CSR and Sustainability

🏨 Jagruti Panwala, President and CEO of Wealth Protection Strategies and an AHLA Executive Committee member, will receive the Peggy Berg Castell Award at The Lodging Conference 2026 on October 7 in Phoenix, Arizona. The award recognizes her leadership and dedication to advancing women in hospitality. Panwala, the seventh award recipient, supports the AHLA Foundation’s FORWARD movement, promoting gender equity. Her career spans various hospitality roles, inspiring women to pursue leadership positions in the industry.

📍 In 2025, the National Park Service recorded over 323 million recreational visits. Booking.com found 60% of travelers are interested in wellness retreats. A 2025 survey noted 69% of Gen Z travelers favor hotels with social opportunities. Additionally, 73% of global travelers aim to support local businesses, with sustainability a priority for 91% of Gen Z travelers. Hoteliers are adapting by promoting local culture, community connections, and environmental responsibility.

🍹 Himkok in Oslo, Angelita in Madrid, and Fura in Singapore feature on the inaugural Europe’s 50 Best Bars list released on July 1, 2026. Himkok and Angelita reduce waste with renewable energy and a 'no ice' system saving 45,000kg of water annually. Fura incorporates plant-based, local ingredients, including jellyfish, due to their prevalence. Cambridge Public House in Paris emphasizes 'responsibility', while De Vie adopts a 'farm to glass' model, utilizing all ingredients. Reka:Bar in Kuala Lumpur creates a 'Domino Effect' to minimize waste.

🌱 Palladium Hotel Group, in partnership with Fundación Abel Matutes and Fundación Blue Life, opened the Palladium Blue Life HUB at Grand Palladium Select Palace Ibiza to protect Mediterranean ecosystems. The centre includes a Posidonia nursery, gorgonian coral recovery area, and marine research lab. Visitors can engage in guided dives and educational activities. This initiative is part of Palladium Cares, aiming to safeguard Posidonia seagrass and coralligenous reefs.

💸 Zohran Mamdani, New York City Mayor, announced 50 policy changes to ease financial burdens on NYC's 180,000 small businesses by waiving fees and expediting inspections. 📈 Gen Z alcohol consumption rose from 66% in 2023 to 74%. 🎸 The Bruce Springsteen Center for American Music opened at Monmouth University, NJ, featuring 30,000 sq ft of exhibition space. 📅 Today, August 7th, is the deadline for Gold Key Awards submissions, with winners announced on November 9th in New York.

📖 HOSPA Professional Development received a grant from the Savoy Educational Trust to fund scholarships for hospitality workers pursuing finance and revenue management qualifications. The funding targets self-funded learners, not employer-sponsored, aiding their professional education while they continue working. By July 2021, HOSPA transferred its education programs to Heyward Group under a five-year agreement. By December 2025, the professional development arm was running 19 courses with a 95% success rate.

📚 Michele De Lucchi, appointed as Creative Director at Triennale Milano in 2023, aims to foster sustainability and innovation. Trained at the University of Florence, he was part of the Radical Architecture movement. His work at Palazzo Dell'Arte includes a reversible bridge, enhancing the Design Museum's entrance. De Lucchi emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration and preserving Italian craftsmanship. His international experience aligns with Triennale's global outlook, balancing planned exhibitions with spontaneous cultural events.

🌍 In 2026, the 42-key Lagen Island Resort in Palawan, Philippines, was renovated by WATG and Wimberly Interiors with minimal disruption to its 15-acre natural setting. The resort features a waterfront arrival building, spa, bar, dive center, and chapel. Interiors and new structures, like the Sunset Bar and Water villas, emphasize Filipino craftsmanship and environmental harmony. The design maintains a seamless connection between the resort and its surrounding landscape, promoting relaxation and sustainability.

🚨 The AHLA Foundation held its annual No Room for Trafficking Summit in Washington, D.C., coinciding with the UN’s World Day Against Trafficking in Persons. The NRFT Survivor Fund reached $10 million, with $5 million in matching funds from the foundation. Since 2023, over $3 million has been awarded to anti-trafficking organizations. The 2026 grantees span across the U.S., with key funding from major hotel groups including Hilton and Marriott, aiming to enhance survivor support and prevention efforts.

🚨 AHLA Foundation expands its No Room for Trafficking (NRFT) initiative through a Memorandum of Understanding with Hotels Canada, strengthening anti-trafficking collaboration across borders. Kevin Carey and Beth McMahon emphasize a united response. The NRFT Advisory Council welcomes Gerrod Bede and Marina Elsener to enhance strategic direction. The 2026 NRFT Summit is on July 30 in Arlington, VA, gathering industry leaders to combat trafficking effectively.