BAKU, AZERBAIJAN—Addressing world leaders during Ocean Action Day at COP29 in Baku, the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) called for urgent climate investment in coastal and marine tourism to protect it from escalating climate risks. To achieve necessary mitigation, WTTC says that coastal and marine tourism will require annual investments of $30 billion for direct emissions reduction, with total needs reaching as high as $65 billion when including climate adaptation efforts. Developed in collaboration with Iberostar Group and Oxford Economics, the soon to be released report, “Climate and Ocean: Quantifying Coastal and Marine Tourism and Protecting Destinations,” underscores the dual...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Historic Hotels of America announced the winners of the 2024 Historic Hotels of America Annual Awards of Excellence. Historic Hotels of America is the official program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation for recognizing, celebrating, and promoting the finest historic hotels in the United States. Award recipients were announced and honored on the evening of November 21, at the 2024 Historic Hotels Annual Awards of Excellence Ceremony and Gala at The Omni Homestead Resort in Hot Springs, Va., in front of an audience of more than 200 industry leaders, owners, general managers, senior management, and representatives of the world’s finest...

VANCOUVER, B.C.—A new 250-room floating hotel is being proposed for Vancouver by Finnish hotel developer, Sunborn International Holding (SBIH). In partnership with the Vancouver Harbour Flight Centre (VHFC), the hotel will be a unique, world-class hospitality venue, bringing new jobs, economic growth, and creating a new destination on the water. “The new floating hotel will be a jewel for the crown of Vancouver’s waterfront,” says Graham Clarke, Chairman of VHFC. “The new property will contribute to the urgent need for hotel rooms in Vancouver in an innovative and effective way, with no permanent footprint or environmental ramifications, adding new public spaces, viewpoints, cafés and restaurants to Vancouver’s vibrant waterfront.” The...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—AHLA Foundation, the charitable arm of the American Hotel and Lodging Assn., announced the distribution of nearly one million dollars in scholarship funding for students at hospitality programs around the country. The Foundation awarded approximately $944,000 to 369 students who will be attending 88 different colleges and universities. AHLA Foundation awards two types of scholarships: self-nominated, in which students apply directly to compete for one of eight scholarships regardless of where they attend school; and school-nominated, which requires that a student attend one of the 67 schools affiliated with the foundation. Scholarship awards have been the bedrock of AHLA Foundation since...

NORTH BETHESDA, MD.—Choice Hotels International, Inc. recently announced two new contracts as part of its Supporting Ownership Access and Representation (SOAR) program, which aims to help empower and support hotel ownership for underrepresented entrepreneurs. The new contracts—a WoodSpring Suites in Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, and a Rodeway Inn in Effingham, Illinois—are part of the 17 SOAR contracts signed year-to-date. During the first 15 years of the SOAR program, Choice averaged one contract per month and has increased that to an average of two per month in the last five years. “Our latest SOAR contracts with veteran and Latino hotel owners in New...

LOS ANGELES—As the devastating impact of the Los Angeles wildfires continues to unfold, Hilton and American Express are partnering to make 20,000 hotel room nights available at no charge to impacted people across the greater Los Angeles area. Hilton is working with Los Angeles County nonprofit organization 211 LA to coordinate the distribution of rooms to people who have been displaced by wildfires, many of whom have already applied to the nonprofit for accommodation. Individuals who have not yet applied can complete an application online. With more than 70 years of history in Los Angeles, including serving as the company’s headquarters for...

MONTEGO BAY, JAMAICA—Tourism Minister, Hon Edmund Bartlett says Jamaica is positioning itself as a global leader in health and wellness tourism, combining its rich cultural heritage and natural resources to attract travelers seeking transformative experiences. The Minister shared this ambitious vision at the 6th Annual Jamaica Health and Wellness Tourism Conference, held at the Montego Bay Convention Centre. The event, themed “Beyond the Horizon: Embracing Innovation in Health and Wellness Tourism,” brought together industry leaders, innovators, and stakeholders to explore opportunities in this fast-growing sector. “Today’s travelers seek more than leisure; they are searching for experiences that enhance their physical, mental, and emotional...

PHOENIX, ARIZ.—DEI Advisors, a nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering self-empowerment in the hospitality industry, announces the launch of It’s Personal Stories, A Hospitality Podcast, the first and only podcast of its kind to focus on the personal journeys of self-empowerment from leaders across the hospitality sector. Since its inception in June 2022, DEI Advisors has amassed over 200 interviews with hospitality executives, thought leaders, life coaches, university professors, and best-selling authors, creating a platform rich with insights on career development, leadership, and personal well-being. The launch of It’s Personal Stories is driven by overwhelming feedback from listeners who find the...

TROY, N.Y.—Audubon International—the environmentally focused nonprofit organization offering members numerous certifications and conservation initiatives to protect the areas where we all live, work, and play—announces that The Lodge at Spruce Peak, the centerpiece of a sustainability-driven, all-seasons resort community in Stowe, Vermont, has achieved Green Lodging/Green Hospitality Platinum-level Certification. A Hyatt Destination property, the 250-room-and-suite Lodge at Spruce Peak was originally certified at the Gold Green Lodging/Green Hospitality level in January 2009. Spruce Peak was also certified as an Audubon International Sustainable Community in 2010, while its Mountain Course gained Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary for Golf certification in 2007. “In a state...

NATIONAL REPORT—Like many sectors, the hotel and travel industry is no stranger to gender disparity, particularly in funding for startups. Female entrepreneurs, such as Blanca Menchaca, the CEO and co-founder of BeMyGuest, are often shocked at the significant funding gap between startups led by men and women. According to Pitchbook, just 6.4 percent of all deals and 2 percent of venture capital went to companies with female founders through October 2024. Various reasons contribute to this disparity, including societal biases, a lack of female-founded startups, and skewed investor expectations. Gender bias, in particular, is a significant hurdle. Many investors unconsciously...