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...

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...

Wellness features have undoubtedly become a key differentiator in the hospitality industry in all markets for attracting guests and driving revenue. But some features may provide better returns on investment (ROI) than others and selecting the most suitable for a property requires a considered approach. The continuous evolution of wellness facilities, amenities, and services likely contributed to the whopping 18.1 percent annual growth the Global Wellness Institute (GWI) detected in the wellness real estate sector in 2020-23 and would also support the 15.8 percent annual expansion GWI predicts for 2024-29. The strong performance and rosy outlook of the sector have prompted...

SALZBURG, AUSTRIA—Rosewood Hotels and Resorts is introducing a new brand campaign, Discovered at Rosewood, highlighting the brand’s commitment to cultural immersion and the promotion of local crafts. The campaign will showcase Rosewood’s unique experiences and cultural ties across its 34 properties. Discovered at Rosewood, photographed by Jo Metson Scott, renowned for her intimate storytelling through portraits and documentary filmmaking, aims to illustrate how each Rosewood location encourages guests to explore local traditions, communities, and lifestyles. The campaign underscores Rosewood’s dedication to providing transformative stays through cultural immersion, the incorporation of local craftsmanship, and a sense of place. The campaign will feature...

SALZBURG, AUSTRIA—Rosewood Hotels and Resorts is introducing a new brand campaign, Discovered at Rosewood, highlighting the brand’s commitment to cultural immersion and the promotion of local crafts. The campaign will showcase Rosewood’s unique experiences and cultural ties across its 34 properties. Discovered at Rosewood, photographed by Jo Metson Scott, renowned for her intimate storytelling through portraits and documentary filmmaking, aims to illustrate how each Rosewood location encourages guests to explore local traditions, communities, and lifestyles. The campaign underscores Rosewood’s dedication to providing transformative stays through cultural immersion, the incorporation of local craftsmanship, and a sense of place. The campaign will feature...

LAGUNA BEACH, CALIF.—Soul Community Planet (SCP) Hotels, a holistic hospitality company serving those who value wellness, social good, and the environment, is excited to unveil its newest brand-wide program, Epic Experiences. This initiative is designed to help facilitate lasting take-home value for SCP guests through engaging, immersive, and educational guide-led adventures. Each Epic Experience emphasizes the destination’s culture and unique natural qualities—from California’s spectacular Mendocino coast to Oregon’s rugged Cascades and the vibrant jungle and tropical waters of Costa Rica’s Osa Peninsula. “SCP’s Epic Experiences offer our guests one-of-a-kind opportunities to engage with our natural surroundings as locals would—in ways that...

BETHESDA, MD.—Marriott International, Inc. announced the launch of Connect Responsibly with Marriott Bonvoy Events (Connect Responsibly), a program designed to help meeting planners embed sustainability into their events at participating hotels in the Marriott Bonvoy portfolio. Connect Responsibly plans to offer meetings and events customers access to detailed Meeting Impact Reports to measure the environmental impact of their events and select options to purchase carbon credits. The program is anticipated to go live at managed and franchised properties from participating brands globally by the end of October. “There is nothing like connecting in person, and doing so responsibly makes it that much...

INTERNATIONAL REPORT—With the rising presence and utilization of AI and its impact on the way society uses technology, it is no surprise that it is at the forefront of travel planning for Europeans. Key research conducted by MMGY, the authority on European traveler intelligence, unveils a shifting landscape in travel preferences according to its latest release of Portrait of European Travellers. The use of artificial intelligence (AI) has surged in popularity according to the new report, and sustainability remains one of the top five motivators for European travelers in 2024. This comprehensive research examining adult travelers from the U.K., France, Germany,...

NATIONAL REPORT—Parking revenues have increased by 23.1 percent from 2019 to 2023, based on a sample of U.S. properties in CBRE’s Trends in the Hotel Industry database, which is more than four times greater than the growth rate for total hotel revenues during that period. Not only is parking a growing source of revenue, but it is relatively profitable as well. In 2023, parking department profit margins for the CBRE sample were 61.3 percent of total department revenue, while the average profit margin for all other-operated departments was 58.7 percent at those hotels. While the contribution to revenues and profits is welcome...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Zipcar and Delaware North Parks and Resorts announced a new partnership aimed at offering eco-conscious travelers a convenient and sustainable way to travel to and explore a local natural wonder. This fall, those who spot the 12 new, limited-edition Shenandoah National Park custom-designed Zipcars in greater Washington, D.C., can enter to win the Blue Ridge Retreat Giveaway, a retreat from the hustle and bustle of urban life. The Blue Ridge Retreat Giveaway includes a free annual Zipcar membership, $300 in Zipcar driving credit and a two-night weekend getaway package at Skyland Resort in Shenandoah National Park. Delaware North Parks and Resorts,...