CHANNEL ISLANDS HARBOR, CALIF.—The Ashkin Group, the trusted authority in the professional cleaning industry for green cleaning and sustainability, recently conducted a LinkedIn poll exploring common environmental terminology. The poll asked whether four terms—environmentally preferable, eco-friendly, sustainability, and green—mean the same thing. Nearly 100 industry professionals responded to the survey, which received over 1,400 impressions. The results revealed significant disagreement: * 50 percent said these terms do not mean the same thing; * 35 percent indicated the terms are similar but distinct; * 11 percent believed they mostly mean the same thing; and * 4 percent considered them identical Steve Ashkin, President of The Ashkin...

NATIONAL REPORT—In a recent study conducted by the Penn State School of Hospitality Management, it was discovered that social media influencers dedicated to environmental causes, also known as “green influencers,” can greatly assist in the efforts to reduce waste and pollution in the tourism industry. Through their passionate and specific messaging, these influencers can inspire tourists to adopt more sustainable behaviors, thereby reducing the environmental impact of tourism. Researchers led by Penn State Assistant Professor of Hospitality Management Anni Ding published their findings in the Journal of Sustainable Tourism. They highlighted that tourism companies and destinations can leverage green influencers who are deeply committed...

LOS ANGELES—In the wake of recent devastating wildfires, Los Angeles hospitality and tourism industry leaders are urging travelers, tourists, and trade show attendees to keep the city in their plans. The industry has shown solidarity, supporting families and first responders affected by the disaster. This includes offering tens of thousands of free rooms, preparing meals and care packages, and donating funds to aid in emergency response. Maintaining visitor numbers is crucial for the survival of the more than 540,000 individuals employed in tourism-related roles in Los Angeles. The industry significantly contributes to the city’s economy, generating over $40 billion in...

LONDON—The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has released a new report investigating the discrepancy between travelers’ sustainability aspirations and actual behavior. Presented at FITUR 2025 in Madrid, the report, “Bridging the Say-Do Gap: How to Create an Effective Sustainability Strategy by Knowing Your Customers,” was crafted in collaboration with YouGov. It provides practical advice to travel and tourism businesses aiming to bridge this divide by proposing solutions that make sustainable travel more feasible and appealing, thereby striking a balance between economic development and environmental responsibility. Drawing from a survey of over 10,000 respondents, the study divided travelers into six distinct...

SHAWANO, WIS.—NEWH, Inc. (Network of Executive Women in Hospitality), the premier association committed to scholarships, advancing education, mentorship, and networking in the hospitality industry, has announced Fiona Rath and Aiden Stich as the winners of their inaugural Structures of Hospitality Excellence (SOHE) Scholarships. Recipients were honored at a ceremony during ALIS DESIGN+ at the JW Marriott in Los Angeles on January 31, 2025. “Hospitality excellence is defined in many different ways, and we’re honored to recognize individuals who embody this concept in the pursuit of their careers in the construction industry,” says Chris Tucker, CEO of NEWH, Inc. “As the inaugural...

PARIS—Accor announced the release of a new white paper. Making Waves: Rethinking Spa and Wellness Design for a Modern Era shares the priorities for well-being that Accor believes are most relevant now and how the global hospitality group is advancing innovative ways to deliver wellness through its portfolio of global hospitality brands. The thought-provoking report leverages the insights, predictions and analysis garnered from a symposium held by Accor’s Global Well-being, Strategy, Design, and Development team, and features perspectives from Accor specialists and renowned industry experts around the world. Based on this collaborative forum, Making Waves, the white paper, explores the future of the wellness...

MCLEAN, VA.—Hilton and mental health company Calm have announced a new partnership to meet consumers’ rising demand for wellness offerings. Starting in March 2025, Hilton will integrate Calm’s content into its proprietary Connected Room Experience technology. This will allow guests to access guided meditations, Sleep Stories, calming soundscapes, and mindfulness exercises from their in-room TV without a subscription. The collaboration is in response to the expanding global consumer wellness market, which now stands at $1.8 trillion annually. The U.S. market has seen a 10 percent year-on-year growth to $480 billion, as per the McKinsey Future of Wellness Report published in...

MONTEVERDE, COSTA RICA—Ecolodge Hotel Belmar in Costa Rica invites artists from around the world to spend up to three weeks this March being inspired by the breathtaking Monteverde Cloud Forest. The Artist Residency Program runs four times a year and provides artists with room and board, and in some cases, a stipend based on financial need. Open to both Costa Rican and international artists across all mediums, the Artist Residency Program at the carbon neutral boutique property nurtures and inspires artists’ creative journey. Begun in 2019, the program enriches not only the artists but also hotel guests, staff, and the local community. It brings...

NATIONAL REPORT—This article explores the importance of sustainability in the hospitality industry, showcases real-life examples of sustainable practices in action, and highlights key strategies hotels and businesses can adopt to align with sustainability trends in hospitality. Climate change is driving the world’s agenda. Business leaders everywhere are wrestling with how to respond to rising public and political pressure and align their systems and operations with the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement, established to keep global warming below 2°C and ideally 1.5°C. None more so than for hotels, that means reducing their emissions by 90 percent by 2050. Sustainability is no longer an optional...

NATIONAL REPORT—The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a significant piece of federal legislation that protects individuals with disabilities from discrimination in various areas of life. Title I, in particular, applies to the protection of individuals with disabilities in the area of employment. Title I ensures that, so long as individuals with disabilities can perform the essential functions of a given job with or without reasonable accommodation from their employers, they are awarded equal employment opportunities and treatment within the workplace. All employers with 15 or more employees are strictly bound by the ADA. For these employers, understanding and...