AAHOA, the world’s largest hotel owners association, is proud to announce key leadership promotions that underscore its commitment to serving its members and driving industry progress. Geetika Rana has been promoted to Executive Vice President of Membership & Events, and Dennis Smith has been promoted to Executive Vice President of Business Development.
With aspirations to become a manager in the hospitality sector, Intan Maharani was drawn to the Penn State Master of Professional Studies in Hospitality Management program.
Real estate services firm Cushman & Wakefield has added to its growing Hospitality Capital Markets team in London by hiring Andrew Horder as a Partner and Anastasia Cooper as a Consultant.Horder has more than 25 years’ experience in the hospitality investment space across brokerage, investor, and development roles in London, the UK and EMEA. Previously Director of EMEA Development for Frasers Hospitality, the global investor and operator of serviced apartments, hotels and premium rental apartments, Horder has also held positions with AccorHotels, EQ Group and Savills.Cooper is an Ecole Hoteliere de Lausanne graduate who joins from a specialist hotel brokerage and consultancy, advising on acquisitions and disposals across the UK. Both she and Horder will work closely with Ed Fitch, Head of Hospitality UK, as well as supporting the wider growth of Cushman & Wakefield’s EMEA Hospitality platform, headed by Jon Hubbard. Ed Fitch, Head of Hospitality UK & Ireland at Cushman & Wakefield, said: “Andrew is a proven deal-doer who brings a rare combination of experience across the spectrum of hospitality investment stakeholders. He has a deep understanding of the perspectives of brands, operators, and investors, and I am delighted to be welcoming him back to brokerage and working with him once again. Anastasia has already gained valuable experience in UK hospitality investment, and we are pleased she has chosen to take the next step in her career with us. We expect the increased liquidity momentum in the market to continue and hiring Andrew and Anastasia reinforces our commitment to supporting our clients in navigating these truly exciting times for the hospitality capital markets.”UK hospitality investment volumes hit a five-year high in 2024 on the back of a surge of private equity-led portfolio transactions. The outlook is also promising, with deal-making momentum expected to carry through into 2025. Contributing factors include an anticipated influx of high-quality assets hitting the market, declining interest rates acting as a catalyst, and enhanced clarity in property pricing — further reinforcing the market’s robust investment trajectory.
The addition of two of the greatest athletes in modern history to UN Tourism’s roster of Special Ambassadors marks a major step forward in promoting the transformative power of sports tourism. Stephen Curry is celebrated as one of the greatest basketball talents of all time. He has led the Golden State Warriors multiple NBA championships and is widely credited with revolutionizing the modern game. Curry’s appointment as Ambassador for Sports Tourism will bring UN Tourism’s mission to the attention of a massive global audience and harness his energy to boost recognition of the power of sports tourism to create opportunity and drive growth.
Airbnb is excited to introduce the 2025 Host Advisory Board. These hosts are leaders in their communities and trusted partners in shaping our future. This year’s 23 members represent 17 countries and bring a wealth of diverse hosting experience.
Employee wellbeing has become an integral component of organizational success. According to Gallup’s research, employees who feel their overall wellbeing is prioritized are 36% more likely to thrive in their lives and three times more likely to be engaged at work. Forward-thinking companies have realized that a "culture of wellbeing" not only transforms the workplace but also fosters stronger organizational resilience, retention, and overall productivity—which ultimately benefits both employees and businesses.
Industry leaders gathered at The Savoy Hotel, London in January, to tackle pressing recruitment and retention challenges, while advancing pivotal HSMAI Europe initiatives such as FUTURE YOU, the Commercial Career Start Programme and the HSMAI Europe Mentor Programme.
At the prestigious Global Labour Market Conference, held under the patronage of His Majesty King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Umm Al-Qura University, the Ministry of Tourism’s Project Management Office (PMO), and Sommet Education officially announce a strategic partnership to transform human capital development in Saudi Arabia’s tourism and hospitality sectors.
Meliá Hotels International continues to strengthen its position as a leading employer brand, reaffirming its status as a Top Employer company. Thanks to its strong commitment to human resources and the demonstration of best practices in talent management, the hotel group has earned the Top Employer Enterprise certification for the first time, becoming one of only nine Spanish companies to achieve this recognition. This prestigious certification underscores the alignment of the company's human resources practices across its key markets.
The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) today announced its 2025 officers, Executive Committee, and Board of Directors, a list that includes some of the most respected names in the hotel industry.
Jumeirah, a global leader in luxury hospitality and a member of Dubai Holding, has announced the appointment of Thomas B. Meier as its new Chief Executive Officer. With extensive industry experience, Thomas has been instrumental in guiding Jumeirah through several important milestones and will now lead the next stage of the Brand’s sustainable growth under its Mission 2030 strategy.
Sixteen team members and one hotel team from around the world receive the hospitality leader’s highest form of team member recognition for their commitment to hospitality and dedication to Hilton’s values.
As 2024 comes to a close, we’re excited to look back at the stories that resonated most with our readers on Hospitality Net this year. From thought-provoking opinion pieces to key industry insights, these articles captured the attention of hospitality professionals worldwide. We’ve compiled the most-read stories from the past 12 months for you to explore and reflect on as we prepare for another exciting year ahead.
NEWH, Inc. (Network of Executive Women in Hospitality), a premier association committed to scholarships, advancing education, mentorship, and networking in the hospitality industry, unveiled its scholarship recipients last month during a series of events held alongside BDNY, from November 8-11, 2024. In its ongoing commitment to empower and elevate the hospitality community, NEWH awarded $75,000 in scholarships to deserving individuals, coinciding with the association’s 40th anniversary.
Hospitality America proudly announces Kellie Hanselman as its new Vice President of Sales. With 19 years of proven expertise in sales, marketing, and leadership, Hanselman brings a wealth of experience to the third-party hotel management company. Her exceptional track record in driving revenue growth across full-service and luxury hotels and resorts positions her as the ideal leader to elevate Hospitality America’s topline performance.
Amsa Hospitality Academy is delighted to announce a new partnership with King Khalid University for the launch of a joint training program. Launched in November, an inaugural cohort of 20 university graduates has begun vocational training at the soon-to-open Mercure Khamis Mushait, the first internationally branded hotel in the Aseer Province city of Khamis Mushait.
China continues to promote the development of inclusive workplaces and fair employment opportunities amidst socio-economic growth. Centered on its corporate philosophy of “True Hospitality for Good”, IHG Hotels & Resorts is committed to creating a diverse, equal and inclusive working environment for its employees. To support the development of rural communities, IHG deepens its cooperation with Ant Foundation and jointly supports the “Cyber Mulan” Homestay Manager Training Project. Offering more comprehensive resources and diversified career paths, the program aims to provide career opportunities for women in the industry.
Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) is an area of intense focus and scrutiny across the travel and hospital industry. Gender diversity, especially, is capturing attention because women represent a significant share of industry employees. A key industry theme is the challenges women face in obtaining promotions, earning the same salaries as men, and ascending into corporate leadership positions.
Resorts World Las Vegas LLC announced the formation of a Board of Directors, with industry veteran Jim Murren as the Chairman, and the appointment of Alex Dixon as its Chief Executive Officer as a key part of the Company’s plan to deepen and strengthen its leadership. The new team, with a combined 130 years of experience in the gaming industry, will accelerate the Company’s growth strategy and continue its mission to remain Las Vegas’s premier resort destination for unmatched luxury and entertainment experiences and unforgettable moments.
Dedicated to Dr. Michael D. Olsen, the new Strategic Management Kendall-Hunt Publishers textbook co-written by Dr. Fred DeMicco ( a former Ph.D. student of Dr. Olsen) and with contributions from former Ph.D students of Dr. Mike Olsen, covers strategic planning for hospitality firms as the world of hospitality and travel is rapidly changing. Abrupt shifts in the external environment can have an enormous impact literally overnight. Strategic Management for Hospitality & Travel: Today and Tomorrow focuses on strategy for companies during a time of prosperity and uncertainty.