IHG earned top employer status across multiple Middle Eastern markets in the 2026 Great Place to Work rankings, including the #1 Best Workplace in Saudi Arabia, citing talent programs like Masarona by IHG.
A survey of 505 US hospitality workers found 54% of those aged 25-34 prefer better training over a 5% pay raise, with confidence-building cited as the top motivator over promotion or salary.
Hilton and the Hilton Global Foundation are donating 250 million Hilton Honors Points to Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, with 10,000+ mentoring moments planned across six U.S. cities starting in the 2026-2027 school year.
Las Vegas Sands contributed $150,000 to The LGBTQ+ Center of Las Vegas to fund a mobile coffee truck employment program providing job training and housing pathways for 20 housing-insecure youth ages 18-24.
Hotelschool The Hague becomes the first Dutch hospitality business school to earn a QS 5-Star rating, with an employer reputation score of 85.4/100 in the 2026 QS World University Rankings.
Accor and Kylian Mbappé's charity IBKM launch "ibis unlocked" in Brazil, France, Morocco, and Thailand, targeting NEET youth with digital training, NGO support, and hotel immersion experiences across ibis's 2,500+ properties.
Hyatt's RiseHY program has hired 12,000 Opportunity Youth since 2018, surpassing its 10,000 target ahead of schedule, with a new goal of 15,000 hires by end of 2028.
Hilton's 2026 Trends Report, drawing on Ipsos and Morning Consult surveys of 2,000+ U.S. workers, finds human-centered leadership, mentorship, and purpose outrank perks and technology as drivers of engagement and retention.
HSMAI Europe appoints Yana Kyrylyuk as Young Talent Program Manager to coordinate initiatives like the Commercial Career Start Program and Connecting Future Leaders for hospitality professionals under 35.
Accor launches its 15th TakeOff! Challenge, inviting students globally to design innovative guest experience solutions focused on first impressions, welcome, and housekeeping standards.
The MLA's 2026 Stars of the Industry event at Fenway Park drew 450+ attendees and honored top hotel employees, managers, and programs across Massachusetts, including an inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award class.
Accor has enrolled 32 Australian hotels in Welcome With Pride's LGBTIQ+ inclusion training program, targeting 50 by end of 2026, with staff reporting double-digit gains in confidence and engagement.
Doug Kennedy's free 40-minute webcast on June 19 trains reservations staff to quote dynamic rates, handle objections, and prevent bookings from shifting to OTAs.
Booking.com research across 13,000+ respondents finds 45% of LGBTQ+ business travelers have hidden their identity for safety, and 42% have turned down career opportunities due to inadequate employer protections.
HSMAI Foundation research finds hospitality students self-teach AI through experimentation but rate their academic programs' preparation at just 2.78 out of 5, signaling a readiness gap for employers.
PATA's new self-paced online programme offers short courses on ESG and AI-powered marketing, targeting tourism professionals from entry-level to senior roles across Asia Pacific.
VLC Group, owner of multiple Phuket hotels including Marriott properties, will develop NLCS Phuket as a premium boarding school for Thai and international families.
UN Tourism partners with Fundación Mahou San Miguel to offer 2,000 free training places for Spanish hospitality professionals via WhatsApp messaging.
Newport Hospitality Group's annual leadership retreat in Myrtle Beach focused on their "Living Hospitality" philosophy, emphasizing empathy and authentic service while recognizing top performers across their portfolio.
The Staffing Agency report reveals Canadian hospitality spending reached $104 billion in 2025, but operators struggle with high turnover despite hiring above pre-pandemic levels.