MIAMI—Virgin Hotels, the lifestyle hotel brand by Sir Richard Branson, announced its formal diversity, equality and inclusivity framework. By publicly laying out guidelines, commitments and goals at https://virginhotels.com/diversity-and-inclusivity/, Virgin Hotels is establishing a clear path forward as it continues to work in a more positive direction. “I’ve been part of the Virgin Hotels family from the very beginning, and from its inception I have been proud of the diversity and inclusion that lies at the heart of everything Virgin does,” says Raul Leal, CEO of Virgin Hotels. “Diversity is one of the fundamental principles of the Virgin Hotels brand and...

SUNDANCE, UTAH—Robert Redford has agreed to sell the Sundance Mountain Resort to Broadreach Capital Partners and Cedar Capital Partners. The agreement, announced by Robert Redford, who founded Sundance Mountain Resort more than 50 years ago, is the result of a long-term, strategic plan designed to preserve and build upon the Redford legacy at the resort, including a continued commitment to balancing responsible development and land preservation. The 2,600-acre resort includes 1,845 acres of land preserved through a conservation easement and protective covenants. “As stewards of this unique place, it has always been my vision that the Sundance Mountain Resort would be a place where art, nature and...

LOS ANGELES—UNITE HERE Local 11’s analysis of internal hotel worker employment levels in Los Angeles County, Orange County, and Phoenix from May to October reveals that the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) failed in its primary goal of returning workers to their jobs, and instead bailed out large hotel chains on a massive scale. The pandemic has devastated tourism and travel more than any other economic sector. Unemployment remains near 90 percent and with further restrictions of hotel use as the pandemic worsens, it appears even fewer jobs will exist in the next six months. Local 11 analyzed new data released on...

ROCKVILLE, MD.—Choice Hotels International, Inc., one of the world’s largest lodging franchisors, is once again joining forces with Operation Homefront, a national nonprofit whose mission is to create strong, stable and secure military families. Building on the company’s ongoing support since the partnership began in 2018, Choice Hotels expects to raise over $100,000 and will donate 500 room nights to assist military families by year-end. As part of this year’s donation efforts, the company is holding a “Season of Giving” holiday drive, where members of its award-winning loyalty program, Choice Privileges, can redeem their points to help servicemembers, and...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The American Hotel & Lodging Assn. (AHLA), Asian American Hotel Owners Assn. (AAHOA), and the U.S. Travel Assn. (USTA) have issued statements in response to the House & Senate compromise on the coronavirus relief package. The following is a statement from Chip Rogers, President and CEO of the AHLA: “On behalf of the hotel industry, we applaud the House and Senate leadership, along with the Administration, for reaching a bipartisan compromise on this COVID economic relief package. This short-term relief package is a vital step toward helping the hotel industry survive this crisis. The proposed measure provides temporary relief over...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—U.S. Travel Association President and CEO Roger Dow issued the following statement on the announced bipartisan agreement on a COVID relief package: “Washington is delivering a huge holiday gift to U.S. businesses and workers after an incredibly challenging year. It’s been a difficult road to get another round of much-needed legislative relief moving in Washington. We applaud the bipartisan group of senators that drove progress forward, and the congressional leadership for striking a bipartisan agreement to produce this desperately needed assistance. The agreed-upon provisions will give many suffering businesses a bridge to 2021. More will be needed to restore...

BETHESDA, MD.—As part of ongoing steps to help instill confidence and provide exceptional experiences and solutions for meeting professionals and attendees, Marriott International has identified health protocol options, including COVID-19 testing, which meeting professionals may select for group meetings at certain Marriott branded hotels in the United States beginning in January 2021. These optional health protocols build upon initiatives already in place as part of the recent launch of Connect with Confidence, a program empowering meeting professionals to identify and tailor solutions that best meet the needs of their attendees. Meeting professionals may select optional health protocols for meetings and...

NEW HAVEN, CONN.—When the Hotel Marcel opens next summer in New Haven, Conn., it will be a shining example of sustainability and what every hotel could and should be. The 165-room boutique hotel will be the result of the renovated Armstrong Rubber Company Building, aka Pirelli Building, originally designed by Marcel Breuer in 1967. It will be run by 100 percent solar power, meet net-zero energy standards, and will target LEED Platinum certification. There will be many other bells and whistles that will make the building highly efficient. Hotel Marcel is the project of Bruce Becker, Founder and Director of...

LONDON—The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) and major international industry bodies have joined forces to call for the immediate restoration of international travel using proven processes and without waiting for or requiring vaccinations. WTTC, which represents the global Travel & Tourism private sector, along with Airports Council International (ACI), the World Economic Forum (WEF), and International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), say the world cannot wait for the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines. WTTC recognizes that public health is paramount and welcomes the recent rollout of the game changing vaccines, which in the long-term will play a major role in combating coronavirus and restoring international...

LAS VEGAS—Las Vegas Sands Corp. has once again been recognized on the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI), and for the first time has been named to DJSI World, representing the top 10 percent of the largest 2,500 companies in the S&P Global Broad Market Index based on long-term economic and environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors. Sands also earned repeat placement on DJSI North America, placing the company in the top 20 percent of North American sustainability performers. Sands is the only U.S.-based hospitality and gaming company to be included on DJSI World, as well as DJSI North America. In...