeman. "We are proud that both will receive U.S. Travel's highest honor this year in recognition of their invaluable co...
AHLA Foundation Names Julienne Smith as 2023 Peggy Berg Castell Award Recipient
AHLA Foundation | September 26, 2023
WASHINGTON, DC (September 26, 2023) – AHLA Foundation, the charitable arm of the American Hotel and Lodging Association (AHLA), honored Julienne Smith, Chief Development Officer, Americas, IHG Hotels & Resorts, as the 2023 recipient of the Peggy Berg Castell Award. Presented at The Lodging Conference on September 20, the award highlights women trailblazers who are paving the way for more women to rise to the top of the hospitality industry. In her role overseeing the growth of IHG Hotels & Resorts in the Americas region, Julienne's leadership has paved the way for her own successes as well as the success of others. Julienne is a...
Black Travel Summit Launches National Black Travel Day to Commemorate the Black Travel Movement
Black Travel Summit | September 26, 2023
MIAMI, Fla. (September 26, 2023) – Black Travel Summit (BTS) introduces National Black Travel Day (November 11), a new holiday dedicated to celebrating, honoring, and uplifting the global Black travel community. National Black Travel Day is a day for Black travelers and travel professionals to celebrate diversity, their impact, future, and culture in travel. It is an homage to the Black travel movement; a reminder for allies, supporters, but also for the community that diversity in travel isn’t a trend that ends, it’s necessary for a brighter future for all who travel. Following the summit’s annual in-person conference in October,...
HVS Conference Takeaways: The Lodging Conference 2023
Rod Clough | September 25, 2023
By Rod Clough With contributions from Eric Guerrero, Josh Williams, Neil Flavin, Zabada Abouelhana, James Rebullida, and Aleisha Smith Harry Javer and team executed another stellar Lodging Conference at the beautiful JW Marriott Desert Ridge, where over 2,700 attendees gathered to ponder and map the future of our great industry. We were thankful to sponsor such an important meeting, and I was honored to take the main stage at its start to share my perspectives on the direction of cap rates, discount rates, and values. Here are our takeaways from the conference: There is a notable disconnect at present between buyer and sel...
HSMAI Foundation Launches Century Campaign Fundraising Initiative
The HSMAI Foundation | September 25, 2023
Building a Bridge to Our Brightest Future FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: McLean, VA (Sept. 25, 2023) – The Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI) Foundation has announced the launch of its Century Campaign, a five-year fundraising effort ahead of the organization’s upcoming 100th anniversary in 2027. Donations to the Century Campaign will be used to further the mission of the Foundation and its efforts to attract new talent, develop emerging talent, and engage existing talent in the hospitality sales, marketing, and revenue optimization professions. “The Century Campaign pays tribute to the organization’s l...