HFTP® Acquires Leading Hospitality Industry Brands: Hospitality Upgrade, Hotel-Online, The CIO Summit and The Executive Vendor Summit
Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals | June 25, 2024
Industry Happenings
U.S. Department of Commerce Seeks Applications for Brand USA Board of Directors
International Trade Administration | July 16, 2024
The Department of Commerce is currently seeking applications from travel and tourism leaders from specific industries for membership on the Board of Directors of the Corporation for Travel Promotion (dba Brand USA). The purpose of the Board is to guide the Corporation for Travel Promotion on matters relating to the promotion of the United States as a travel destination. The Travel Promotion Act (TPA), which was signed into law by President Obama on March 4, 2010, established the Corporation for Travel Promotion as a non-profit corporation charged with the development and execution of marketing strategies for U.S. travel and tourism and to ...
2024 HSMAI Adrian Awards Open for Entries: Wish You Were Here
HSMAI | July 16, 2024
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: McLean, VA (July 15, 2024) – The Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI) is now accepting entries for 2024 Adrian Awards. The theme for the 68th annual Adrian Awards competition is Wish You Were Here, highlighting the most memorable and successful travel marketing and public relations campaigns, ads, earned media programs, and experiential and digital experiences. Winners will be honored at the HSMAI Adrian Awards Celebration in 2025. "We have seen a remarkable increase in entries, with submissions growing by 20% annually since 2020," said Robert A. Gilbert, CHME, CHBA, president and C...
Celebrating Two Years of Progress in National Strategy to Reenergize U.S. Travel and Tourism
International Trade Administration | July 15, 2024
Two years after the U.S. Department of Commerce issued the National Travel and Tourism Strategy and set an ambitious five-year goal to welcome 90 million international visitors annually by 2027, the Department is announcing we expect to reach that goal ahead of schedule. According to the latest estimates from the International Trade Administration, the United States expects to welcome 91 million annual visitors by 2026, surpassing the Strategy’s goal one year in advance of the anticipated timeline. In celebration of all the progress made since the launch of the National Travel and Tourism Strategy, Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo issue...
AHLA Statement on the Human Trafficking Awareness Training Recognition Act
AHLA | July 11, 2024
WASHINGTON (July 11, 2024) – American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) Interim President & CEO Kevin Carey released the following statement today regarding the introduction of the Human Trafficking Awareness Training Recognition Act, which requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to establish a certification program for businesses that train their employees to recognize and respond to suspected human trafficking. “The Human Trafficking Awareness Training Recognition Act would complement our industry’s anti-trafficking efforts by providing important third-party validation for hotels’ training and prevention initia...
Iberostar Beachfront Resorts Unveils New Hotel Branding Approach
Iberostar Group | July 10, 2024
Iberostar Waves, Iberostar Selection and JOIA by Iberostar are the three new brand segments all with Iberostar's dedication to quality, service and its strong social and environmental commitment. Enables customers to select the hotels, experiences, and services that best suit their beachfront holiday aspirations. Palma de Mallorca, July 10, 2024: Iberostar Beachfront Resorts today announces an important evolution of its brand identity and hotel portfolio segmentation. This development reinforces the company’s commitment to creating happy and memorable holiday experiences for its customers. The updated approach is embedded with f...
Third Annual International Society of Hospitality Consultants’ Celebrating Diversity Scholarship Awarded to Jessica Duan of Georgia State Univer
ISHC | July 10, 2024
New York — July 10, 2024 — The International Society of Hospitality Consultants (ISHC) in conjunction with the authors of Hotel Investments – Issues & Perspectives, NYU International Hospitality Industry Investment Conference. and AHLA Foundation have awarded the third annual Celebrating Diversity Scholarship to Jessica Duan of Georgia State University and Osman Milla of the University of the District of Columbia. The Celebrating Diversity Scholarship was established in 2022 to pave the way for two students to attend the annual NYU International Hospitality Industry Investment Conference, operated by Questex in partnershi...
Dr. Bryan K. Williams Inspires HITEC Charlotte Attendees With Engaging Keynote
Dr. Bryan K. Williams | July 10, 2024
Washington DC (July 10, 2024): HITEC North America recently held its conference and exposition on June 24-27 at the Charlotte Convention Center in Charlotte. It attracted over 5,900 industry professionals, making it the largest event of its kind in the world. Dr. Bryan K. Williams was the opening Headliner speaker and challenged all attendees to always set high standards, and create an engaging service culture on their teams. The topic was "Be a Mountain Climber: Tips to Overcome Any Barrier." The keynote focused on leaders who want to refocus themselves and their teams to provide a consistently engaging customer experience. Williams’ bi...
E20X North America 2024: A Showcase of Innovation in Hospitality Technology
Hospitality Net | July 9, 2024
Event Date: June 26, 2024 Venue: Charlotte Convention Center, Charlotte, N.C., USA Sponsored by: Hospitality Net On June 26, 2024, the Charlotte Convention Center buzzed with energy and innovation as eight ambitious entrepreneurs presented breakthrough business concepts at E20X North America. Sponsored by Hospitality Net, this event was part of the expanding Entrepreneur 20X (E20X) program, designed to reinvigorate the hospitality technology industry. Purpose and Format: E20X North America aimed to boost innovation in the hospitality technology sector. The competition featured eight entrepreneurs pitching their ideas to a roo...
These 100 Hotels Were Voted Best in the World by T+L Readers — and 16 of Them Are in the U.S.
Travel + Leisure | July 9, 2024
Hotels in Asia, India, and the United States got the most attention from T+L readers in the annual “World’s Best Awards” survey for 2024. By Paul Brady and Jess Feldman Travel + Leisure readers are going global. In this year’s World’s Best Awards, readers’ favorite hotels span far and wide, with 38 countries making an appearance on the 2024 list. Properties in destinations like India and Southeast Asia are among the highest scorers this year, along with 16 stellar U.S. properties. At each hotel, voters were wowed by the style and the service of the top 100: Every winner scored higher than 97 on our 100-point survey. How ...
HFTP Launches Clubs-Online, Offering Exclusive Content for the Club Industry to Power Management Decisions
Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals | July 9, 2024
Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP®) is expanding its news and information distribution arm with the launch of Clubs-Online™, a newsletter catering to club professionals. The newsletter, available to HFTP members and subscribers, will feature exclusive content presented by industry experts and geared to club professionals, owners, and board directors as it relates to finance and technology. “HFTP’s mission is to advance technology and finance knowledge, and the performance of hospitality professionals globally, through creating standards and forums for innovation, learning, networking and belonging,” said 20...
AAHOA Raises High Concerns About U.S. Supreme Court Ruling on Criminalization of Outdoor Sleeping
AAHOA | July 8, 2024
ATLANTA, GA, July 8—AAHOA (Asian American Hotel Owners Association), representing nearly 20,000 hotel owners across the United States, expresses significant concerns over the recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling in the case of the City of Grants Pass, OR, v. Johnson et al., which criminalized outdoor sleeping. The Court upheld the Grants Pass case late last month, which involved Oregon's ban on camping for unhoused residents. The Court found the laws that criminalize sleeping in public spaces do not violate the Eighth Amendment's protections against cruel and unusual punishment, even as the city lacked sufficient shelters and the unhouse...
AHLA Workforce Report: Hotels Add 700 Jobs in June
AHLA | July 8, 2024
Hotels more than 196,000 jobs short of pre-pandemic levels amid economy-wide labor shortage WASHINGTON (July 8, 2024) – U.S. hotels added 700 jobs to their payrolls in June, according to the latest government data that shows the nationwide workforce shortage continues to make it difficult for hotels to fill open jobs. Total hotel employment stands at about 1.92 million, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). That’s more than 196,000 fewer workers in the industry than in February 2020, just before the pandemic hit, a shortfall that reflects the scarcity of available employees. BLS also revised down the total number of hot...
California’s New Junk Fee Law Now Has Worldwide Effect. Here’s What You Need to Know to Avoid Costly Litigation
Jim Butler | July 3, 2024
By Jim Butler and the Global Hospitality Group® Hotel Lawyers | Authors of www.HotelLawBlog.com On July 1, 2024, California’s new Junk Fee Law took effect. It could have worldwide impact if prices for goods or services are publicly advertised and reach California residents. How can you avoid that with online ads and other public broadcasts over commercial media? In anticipation of this event, many international hotel companies, cruise lines, travel providers, ticket sellers, and online sellers have already changed their advertising and promotions to comply with California law rather than risk violation. Watch for a big change to ...
HSMAI Commercial Strategy Conference Welcomes Record Attendance for Two Days of Collaboration
HSMAI | July 3, 2024
McLean, VA (July 3, 2024) – The Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI) Americas, proudly concluded its highly anticipated first Commercial Strategy Conference which took place from June 25-26, 2024, in Charlotte, North Carolina. The sold-out event, an evolution of HSMAI’s Marketing Strategy Conference and HSMAI ROC, brought together a record-breaking 860 industry professionals from 152 unique hotel brands and management companies, and more than 40 partner companies, from across the hospitality sector to explore the latest trends, strategies, and innovations shaping the future of commercial success in the indust...
AHLA Foundation Announces Third Annual No Room for Trafficking Summit
AHLA Foundation | July 2, 2024
Highlights first year of Survivor Fund grantee impact on nearly 650 human trafficking survivors Washington, D.C. (July 2, 2024) - AHLA Foundation today announced their third annual No Room for Trafficking Summit will take place July 30, 2024, the same day as the United Nation’s World Day Against Trafficking in Persons. At last year’s No Room for Trafficking (NRFT) Summit, the inaugural grantees of the NRFT Survivor Fund were announced, including: Safe House Project, Businesses Ending Slavery and Trafficking (BEST), Restore NYC, Inc., University of Maryland Support, Advocacy, Freedom, and Empowerment (SAFE) Center for Human Traffick...
HITEC 2024 Welcomes Nearly 6,000 Industry Stakeholders to Explore Latest in Hospitality Technology
HFTP | June 28, 2024
Hospitality professionals traveled from all over the world to Charlotte, North Carolina, June 24-27 for the largest and longest-running show of its kind. The Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition and Conference (HITEC®) was created over 50 years ago to break barriers and celebrate innovation in the hospitality technology space, a purpose that has resonated with the industry, attracting industry professionals by the thousands annually and making it the largest event of its kind in the world. This year was no exception, with over 5,900 attendees convening for HITEC North America 2024, June 24-27 at the Charlotte Convention Center in ...
HFTP® Acquires Leading Hospitality Industry Brands: Hospitality Upgrade, Hotel-Online, The CIO Summit and The Executive Vendor Summit
Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals | June 25, 2024
The popular brands will seamlessly merge with HFTP, further solidifying the association’s position as a leading provider of resources and events for the global hospitality community. June 25, 2024 (Charlotte, N.C.) — Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP®), the global association for finance and technology professionals in the hospitality industry, has announced the strategic acquisition of several prominent hospitality industry brands. The acquisition includes Hospitality Upgrade, Hotel-Online, the CIO Summit and the Executive Vendor Summit, further solidifying HFTP's position as a leading provider of resou...
It’s Never Been Better for Investment in the Hotel Technology Industry
HFTP | June 24, 2024
By Frank Wolfe, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), HFTP Just as the hospitality industry evolves, so too must the format of its conventions, especially one as influential to the hospitality industry as HITEC. This year, the senior team at HFTP has expanded the tradeshow’s depth and impact with the inaugural HITEC Technology Investment Conference, taking place immediately after the main event on Thursday, June 27 and Friday, June 29. While it’s been in the making for a long time, we couldn’t have hoped for a better year to debut this addition. Why is 2024 particularly ripe for investment in this sector? Needless as it may be to the ment...
Expedia Report Finds Americans Win the Gold Medal for Taking Fewest Vacation Days in the World
Expedia Group | June 20, 2024
24th Annual Vacation Deprivation Report finds Americans are more vacation deprived than ever; unveils tips from around the world to help U.S. travelers get more out of their time off and save on their next trip According to Expedia’s 24th annual Vacation Deprivation Report,1 released today, roughly half of Americans don’t plan on using all their time off this year (53%), despite receiving just 12 days off annually — the fewest of any country surveyed. Expedia’s report has been analyzing time-off trends around the world for 24 years, and while American vacation deprivation (defined as the feeling of not having enough time off) has...
AHLA, Questex Announce New Speakers, Programming for The Hospitality Show
AHLA | June 20, 2024
Early bird pricing is available through June 28. Register here. NEW YORK (June 20, 2024) - The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) and Questex have announced an updated slate of speakers and events for The Hospitality Show (The Show), the world’s premier hospitality operations and technology event, which will be held Oct. 28-30 in San Antonio, Texas. New confirmed speakers for The Show include: NFL reporter and TV personality Erin Andrews, who will lead a discussion with sports and hospitality stars titled “Game Changers: Power Plays in Sports, Media, and Hospitality” Wyndam Hotels & Resorts Preside...
Marriott Bonvoy & The J. Willard & Alice S. Marriott Foundation Provide $500K Donation to World Central Kitchen for Disaster Response Effort
MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL | June 19, 2024
Marriott Bonvoy, Marriott International’s award-winning travel program, and The J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott (JWASM) Foundation are combining forces to donate $500,000 to World Central Kitchen (WCK), the non-profit organization founded by renowned chef José Andrés. The donation is expected to greatly enhance WCK’s ability to provide meals in the wake of natural disasters and crises around the world, helping those in need receive the nutrition and support they require during challenging times. The donation builds on the company’s and the Marriott family’s longstanding support for WCK. Anthony Capuano, President and Chief Execu...
U.S. Travel Association’s Commission on Seamless and Secure Travel Identifies Five Bold Steps to Boost National Travel Competitiveness and Benefit V
U.S. Travel Association | June 19, 2024
Expert panel will urge U.S. government to advance emerging security initiatives between the United States, United Kingdom and other nations to address travel pain points WASHINGTON (June 19, 2024)— The United States stands on the cusp of major, long-awaited innovations in travel security and facilitation—developments that will enhance the country’s ability to more aggressively compete for global travelers and reverse a lagging rate of recovery as other nations excel, according to work underway by the Commission on Seamless and Secure Travel and the U.S. Travel Association. “It’s time for U.S. officials to make a leap forward an...
GBTA U.S. Legislative Summit 2024 Brings the Voices of Business Travel to Policymakers to Advance Industry Priorities
GBTA | June 17, 2024
100+ GBTA Members Share Industry’s Economic Impact and Urge Legislators to Support Decarbonizing Air Travel and Improve the U.S. Visa System for Those Who Travel for Work Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) and Representative Sam Graves (R-MO) Receive “GBTA Navigator Award” for Championing Business Travel in the U.S. Members and constituents of the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) converged last week in Washington D.C. for the GBTA U.S. Legislative Summit 2024 where over 100 participants met one-on-one with U.S. Senators, Representatives and their staff to share data-informed insights and advocate for policies that supp...
Takeaways From the 2024 Boutique Hotel Investment Conference by BLLA: Reviving the Spirit of Boutique Hotels
MARCUS R. LEE | June 14, 2024
By Marcus R. Lee, Patricia Shih, and Lizzette Casarin FIAF Florence Gould Hall Theater was bustling in early June with another successful Boutique Hotel Investment Conference. Kudos to the BLLA team for executing a great event! This article presents some key takeaways from HVS attendees Patricia Shih (HVS Consulting & Valuation) and Marcus Lee (HVS Asset Management & Advisory). In the ever-evolving landscape of hospitality, the term “boutique hotel” has transformed. Once synonymous with personalized service, unique design, and intimate experiences, “boutique hotels” as a phrase has recently blended with some nation...
