Skip to content

Search

Latest Stories

AHLA hosts second annual 'Responsible Stay Summit' in Washington

It extends AHLA's 2022 Responsible Stay initiative that promotes environmental sustainability

AHLA hosts second annual 'Responsible Stay Summit' in Washington

THE AMERICAN HOTEL & Lodging Association convened hotel and sustainability leaders in Washington for the second annual “Responsible Stay Summit” on Feb. 28, reaffirming the industry's dedication to environmental sustainability. The summit was part of AHLA’s 2022 Responsible Stay initiative and focused on energy efficiency, waste reduction, water conservation, and responsible sourcing, AHLA said in a statement.

The summit addressed environmental, social, and governance strategies, federal energy policy, and green financing, while offering crucial support to hoteliers in their sustainability efforts, the statement added.


This year's summit featured two announcements: AHLA and the Hotel Association of Canada unveiled a partnership to oversee the Green Key Global sustainability certification program in the U.S. and Canada starting April 1. Additionally, AHLA and Procure Impact launched a Dignity of Work Pledge, aiming to generate 100,000 hours of paid employment for underserved populations, thereby promoting responsible sourcing practices.

“AHLA is proud to host the inspiring Responsible Stay Summit, which is designed to help hoteliers build a more sustainable future for our guests, our industry, and our planet,” said Chip Rogers, AHLA’s president and CEO. “Hoteliers can always count on AHLA for the latest sustainability tools, resources, and best practices in this fast-evolving field.”

The event included speakers such as Dan Feldman, partner at Covington, Ben Feller, partner at Maslansky + Partners, Greg Gershuny, executive director of the Energy and Environment Program at The Aspen Institute, and Emily Kreps, global head of ESG and Sustainable Finance at Deutsche Bank, the statement said.

‘Green Key Global’

The Green Key Global sustainability certification program will be launched in the U.S. and Canada on April 1, AHLA said. The program evaluates hotels based on key criteria such as energy and water conservation, waste management, air quality, and more, offering a roadmap for ongoing enhancement.

“This partnership is a gamechanger for the hotel industry in the U.S. and Canada and takes our commitment to sustainability to the next level,” said Rogers. “Green Key Global provides important third-party validation for hotels’ sustainability efforts, and it gives sustainability-minded travelers the information they need to choose the lodging options that are right for them. AHLA and HAC will be working together to promote these goals through this important partnership.”

HAC established Green Key Global in 1994 to certify hotels' environmental policies, aligning its criteria with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

“We are so proud of the commitments hotels are making on the ground as part of this program,” said HAC President and CEO Susie Grynol. “Establishing a Green Key Global North American standard of sustainability allows more properties to elevate their leadership in this space, and through this partnership, we believe we can make sustainability accessible for all hotels.”

In October, AHLA teamed up with IncentiFind to help more than 30,000 AHLA members discover sustainability-focused cost-saving opportunities, resulting in significant operational expense reductions totaling $70 billion in incentives, including tax credits, grants, and fee waivers.

AHLA offers hoteliers multiple routes to a sustainable future, including:

More for you

G6 Hospitality Launches 24/7 Guest Support From August 1
Photo credit: G6 Hospitality

G6 launching 24x7 guest support on Aug. 1

Summary:

  • G6 Hospitality will launch 24x7 guest support on Aug. 1, expanding the current 18-hour window.
  • Escalations from phone, email and social media will be handled promptly by trained staff.
  • The service supports G6’s tech and service investments, including the AI-powered My6 app.

G6 HOSPITALITY, PARENT of Motel 6 and Studio 6, will launch a 24x7 customer support service for guests starting Aug. 1. The service extends the previous 18-hour window to full-day availability via phone, email and social media.

Keep ReadingShow less
Chart showing decline in U.S. extended-stay hotel occupancy and RevPAR in May 2025

Report: May fifth month for drop in extended-stay occupancy

Summary:

  • Extended-stay occupancy fell 2.2 percent in May, the fifth straight monthly decline; ADR and RevPAR also dropped for a second consecutive month.
  • May marked 44 straight months of supply growth for the segment at 4 percent or less, with annual growth below the 4.9 percent long-term average.
  • Extended-stay room revenues rose 0.5 percent, while total industry revenue grew 0.9 percent, led by segments with little extended-stay supply.

EXTENDED-STAY HOTEL occupancy fell 2.2 percent in May, the fifth consecutive monthly decline, exceeding the 0.7 percent drop reported for all hotels by STR/CoStar, according to The Highland Group. Extended-stay occupancy was 10.5 percentage points above the total hotel industry, at the lower end of the long-term average premium range.

Keep ReadingShow less
Auro Hotels Showcases India Culture at TCMU Exhibit

Auro unveils 'India Cultural Corner' for children

Summary:

  • Auro Hotels opened the India Cultural Corner, where children can check in and explore Indian culture at The Children's Museum of the Upstate.
  • Families can engage with community art, activities and storytelling about daily life in India.
  • The exhibit runs through May 2026, offering interactive learning on Indian culture.

AURO HOTELS RECENTLY opened the India Cultural Corner at The Children's Museum of the Upstate in Greenville, South Carolina, offering a look into Indian stories for American families. The exhibition, held at The Grand Geo Hotel and running through May 2026, includes a hotel desk where children can check in and explore Indian culture through interactive activities.

Keep ReadingShow less
U.S. Firms Lose $2.4 Trillion by Skimping on Business Travel

Report: Business travel gaps cost U.S. firms $2.4T

Summary:

  • U.S. companies risk losing more than $2.4 trillion in sales due to underinvestment in business travel, says GBTA.
  • An 8.3 percent T&E increase could drive a 6 percent sales gain, despite post-COVID virtual meeting tools.
  • Current T&E spending is $294 billion—$24 billion short of the $319.1 billion needed for peak profitability.

U.S. COMPANIES ARE missing more than $2.4 trillion in potential sales due to underinvestment in business travel, according to a Global Business Travel Association report. Despite a post-pandemic rebound, travel and entertainment spending remains $66 billion below 2019 levels.

Keep ReadingShow less
AI threats in hospitality

Study: Cyberattacks on hotels to surge

Summary:

  • Around 66 percent of hotel IT and security executives expect more cyberattacks this summer, and 50 percent anticipate greater severity, according to VikingCloud.
  • Guest-facing systems most at risk include POS and payment technology at 72 percent, guest WiFi at 56 percent and front desk systems at 34 percent.
  • About 48 percent of executives lack confidence in their staff’s ability to detect and respond to AI-driven attacks and deepfakes.

APPROXIMATELY 66 PERCENT of hotel IT and security executives expect an increase in cyberattack frequency and 50 percent anticipate greater severity during the summer travel season, according to cybersecurity firm VikingCloud. In summer 2024, 82 percent of North American hotels experienced a cyberattack and 58 percent were targeted five or more times.

Keep ReadingShow less