From Our Blog
Hotel Industry Trends 2022
December, 29 2021The pandemic affected the hospitality and travel industries more than most an compelled them to innovate and adapt. See top trends for 2022
Granbury Texas, Restore Yourself
December, 28 2021There are so many ways to restore yourself in Granbury, Texas, voted the Best Historic Small Town in America by the readers of USA Today, THREE years in a row.
Texas Human Trafficking Prevention Training Law Takes Effect
December, 28 2021The Texas hotel industry, in coordination with the major hotel brands and the American Hotel & Lodging Association, advocated for the passage of the Texas human trafficking prevention training legislation.
Common Record Retention Time Periods
December, 21 2021It is a common question we receive. Even in the era of electronic records, it is good practice to establish a policy of how long documents should be retained. This guide covers the most common records that hoteliers keep.
Child Care Scholarships- Opportunities for Hospitality Workers
November, 30 2021The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) is providing extra help to the service industry, which was hit hard by the pandemic, by providing 12 months of free child care to low-income parents who are employed in the service industry.
10 Lessons from a Texas Tourism & Hospitality Legend: Larry Woods
November, 30 2021Personalized and Purposeful Experiences
November, 29 2021Data trends confirm over 80% of consumers prefer brands offering them personalized experiences.
In the post-pandemic environment, travelers seek informed and purposeful experiences.
Personalization is not a perk, it’s expected.
Port Isabel-Deep Roots in Texas History
October, 28 2021Video Stories for Hotels
October, 27 2021Video offers hotels a great opportunity to immerse their guests in their individual stories and to showcase their amenities through their website.
The Third Legislative Session Ended with a Big Win for the Texas Lodging Industry
October, 27 2021We are pleased to report that in Section 2 of SB 8, the Texas Legislature appropriated $180 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to the Governor’s office… Read more »
12 Tips for Hotel Marketing During the Holidays
October, 27 2021As travel and economic conditions continue to recover from the global pandemic, this holiday season presents opportunities for hotels to capitalize on what has traditionally been the most lucrative time… Read more »
Eco-Friendly Travel
September, 30 2021Eco-friendly hotels are expected now
Hotels and resorts have been going green for years, but what used to be a trend is now an expectation for eco-friendly travelers.
Sustainable hospitality does less harm to the environment, lowers costs, and garners goodwill from guests.
Dripping Springs – Gateway to the Hill Country
September, 28 2021History, Arts and Culture, Shopping, Restaurants, Sports and Events, Hotels and Lodging Dripping Springs is well-known as the “Gateway to the Hill Country” and is also, recognized as the official, “Wedding Capital of… Read more »
September 2021 COVID-19 Federal Vaccine Mandate: Things to know
September, 27 2021October 11th Update: Governor’s Executive Order On October 11th, Governor Abbott issued an executive order that states, “No entity in Texas can compel receipt of a COVID-19 vaccine by any… Read more »
THLA proposes bylaws amendment
September, 15 2021THLA proposes bylaws amendment Texas Hotel & Lodging Association’s board of directors and THLA members in attendance will consider and vote on a minor amendment to the THLA bylaws at… Read more »
The Benefits of Contactless Check-in
August, 31 2021Even before the Covid pandemic, contactless check-in was a valued feature for travelers.
Contactless check-in and communication allow hotels to adhere to socially distanced travel requirements, minimize touchpoints, increase staff efficiencies, enhance guest services, and offer greater opportunities for targeted marketing to guests.
Contactless check-in consistently ranks at the top of customer satisfaction surveys.
Hurricane Ida
August, 29 2021Hurricane Evacuees making their own travel reservations: Click here for telephone and website contact information for hotel brands with hotels located in Texas. Updated: August 29, 2021 Hurricane Ida update:… Read more »
Federal Per Diem Rates Maintained at FY2021 Levels
August, 27 2021Each year, the General Services Administration (GSA) sets a per diem rate to reimburse employees’ lodging expenses for official travel within the continental United States. Normally, GSA calculates per diems… Read more »
Grants available for EV Charging Stations- Deadline Approaching
August, 27 2021We are excited to inform you about a state and federal grant/tax credit opportunity for hotels that are interested in installing “charging stations” for electric vehicles. Electric Vehicles (EV’s) are… Read more »
THLA Virtual Interactive Webinar Series: Best of THLA Short Course Session 3
July, 29 2021THLA is excited to offer the second no-cost virtual interactive webinar series, each session featuring one of our three top-rated speakers from our award-winning THLA Short Course.
Going Beyond the Brand: Personal Branding for Leaders
Top Short Course Speaker Karen McCullough, Thursday, July 15th: 2pm – 3:30pm
Deep in the Heart of the Texas Hill Country – Blanco
July, 29 2021Blanco, Texas is a unique and beautiful gem in the famous Texas Hill Country. A small town with a big heart, Blanco is the perfect place to explore all of… Read more »
Wellness Tourism 2021
July, 29 2021Wellness tourism has been a growing trend for several years, but as we emerge cautiously from our shared pandemic stress, loss, and anxiety, the focus on self-care is keen.
July 30th – Raise Awareness of Human Trafficking
July, 29 2021This Friday, July 30, is the United Nations World Day Against Trafficking of Persons. This day raises awareness of human trafficking, which is the use of force, fraud, or coercion… Read more »
Reserving Hotel Room Blocks for a Wedding
July, 21 2021Wedding planning can be exciting…AND stressful. With COVID-related restrictions on the decline, destination weddings involving hotels and out-of-town guests for even the smallest events mean that advance planning by hotel… Read more »
Monahans-the Oasis of the West Texas Desert
June, 29 2021In1881, John Thomas Monahan dug the first well in the sand hills of West Texas, originally know as Monahan’s Well. A few years later the town was known simply as… Read more »
THLA & TWC Roundtable on Labor Shortages
June, 29 2021In response to the current labor shortage, THLA hosted a virtual meeting with the Texas Work Force Commission on June 3, 2021 to discuss strategies to attract more workers to… Read more »
THLA and BEST partnership furthers the goal of training all hotel employees to recognize human trafficking
June, 14 2021Austin, Texas The Texas Hotel and Lodging Association (THLA) and Businesses Ending Slavery and Trafficking (BEST) are pleased to announce that Texas Governor Greg Abbott recently signed House Bill 390… Read more »
2021 Legislative Report
June, 7 2021June 2021 Overview The 2021 Legislative Session produced very important results for the Texas lodging industry. THLA offered and passed tourism public improvement district (TPID) legislation that provided much needed… Read more »
Anti-Human Trafficking Legislation Signed by Governor Abbott
May, 27 2021THLA is pleased to announce that Governor Abbott has signed into law House Bill 390 (authored by Rep. Senfronia Thompson, D-Houston) relating to annual human trafficking awareness and prevention training… Read more »
THLA Virtual Interactive Webinar Series: Best of THLA Short Course Session 2
May, 27 2021THLA is excited to offer the second no-cost virtual interactive webinar series, each session featuring one of our three top-rated speakers from our award-winning THLA Short Course.
Going Beyond the Brand: Personal Branding for Leaders
Top Short Course Speaker Karen McCullough, Thursday, July 15th: 2pm – 3:30pm