WASHINGTON, D.C.—More than 30 industry associations representing hotels across the country yesterday sent a letter to the leaders of the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate urging them to end the government shutdown. As the county enters the fourth week of the shutdown, the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA), its members, and allied organizations are imploring Congressional leaders to reopen the government and restore services that impact travel and tourism. The consequences of the shutdown are far-reaching across the tourism and hospitality sectors broadly. According to an economic analysis, each day of the government shutdown costs the economy $31 million in activity that would’ve...

SINGAPORE—IHG Hotels & Resorts announced that Holiday Inn Express Singapore Clarke Quay is the first hotel in Asia to join its Low Carbon Pioneer program. The program is part of IHG’s global initiative to enhance sustainability across its properties by focusing on energy efficiency and renewable energy sources. The Holiday Inn Express Singapore Clarke Quay, which opened in 2014, incorporates various sustainability features. These include a fully electric kitchen, hot water heat pumps, high-efficiency water fixtures, and an intelligent building management system designed to optimize energy usage. The hotel also utilizes solar glazing and advanced lighting controls to maximize daylight...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) and MindClick announced a partnership to present the Sustainable Hospitality & Leadership in Design (SHLD) Awards at the AHLA Responsible Stay Summit, with entries now open. Founded by the Hospitality Sustainable Design Collaborative (HSDC)—a consortium established in 2023 by MindClick, Marriott, Highgate, Hilton, and Hyatt—the SHLD Awards shine a spotlight on hotel projects that mitigate climate impact, protect guest and team health, and advance equity through design choices and purchasing practices. What makes SHLD different: SHLD is the only hospitality design awards program solely dedicated to sustainable design, and it requires every submission...

NATIONAL REPORT—The hospitality industry faces mounting pressure to reduce operational costs while meeting growing environmental expectations from guests. Energy expenses are typically one of the largest overhead costs for businesses in this industry. Understanding how on-site renewable energy can benefit hotels and resorts goes beyond simple cost savings, creating opportunities for enhanced guest experiences, improved brand reputation, and long-term financial stability. Dramatic Cost Reductions Through Energy Independence Installing renewable energy systems delivers immediate and long-term financial benefits that directly impact your bottom line. Solar panels, wind turbines, or geothermal systems can drastically reduce electricity bills, depending on system size and local...

NEW YORK CITY—The European Travel Commission (ETC) has introduced a new initiative titled “Unlock an Unexpected Upgrade” aimed at promoting responsible travel across Europe. The initiative, supported by the European Union and 36 national tourism boards, was unveiled on October 15, 2025, at the Skift Transatlantic Summit in New York City. The initiative seeks to change perceptions of responsible travel by presenting it as an enhancement rather than a limitation. It encourages travelers to make choices that benefit local communities and the environment while enhancing their travel experiences. The campaign emphasizes the benefits of responsible travel, such as fewer crowds, deeper...

A Q&A from PKF with Meindl Cavar Concepts on designing hotels with a focus on sustainability. 1. The topic of sustainability is more relevant than ever before, but there is also more confusion in the market than ever before. How are you observing and interpreting this? Sustainability is on everyone’s lips—but unfortunately you still must look very closely at the interpretation. Not everything that is proclaimed to be “sustainable” fulfils this designation. In our projects, we see that many owners and operators wish to address this topic seriously, but they often lack a clear understanding and overview. This gives rise to various...

CHICAGO—NeoCon, the largest and longest-running show serving the commercial interiors (A&D) industry, announces the launch of Illuminate at NeoCon 2026, a new show-within-a-show concept dedicated to architectural, technical, and decorative lighting. Debuting June 8 to 10 at THE MART in Chicago, this strategic expansion reinforces the show’s commitment to an ever-evolving ecosystem of design innovation. The new curated platform aims to foster deeper connections between lighting manufacturers and professionals and the design community, offering direct access to the brands and technologies that are shaping the future of lighting design and its powerful and inherent impact in the built environment. “With Illuminate, our...

BANGKOK—Central Pattana’s latest world-class mixed-use development, Central Park, has recently opened in the heart of Bangkok and is already drawing global attention as the city’s newest landmark. The destination is rapidly becoming a focal point for urban life, seamlessly blending nature, culture, dining, and commerce into one integrated precinct. Anchored by the 2.8-acre Roof Park, Central Park redefines urban placemaking in Asia by merging indoor and outdoor experiences and setting a new benchmark for experiential retail, culinary excellence, and sustainable urban design. The development elevates Bangkok’s skyline while positioning the Thai capital more firmly among the world’s most livable metropolises. At its heart, the Roof Park extends the...

MAUI, HAWAII—OUTRIGGER Resorts & Hotels recently hosted Youth Ambassadors at OUTRIGGER Kā‘anapali Beach Resort as part of the expanded Sea The Future initiative, originally founded in Hawai‘i in 2018 and now entering a new phase that brings together young leaders from across the Pacific to champion ocean stewardship through education, cultural exchange and hands-on conservation. The initiative spans the Pacific Ocean, West to East, through a new partnership between Hawai‘i Tourism Oceania (HTO) and the Hawai‘i Visitors & Convention Bureau (HVCB). This year’s program gathered Youth Ambassadors from Seattle, Australia, New Zealand and Hawai‘i for a five-day immersive experience on Maui from September 19 to...

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J.—On Saturday, September 6, 2025, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City hosted the Out of the Darkness Walk for the sixth consecutive year, in support of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP). Since 2018, Hard Rock Atlantic City has united the local community to raise awareness and funds for suicide prevention, surpassing $1 million in total contributions. As a result of this ongoing commitment, the Atlantic-Cape Out of the Darkness Walk has become the largest event of its kind in the state of New Jersey. For the second year, under the leadership of Hard Rock Atlantic City General Manager Michael Sampson, The Casino Association of New Jersey (CANJ)...