BOSTON—Massachusetts state leaders, hotel industry representatives, and survivor advocates came together at the State Capitol to emphasize the importance of human trafficking recognition training for the hotel industry. The call for such training is part of a wider initiative, “No Room for Trafficking,” launched in 2019 by the AHLA Foundation. The initiative has already overseen over 2.2 million training sessions to help hotel employees identify and respond to potential trafficking situations. The meeting was held in support of S.1729/HD.1764, a bill that proposes mandatory human trafficking training for all hotel employees in Massachusetts. Key speakers at the event included Senator Mark...

LAS VEGAS—Las Vegas Sands will contribute nearly $350,000 for the 2024-2025 through 2026-2027 academic years to the National Hispanic Institute (NHI), continuing its Sands Cares support of the transformational leadership development program for Latino high school students in Las Vegas. The new Sands Cares funding builds on the previous three-year grant, which provided the seed investment for NHI to establish a presence in Las Vegas and annual support for organizational expenses and student stipends. From 2022 to 2024, Sands Cares funding enabled 97 Las Vegas high school students to complete NHI’s leadership development programs, and over 25 students have returned as volunteers. Students begin their journey in NHI’s leadership development...

BETHESDA, MD.—The Luxury Collection, part of Marriott Bonvoy’s portfolio of over 30 hotel brands, announces a new brand partnership with MAD Academy, the trailblazing nonprofit organization founded by chef René Redzepi, recipient of three MICHELIN Stars, with a focus on transforming food systems through the people who work in food and hospitality across the globe. With more than 120 hotels and resorts across over 40 countries and territories, The Luxury Collection boasts a diverse global portfolio that connects guests to the distinctive wonders of their destination. Through its immersive collaboration with MAD Academy, The Luxury Collection aims to create a scalable...

NATIONAL REPORT—Modern heating is no longer a matter of simply delivering warmth; it’s about creating environments that blend comfort, efficiency, and aesthetic harmony. In a world increasingly defined by open spaces, sleek architecture, and smart technologies, heating systems must evolve to meet complex demands without disrupting the visual and functional flow of a space. Over the course of the past several decades in the heating industry, professionals have witnessed firsthand the shifts in priorities among architects, designers, and building managers. Heating is no longer a secondary consideration—it has become central to how people experience space. Striking the right balance between...

MADRID, SPAIN—Spanish hotel chain Melia is buying property to accommodate seasonal workers who can’t afford to rent in tourism hot spots as a housing crisis risks causing labor shortages in the country’s tourism industry, its CEO Gabriel Escarrer said. Melia, Spain’s biggest hotel chain, has bought a former hostel on the Balearic Island of Menorca and is looking to make further acquisitions in Ibiza and Mallorca as well as in the Canary Islands and on the Spanish mainland to house its workforce during the summer high season, Escarrer said in an interview. “Due to the boom in short-term rentals for tourists,...

INTERNATIONAL REPORT—EHL Insights underscores the importance of mental health and well-being in the workplace, particularly within the hospitality industry. It highlights how a culture of well-being can lead to improved employee performance, reduced turnover rates, and overall business success. The article published on EHL Insights discusses the significance of fostering a culture that prioritizes mental health and well-being in workplaces, specifically within the hospitality sector. This topic has gained increasing attention in recent years amidst rising stress levels and employee burnout. The hospitality industry is renowned for demanding work conditions, including long hours, high stress levels, shift work, and low pay. These factors...

CHICAGO—Hyatt Hotels Corporation announces the opening of Hyatt Place Leeds and Hyatt House Leeds in the United Kingdom, marking the Hyatt brands’ debut into the Leeds market. With Hyatt Place and Hyatt House under one roof, this new dual-branded development combines intuitive design, practical amenities, spacious rooms, and 24/7 convenience, offering guests a home away from home. Hyatt Place Leeds and Hyatt House Leeds are BREEAM certified and fully electric, which underscores the hotels’ dedication to creating more sustainable, high-performing buildings. Located in the heart of Leeds, in the regenerated Sovereign Square, these hotels are a stone’s throw from the train station...

SURAT THANI, THAILAND—Lodge manager and chef, George Newling-Ward, has once again transformed the food and beverage offering at a popular southern Thai ecolodge—Anurak Community Lodge beside Khao Sok national park in southern Thailand. His aim is to make food and drink at Anurak Lodge a reason to visit as much as hiking, biking, kayaking and planting trees in one of the most visually spectacular nature settings in southeast Asia. After a previous stint as manager at the ecolodge between 2018 and 2022, Newling-Ward, an acclaimed chef from the British Virgin Islands, returned to Anurak Community Lodge in October 2024. His motivation, second...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The American Hotel & Lodging Assn. (AHLA) will hold its third annual Responsible Stay Summit at the Four Seasons Hotel, Washington, D.C. on March 27. According to AHLA, up to 150 are expected to attend. Lauren Pravlik, Vice President, Committees & Member Engagement for AHLA, says the purpose of the Summit is to build upon the progress hotels have been making, and ensure that stakeholders are in step as they can be with those leading in sustainability. “We always want to make sure we are helping our members,” Pravlik says. “The Summit is a place for thought leadership and networking—an...

EMERYVILLE, CALIF.—SCS Global Services (SCS), a pioneer and international leader in third-party sustainability and environmental certifications, announces the first events certified under the SCS Zero Waste Standard—two Dell Technologies Forum Events in India. Organized by Kestone Global and in consultation with Saahas Zero Waste, these regional events were held in Mumbai and Bangalore and achieved 98.64 percent and 92.88 percent diversion, respectively. The third-party certification from SCS was awarded after completing a comprehensive waste assessment, including an on-site audit during the events to verify successful diversion of waste from landfill through recycling, composting, waste-to-energy, and resale. “The events were an integrated approach...