Celebrating 2024’s Hospitality Stars

The first time I traveled through Newark Liberty International Airport’s Terminal A last year, I felt like I had stepped into the future. In the place of static wayfinding signs, digital screens guided me through the concourse, where outdated gate areas were replaced with sleek, light-filled spaces. Passengers lounged on wooden plank recliners instead of squatting on the floor, with devices plugged in to countless outlets (that actually worked). Heck, at one point, I even spotted a robot helping bus dishes inside the United Club lounge.

The Caribbean island of Grenada celebrates 50 years of independence this year. Grenada’s history is derived from a diverse array of influences, including the early indigenous Amerindian communities of which artifacts can still be found today, to the later European colonial powers. The island has changed hands between the French and British quite a lot. Therefore, the island has been mainly shaped by the hands of the French, British and later African influences.

Today marks an eagerly anticipated event in the culinary world as France's Michelin restaurant stars are unveiled from the Palais des Congrès in Tours. Renowned globally for its gastronomic prowess, France's culinary landscape is celebrated once again with the prestigious Michelin Guide's star ratings. From cozy bistros to haute cuisine establishments, these stars represent the pinnacle of culinary excellence. Here are the latest additions, which will be guiding food enthusiasts and travelers to the most exceptional dining experiences across France.

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Last year, Dubai Airports CEO Paul Griffiths landed at JFK and it took him four-and-a-half-hours to get through immigration. 

The Future Hospitality Summit (FHS), the region’s most influential hospitality and tourism investment event - now transformed and titled ‘FHS World’ and double in size - returns to Dubai this September.

Earth Day, celebrated each year on April 22, has evolved into the largest civic event on the planet since its origins in 1970, activating billions across 192 countries to safeguard the planet and fight for a brighter future. Its impact thus far has resulted in hundreds of millions of trees being planted, $7 billion in school grants, 2.7 billion Acts of Green and 36 million cleanup volunteers. This year’s theme, “Planet vs. Plastics,” calls to advocate for widespread awareness on the overall concerns associated with plastics.

The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into the hospitality sector marks a significant shift in how hotels deliver customer service. In an industry where personalized experience is key, AI offers a myriad of opportunities to enhance guest satisfaction and streamline operations. Let’s explore the various ways hotels are utilizing AI to improve the customer experience, with real-world examples, and speculates on future AI applications in this space.

The World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards (WSTHA) has unveiled 21 categories for its inaugural global programme, which aims to recognise and share the stories of individuals and organisations making an impactful contribution in sustainable travel and tourism. The categories have been selected by an Advisory Board made up of 11 leaders in sustainable travel and tourism to reflect the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and net positive framework of People, Planet, Place, Prosperity and Partnerships.

Jane Krakowski has made a career of jumping from TV roles to movie sets to Broadway productions, so having the Tony-winning, Emmy-nominated star of 30 Rock swing and flip her way, Cirque du Soleil-style, through an acrobatic opening act as host of the gala at Forbes Travel Guide’s 2024 Summit wasn’t the biggest challenge of the week in Las Vegas.

New platform from Langham Hospitality Group offers instant benefits, point redemptions and path to more bespoke and engaging encounters.

HAMA’s President, Sarah Gulla, currently serves as senior vice president of asset management at Pebblebrook Hotel Trust.