Dusit Thani College begins new wave of global expansion, introduces fast-track hospitality training in Saudi Arabia
The six-month program launches in Riyadh in January 2026, targeting Saudi Arabia's projected 2.7 million hospitality jobs by 2025.
Press Releases
New 2025 Hotel Labor Costs & Trends Report Finds Operators Improve Labor Efficiency Amid Rising Wages and Softer Revenue
Report reveals U.S. hotels cut labor hours by 7-15% across departments while maintaining profitability despite wage increases up to 5.9%.
HotelData.com and Actabl
U.S. Hospitality Hits an All-Time Workforce High as a New Labor Crisis Emerges, New 2025 Report Finds
Despite reaching record workforce levels, the industry faces 70-80% annual turnover in hotels and restaurants, with QSR exceeding 100%.
Doug Kennedy’s Next Staff Training Webcast: Using The Value Pyramid Model To Sell Guest Experiences and Not Just Quote Rates
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 joins AWE in delivering practical solutions for more accessible and inclusive tourism businesses
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 marks International Day of Persons with Disabilities with milestone progress in inclusive employment
Accor has hired 35 people with cognitive disabilities across Australia through its Diversity Pathways program, partnering with Flinders University.
Accor wins three Major Awards at 2025 HM Awards
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 Launches Australia’s First National Silly Sock Day to Support Women and Children Escaping Domestic Violence
Accor will sell 5,000+ limited-edition socks across Australian hotels with all proceeds funding additional beds in domestic violence shelters.
Report benchmarks representation of women, Black leaders in hotel industry
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.
HSMAI Foundation Releases Special Report on How Generative AI Is Transforming Executive Hiring in Hospitality
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 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.
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.
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.
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.