CSR and Sustainability

📅 A recent DHS regulatory change affects J-1 visa holders in luxury hotels, moving from "Duration of Status" to fixed admission dates. This impacts international talent in hospitality by removing the flexibility for program extensions or delays. A 12-month hotel program might face operational disruption if trainees arrive late, as this affects training and guest experience. Properties must audit J-1 timelines and adjust scheduling to mitigate service disruptions, ensuring seamless guest service continuity.

🏨 Starting October 1, 2026, the General Services Administration (GSA) will increase the fiscal year 2027 per diem rates. The standard lodging allowance for most of the continental U.S. will rise by $3.00 to $113.00 per day, while the meals and incidental expenses remain at $68.00. This adjustment aims to support local jobs, sustain hotels, and boost community investments, as emphasized by AHLA President Rosanna Maietta.

🍳 Hospitality operators have faced challenges like recessions, changing consumer habits, labor shortages, rising costs, and regulatory changes. Despite these, some businesses outperform others. Factors such as a stronger brand, better location, wealthier customer base, or attractive concept might contribute to success.

📚 Kennedy Training Network (KTN) will hold a 40-minute training webcast for hotel staff at noon ET on Friday, September 25. The session, free due to sponsorship from Travel Outlook and Track Hospitality Software, will focus on upselling tactics for front desk and reservations. The webcast highlights the decline of self-upselling, emphasizing authentic, human interactions at the front desk and incremental quoting. Additional sessions are scheduled for October 23 and November 20, covering hospitality leadership and sales strategies.

📜 From 7th-13th September 2026, Novotel is launching its first Longevity Week, highlighting small daily habits for healthier living. A global study with 13,000 respondents from 12 countries shows 71% are more focused on wellbeing than five years ago. Despite this, 76% wish for healthier lifestyles, while 67% struggle with misinformation. Novotel's 37 Collective, including experts like Olympic surfer Kauli Vaast, will lead sessions on Eat, Sleep, Move, and Meet. Novotel’s initiative underscores the importance of incremental progress for longevity.

💰 Whitbread, owner of Premier Inn, was identified by the government among 658 employers underpaying workers below the National Minimum Wage, affecting 342 employees with a total shortfall of £4,193. Across all businesses, £4 million was repaid to over 27,000 workers, with £7 million in penalties issued. This marks the first naming round since the Fair Work Agency's inception in April 2026. Since 2011, more than £100 million in penalties has been imposed, with £66 million repaid to 650,000 workers.