WASHINGTON, D.C.—The American Hotel & Lodging Assn. (AHLA) released “AHLA’s State of the Hotel Industry 2021” outlining the forecasted state of the hotel industry in 2021 and into the immediate future. The report examines the high-level economics of the hotel industry’s recovery, the specific impact on and eventual return of business travel, and consumer travel sentiments. The pandemic has been devastating to the hospitality industry workforce, which is down nearly 4 million jobs compared to the same time in 2019. While some 200,000 jobs are expected to be filled this year, overall, the accommodations sector faces an 18.9 percent unemployment rate, according...

NATIONAL REPORT—As concern about COVID-19 has skyrocketed, so too has interest in wellness and one of the places that interest has been focused is the guestroom—specifically the mattress. Any company today must be careful about its anti-viral/anti-bacterial/anti-microbial claims but at least two mattress companies are offering options that include at least one or more of the above “anti” properties. The first company, Corsicana Mattress Co., is offering its Copper ProTech collection to the hospitality market. Corsicana, one of the top few mattress makers in the United States, has nine mattresses and a topper engineered with copper-infused foam. The copper included...

ONEIDA INDIAN NATION HOMELANDS—After Disney announced mass layoffs for hospitality workers at its Orlando resorts, the Oneida Indian Nation partnered with Oneida County, New York to launch the “New Year, New Career” campaign—a recruitment initiative to attract recently laid-off hospitality and gaming professionals to fill more than 250 positions at its award-winning resort properties in Upstate New York. Using a combination of paid advertising, earned media campaigns, and on-the-ground hiring pushes, the campaign has already resulted in more than 70 accepted offers, with hundreds of interviews conducted so far, which includes more than 40 Central New Yorkers and 30 accepted...

BANGKOK—Outrigger Hotels and Resorts has added an ecotourism option for guests visiting Hawaii by participating in the “Malama Hawaii” campaign, an initiative of the Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) and Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau (HVCB). By booking Outrigger’s “Malama Hawaii Experience,” guests have a unique opportunity to participate in a hands-on, two-hour voluntourism activity at Kualoa Ranch Private Nature Reserve. Outrigger guests will then receive every third night free when staying at Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort or Waikiki Beachcomber by Outrigger. Malama in the Hawaiian language means “to take care”. As such, guests will embark on an eco-adventure at Kualoa Ranch, immersing in various types of community...

NEW YORK—A new survey shows that workers are not willing to take the risk that the spaces they work in will prevent them from getting coronavirus. The COVID-19 pandemic forced many workers to leave offices and employer facilities and instead work from home. Around the world many employees have returned to the workplace, which will become even more common as people receive vaccines and it is safe for colleagues to work side-by-side once more. But a majority of the global workforce—68 percent—does not feel completely safe working in their employer’s buildings, according to a Wakefield Research survey. The poll of 2,000 employees in buildings...

HOUSTON—Hotel managers have something in common beyond their reputations for charming dispositions and excellent listening skills—they’re predominantly men, despite women making up the majority of the accommodations workforce. New research led by the University of Houston Conrad N. Hilton College of Hotel and Restaurant Management suggests hotel companies that promote a woman over an equally qualified man are perceived as fairer and less discriminatory, creating a stronger organizational culture and higher financial performance. Published in the International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, the study is the first to address gender inequity in promotional opportunities for hotel employees. The researchers surveyed...

LAS VEGAS—Today, Monday, January 18, the Las Vegas community will come together, virtually, to participate in the 39th annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade. MGM Resorts International will be the presenting sponsor of the parade for the 11th consecutive year. The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Committee, the nonprofit organization that plans and hosts the parade, promises that this year’s virtual parade will provide a variety of entertainment, including DJs, marching bands, dancers and more. Public officials and representatives of area nonprofit organizations are also expected to participate in the event. MGM Resorts has participated in the Dr. Martin...

LAKE FOREST, ILL.—Janko Hospitality announced that The Forester Hotel, a contemporary, chic new hotel located in Lake Forest, Ill., is set to open in April. The first hotel to open in the community since 1929, The Forester Hotel concept is inspired by the city of Lake Forest’s motto “Naturae et Scientiae Amor” which translates to “Love of Science and Nature.” The Forester Hotel will be at a crossroads safeguarding all the comforts of Hyatt, while at the same time blazing new trails with boutique offerings including an upscale bistro + bar and over 4,500 square feet of flexible event space. Science and nature are woven throughout The Forester...

NEW ORLEANS—PerkUp Financial Health, a New Orleans based workplace financial health platform providing financial education and other online tools to help employees make healthy financial decisions, and Neighborhood Trust Financial Partners, a national nonprofit and leader in worker financial health, joined forces to provide nearly 1,200 hospitality workers hard hit by the COVID-19 pandemic with cash grants and free financial coaching. Through PerkUp COVID Assistance Fund for Employees (PerkUp CAFE), hospitality workers at Hilton New Orleans Riverside, Hyatt Regency New Orleans, Windsor Court Hotel, BRG Hospitality, and Liberty’s Kitchen who have been laid off, furloughed, or experienced a reduction in...

LONDON—The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has launched its new high-level guidelines for inclusion and diversity in the Travel & Tourism sector, which have been compiled to support businesses of all sizes and provide an inclusive work environment for all employees. Research has shown that by supporting a diverse and inclusive workplace companies experience benefits such as greater profitability, increased creativity and innovation, and a happier workforce. The ‘Inclusion & Diversity Guidelines’ were compiled from insights and frameworks developed by private sector leaders in Travel & Tourism including Hilton, Accessible Travel Solutions and JTB Corp, leading DMOs, such as IC...