Over the years, luxury has been defined by everything from fancy objects and shiny finishes to exceptional service and authentic experiences. Today's definition of luxury encompasses a new element, eco-consciousness. Whether a property is Platinum LEED certified and positions itself as “green” or simply promotes responsible practices, an element of eco-tourism is now the expectation at upscale hotels and resorts around the world. Leisure travel contributed $7.58 trillion last year to the global economy. Furthermore, the number of travelers who are aware of sustainable travel issues and the willingness of said travelers to spend on environmentally-sustainable travel have increased by a third in the last decade. READ MORE

Explore the evolution of wellness in hospitality from the early days of Greco-Roman Thermae to the thermal spas of Central Europe and US resort towns to ultra-modern spas in the heart of the Swiss Alps. As wellness takes on a renewed importance in hospitality, we see medical science-based technological innovation applied to the health and well-being of hotel guests through the Stay Well Rooms program created by health-centric real estate developer Delos. Learn how major hotel firms are incorporating robust wellness programs into their brands. Watch wellness evolve to satisfy growing market demands with technological advances and innovative programs. READ MORE

In 1994 & 1995 a British economist working on corporate social responsibility coined two phrases- Triple Bottom Line, and later People Planet & Profit. The simple three word phrase describes a sea change in hotel operations that would take place over the next 2 decades. John Elkington's minimal catch phrases for the complex theories of sustainability were easy to understand and provided a simple road map for business. Recognizing cost savings from reductions in water, waste, energy and chemicals as well as the value of preserving regional icons as travel destinations, the Planet piece of Elkington's phrase is now accepted as mainstream hotel operation. READ MORE

The hospitality industry is a unique sector when factoring in the total amount of guests that visit any given facility in a single year. Most commercial buildings do not see nearly the amount of people visiting their facilities in comparison to the lodging industry's visits. The Environmental Protection Agency has reported, “on average, America's 47,000 hotels spend $2,196 per available room each year on energy.” READ MORE

Responding to years of pressure from union advocates and their allies, the California Occupational Safety and Health Administration (Cal/OSHA) has proposed a first-in-the-nation, industry-specific rule aimed at hotel housekeepers. If enacted, this proposal would greatly impact the industry in California (as well as operators who conduct business in multiple states including California). In addition, as California tends to lead the nation in employment and workplace safety standards, operators in other states should monitor this proposal closely - what happens in California may come to your state next! READ MORE