In today’s evolving business landscape, social sustainability has emerged as a crucial pillar of responsible governance, emphasizing the importance of creating supportive, inclusive environments that benefit individuals and communities. For the hospitality industry, social sustainability involves fostering an atmosphere where all guests feel valued and understood, including those with invisible disabilities like autism. This approach aligns with Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles and opens new brand opportunities to serve a broader demographic. By making accommodations for autistic guests, hotels can enhance guest satisfaction, loyalty, and inclusivity—essential qualities for a socially sustainable business. Expanding Hospitality to Include Guests with Autism As mid-level...

RICHMOND, VA.—Apple Hospitality REIT, Inc. published its annual Corporate Responsibility Report, which details the company’s environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance, strategy and initiatives and features its commitment to environmental sustainability, corporate employees, hotel associates and guests, communities, and other stakeholders. Justin Knight, Chief Executive Officer of Apple Hospitality, commented, “Our hotels span a vast array of urban, high-end suburban and developing markets that offer guests a wide variety of reasons to travel. Whether our guests travel for business, leisure or small group gatherings, we are dedicated to providing outstanding accommodations while remaining mindful of our environmental footprint and ensuring...

TAMPA, FLA.—On Thursday, Oct. 17, and Friday, Oct. 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...

ITALY—Six Senses has agreed to manage two new hotels in Italy in partnership with Gruppo Statuto. These new locations, Six Senses Milan and Six Senses Lake Como will follow the opening of Six Senses Rome in 2023 and the expected launch of Six Senses Antognolla in Umbria. The latest additions bring the number of Six Senses properties in Europe under IHG Hotels & Resorts to nearly 100, with eight located in Italy, Switzerland, France, Israel, Portugal, Spain, and Turkey. Six Senses Milan is located in the city’s artistic Brera quarter, a neighborhood known for its Milanese heritage and culture. Six Senses...

NATIONAL REPORT—Green Key Global, one of the leading sustainable certification programs for hotels in North America, has announced a strengthened collaboration with BetterTable, a pioneer in hotel food and beverage sustainability. This collaboration is designed to help hotels significantly reduce food waste and carbon emissions while boosting profitability. In the hospitality industry, food waste represents 7 percent of total food revenues, with a staggering 66 percent deemed avoidable. Food related operations also contribute approximately, 20 percent of a hotel’s carbon footprint. The collaboration marks a major milestone as BetterTable.ca transitions to BetterTable (now available at BetterTable.com) broadening its reach across North America....

HONOLULU—SCP Hilo Hotel announced its Elite Status certification from the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority (HTA) Qurator program, the highest possible ranking, acknowledging the company’s commitment to responsible tourism. Qurator, the State of Hawai‘i’s official mark of excellence for Hawai‘i-based and operating businesses, serves to guide visitors to Hawai‘i products and experiences that incorporate responsible tourism practices while adding value and recognizing those businesses for their positive contributions to the environment, community, and economy. “Qurator isn’t just a stamp of approval,” said Mufi Hannemann, HTA board chair. “It speaks to a set of brand values for the Hawaiian Islands, that we care deeply...

ATLANTA—Hotel Equities (HE) announced it’s been selected to operate Postcard Cabins, a leader in the outdoor hospitality sector and a newly acquired brand under Marriott International. Hotel Equities will manage Postcard’s collection of cabins across the U.S., helping Marriott expand its footprint in the rapid growing outdoor hospitality market. This partnership allows Hotel Equities to leverage its expertise to support Marriott’s vision of offering guests immersive, nature-driven experiences, meeting the increasing demand for outdoor-focused accommodations. “We are thrilled to partner with Postcard Cabins and play a key role in assisting Marriott in offering its guests more choice in accommodations under this reimagined brand,”...

PLANTATION, FLA.—A survey of travelers in the Caribbean and Latin America (CALA) reveals insightful data about travel aspirations, priorities, and emerging trends for 2025. The survey, conducted by Marriott International CALA in partnership with the market research firm Appinio, provides a comprehensive look at the evolving travel landscape across generations, offering valuable insights for travel providers and industry stakeholders. “At Marriott International, we are driven by our purpose of connecting people through the power of travel and remain deeply committed to understanding the evolving needs of travelers across our region,” said Brian King, President of Marriott International CALA. “As a...

GUATEMALA—The Eco-Guest House at San Martín, a new eco-lodge in the Guatemalan Highlands, offers visitors a unique blend of cultural immersion, community service opportunities, and environmental responsibility. Managed by the nonprofit Local Hope Guatemala, the guest house is situated in the village of San Martín Chiquito, a half hour’s drive from Quetzaltenango. The lodge, located about 8,500 feet above sea level near Lake Chicabal, has 12 spacious rooms, each with a private bathroom offering hot running water, full-pressure hot showers, and in-room heaters. Unlike many accommodations in the region, the Eco-Guest House offers robust Wi-Fi and has earned a 5-star rating...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—In 2025, personal and planetary well-being, coupled with a deeper exploration of Southeast Asian cuisines, are the leading trends in the 2025 What’s Hot Culinary Forecast. This year’s What’s Hot Culinary Forecast draws on the expertise of industry professionals who were asked to rank 71 items in 7 categories: Dishes Ingredients Flavors Condiments Beverages Alcohol Beverages Macro Trends Topping the list Sustainability with industry professionals saying a restaurant’s commitment to sustainability will influence customers’ choice of where to eat out. Generationally, we can expect that customers’ support of businesses that support environmental stewardship—through local sourcing, reduced waste cooking, sustainable ingredients—will continue to...