NATIONAL REPORT—Most known for use in items ranging from wine bottles to bulletin boards to flooring, cork is beginning to find a home in hospitality as cork leather. Cork leather can be used to upholster furniture, as wallcovering, or in other design features such as room dividers and offers a much more favorable sustainability story than traditional leather. “The concept of cork leather comes out of the apparel and accessories markets,” says Sustainiture’s Steve Sechrest. “It is brand new to the hospitality world.” Sustainiture is the U.S. distributor for PortugaliaCork’s Suberise Cork Leather. TFS Natural Home’s Suzanne Diamond says her company...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Hotels are projected to pay a record amount of wages and generate a record level of tax revenue in 2024, according to the American Hotel & Lodging Association’s 2024 State of the Hotel Industry report. Download the report here. The report, which forecasts that hoteliers will face continued challenges due to nationwide labor shortages while inching closer to 2019 occupancy levels, is based on data and analysis from Oxford Economics and was created in collaboration with AHLA Premier Partners STR, Avendra, Ecolab, Encore, JLL, Oracle, and Towne Park. Top findings include: Hotels are projected to pay employees a record of more...

MUMBAI, INDIA—Sofitel Mumbai BKC announced that it has been awarded Green Key Certification by the National Jury Green Key India and the Center for Environment Education (CEE). The hotel is the very first in the country to have been awarded this certification. Launched in India in 2023, Green Key is a leading standard for excellence in the field of environmental responsibility and sustainable operation within the tourism industry. In India, the Green Key certificate is being implemented by the Centre for Environment Education (CEE) Ahmedabad, which is a full member of the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE). Green Key India is an initiative of...

LAS VEGAS—Sands Team Members around the world collectively assembled 57,000 hygiene kits from October through December as part of the 2023 Sands Cares Global Hygiene Kit Build, which supports Clean the World’s mission of providing hygiene supplies to people affected by hardship, disasters, and personal crises. Nearly 900 Sands Team Members and community volunteers assembled kits containing soap that had been recycled by Clean the World after collection from Sands’ resorts and other hospitality partners, along with shampoo, conditioner, dental care items and inspirational messages handwritten by Sands Team Members. Sands has hosted the annual kit build since 2014 with Team...

NORWALK, CONN.—Shatterproof, a national nonprofit dedicated to transforming addiction treatment in the U.S., recently honored Mark Hoplamazian, President and CEO, Hyatt, with the Shatterproof Hospitality Hero Award. He is the fifth recipient to receive the award. Hoplamazian has been an integral voice on the issue of addiction in America, using his leadership in the industry to unite hospitality executives to take an active role in ending the addiction crisis. Senior executives across the hotel industry united during the Americas Lodging Investment Summit (ALIS) in Los Angeles to commend Hoplamazian on his accomplishments. More than 60 hospitality companies raised $2 million during the event to advance...

LAS VEGAS—Sands has again been recognized by Newsweek as one of America’s Most Responsible Companies for 2024. The company ranked 259th out of 600 total companies on the list, the highest among integrated resort companies, and fifth among the 19 companies included in the Hotels, Dining & Leisure category. “We deeply value this recognition as endorsement for our most recent accomplishments and ongoing work, which is indicative of our longstanding commitment to being a responsible company,” said Ron Reese, Senior Vice President of Global Communications and Corporate Affairs, who spearheads corporate responsibility initiatives for the company. “Our initiatives are centered...

SEA RANCH, CALIF.—The Sea Ranch Lodge, set along the dramatic coastline of Sonoma County, has unveiled The Farm, a haven for regenerative farming practices located on agricultural land just south of The Sea Ranch Lodge. With a mission to provide wholesome sustainable dining at The Sea Ranch Lodge, The Farm features a myriad of farming and ranching techniques that surpass conventional practices, from regenerative beef and lamb farming and mushroom cultivation to honey harvesting and composting. Guests and locals can enjoy The Farm’s fresh bounty with Lodge programming including farm tours, hiking, birding, and picnics. “The Sea Ranch Lodge Team is continuously exploring...

ALEXANDRIA, VA.—Registration has opene for GBTA Academy’s Sustainable Travel Management course, which kicks off February 26. This comprehensive, five-week training will focus on the practical application of climate action and the management, reduction, and tracking of carbon emissions from business travel. Registration closes after February 19. Many companies are making ambitious changes in their policies and practices to tackle their carbon emissions. The Sustainable Travel Management course will cover what that means in practice for corporate travel managers, buyers, and those who interact with managed travel programs (like suppliers, travel management companies, and consultants). This online training course will help you to: Align your...

ALPHARETTA, GA.—As a preferred employer in the hotel industry, Atrium Hospitality invests in the rewarding hotel career journeys of thousands of associates across the United States. In 2023, Atrium supported nearly 1,000 management-level internal promotions and new hires for corporate and on-property positions with its growing company. Alpharetta, Georgia-based Atrium Hospitality is one of the nation’s largest hotel operators. The company manages a portfolio of 80 hotels, representing well-known brands such as Hilton, Marriott, IHG, and Wyndham, in 28 states. Atrium operates approximately 20,000 guestrooms/suites and 3 million square feet of event space. Atrium Hospitality’s 2023 Management-Level Talent Trends Snapshot Management-Level...

ITHACA, N.Y.—The Hotel Ithaca, boasting 98.8 percent totality, is offering a Solar Eclipse Package on Sunday through Tuesday, April 7 to 9, to include an Eclipse Viewing Party along with special amenities. Sell-outs are anticipated, so consumers are encouraged to book now. Rooms can be reserved by visiting thehotelithaca.com or calling (607) 272-1000. The Solar Eclipse Package includes: Deluxe accommodations for two guests (additional nights may be added); Keepsake blankets for two; Eclipse-viewing eyeglasses for two; Eclipse Viewing Party from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday; Heavy hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar; and DJ entertainment. It is a two-night minimum package....