From Our Blog

Video Stories for Hotels

October, 27 2021

Video 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 2021

We 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 2021

As 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 2021

Eco-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 2021

History, 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 2021

October 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 2021

THLA 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 2021

Even 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 2021

Hurricane 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 2021

Each 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 2021

We 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 2021

THLA 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 2021

Blanco, 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 2021

Wellness 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 2021

This 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 2021

Wedding 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 2021

In1881, 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 2021

In 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 2021

Austin, 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 2021

June 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 2021

THLA 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 2021

THLA 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

THLA Helps Secure End to Federal Pandemic-Related Unemployment Benefits

May, 26 2021

Earlier this month, Governor Abbott announced that Texas will opt out of additional federal pandemic-related unemployment compensation, namely the $300 weekly supplement from the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation program. The… Read more »

Tyler Texas, The Rose Capital of Texas

May, 26 2021

No other town in Texas lays claim to a budding heritage quite like Tyler’s. Tucked serenely in beautiful East Texas, Tyler is home to some of the state’s most bountiful… Read more »

Call to congress to Pass ‘Save Hotel Jobs Act’ to Help Hotel Workers

April, 29 2021

WASHINGTON (April 28, 2021) – The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) and UNITE HERE, the largest hospitality workers union in North America, today joined forces to call on Congress… Read more »

Certain Lodging Operators Eligible to Participate in SBA’s Restaurant Revitalization Fund

April, 29 2021

The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) recently distributed the below news about the American Rescue Plan’s Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF).  This new program, authorized by Congress and administered by… Read more »

Important Updates from the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC)

April, 29 2021

Since February 2021, the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) has engaged in an active email campaign informing stakeholders of major reforms the agency will be implementing this year. Most of… Read more »

Longview- Your East Texas Adventure Awaits!

April, 29 2021

If you are looking for something out of the ordinary, you’ve come to the right place. Whether you live nearby or are planning an overnight trip, there are activities to… Read more »

March 2021 Texas Legislative Update

March, 30 2021

By: Nilesh Patel, Brian Sullivan & Justin Bragiel  We are now more than halfway into the 2021 Texas Legislative Session, committee hearings are in full swing and the action is… Read more »