“Morocco is open, Morocco is safe, and Morocco is still an incredible place to visit.”
25.08.2023 - 13:33 / skift.com / Carley Thornell
When Silla Kaina and her new colleague Lokalia Poniliʻulā Farm make baskets, bracelets, and hats from native hala trees on or near Montage Kapalua Bay, they do more than weave. They also piece together a narrative.
The duo of cultural ambassadors — generations apart, but with common goals to educate and immerse staff and guests alike in the traditions, history, music, and art of native Hawaiians — are part of a growing cadre of hotel cultural directors.
A trend in hoteliers hiring cultural directors is a response to rising consumer interest in cultural tourism. A survey by the United Nations’ World Tourism Organization has categorized roughly 40 percent of international tourist trips as having cultural tourism as at least one objective.
Far from Pacific breezes, Hotel Revival Baltimore describes its location as the “intersection of culture, creativity, and community.” One of the primary reasons is the hotel’s director of culture and impact, Jason Bass.
Since the middle of 2020, Bass has been using his experience curating pop-up culinary events with diverse musical acts, bringing similar programming to Revival to entertain guests and locals alike.
Enlivening Revival’s food-and-beverage is one of Bass’s responsibilities.
Bass also promotes what he calls “‘impact hospitality” — partnerships with local brands, artists, and nonprofits to kickstart their businesses. Those include coffee offerings from Black-owned Black Acres Roastery, and guest room pillowcases and bonnets from an independent Black businesswoman crafted especially for non-braided hair.
“There are more than a few people coming here and enjoying it over the alternatives that are in market. And we’re not even in a tourist district,” Bass said. “We’re in a culturally rich and diverse district. We become a better fit and in the community because of all the different things that execute well in an authentic way.”
Revival is not alone ashotel building and investment continues into traditionally peripheral or underdeveloped communities. For instance, Hilton’s Foundry Hotel in Asheville’s historically Black Block neighborhood honors the area’s past with curated artwork, a soul-food-based restaurant, and referrals to local tour guides.
As hospitality veers more and more toward immersion and authenticity, cultural directors can become engagement catalysts. They expand the boundaries of a traditional concierge.
At Four Seasons Resort Hualalai, there’s a different cultural manager for diverse specialties, including hula dancing, music, and weaving. Many activities are hands-on at a dedicated facility free for guests said new manager Kaaiohelo McAfee-Torco.
One program at the hotel’s Ka’ūpulehu Cultural Center recently welcomed Big Island residents
“Morocco is open, Morocco is safe, and Morocco is still an incredible place to visit.”
Hotels are always opening across the U.S. as hospitality giants such as Hilton, Marriott and Hyatt expand their footprint and charming new boutiques pop up.
Those who love to be the among first guests to experience a new hotel have one thing going for them—the world keeps opening more. From the Maldives to Milan to Manhattan, here are the top new luxury hotels to check out (and into) this fall.
Following two flat months, Hillsborough County’s hospitality industry saw a large surge in growth in July according to the latest reports from STR, Inc. July’s hotel revenues were up 13.8% while occupancy increased by 3.4% to 70.4%, average daily rate (ADR) up 11.5% to $143.55 and RevPAR up 15.3% to $101.08. July tourist development tax collections for Hillsborough County, which reflect June collections, came in at $4,347,279, bringing the total collection for the fiscal year to $56,732,408. Total taxable hotel revenue through June has reached more than $900 million for the fiscal year-to-date indicating that Hillsborough County will surpass $1 billion for the second continuous fiscal year.
Flying from New York to Chicago every weekend for grad school while also working a full-time job may sound impossible for most, but a woman on TikTok has detailed exactly how she does it.
Orlando is gearing up for an extraordinary autumn filled with Halloween thrills and fall festivities. With 93 days of frightful scares and family-friendly fun at theme parks and attractions, savory culinary experiences and vibrant cultural celebrations throughout the destination, Orlando presents an exceptional lineup of fall events for visitors of all ages. “From experiencing a taste of our dining scene at a discounted price to the Halloween thrills that you can only find in the Halloween Vacation Capital, Orlando offers something for every traveler this fall,” said Casandra Matej, president and CEO for Visit Orlando. “Lively local events, ranging from our local LGBTQ+ pride celebration to our Hispanic heritage celebration, round out the diverse offerings.”
San Antonio, a city nestled in the heart of Texas, is a vibrant and diverse city that thrives on its rich cultural heritage. San Antonio is a melting pot of cultures and traditions, from its iconic River Walk to its historic missions. One of the most captivating aspects of the city is its celebration of culture, diversity, and inclusion through a myriad of festivals that take place throughout the year.
Situated in the Tallest Building in Croatia, AC Hotel by Marriott Split Offers a Curated, Seamless Guest Experience with Panoramic views of the city and the Adriatic Sea.
There are many reasons to fall in love with the Azores, a Portuguese archipelago in the middle of the Atlantic that’s often called the Hawaii of Europe. The islands are green; they’re lush; they’re beautiful. And there’s a lot of delicious cheese. They’re also still places that are still largely free from mass tourism, and they’re home to a growing number of delightful boutique hotels. These are some of the loveliest.
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Hotel loyalty programs were one of the surprise gainers of the pandemic era lull in travel and the post-pandemic boom.
InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) said on Monday that it had added Iberostar Hotels & Resorts as a new brand through a 30-year licensing deal that lets IHG market the all-inclusive hotels and resorts. “Up to 70 hotels,” equal to about 24,300 rooms, will become bookable through IHG’s website and app under the Iberostar Beachfront Resorts brand — the 18th IHG brand.