Regulatory and Legal Affairs

📈 Thursday, 19 June 2025, Europe: HOTREC, Euro Coop, Independent Retail Europe, and RURALTOUR, representing over 3 million companies and 20 million jobs, have issued a joint statement on the Green Claims Directive. They express concerns about excessive bureaucracy, increased costs, and legal uncertainty. The statement urges EU legislators to delay finalizing the Directive until it is simplified. HOTREC emphasizes the importance of balancing environmental communication with SME competitiveness.

📅 June 28, 2025 deadline is set for the European Accessibility Act (EAA), affecting EU-focused hoteliers' digital channels. Complying involves adhering to WCAG 2.1 AA standards, ensuring websites are accessible for users with impairments. Key requirements include screen reader compatibility, keyboard navigation, and color contrast. Beyond compliance, accessibility enhances user experience, SEO, and brand reputation. The Hotels Network aids compliance through personalized, inclusive tools, facilitating a seamless digital experience for all users.

🌍 59% of queer travelers have faced discrimination while traveling, according to a Booking.com study. 57% expect discrimination from locals, and 43% have canceled trips due to non-supportive destinations. Canada, Malta, New Zealand, Portugal, and Spain are deemed safest by the Spartacus International Gay Guide. Hostile environments include Saudi Arabia, Iran, Afghanistan, Yemen, and certain U.S. states. Frank Harrison highlights potential safety issues such as harassment, violence, and incarceration for LGBTQIA+ travelers.

💸 Hoteliers from over 25 European countries filed a lawsuit in the Netherlands against Booking.com on June 17, 2025, alleging excessive commission charges via parity clauses. The legal move seeks billions of euros in damages, following a 2023 European Court of Justice ruling challenging such clauses. Lawyers estimate France's claim alone could reach €1.5 billion. The lawsuit targets commissions paid from 2004 to 2024, with Booking.com holding 70% of Europe's OTA hotel bookings last year.

🏠 Airbnb clashes with hotel industry as anti-tourism protests erupt across southern Europe on June 17, 2025. Demonstrations in Barcelona, Venice, and Ibiza spotlight the impact of tourism on housing and local life. Airbnb's Theo Yedinsky argues hotels, comprising nearly 80% of EU guest nights, are the real culprits of overtourism. Spain orders Airbnb to delist 65,000 properties; Greece freezes new short-term rentals in Athens for a year. Airbnb calls for solutions targeting hotel regulation.

📈 Last week, Donald Trump stated immigration policy changes are imminent, pausing enforcement in sectors like agriculture and hospitality. On Thursday, ICE senior official Tatum King directed a halt on related operations. About 1 million undocumented immigrants work in restaurants, a sector facing workforce gaps. Texas Restaurant Association seeks immigrant labor to address shortages. On Sunday, Trump suggested stricter enforcement in Democrat-led cities. The Department of Homeland Security and ICE did not comment.

💸 RobosizeME, on 16 June 2025, in Prague, launched their Financial Reconciliation Suite on Oracle Cloud Marketplace. This suite automates commission reconciliation for hospitality clients by analyzing OTA reservations and PMS data. It aims to reduce revenue leakage and manual processing. RobosizeME's collaboration with Oracle leverages cloud infrastructure for scalability and accuracy, underscoring their commitment to financial efficiency in hospitality. Strategic partners include Design Hotels, Kempinski, and Radisson Hotel Group.

🚄 In 2009, during the financial crisis, my dad moved our family 2,000 miles north to Idaho to plant a church community, giving away his plumbing business to a young friend. Starting afresh, he rented a farm and took on small jobs. In a few years, the business flourished, leading to the purchase of a collapsing brick Ford service station for a bakery and creamery. We also transformed an old appliance shop into a quilt store. Later, we discovered the 120-year-old WI&M Car 306 train car.

✈️ Lufthansa now offers unlimited free chatting on intercontinental flights, supported by Mastercard. Passengers can use familiar messaging apps for text and photo sharing, regardless of travel class. Access requires a login to FlyNet with a Miles & More card or Lufthansa Group Travel ID email. Sign-up is available during flights, allowing travelers to stay connected with loved ones.

📈 Essendi, in 2024, achieved a 17% reduction in GHG emissions since 2019, aligning with the Paris Agreement. Located in Europe, Essendi has 220 Green Key certified hotels and 95 BREEAM In-Use certified properties. Their food waste program reduced waste by 25-30% in 50 hotels. A €208 million investment up to 2030 supports the carbon transition plan. This includes phasing out gas and boosting renewable energy use. Essendi integrates ESG criteria into financial strategies, strengthening its ESG strategy by 2026.