WASHINGTON, D.C.—A recent national survey commissioned by the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) shows that nearly two-thirds (69 percent) of Americans will not travel for Christmas. With a new surge in COVID-19 cases, the CDC recommending that Americans do not travel over the holiday season and new stay-at-home orders in place in states across the country, the holiday season will compound the challenges already facing the hotel industry during this public health crisis. “We understand the importance of following CDC guidelines to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and support the government’s actions. However, with the dramatic decline in travel, hotels will...

ROCKVILLE, MD.—Part of the company’s longstanding commitment to diversity, Choice Hotels International, Inc. announces the creation of the Choice Hotels Owners African American Alliance (CHOAAA). As the hotel industry’s only franchisee-focused group dedicated to Black and African American hoteliers, CHOAAA will provide ongoing representation, support and advocacy for these underrepresented entrepreneurs. “The racial and social inequality challenges facing our nation and industry have moved us as a company to do more, building on the work we’ve been committed to for decades,” said Patrick Pacious, President and CEO, Choice Hotels. “As part of our pledge to cultivate a culture of diversity, equity...

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLA.—Florida-based Legacy Vacation Resorts (LVR) has been on a journey of growth and learning over the past few years, spending time and resources working diligently behind the scenes to become a Certified B Corporation. B Corps, as they are referred to, are businesses that voluntarily meet the highest standards of social and environmental performance, public transparency and legal accountability to balance profit and purpose through third-party review. However, many of the changes happening at the company were invisible to the everyday guest—things like carbon offsetting, a living wage initiative for employees, reduction of emissions and an income and savings program...

AUSTIN, TEXAS—Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP) announced that HITEC North America 2021 will be held in-person on September 27 to 30 at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas. Traditionally held in June, the Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition and Conference (HITEC) has been pushed back to give the hard-hit hospitality industry an opportunity to build positive momentum as it recovers from the pandemic-related slow-down. In addition, HFTP will co-locate its Annual Convention with HITEC Dallas, presenting an information-packed event to benefit multiple hospitality industry segments and stakeholders. “HFTP has already assembled a cadre of industry experts to plan...

KISSIMMEE, FLA.—Gaylord Palms  announced Wild Florida as the resort’s new wildlife partner, providing brand-new educational and interactive guest experiences, including up-close animal encounters and live shows. For almost two decades, Gaylord Palms has become known for its 4.5 acres of atrium-enclosed gardens with thousands of tropical plants and several species of animals that are native to Florida. With this new partnership, Wild Florida is providing access to many of these unique species including alligators and snakes. “We are very excited that Wild Florida is our new wildlife partner because they provide a one-of-a-kind experience for our guests,” said General Manager of...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Last month concluded the annual Greenbuild Conference & Expo, presented by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and owned and operated by Informa Connect. Throughout this year’s virtual event, USGBC delivered key updates intended to help push the industry closer to a regenerative future as outlined through LEED Positive, while prioritizing solutions that promote social equity, resilience and health across communities. “The world today is facing intersecting crises that cannot be resolved with fragmented solutions, but require integrated, equitable practices and an industrywide commitment to standardizing those practices,” said Mahesh Ramanujam, President and CEO of USGBC, Green Business Certification...

ATLANTA—Forbes Travel Guide, the global authority on genuine Five-Star service, and Sharecare, the digital health company that helps people manage all their health in one place, announced the first hotels in the world to successfully become Sharecare Health Security VERIFIED with Forbes Travel Guide. Also listed at www.forbestravelguide.com/verified, they are: Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa Rancho Mirage (Rancho Mirage, Calif.) Atlantis, The Palm (Dubai, United Arab Emirates) Auberge du Soleil (Rutherford, Calif.) Baccarat Hotel New York (New York) Boston Harbor Hotel (Boston) Carillon Miami Wellness Resort (Miami) City of Dreams –  Nüwa Manila (Manila, Philippines) Crown Towers Melbourne (Melbourne, Australia) Drake Bay Getaway Resort (Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica) The Goring Hotel (London) Fairmont...

JOHN’S, ANTIGUA—Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel Awards has named the twin-island nation of Antigua and Barbuda 2021’s Emerging Sustainable Destination of the Year. Unveiling a radical reimagining of its much-awaited Best in Travel picks for 2021, Lonely Planet is looking ahead to the important changes taking place globally, from sustainability to diversity, and shining a light on the future of travel. This year, Antigua and Barbuda has been highlighted as one of the destinations transforming the travel industry. From banning single-use plastics to establishing a “Green Corridor” of environmentally friendly businesses, Antigua and Barbuda have made sustainability a priority. Charles Fernandez, Minister...

AUSTIN, TEXAS—Summit Hotel Properties, Inc. announced that it has published its annual Corporate Responsibility Report for 2019, which covers the company’s ongoing commitment to the environment, its community, and stakeholders. The company’s corporate responsibility goals use the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals as a guideline and outline the company’s key performance indicators, achievements and initiatives to address important environmental, social and governance issues. “Since establishing our Corporate Responsibility program in 2017, we have built upon our sustainability objectives, from tracking metrics related to our consumption, waste, recycling and greenhouse gas emissions, to setting measurable, science-based reduction targets for energy, water and...

CANCUN, MEXICO—The first major conference in the “new normal” of the COVID-19 world will take place in Cancun, Mexico on March 23 to 25, 2021, hosted by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC). WTTC, which represents the global Travel & Tourism private sector, is once again hosting the most influential event in the Travel & Tourism calendar, to help lead the sector into recovery and restore millions of jobs around the world. The WTTC Global Summit will take place in a hybrid format, observing all health and safety protocols. The 20th WTTC Global Summit, delayed from Spring 2020 due to the...