NATIONAL REPORT—To lead people and organizations successfully in the coming years, leaders need to have a clear understanding of these trends and how to implement them while considering the specific needs of their organizations and the context of their market. In this article, we’ll discuss the top five trends influencing global hospitality businesses, and their leadership, today. And we’ll offer some suggestions for how to get started in these areas, whether with your own ideas and initiatives, or some upskilling and education to get a boost. Digital Leadership & Technology Integration As technology continues to play a significant role in the hospitality...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) has introduced a draft of its LEED v5 Operations and Maintenance (O+M) rating system for existing buildings. LEED v5 is the newest version of LEED. It marks a transformative milestone in the built environment’s alignment with a low-carbon future and addresses critical imperatives such as equity, health, ecosystems, and resilience. The LEED rating system is the world’s preeminent green building certification system, with more than 100,000 projects certified globally. While the launch of LEED v5 begins with existing buildings, LEED v5 for Building Design and Construction (BD+C) will roll out in 2024. In conjunction with the...

It is not something that is common where I live in Florida but yesterday there was an air quality alert due to a cloud of Canadian wildfire smoke that drifted down my way. The smoke originated in British Columbia and Alberta. It traveled thousands of miles to Eastern Canada by circulating winds and then was dragged southward by the remnants of Ophelia, as the storm petered out in the Atlantic Ocean. Wildfire smoke is just one of many environmental factors that impact outdoor air quality, and indoor air quality (IAQ) as well. IAQ was on my mind recently when the Asthma...

SACRAMENTO, CALIF.—California lawmakers have advanced a bill to ban the toxic “forever chemicals” known as PFAS from household and institutional cleaners sold in the state. The bill cleared the Legislature and now heads to Gov. Gavin Newsom for his signature. Assemblymember Dr. Akilah Weber (La Mesa-San Diego) authored Assembly Bill 727 to protect the health of consumers and workers from PFAS. They are known as forever chemicals because they don’t break down, and they pose a health risk to the millions of people exposed to them through cleaners and many other products. If enacted, the ban would take effect on January 1, 2026, and make California the...

BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND—Real estate investor and developer Lamington Group is adding to its pioneering eco hometel brand with the opening of room2 Belfast, the fourth outpost, and first property outside England, set to open October 16. The new property will consist of 175 rooms across nine floors as well as a vibrant café, tearoom, meeting and event spaces, a gym, bar, restaurant and a spacious lounge available for both guests and locals alike looking for a vibrant eco-friendly space to work, relax or simply catch up with friends. Keeping in line with Lamington Group’s commitment to sustainability, the fully electric room2...

BANGKOK—Six Senses Porto Heli will bring the brand’s trademark wellness and sustainability ethos to the elegant Ermioni in the Greek Peloponnese, with the famous islands of Spetses and Hydra within view. The spot is surrounded by protected coves and bays enjoying the clear waters of the Aegean and is known for its yacht-filled marinas, palatial summer villas, sun-kissed Mediterranean landscape, fine dining, and boutique stores. Historically, the Peloponnese has been the main field of action for Greece since prehistoric times, hosting important archaeological sites, including Olympia, Epidaurus, and Mycenae. Located 124 miles from Athens, Porto Heli has evolved from a...

MCLEAN, VA.—Hilton has announced the release of new mental wellbeing resources designed to support its global population of 450,000 team members and further destigmatize mental wellbeing in the workplace. As part of its Thrive at Hilton platform, the initiative will support team members across its franchised and managed properties as they care for themselves, their teams, and their loved ones. The new resources aim to make it easier than ever for Hilton team members to find effective, flexible and accessible tools that support their mental wellbeing while encouraging continued conversations around topics such as burnout, time management, financial wellbeing, stress...

NEW YORK—A study published in Building & Environment found organizations that achieved WELL Certification experienced higher-performing workplaces than their non-certified peers, underscoring the importance of prioritizing employee health and well-being in buildings. The study, “The potential of high-performance workplaces for boosting worker productivity, health, and creativity: A comparison between WELL and non-WELL certified environments,” published in the September edition of Building & Environment, analyzed the largest data set of occupant responses to date comparing performance between WELL Certified and non-certified workplaces across the Asia-Pacific region, including New Zealand, Australia and Hong Kong. “Our findings show that benefits related to satisfaction, health, productivity, and creativity may...

PARIS—Australians will now be able to earn more than just endorphins after a workout when traveling, with leading fitness brand, Peloton, and Australia’s largest hotel operator, Accor, announcing a new partnership. Following the successful launch of Peloton into select Accor hotels in 2022, the expanded agreement will see Peloton Bikes installed in more than 50 of Accor’s most popular hotels, resorts, and apartments across Australia. Plus, in the first of its kind program in Australia and for a limited time, guests will be rewarded for working out with Peloton—with the ability to earn 100 Accor Live Limitless (ALL) Reward points...

According to a Market Analysis Report by Grand View Research, the global wellness tourism market size was estimated at $814.6 billion in 2022 and is expected to reach $923.6 billion in 2023. (Some other agencies estimate this value to be even higher, topping the charts in the low to mid trillions). Further, North America dominates this market share at nearly 40 percent. In a post-pandemic world, the focus on health is only expected to grow, which means wellness travel is leaving a permanent mark on the hospitality industry. From massage to meditation to mineral springs, wellness travel encompasses a vast range of products...