We all know and feel deep down that living in harmony with nature is a better option than today's linear way of take – make – dispose in combination with our over consumption of yesterday's energy. Let's face it, the main barriers stopping us from going 100% sustainable are in our minds rather than in society as such. Steve Howard, former chief sustainability officer at IKEA said once that "100 percent sustainable is an easier goal than 80 percent or 50 percent, because once you set your mind to an ambitious goal, everyone gets on board and does what needs to be done." READ MORE

According to a joint report published by the UN Environment Programme and the International Energy Agency, buildings and construction account for 39% of global energy-related emissions. Operationally, due to their setup of one day leases, hotels invite millions of people through their doors on an annual basis, and therefore have the opportunity to not only cater to guest needs in a sustainable way, but also align themselves with global strategies to engage and educate guests on how collective actions can pave the way for a sustainable, connected, and inclusive future. READ MORE

Airports are being updated, particularly in the United States, but where does that leave airport hotels? David Ashen, President & CEO of interior design and brand consulting firm dash design, explores the transformation of airport hotels from a pedestrian place to simply sleep into a luxury, five-star destination that travelers yearn to visit. In this piece, he looks at the trends that led to next-level airport hotels, the influence of chic airport lounges and more. Mr. Ashen shares some of his favorite examples of trendsetting airport hotels and ponders where we'll land in the years to come. READ MORE

The 4th Industrial Revolution is already here, but is coming with even greater force. There's a big need to get prepared so as not to get kicked out of the race. The only way forward is proactive adaption. It's real flexibility. This article helps you understand what the 4th Industrial Revolution is all about and how you can better position your business to get the good sides of the innovations. It primarily focuses on hotel groups, dealing with guest expectations and business model adaptation for better sustainability. Issues regarding the features of the innovations are also covered in the article. READ MORE

As the U.S. economy and travel and tourism industries continue to grow, builders across the nation are witnessing an uptick in hotel construction, renovation and development. From new sports venues and arena districts to an increased focus on secondary and tertiary markets and the growing demand for live-work-play destinations, hotel construction is on the rise and anticipated to reach the nation's highest count of development by 2021. Here's a look at how these trends are shaping the construction of hotel properties today and key strategies builders are applying to imagine vibrant destinations that foster economic growth for years to come. READ MORE

Hotel executives today are under a tremendous amount of pressure in today's global economy. This article is set in place to inspire hotel executives to authentically lead their hotels to meet and exceed the challenges of not only today but also what we see as an onset of new technological advances in the future. This article shows that the seven elements of authentic leadership can represent how hotel executives working in today's knowledge-based economy develop and manage intellectual capital in hotels throughout North American and the rest of the developed countries. READ MORE

Hospitality has become a major industry and one of the most important social phenomena in the United States. The greatest perceived socio-economic impacts of the hospitality sector are increased employment, greater tax revenues to state and local governments, and growth in local retail sales. In this article, Hicham Jaddoud of North Star Mohican Casino uses a critical approach to demonstrate the positive contributions of the hospitality industry on local and regional communities. The article discusses the fiscal and induced contributions of the hospitality industry to local and regional communities, giving concrete examples of initiatives taken by hospitality firms to contribute to the local communities where they do business. READ MORE

In today's noisy world, brands are on a constant quest for more attention. To accomplish this, we often hear people discuss trends and how to best utilize them. One reason to follow a trend may be because you're trying to fit in. However, do you have to necessarily follow suit? In this piece, Amber Natale of the integrated brand development agency Smarthinking Inc. takes a closer look at four questions you should ask yourself to build brands that will stand the test of time and minimize the inherent risk that following trends brings with them. READ MORE

Technology affects every component of our daily lives, even as the executive of a hotel. From the front of house to the depths of the basement, there are opportunities to use technology to make improvements to your business, including one of the most overlooked areas: your hotel's laundry room and operations. There are three main ways the laundry game has changed: the invention of spray rinsing technology, optimum dryness level monitoring and cloud-based machine oversight. These features are changing the way hoteliers spend their time, manage their staff and generate increased revenue, both directly and indirectly. READ MORE

Our responsibility in retail and hospitality is to extend the wellness lifestyle experience to guests in their home away from home. Offering a comfortable sanctuary to a variety of individuals with different expectations is no easy feat. There is, however, one key ingredient that is universal: a GOOD sleep. As hospitality providers, we have evaluated the appearance of everything that might impact a deep night's rest: blackout curtains, soundproof doors and plush bedding. Now, it's time to go beyond the surface to offer a truly healthy, holistic and restorative sleep experience-that's GOOD on every level. READ MORE

Fortunately for the planet, the argument on whether or not hotels should "go green" is over. Now more than ever are hotels embracing environment conservation strategies. Aside from the typical linen reuse programs and energy efficient building features, hotels should look to embrace consumer trends in terms of food and beverage offerings that have a lower environmental impact. In this article, Amanda Hurley CHDM, Corporate Director of Marketing for broughtonHOTELS, explores the idea of hotel restaurants and F&B outlets offering plant-based menus and menu options in order to reduce their environmental impact, increase revenue, and improve customer satisfaction and loyalty. READ MORE

Research shows that the most successful companies worldwide have one thing in a common – a uniquely recognizable and memorable brand. So, as more and more travelers today seek unconventional travel experiences, hoteliers should consider how to uncover and successfully weave through a brand narrative that visitors and travelers alike can relate to and support. This includes an immersive experience that takes visitors through a hotel's brand narrative and nods to the region's history, locale and culture from space to space. Here's a look at key research and design practices hoteliers can apply to generate memorable and on-brand destinations. READ MORE

The importance of sustainability is an ongoing global conversation, and increasingly, consumers want to do business with companies focused on how to limit their environmental impact. This is especially true for the tourism industry. According to Booking.com's Sustainability Travel Report, travelers have a growing interest in experiencing authentic local experiences and 56 percent of travelers are seeking environmentally-friendly hotels with amenities that can offset their vacation carbon footprints. Now more than ever, it's time for industry experts to make sustainability a focal point and act on this growing consumer need for eco-friendly options by engaging with the community and creating opportunities for guests to make responsible travel decisions. READ MORE

With a high turnover rate, the hospitality industry as a whole is struggling with how to recruit the right employees and increase worker retention. Ron Mitchell is an HR tech founder who is using data insights to help hospitality workers define career paths and goals. Recognizing two key industry trends - that hospitality provides more opportunities for career growth than most other industries, and that strong customer service skills make hospitality workers prime recruitment targets for other industries like healthcare and property management - Ron's answer for employers is to invest in their employees' personal career growth, so that when they're ready to grow, they'll grow with you. READ MORE

The hospitality industry is going through an extremely difficult time right now due to the COVID-19 pandemic – employees across the country are being laid off and furloughed daily. Whenever the country does make a return to normalcy, hospitality will need to have structures in place to gradually restore the industry. It's certainly not going to happen overnight. So, companies need to use this extended period of downtime to formulate a rebound strategy that will set them up for success, which includes cross utilization and managing several financial aspects that hotels will need to develop a firm understanding of during this downtime. READ MORE