UN Tourism Welcomes TikTok Superstar Khaby Lame as Ambassador, Recognizing Pivotal Role of Creative Economy
UN Tourism has welcomed Khaby Lame, the world’s most-popular TikTok creator, as its newest Ambassador.
News
Developing a Guest-Centric Culture: Training and Best Practices for Superior Service
Hospitality, at its core, is about making people feel seen. It’s about creating the kind of moments that cut through the noise of everyday life and lodge themselves in memory forever.
By Mychal Milian, General Manager, Waterstone Resort & Marina, Boca Raton - Curio Collection by Hilton, Hilton
Ascott Launches Holistic Disability Inclusion Playbook For Accommodation Sector, Setting New Hospitality Benchmark
The Ascott Limited (Ascott), the wholly owned lodging business unit of CapitaLand Investment (CLI), has launched the Disability Inclusion Playbook for the Accommodation Sector. As one of the world’s first open-access, holistic disability inclusion playbooks, it sets a new benchmark for inclusive hospitality. Developed by Ascott in partnership with disability inclusion specialists Colorful Earth, it is supported by SG Enable (Singapore’s focal agency for disability and inclusion), World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance (a global coalition driving sustainability in hospitality) and Valuable 500 (a global non-profit of over 500 multinational corporations advancing disability inclusion).
Sommet Education & Tanmeya Capital: Saudi-Swiss Partnership Launched to Build National Talent and Educational Ecosystem in Tourism, Hospitality, and Culinary Arts
Under the patronage of His Excellency Mr. Ahmed bin Aqil Al-Khateeb, Minister of Tourism, a landmark Saudi-Swiss partnership was announced at the "TOURISE 2025" Summit in Riyadh to advance innovation, develop national talent, and build human capital in tourism, hospitality, and culinary arts, in line with Saudi Vision 2030.
IHG Hotels & Resorts Partners with the Job Plus and the Tourism and Hospitality Skill Council to Create Career Opportunities for Young People
IHG Hotels & Resorts (IHG) has entered into a strategic partnership with The Job Plus and the Tourism and Hospitality Skill Council (THSC) to skill and empower young people from underserved communities, creating meaningful career opportunities for them in the service and hospitality industry. This marks the beginning of a long-term partnership aimed at driving sustained youth employability in India, particularly within the hospitality sector.
UN Tourism Confirms New Secretary-General: Shaikha Al Nowais to Become First Woman Leader in 2026
Shaikha Al Nowais has been confirmed as the new Secretary-General of UN Tourism. Meeting in Riyadh, the Organization’s General Assembly formally ratified her nomination and showed their strong support.
HSMAI Foundation Releases 2025 State of Talent Report
McLean, VA - The Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI) Foundation has released its fourth annual State of Talent Report, outlining the top trends impacting talent across hospitality’s commercial disciplines — sales, marketing, and revenue optimization. The report’s analysis of key talent trends reveals a dramatically transformed workplace landscape in 2025, driven primarily by artificial intelligence adoption, demographic shifts, and post-pandemic workplace evolution.
The Five Rules of Optimizing AI in Hotel Human Resources
Think about all the things we say we want to do but do not have time for: follow-up calls to candidates, monthly wellness check-ins/stay interviews, individualized onboarding paths, coaching based on performance data.
By Merrick P. Dresnin, Chief People Services Officer, Cote Hospitality
HFTP Announces 2025–2026 Global Executive Committee and Board of Directors
Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP®) has announced its 2025–2026 HFTP Global Executive Committee and Board of Directors.
9 visionary keynote speakers advancing the Future of Hospitality Education at EuroCHRIE 2025
EuroCHRIE 2025, hosted by Hotelschool The Hague, brings together global educators, researchers, and industry leaders to explore the future of hospitality and tourism education. The conference highlights innovation across the sector, from AI and leadership to sustainability, future skills, while emphasising the role of education as a driver of industry innovation.
The Social Hub unveils new global marketing leadership team as hospitality brand accelerates growth across Europe
Social impact driven hospitality brand The Social Hub has unveiled a new-look marketing leadership team as it ramps up its European brand-building operation under Chief Marketing Officer Trix van der Vleuten.
How job seekers can succeed in AI-assisted hiring
As artificial intelligence (AI) has revolutionized how businesses recruit and select talent, job seekers must also adapt to this new reality. This week, we shift the focus from how companies and HR managers can lead the process to how job seekers can use AI strategically to enhance their success in the job application process while maintaining authenticity, integrity, and self-awareness.
By Linchi Kwok, Professor, CAL Poly Pomona
How Task Force Marketing Helps Hotels Bridge Staffing Gaps
The hospitality industry has long relied on task force professionals to fill leadership gaps in operations, finance, and revenue management. As we approach 2026, that same concept is gaining momentum within marketing and communications. It’s especially true in this discipline where continuity, strategy, and agility are essential to maintaining brand strength and driving revenue.
By Debbie Miller, Digital Marketing and Communications Professional and member of Cayuga Hospitality Consultants, Cayuga Hospitality Consultants
What Gen Z Wants from Hotels: Operational Insights for Hospitality Leaders
In an increasingly competitive hospitality environment, guest satisfaction is the basis of a customer’s loyalty to a brand and a hotel’s long-term revenue growth.
By Bendegul Okumus and Omer Aras
IHCL Enters into a Strategic Corporate Partnership with Essec Academy
Indian Hotels Company (IHCL), India’s largest hospitality company, has partnered with ESSEC Academy, Singapore to launch a tailored leadership development initiative.
Strategic Hospitality Workforce Redesign: Unlocking New Opportunities
The digital shelf has fundamentally reshaped how hospitality products are presented and sold, and this transformation extends far beyond just revenue channels; it presents an unparalleled opportunity to radically redesign our workforce and job roles. In an environment where every product is digitally accessible and discoverable, the focus shifts from siloed departmental functions to a holistic, across-property experience management strategy. This isn’t just a strategic luxury; it’s a genuine requirement for delivering a comprehensive customer experience, unlocking significant revenue growth, and achieving true operational cohesion in hospitality.
By Mark Fancourt, Co-Founder & Principal Consultant, TRAVHOTECH
Leveraging Mentorship for Hospitality Career and Industry Advancement
When Dana Kelly, Owner of Penrose Hospitality Solutions, found herself wanting to pivot her career from working in behavioral health to a role in the hospitality industry, she didn’t know where to start. Setting out in an industry in which she had few connections or business acumen, Dana sought out tools to help ease the transition, leading her to NEWH, Inc.’s Martha’s Mentors program. It’s here that she was paired with Jeanne Varney, Senior Lecturer at the Peter and Stephanie Nolan School of Hotel Administration at Cornell University and Past International President of NEWH, Inc.
By Jeanne Varney and Dana Kelly
What I’d Tell My Younger Self: 5 Lessons from 20 Years in Hospitality Tech
Twenty years ago, I walked into Visual Matrix with an IT background, no hospitality experience, and no real idea what I was getting into.
By Charlie Rhodes, Chief Operating Officer, Visual Matrix Property Management System (Image Technology Systems)
How companies and HR managers can lead in the age of AI-assisted hiring
Artificial intelligence (AI) has revolutionized how we recruit and select talent. HR and hiring managers are no longer just recruiters. They are strategic supervisors of the whole AI ecosystem. The new challenge is to lead responsibly, ensuring that technology enhances rather than replaces human judgment.
By Linchi Kwok, Professor, CAL Poly Pomona
How Can Hotels Step Up Their Recruitment Game?
The global hospitality industry is forecast to see its labour demand climb in the coming years, but persisting labour shortages and other challenges in hiring and retaining employees could make it very difficult to meet these needs. Hotels should implement innovative strategies to overcome the current barriers to successful recruitment.
By Roger Allen, Group Chief Executive Officer, RLA Global