NORTH BETHESDA, MD.—Through a matching campaign, Choice Hotels International, Inc. associates and members of the Choice Privileges rewards program have donated a total of over $160,000 toward the American Red Cross relief efforts for communities in the Southeast impacted by Hurricanes Helene and Milton. The campaign to raise funds ended on November 11. In total, Choice Privileges members donated more than 21 million points, equivalent to nearly $108,000, and Choice Hotels fulfilled a $50,000 donation match. Additional donations came from company associates and matching through Choice Gives, the company’s corporate charity donation matching program. “We’re proud to have come together as a company with our associates and...

TAMPA, FLA.—On Thursday, October 17, and Friday, Octobet 18, six Mainsail Lodging & Development hotels hosted events raising $13,500 to support Florida and Georgia communities impacted by Hurricanes Helene and Milton. Participating venues in Florida included EDGE Rooftop Cocktail Lounge (Epicurean Hotel in Tampa); Hi-Fi Rooftop Bar (Fenway Hotel in Dunedin); and Beacon Social Drinkery (Luminary Hotel & Co. in downtown Fort Myers). In Georgia, Hightales Rooftop Bar (Hotel Forty Five in Macon); Oliver’s Twist Bar & View (Trilith Guesthouse in Fayetteville), and The Office Bar (Epicurean Atlanta in Midtown) also joined the efforts. The funds will go directly to the American Red Cross and Giving Kitchen to aid communities impacted...

MCLEAN, VA.—Hilton announced the recipients of its 2024 CEO Light & Warmth Award, recognizing 16 individuals and one team within Hilton’s portfolio of brands. The CEO Light & Warmth Award is the company’s highest honor celebrating Hilton team members around the world who exemplify Hilton’s values and honor Hilton’s purpose to fill the earth with the light and warmth of hospitality. Team members who received this prestigious award were hand-selected from nearly 700 nominations by a committee of fellow colleagues and Christopher J. Nassetta, President and CEO, Hilton. From stories of exceptional hospitality, inclusive teamwork, innovation and community stewardship, these team...

ALPHARETTA, GA.—In celebration of National Career Development Month in November, Atrium Hospitality announced the successful graduation of the inaugural class of WomenRISE, the company’s Female Hotel General Manager Development Program. WomenRISE kicked off in February 2024 and wrapped up in October of this year. Work is underway to select the next group of future GMs for career development in 2025. Alpharetta, Georgia-based Atrium Hospitality is one of the nation’s largest hotel operators. The company manages a portfolio of 77 hotels, representing well-known brands such as Hilton, Marriott, IHG, and Wyndham, in 27 states. Atrium operates approximately 20,000 guest rooms/suites...

CHICAGO—Hyatt’s award-winning loyalty program, World of Hyatt, in collaboration with Headspace, the world’s most accessible and comprehensive mental health platform, debuts a new exclusive video series, Headspace’s Science Behind Sleep, presented by World of Hyatt, extending care for guests and members by providing access to expert and science-backed tips on how to get better sleep while traveling. The new sleep series is available in guestrooms at nearly 400 Hyatt hotels and within the Headspace app. Three-in-four consumers say that sleep quality is the most important factor when traveling and are more likely to take advantage of amenities designed to improve their sleep,...

ALENTEJO, PORTUGAL—Octant Évora, located on 27 acres within the UNESCO-listed city of Évora in Portugal’s Alentejo region since 2021, opens now its doors to the Perdiganito Reserve. Nestled amidst the stunning landscapes of Europe’s largest reservoir, the expansion project covers six hectares and offers an array of new features designed to preserve the natural reserve’s authenticity while offering unique experiences for couples, families, and children. The Land of Explorers The first stop is the Land of Explorers, an imaginative space dedicated to the hotel’s youngest guests, designed to help them foster a deeper connection with nature. This area offers interactive experiences such as stargazing, a story tree,...

LONDON—World Rainbow Hotels, the world’s only GDS-enabled LGBTQ+ global hotel consortia, has seen an impressive 37 percent year-on-year increase in membership by enabling new growth opportunities for inclusive travel. Driven by strategic marketing initiatives, focused outreach efforts, and strong partnerships within the LGBTQ+ community, World Rainbow Hotels’ growth underscores its position as a leading consortium for inclusive travel and its ability to create meaningful opportunities for hoteliers to connect with the vibrant LGBTQ+ market. In its 15th successful year, the specialist hotel consortia continues to see expansion in its top five markets—the USA, U.K., Germany, France, and Spain—demonstrating its broad, international...

ALEXANDRIA, VA.—On America Recycles Day (ARD), the International Bottled Water Association (IBWA) applauded the efforts of bottled water drinkers to “recycle right,” as new research shows that PET bottled water containers are the most common drink container found in curbside recycling bins. The association encourages all consumers to remember the many benefits of always recycling any recyclable packaging. Recycling reduces the amount of material headed for landfills, and it also drastically reduces greenhouse gas emissions. New data from the National Association for PET Container Resources (NAPCOR) shows bottled water containers make up 53 percent of all PET plastic bottles in...

NATIONAL REPORT—Ambitious climate and decarbonization efforts have heightened the demand for electrified and energy-efficient buildings. Regulatory frameworks are evolving from simple incentives to stringent compliance measures. Recently, states and cities have enacted building performance standards (BPS) that mandate energy performance and emissions reductions, as well as implementing benchmarking and transparency policies. As a result, real estate operators must meet these standards to mitigate financial risks associated with non-compliance, further motivating them to enhance performance. Simultaneously, utilities and third-party program administrators are tasked with meeting multi-year energy savings targets, concentrating on initiatives like peak demand reductions. This alignment of incentives fosters...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) and its technology committee, Hospitality Technology Next Generation (HTNG), released an updated buyer’s guide and comparison matrix to help hoteliers assess the latest generation of personal safety devices for hotel staff. HTNG and AHLA first released the Staff Alert Device Buyer’s Guide in 2019 to help hoteliers identify and acquire technology to keep their staff members safe while on the job. This update, compiled by HTNG’s Staff Alert Technology Workgroup, provides information on a range of personal safety devices, such as panic buttons, with the latest technology and features, including: Location accuracy so...