MANILA, PHILIPPINES—The World Travel & Tourism Council’s latest Economic Impact Report (EIR) reveals the Travel & Tourism sector is expected to create nearly 126 million new jobs within the next decade. The bullish forecast from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), which represents the global Travel & Tourism private sector, also shows the sector will be a driving force of the global economic recovery, creating one in three of all new jobs. The announcement was made by Julia Simpson, President & CEO of WTTC, in her opening speech at WTTC’s prestigious Global Summit in the Philippines. The prediction was delivered in the...

MERIDA, MEXICO—Earth Day is every day at WAYAM Mundo Imperial, where every inch of the hotel is carefully designed to offer guests the perfect balance of wellness and tranquility. As the first LEED-certified property in historic Mérida, WAYAM welcomes guests to coexist with nature and celebrate the lush landscape of its historic backdrop. From aromatherapy in common areas to a water tasting menu offering guests select local waters to sample, the amenities at WAYAM complement the hotel’s strategic location and green facilities. In addition to solar paneling, all the windows at WAYAM face east, generating a high solar reflectivity and therefore...

ROCKVILLE, MD.—Underscoring its commitment to increasing diversity across the hospitality industry and among its owner base, Choice Hotels International, Inc. is expanding its emerging markets development program with the launch of HERtels by Choice. For nearly 20 years, Choice’s emerging markets development program has been dedicated to extending the opportunity of hotel ownership to underrepresented populations, including women entrepreneurs. This newly enhanced program will provide dedicated training, education, mentorship, and financial assistance to advance and empower women entrepreneurs and ensure they thrive as Choice Hotels franchisees. According to the 2022 Castell Project Women in Hospitality Industry Leadership Report, for every nine...

HONOLULU—Premier beach resort brand Outrigger Hospitality Group has joined the World Tourism Association for Culture and Heritage as part of its larger ESG (environment, social, governance) initiative. “WTACH’s ambition to respect and conserve local culture is fully aligned with ‘The Outrigger Way’—our corporate foundation of caring for host, guest and place,” said Monica Salter, Vice President of Corporate Communications & Social Responsibility. “We’re grateful to be part of a network of like-minded organizations to protect and preserve cultural uniqueness through respectful engagement with local communities and custodians.” The Outrigger Way values system originated from Hawai‘i’s culture of hospitality. It embraces local traditions...

CHICAGO—With more than 400 companies showcasing thousands of new products, programming from the industry’s top thought leaders, and more, the 2022 edition of NeoCon (June 13 to 15) will be jam-packed with innovation and opportunities to experience the future of commercial interior design firsthand. A hub for community and connecting within the industry, this year’s NeoCon will offer a wealth of engaging installations, as well as on-site activations and events that will provide invaluable moments to gather, learn from each other, and share ideas. “We are thrilled by all the excitement and buzz around NeoCon 2022,” says Lisa Simonian, Vice...

SINGAPORE—The Hotel Footprinting Tool is a free tool for calculating the carbon footprint of hotel stays and is now available online at www.hotelfootprints.org. Users can enter the location, star rating and number of nights in order to obtain an instant carbon footprint for their stay based on the average emissions of hotels in that market. The tool also allows users to estimate the carbon footprint of meetings which take place in hotels. The Hotel Footprinting Tool is powered by data from over 20,000 hotels around the world collected via the Cornell Hotel Sustainability Benchmarking Index and using the Hotel Carbon Measurement...

PARSIPPANY, N.J.—Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, the world’s largest hotel franchising company with over 8,900 hotels across over 95 countries, released its 2022 Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Report highlighting its dedication to operating in a socially, ethically, and environmentally responsible way. These commitments are underscored by recent accolades, including recognition by DiversityInc, which highlighted Wyndham as a company with leading diversity practices for 2022, and Forbes as one of The Best Employers for Diversity 2022. “The significance of our company’s vision—to be the world’s leading hotel company by delivering the best value to owners and guests—is more important than ever....

BANGKOK—With booming demand for adventurous and eco-conscious travel, northern Norway is one of the last frontiers for a self-sustainable, off-grid destination. The 94-room Six Senses Svart combines a futuristic design and technological innovation with earthy, organic materials that use the least embedded energy. The name Svart, which means black and blue in old Norse, is a reference to the natural heritage of the ancient Svartisen glacier, which lies just within the Arctic Circle, where summer days last forever and winter nights are lit by the breathtaking Northern Lights. To minimize the on-site impact, Six Senses Svart is poised on...

FAIRFAX, VA.—Last month was National Pest Management Month (NPMM), an annual observance recognized by Chase’s Calendar of Events highlighting the vital role pest control plays in protecting public health, food and property from the threats posed by pests. The National Pest Management Association (NPMA) is reminding commercial facility managers of the importance of working with a licensed pest control professional to continually prevent pest infestations and resolve issues when they arise. “Pest control professionals are integral to the success of commercial businesses, playing a vital role in protecting property, the health and safety of employees and customers as well as...

BETHESDA, MD.—Marriott International announced it has signed an agreement with The Red Sea Development Co. to debut its distinguished Ritz-Carlton Reserve brand off the west coast of Saudi Arabia. Slated to debut in 2023, Nujuma, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, is expected to form part of the eagerly anticipated Red Sea destination and offer a highly personalized leisure experience that blends intuitive and heartfelt service with stunning natural beauty and indigenous design. Nujuma will be the first property from the brand in the Middle East and joins an exclusive collection of only five Ritz-Carlton Reserves worldwide. “We are thrilled to bring our...