HOUSTON—Researchers at the University of Houston Conrad N. Hilton College of Global Hospitality Leadership say many skilled hospitality workers who were furloughed or laid off during the COVID-19 pandemic are angry and unlikely to return to the industry. During the first few months of the pandemic in 2020, travel and dining out declined rapidly putting severe financial strain on hospitality organizations, especially those in the lodging and food and beverage sectors. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the hospitality industry lost nearly 8 million hospitality jobs, making it the hardest-hit industry in the U.S. by the pandemic in...

NORTH TAHOE, NEV.—Late last year, Fodor’s published its 2023 “No List”—the places travelers should avoid in the new year. Included on the list was Lake Tahoe, a place where Fodor’s says “nature needs a break” primarily because of the effect that sediment and emissions from heavy traffic have on the lake’s clarity. According to The Mercury News, “The Fodors article quoted Andy Chapman, President and CEO of Travel North Tahoe Nevada (TNTNV) as saying tourism and hospitality leaders are trying to find ‘creative solutions to take cars off the road’ without telling people to stay away.” With 15 million visitors...

INTERNATIONAL REPORT—Broadly speaking, the success of a destination is judged by the number of visitors it welcomes in each time frame. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, destinations are, in general, more determined than ever to attract large numbers of tourists, which is why our Most Visited Destinations report focuses on the year’s most-visited destinations. However, more is not always better, and it is important to remember the issues of overtourism many destinations were facing before the global health crisis emerged. In fact, as more and more global regions approach full travel recovery, the topic of overtourism once again...

SILVER SPRING, MD.—Choice Hotels International, Inc., one of the largest lodging franchisors in the world, has joined the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance, a global network for responsible hospitality which unites world-leading hotel companies to build a more sustainable future. With nearly 7,500 hotels, representing more than 630,000 rooms in 46 countries and territories, Choice Hotels recognizes the positive impact it can advance in the global communities in which its associates and franchisees live and work. This new membership will see the company come together with other member hotel companies to share best practices, understand the latest sustainability innovations, and create a...

INTERNATIONAL REPORT—The global supply chain disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic have revealed the weaknesses created by our society and economic model’s dependence on global trade. This has led to a unique opportunity for businesses and individuals to review and adapt their business models to build a more workable and sustainable future. With an increasing number of customers demanding sustainability in hospitality and hotels, innovation of the logistics of supply and value chains demonstrates a committed approach across all processes. Some experts argue that local and human supply chains are the most sustainable and resilient ones. Businesses should encourage their stakeholders—associates,...

SINGAPORE—Accor is partnering with SOURCE Global, PBC to bring the world’s first truly sustainable bottled drinking water brand to prominent hotels in Singapore. With people, societies, and communities at the heart of its strategy, and a history of embracing innovation and environmentally friendly business practices, Accor will replace single-use plastic bottled water at key hotels in Singapore with premium drinking water packaged in reusable glass bottles and made by SOURCE Hydropanels—a ground-breaking solar-powered technology that harvests the pure, endlessly renewable water vapor in the air and transforms it into premium drinking water. Each Hydropanel can offset more than 50,000 plastic bottles...

CHISINAU, MOLDOVA—Moldova has taken an important step in its commitment to sustainability in the tourism industry through its recent partnership with the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC). Promoting implementation of GSTC’s sustainability criteria will ensure that Moldova’s tourism sector is aligned with the industry’s highest global standards for sustainable tourism. This commitment was confirmed by signing a Partnership Agreement between the Moldovan Ministry of Culture, the government authority coordinating the tourism sector, and GSTC. This Partnership Agreement establishes a cooperation framework for developing a sustainable tourism industry in Moldova. The Republic of Moldova, a small country in eastern Europe located between Romania and Ukraine, has significant potential to develop as...

PUNTA MITA, MEXICO—A luxury tented resort as unique as nature itself, Naviva, A Four Seasons Resort, Punta Mita, Mexico is now welcoming guests to a world where the deep, green jungle is the backdrop for a personalized retreat. With just 15 luxury tents surrounded by 48 forested acres (19 hectares) on the edge of a private peninsula, Naviva is an adult-only sanctuary that harnesses nature to create an environment that fosters community, personal growth and appreciation for local heritage. Naviva awakens the intrinsic bond that humans have with nature through biophilic design—an architectural approach that immerses people in their natural surroundings. The transformative journey...

LAS VEGAS—The Asian Community Development Center (ACDC), Southern Nevada’s leading nonprofit organization serving the Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) community, recently celebrated the grand opening of its Healthy Asians & Pacific Islanders (HAPI) Medical Center. Years in the making, the HAPI Medical Center provides primary health care services for the Las Vegas Valley’s AAPI community, with a 100 percent bilingual staff that can deliver care in Korean, Tagalog, Vietnamese, Mandarin Chinese and more languages to come. Elected officials participating in the grand opening included Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak and First Lady Kathy Sisolak, as well as Congressman Steven Horsford, Congresswoman Susie...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Its most recent version was updated in February 2015, but the EPA’s Safer Choice Standard remains a go to standard for suppliers seeking a Safer Choice label for their products. According to EPA, “When consumers see the Safer Choice label on a product, they can be confident that the ingredients have been through a rigorous EPA review. The label means that EPA scientists have evaluated every ingredient in the product to ensure it meets Safer Choice’s stringent criteria.” In addition to meeting stringent safety criteria, every product with the Safer Choice label has met high standards of performance. That...