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...

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...