WASHINGTON, D.C.—The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) announced that Rosanna Maietta has been selected to serve as the association’s next president & CEO, effective Nov. 14. Maietta is a talented executive with a global career marked by success working alongside boards and leading teams to high performance. Over the span of her career, she has achieved exceptional success in public affairs, strategic planning, association management, team building, and leadership. Having previously served as president & CEO of the AHLA Foundation and executive vice president of communications and public relations of AHLA, Maietta brings a deep understanding of AHLA’s mission,...

SHAWANO, WIS.—NEWH, Inc. (Network of Executive Women in Hospitality), a premier association committed to scholarships, advancing education, mentorship, and networking in the hospitality industry, will celebrate its 40th anniversary at BDNY 2024, held at the Jacob K. Javits Center in New York City. The organization will award multiple scholarships and accolades to hospitality professionals during engaging events from November 8 to 11, 2024. “Each year BDNY creates an atmosphere of camaraderie and excitement that allows both emerging and established professionals to connect, fostering opportunities to advance our industry through ideas and innovations,” said Shelia Lohmiller, CEO of NEWH, Inc. “We’re thrilled...

AMSTERDAM—Booking.com, one of the world’s leading digital travel platforms, has announced the latest evolution of the partner-focused facet of its sustainability program, putting the needs of accommodations front and center by testing an improved pathway to third-party certification. Sustainability now plays a core role in business operations across the travel and tourism industry, and substantiating these efforts through third-party certifications is increasingly critical. At the same time, global travelers are seeking new levels of clarity and consistency with almost half (45 percent)* sharing that coming across an accommodation labeled as more sustainable is increasingly appealing and more than two-thirds (67 percent)* agreeing that all...

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—announced that it is one of 49 organizations to meet Travalyst’s criteria for lodging industry sustainability certification through its Green Lodging and Green Hospitality Programs. Founded in 2019 by Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex, Travalyst is a not-for-profit coalition of some of the biggest brands in travel and technology including Booking.com, Expedia Group, Google, Skyscanner, Travelport and Trip.com Group. The coalition works to bring sustainability information to the forefront to help travelers make more informed choices on where they spend their dollars. “Being included among...

PARSIPPANY, N.J.—Networking for Wyndham’s Black Owners and Lodging Developers (BOLD) and Women Own the Room franchisees just got easier with access to peer-to-peer connections and expert mentorship. Created on the foundation of building community for diverse hoteliers, the new Accelerator Circle gives BOLD and Women Own the Room franchisees exclusive access to Wyndham’s network of existing owners and industry experts through quarterly, small-group virtual meetups focused on fast-tracking hotel openings and maximizing performance. From networking and education to operational support and complimentary services to help maximize revenue, BOLD and Women Own the Room offer tailored solutions to help break down...

LAS VEGAS—Nuveen Green Capital (NGC), a leader in sustainable commercial real estate financing solutions, announced that it has closed on the financing of $190 million in C-PACE capital for the Virgin Hotels Las Vegas. The project marks the first C-PACE financed deal in Clark County, as well as the largest in Nevada, and second largest C-PACE financed deal in the country to date. Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, a Curio Collection by Hilton property, is a resort and casino in Paradise, Nevada, just one mile east of the Las Vegas Strip and five minutes from the airport. The 29-acre property boasts...

CHICAGO—Wellbeing is at the core of Hyatt’s purpose, and to further extend care to colleagues, Hyatt has announced a new collaboration with Mind Share Partners, a nonprofit that is changing the culture of workplace mental health so colleagues and organizations can thrive. Rooted in empathy and global colleague insights and feedback, this collaboration focuses on deepening Hyatt’s commitment to wellbeing by building a greater understanding around mental health, proactively seeking support when needed, and contributing to a mentally healthy workplace. “At Hyatt, our differentiated approach to wellbeing starts by actively listening to what truly matters to our colleagues and extends to...

NATIONAL REPORT—Certified B Corporations have long been recognized globally as companies that meet high standards of social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability for business-driven positive impact, yet they remained relatively under the radar within the tourism sector. However, the travel industry has witnessed significant growth in B Corps in the last few years, marking a pivotal shift towards the adoption of more sustainable and responsible business practices. This trend has been further solidified by the recent inclusion of B Corp Certification on Travalyst's first-ever list of sustainability certifications, standards, and schemes compliant with its discerning criteria. Travalyst is a not-for-profit global...

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 St. Regis Bahia Beach, long a sustainability-driven luxury resort on Puerto Rico’s north shore, has achieved Green Lodging/Green Hospitality Platinum Certification. “On an island blessed with such a rich and deep commitment to its environment, The St. Regis Bahia Beach has taken that commitment even further, indeed to the highest level of Green Lodging certification we offer,” says Christine Kane, CEO of Audubon International. “They are a strong partner and proof positive that...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The Westin Washington, D.C. Downtown announced a groundbreaking collaboration with Dr. Whitney Roban, Ph.D., a leading sleep expert, to launch a new sleep enhancing program designed to support the wellness routines of its guests, specifically those who experience “First Night Effect.” According to Dr. Roban, research has shown that when individuals travel to unfamiliar environments, such as hotel rooms, one half of the brain enters into a hyper-vigilant state. This increased alertness disrupts the natural sleep cycle, particularly impacting the crucial slow wave deep sleep stage. This phenomenon is known as the “First Night Effect.” Dr. Roban has identified...