NATIONAL REPORT—Flooring upgrades often drive long-term sustainability goals in lodging operations, particularly when considering material sourcing, maintenance, and guest expectations. Lodge owners face pressure to select products that reduce environmental impact while still appealing to eco-minded travelers and commercial facility standards. Understanding the differences between flooring can help owners plan renovations and retrofits that align with both branding and performance expectations. Environmental Manufacturing Footprint Laminate flooring utilizes synthetic cores layered with printed visuals, often relying on adhesives and resins that have higher energy demands. Wood products, on the other hand, originate from harvested timber, and sustainably sourced hardwoods can contribute to...

ATLANTA—AAHOA issued the following statement in response to the murder of a hotel staff member who was killed last Wednesday morning in Dallas. The slaying comes after the 2024 murders of AAHOA Member Hemant Mistry in Oklahoma City and of Pravin R. Patel in Sheffield, Ala. (See related article.) “Our hearts are absolutely broken for the victim’s family, who witnessed this unimaginable act of violence,” said AAHOA Chairman Kamalesh (KP) Patel. “Hotels are not just workplaces for our members and their teams—they are homes, businesses, and community spaces. The brutality of this crime is beyond comprehension, and our thoughts and prayers are with the loved ones, the...

LAS VEGAS—Coverings, the largest and preeminent event for the ceramic tile and natural stone industry in North America, has announced that Coverings 2026 will take place March 30 to April 2, 2026, at the Las Vegas Convention Center. The announcement also marks the official opening of submissions for the 2026 Coverings Installation & Design (CID) Awards and nominations for the Coverings 2026 Rock Star program. “Las Vegas is a city defined by bold, forward-thinking design and unforgettable experiences,” said Jamie Rich, Coverings’ Managing Director. “It is the ideal backdrop to unite the global tile and stone community, showcase innovative trends...

COPENHAGEN—1 Hotels, the mission-driven luxury lifestyle hotel brand founded by hospitality visionary Barry Sternlicht, announces the official opening of 1 Hotel Copenhagen, a transformative reimagining of the historic Skt. Petri. Copenhagen is one of the world’s most forward-thinking cities and a beacon of sustainability. So, it makes sense that 1 Hotels—a purpose-driven brand built around sustainable travel—chose the city for its first location in continental Europe. Drawing on Copenhagen’s commitment to climate leadership and eco-conscious living, the hotel pairs Nordic craftsmanship with a deep connection to nature. Guests will find calming interiors shaped by natural materials, living landscapes that shift with the seasons, and a lifestyle...

WARWICK, R.I.—Summer 2025 is delivering all-time high travel numbers—and iconic destinations are feeling the strain. According to the experts at InsureMyTrip, places like Venice, Santorini, Dubrovnik, and parts of Japan are experiencing overcrowding so severe that visitors are facing booking caps, entry fees, and overwhelmed infrastructure. Which Destinations Are Feeling the Crowds? Venice, Italy—Venice sees tens of thousands of day-trippers daily in peak season. The city introduced entry fees and banned large cruise ships in 2021. Santorini & Mykonos, Greece—As of 2025, Greece is charging a €20 arrival fee per cruise passenger visiting these islands and enforcing a cap of 8,000 cruise arrivals per day in Santorini. Croatia Coast—Popular cities along Croatia’s Adriatic...

INTERNATIONAL REPORT—The hospitality industry thrives on people, both the teams delivering exceptional guest experiences and the communities they serve. Yet the 2025 Taking the Temperature Survey, conducted by Hospitality Action in partnership with Agilysys, reveals a pressing challenge for many hospitality workers as stress, burnout, and mental health struggles remain part of daily life. As a partner of Hospitality Action, Agilysys is committed not only to supporting individual operators but also to uplifting the industry as a whole. When our people thrive, so does our sector. The survey results are a reminder that prioritizing wellbeing is not only a moral responsibility,...

PARADISE ISLAND, BAHAMAS—Atlantis Paradise Island, a global leader in marine life conservation, has been awarded Virtuoso’s Sustainable Leadership: Protecting the Planet Award, recognizing the resort’s commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainable practices in the Bahamas. This honor highlights the resort’s ongoing dedication to preserving surrounding marine ecosystems and advancing responsible tourism as part of its new era of growth and transformation. Virtuoso, a leading global network specializing in luxury and experiential travel, announced its 2025 Virtuoso Global Awards during its 37th annual Virtuoso Travel Week, which took place August 9 to 15 in Las Vegas. Atlantis Paradise Island was honored among...

WISCONSIN DELLS, WIS.—Kalahari Resorts & Conventions has been named one of America’s Best Employers for Women 2025 by Forbes, in collaboration with Statista, a world leader in industry rankings and statistical analysis. The awards list, announced on July 30, 2025, recognizes companies that excel in employee satisfaction and workplace excellence. This prestigious award is based on data collected by Forbes and Statista through an independent survey of more than 140,000 U.S. women working for companies and institutions with at least 1,000 employees. Over 4 million employer evaluations were analyzed, with personal recommendations from employees carrying the most weight. “To be recognized...

CANCUN, MEXICO—Due to the massive arrival of female sea turtles during the 2024 season, the Cancun City Council, through its Ecology Department, requested the Cancún Hotel Association and each hotel expand the pens where sea turtle nests are placed. It must be noted that one of the beaches that receives the most turtles is located in front of Sunset World Group’s Sunset Royal Beach Resort. Therefore, the group recently shared a progress report on the 2025 sea turtle nesting season, reporting that this year, 63 females have nested on the Sunset Royal beach and laid 7,789 eggs to date. It's worth mentioning...

NATIONAL REPORT—With winter just a few months away, there is no better time to begin planning for the treatment of the ice that comes with it. While chloride products have been the “go to” ice treatment for years, numerous more eco-friendly products are gaining in popularity. Ed Brookmyer, President of Bare Ground Solutions, says there has been a shift because of environmental concerns—with no compromise on liability and safety. One needs to look no farther than any chloride product to find negative environmental impacts. According to the EPA, chloride products can contaminate drinking water, kill or endanger wildlife, increase soil...