The partnership will focus on joint initiatives to enhance skills development and professional training for high school students entering the tourism sector.
The six-month program launches in Riyadh in January 2026, targeting Saudi Arabia's projected 2.7 million hospitality jobs by 2025.
Report reveals U.S. hotels cut labor hours by 7-15% across departments while maintaining profitability despite wage increases up to 5.9%.
Despite reaching record workforce levels, the industry faces 70-80% annual turnover in hotels and restaurants, with QSR exceeding 100%.
Kennedy Training Network offers free 40-minute webcast series on sales techniques, starting with December 19 session on moving beyond rate-focused selling to experience-based value propositions.
UN Tourism and AWE released five practical steps for tourism businesses to improve accessibility, targeting a market of 1.3 billion people with disabilities.
Accor has hired 35 people with cognitive disabilities across Australia through its Diversity Pathways program, partnering with Flinders University.
Accor's Adrian Williams was named Australasian Hotelier of the Year while the company claimed Accommodation Chain of the Year for the fourth consecutive time.
Accor will sell 5,000+ limited-edition socks across Australian hotels with all proceeds funding additional beds in domestic violence shelters.
Penn State study of 10,000+ hospitality leaders shows women's representation stagnant at senior levels while Black leadership declined from 2.2% to 2.1% over three years.
The Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI) Foundation today released its newest special report, “How Generative AI is Reshaping Executive Hiring in Hospitality,” featuring new insights, industry benchmarks, and a case study from SearchWide Global. The report offers an in-depth look at how artificial intelligence (AI) is accelerating and redefining executive recruitment strategies across the hotel and travel industry, while providing guidance for leaders pursuing senior roles on navigating this rapidly evolving landscape.
UN Tourism has welcomed Khaby Lame, the world’s most-popular TikTok creator, as its newest Ambassador.
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).
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 (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.
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.
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.
Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP®) has announced its 2025–2026 HFTP Global Executive Committee and Board of Directors.
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.
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.