HOLLYWOOD, FLA.—For the second consecutive year, Hard Rock International and Seminole Gaming joined forces with nonprofit organization Ocean Conservancy for the Global Sound Waves joint sustainability program. This collaboration unites Hard Rock team members and communities worldwide with Ocean Conservancy’s mission of protecting the oceans by reducing waste and driving meaningful environmental change. The partnership, motivated by one of Hard Rock’s guiding mottos: Save the Planet, takes a proactive approach to ocean conservation by focusing on upstream waste management, addressing water, food, and material waste to prevent it from polluting the ocean. Through comprehensive waste audits and data-driven analysis, Hard Rock and Ocean...

INTERNATIONAL REPORT—Luxury tourism, due to its unique characteristics and its particular adaptability, has become one of the sectors with the greatest growth potential, and consequently, it can attract investment. Islands such as Bali and the Maldives are some of the destinations in Southeast Asia where tourism is a very relevant sector. Although tourism is vital to the survival of these islands, the ecological impact of its activity in terms of resource consumption and waste generation entails a serious risk to the maintenance of ecosystems that are as abundant as they are fragile. This scenario raises the following question: Can...

MCLEAN, VA.—Once again named the No. 1 World’s Best Workplace by Fortune and Great Place to Work, Hilton is releasing findings of a newly commissioned study linking the role of employee experience to consumer purchasing decisions and service experiences. According to a new survey conducted by Morning Consult for Hilton*: Nearly 80 percent of U.S. consumers (78 percent) say that companies that take good care of their employees provide better products and services, with nearly 90 percent (88 percent) saying that taking care of employees is especially important for travel and hospitality brands. Three out of every four U.S. consumers (75 percent) say...

AVON, COLO.—The Westin Riverfront Resort & Spa Avon, Vail Valley is gearing up for an exciting 2025-2026 ski season with major updates designed to elevate the guest experience. From a newly expanded Ski Valet and refreshed event spaces to private Work Pods and a curated Gondola Market + Café, the resort offers convenience, comfort, and style for winter visitors. Ski Season upgrades now available at The Westin Riverfront include: Expanded Ski Valet: Nearly doubling in size to 4,000 square feet, the Ski Valet now features two cozy fireplaces, extensive seating, and 1,700 boot warmers. Newly configured direct access to The Westin’s Riverfront...

ALEXANDRIA, VA.—The GBTA Foundation, the cause-led arm of the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA), released the second-year findings from its Sustainability Acceleration Challenge, a global benchmark assessing the state of corporate action to decarbonize business travel programs. Input from 285 companies across the globe—representing an annual business travel spend of $22 billion—reveals that companies are still committed to tracking and managing carbon emissions from their employee travel programs, with measurable gains in maturity and more organizations joining the effort. Progress, however, remains limited in certain high impact areas, underscoring the need for faster, collective action to invest in low-carbon travel solutions. “Year two...

NATIONAL REPORT—Commercial lodging facilities handle massive water volumes daily. Daily wastewater output from guestrooms, kitchens, and laundry services places continuous pressure on aging or undersized sewer infrastructure. When sewer issues emerge, the fallout often disrupts revenue, damages brand reputation, and requires costly emergency responses. Identifying repeat failure points and infrastructure risks can help facility operators take preemptive action before problems escalate. Undersized or Outdated Infrastructure Many hotels operate in buildings constructed decades ago with sewer systems designed for a lower capacity. As facilities expand services or add more rooms, outdated plumbing often fails to keep up with the demand. Pipe diameters that once...

AUSTIN, TEXAS—Summit Hotel Properties, Inc. announced the publication of its annual Corporate Responsibility Report, which represents the company’s ongoing commitment to creating long-term shareholder value by investing responsibly, safeguarding the environment, and supporting its employees, communities, and other stakeholders. “I’m proud to share the significant progress we have made on our Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability program,” said Jonathan P. Stanner, President and CEO of Summit Hotel Properties. “These achievements reflect our commitment to operating responsibly and creating long-term value for all our stakeholders through sustainable hotel operations, employee well-being, community engagement, and strong governance.” “At Summit, giving back is part of who...

LOS ANGELES—Kind Traveler and Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board (Los Angeles Tourism) have joined forces to empower travelers to raise funds for wildfire relief through Kind Traveler’s Every Stay Gives Back (ESGB) program. In just a few short months, and with the support of nine leading Los Angeles hotel partners, the program has already generated more than $173,000 in direct relief for wildfire survivors through The Change Reaction’s Wildfire Direct Giving Fund. With momentum building, the initiative is on track to raise half a million dollars by the end of January 2026, offering a lifeline to families still...

MIAMI—The Global Wellness Summit (GWS), the foremost gathering of leaders in the $6.3 trillion global wellness economy, announced that a hot topic at its conference, being held in Dubai from November 18 to 21, will be the shifting consumer desires and the best new ideas emerging in the wellness tourism space. The pandemic sparked a seemingly permanent shift: people demanding more wellness in travel. Global Wellness Institute research reveals that the wellness tourism, spa and hot springs markets clocked roughly 30 percent growth in 2023 (the last year studied), representing by far the fastest growth rates for any wellness sectors. The GWI...

AMSTERDAM—Travel has always been personal, but in 2026 it will move far beyond one-size-fits-all itineraries. In 2026, travelers will reject conventions and lean into passions that feel distinctive and truly their own. From adrenaline-fueled compatibility tests to mystical detours and stays in futuristic homes, every trip becomes a bold expression of individuality and identity: this is who I am, this is what I want, and this is what I love. Now in its tenth year, Booking.com’s Travel Predictions spotlight how people want to experience the world. Over the years, these insights have revealed shifts in travel, from Cool-cationers chasing cooler climates given extreme...