BRADES, MONTSERRAT—The Montserrat Tourism Authority in collaboration with local stakeholders has launched Phase 2 of its Community Awareness Program, the Community Environmental Stewardship Initiative. This initiative serves as a rallying call for all residents, community leaders, and government officials alike—to strengthen the collective commitment to preserving the island’s invaluable terrestrial and coastal ecosystems. As the driving force behind this community-led movement, the Montserrat Tourism Authority recognized that protecting Montserrat’s natural beauty is not only vital for sustainable tourism but also essential for the well-being and prosperity of its people. By fostering environmental stewardship at every level, the aim is to...

INTERNATIONAL REPORT—The global wellness tourism sector has emerged as a pivotal force in reshaping the hospitality industry. By merging traditional tourism with health-centered activities, this sector addresses the growing demand for experiences that enhance well-being. Industry professionals must understand current trends and adopt forward-looking strategies to stay ahead of the competition. What is Wellness Tourism? Wellness tourism is all about traveling with the goal of improving or maintaining personal well-being, according to the Global Wellness Institute. In a world where travel often comes with stress and unhealthy habits, wellness tourism offers a way to counter those downsides, transforming trips into opportunities to support and enhance...

CHICAGO—The National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show announces the 2025 Kitchen Innovations (KI) Award winners, recognizing the most groundbreaking advancements in foodservice equipment and technology. These award-winning products address critical industry challenges, from streamlining kitchen workflows to improving sustainability and consistency, setting new standards for efficiency and performance. The 2025 KI recipients will be on display in the Kitchen Innovations Showroom, where attendees can explore solutions designed to enhance operations and drive growth. The Show, taking place May 17 to 20, 2025, brings together a comprehensive cross-section of the foodservice industry—from equipment dealers and quick-service operators to educational institutions and...

BERLIN—Between revolution and adaptation: The international travel industry made an impressive comeback last year. However, new technologies are fundamentally changing the game’s rules in the industry. In a world of dynamic change, the international tourism industry remains on course. At the close of ITB Berlin 2025, the travel world presented itself in an optimistic mood and robust shape. The order books of most companies are well-filled, and global travel demand has not been this high in a long time. At the same time, the industry is facing a series of complex challenges and tasks that require new strategies and ways of thinking. The...

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...