TORONTO, ON - June 23, 2026 - The Greater Toronto Hotel Association (GTHA) is proud to announce that it has received the Communications Award at the 2026 International Society of Hotel Associations (ISHA) Conference, held June 15–17 in Chicago. The award recognizes the GTHA’s Attraction Spotlight Series, an innovative partnership program that connects the hospitality and tourism industries to promote visitor experiences across the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).

Launched in partnership with Attractions Ontario and the Toronto Attractions Council, the free virtual program provides attractions with an opportunity to showcase upcoming events, exhibits, and seasonal offerings directly to hotel staff. Through short presentations featuring videos, photos, and updates, hotel teams gain valuable knowledge to better recommend local experiences to guests.

The Attraction Spotlight Series runs five times annually, aligned with key travel periods including spring break, summer, fall, and the holiday season. The GTHA brings together the hotel audience, while Attractions Ontario and the Toronto Attractions Council engage their attraction members to participate.

Since launching in 2025, the program has attracted strong industry interest, with more than 130 registrations and nearly 80 attendees participating across the first five sessions. The initiative has also helped increase awareness of the GTHA within the broader tourism community, contributing to increased social media engagement and new membership interest.

“This award is a wonderful recognition of the power of collaboration across our industry,” said Kelly Harris, Director of Marketing & Stakeholder Relations. “When hotels and attractions work together to share what is happening across the GTA, we help inspire visitors, encourage longer stays, and support increased tourism spending throughout the region.”
The ISHA Communications Award recognizes outstanding communications initiatives by hotel associations that demonstrate creativity, effectiveness, and meaningful impact within the hospitality industry.

PHOENIX, Arizona (June 22, 2026) – BWH Hotels, a leading hospitality enterprise comprised of three hotel companies including WorldHotels™, Best Western® Hotels & Resorts and SureStay® Hotels, today announced the appointment of Torin Beeler as Managing Director, Worldwide Sales – Corporate Travel. Beeler will report to Chad Fletcher, Senior Vice President of Worldwide Sales, and lead the global corporate travel sales strategy for BWH Hotels.

"Corporate travel remains a significant opportunity for BWH Hotels, and Torin brings the experience and industry expertise needed to help us accelerate our growth in this segment," said Chad Fletcher, Senior Vice President of Worldwide Sales, BWH Hotels. "His success leading global sales organizations, building strategic customer relationships, and delivering strong commercial performance throughout his career makes him exceptionally well-positioned to lead our Corporate Travel business."

In his role, Beeler will oversee global Corporate Travel sales initiatives focused on revenue growth, strategic partnerships and business development. He will collaborate with commercial and cross-functional teams to advance sales performance and create value for hotel partners and clients worldwide.

With extensive hospitality industry experience, Beeler brings a strong background in global sales leadership and business development. Throughout his career, he has held leadership roles across the hospitality sector, helping organizations strengthen customer relationships, expand business opportunities and drive commercial growth.

“I am honored to join BWH Hotels at such an exciting time for the company," said Beeler. "With a diverse portfolio, a strong global presence and continued momentum across its brands, BWH Hotels is well-positioned for growth. I look forward to working with the Worldwide Sales team and our hotel partners to strengthen corporate travel relationships, create new opportunities and deliver value across the portfolio.”

NORTH BETHESDA, Md., June 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- As millions of Americans hit the road this summer, Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH) is helping travelers embrace a simple idea: sometimes the best part of the journey isn't the destination – it's the detour. That mindset reflects a broader travel trend in the US, with more than 80 percent of travelers open to visiting destinations beyond major gateway cities, according to a recent study by the U.S. Travel Association.

Today, Choice Hotels launched their Great American Detour campaign, a new summer travel initiative celebrating the unexpected stops, hidden gems and local discoveries that transform ordinary road trips into unforgettable adventures. At the center of the campaign is Choice Hotels' inaugural Detours Worth Taking guide, a curated collection of destinations and nearby Choice Hotels designed to help travelers uncover memorable unexpected finds, local favorites and scenic surprises while making the most of their travel budgets.

From quirky roadside landmarks and scenic small towns to regional food destinations and natural wonders, the guide spotlights experiences travelers may miss when focused solely on reaching their final destination.

"Road trips have always been about more than getting from Point A to Point B," said Noha Abdalla, Chief Marketing Officer, Choice Hotels International. "The moments people remember most are often the ones they didn't plan for, like a hidden gem that catches the eye, a recommendation from someone local, or a memorable stop discovered along the way. We're celebrating these unexpected experiences and encouraging travelers to make the most out of every mile. With thousands of hotels located near highways and destinations across the country, we're helping people uncover experiences worth visiting while providing comfortable, convenient places to stay so they can focus on making meaningful memories along the way."

Introducing the Detours Worth Taking Guide

The Detours Worth Taking guide highlights a handpicked selection of destinations that capture the spirit of discovery – featuring authentic local charm, unique experiences and memorable stops worth adding to any road trip. Featured destinations include:

• Buffalo, New York
• Plymouth, Massachusetts
• Biscayne National Park – Homestead, Florida
• Chincoteague & Assateague Island – Maryland
• Baxter Springs & Route 66, Kansas
• Lake Superior – Duluth, Minnesota
• Galena, Illinois
• Olympic National Park – Washington
• Taos, New Mexico
• Palisades, Colorado

For more information, visit ChoiceHotels.com/explore/road-trips/detours-worth-taking. Additional Detours Worth Taking lists will be released throughout the summer.

Mississauga, Ontario – June 11, 2026 – Ontario's hospitality industry supports more than 450,000 jobs and generates billions in economic activity annually. However, hospitality continues to face workforce shortages and challenges in attracting new talent. With more than 60% of hospitality workers under the age of 35, investing in youth awareness, career exploration, and workforce development is essential to ensuring the industry's future success.

To help address these challenges, OHI – We Are Hospitality, powered by the Ontario Restaurant Hotel & Motel Association (ORHMA), continues to build pathways between students and the industry through workforce development initiatives such as the Be Our Guest Program. By connecting students with employers, educators, and workplace experiences, the program introduces young talent to the wide range of rewarding careers available within hospitality.

2 weeks ago, OHI celebrated the success of these efforts through two Be Our Guest Program Celebrations. The first event took place on June 2, where Friday Harbour Resort welcomed students from the Simcoe County District School Board. A second celebration was hosted on June 4 at the Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel for students from the Toronto District School Board. Together, the events brought together more than 100 attendees, including students, teachers, hospitality employers, industry leaders, and family members, to celebrate the achievements of over 35 students.

Throughout the school year, participating students gained valuable hands-on experience through workplace placements, mentorship opportunities, industry field trips, and exposure to hospitality professionals. These experiences helped students develop workplace skills, build confidence, and gain a better understanding of the many career opportunities available within the sector.

"The Be Our Guest Program is much more than a student placement initiative," said Fatima Finnegan, VP Workforce Initiatives & Industry Relations at ORHMA. "It connects high school students with hospitality operators across Ontario, creating meaningful opportunities for students to gain exposure, build experience, and discover rewarding careers. Through these connections, students see firsthand the passion and possibilities that exist in our industry, while employers inspire the next generation of hospitality talent.”

For nearly a decade, the Be Our Guest Program has connected students with Ontario’s hospitality industry, helping bridge the gap between education and employment. The program supports career readiness while showcasing the diverse opportunities available within the sector. OHI and ORHMA thank the educators, employers, industry partners, sponsors, and volunteers whose continued support has made the program a success. Be Our Guest remains committed to creating pathways to employment, building industry connections, and inspiring the next generation of hospitality professionals.

"When we launched the Be Our Guest Program in 2017, our goal was simple: introduce students to the inspiring world of hospitality and tourism, connect them with hospitality employers and showcase the opportunities our industry offers," said Hani Roustom, Founder of the Be Our Guest Program and CEO of Friday Harbour Resort. "Nine years later, it is inspiring to see the program continue to create meaningful pathways for students. Investing in our youth today is key to developing the hospitality leaders of tomorrow."

As Ontario's hospitality industry continues to face workforce challenges, initiatives such as the Be Our Guest Program play an important role in strengthening the talent pipeline and introducing young people to meaningful career opportunities across the province. Educators, students, parents, and hospitality employers interested in learning more about the Be Our Guest Program can visit www.beourguestprogram.ca for program details, participant information, and opportunities to get involved.