Hotels & Accommodations
Hotels Gain By Hiring Individuals With Disabilities
Individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities can fill needed jobs in the hotel industry when provided support and resources from businesses, according to new research by a team of faculty and doctoral students in the Penn State School of Hospitality Management.
Assessing existing research on the topic, analyzing the body of work and connecting findings to current industry needs, the researchers found bringing people with intellectual disabilities into hospitality jobs can strengthen teams, creating a workplace where people are more thoughtful about communication, are more patient with one another and build a stronger sense of community. Guests too may notice when a hotel is welcoming to everyone, which can build trust and loyalty from customers.
Led by Associate Professors Michael Tews, Phil Jolly and Donna Quadri-Felitti, the team published their review in ICHRIE Research Reports. Penn State doctoral students Yoko Negoro, Sydney Pons and Thomas Little collaborated on this research, which was supported by The Statler Foundation.
“Hiring someone with an intellectual disability is a great first step but supporting them well when they are on the team is just as important,” Jolly said. “That can mean adjusting communication approaches, setting up tasks in a clear and consistent way or making sure there is a support system in place. When organizations put thought into these things, it is not just the employee with a disability who benefits – the whole team gets stronger.”
As the hotel industry can be prone to high employee turnover and labor shortages, employing individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities can help the industry through reduced turnover while improving customer loyalty, according to the researchers.
The researchers said job design is an essential part of hiring individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. This job design should include autonomy, meaningful work, and social support from coworkers and supervisors.
“Community partners can help provide support to individuals with intellectual disabilities, so they do not have to find jobs alone,” Tews said. “These community partners can provide job coaches and resources that help individuals in their new jobs. Effective training and development are crucial to ensuring individuals with intellectual disabilities thrive in their roles.”
The researchers said hotels can utilize job coaches to offer personalized support, guiding entry, integration and long-term success in the workplace for individuals with intellectual disabilities. This includes assisting with on-the-job training and aiding communication between the employee and employer.
Creating a welcoming, supportive work environment for individuals with intellectual disabilities is something that takes intentional effort, according to the researchers.
“While there are training programs and orientation processes that can be developed and are important, the real key is to know the individual and customize a work experience for them to allow them to thrive,” said Mike Schugt, founder of INNclusivity and 1988 Penn State graduate in hotel, restaurant and institutional management.
Schugt, whose nonprofit business connects individuals with intellectual disabilities to the hotel industry, was not involved in the study but said the relationship between employers and individuals with intellectual disabilities starts with human resources departments.
“It is all about being open to hiring individuals with intellectual disabilities,” Schugt said. “Everyone comes to the table with certain abilities, and hotels can bend further and help this audience receive meaningful employment.”
Hotels & Accommodations
Mainland Chinese hotel brands poised to reshape Hong Kong’s hospitality scene, analysts say
Currently, Western and international operators dominate Hong Kong’s hotel landscape, while Chinese ones have a minor presence. Among some of the more notable mainland players, BTG Homeinns operates both upscale and mid-market hotels in Hong Kong, including the Wharney Hotel in Wan Chai, Oasis Avenue in Tsim Sha Tsui, and Oasis Aurum 181 in Sai Ying Pun.
However, mainland brands had significant potential for growth, said Hannah Jeong, executive director and head of valuation and advisory services at CBRE Hong Kong.
“The Chinese operators are increasing their footprint and it’s a global trend,” said Jeong, adding that because 70 per cent of tourists in Hong Kong came from the mainland, Chinese hotels “must show their presence” in the city.
The shift reflects the growing ambition of Chinese hotel operators to expand beyond the mainland, which could give them a competitive edge in attracting hotel asset owners, according to CBRE.
Hotel operations typically follow several business models, such as a master lease – where the hotel owner leases the asset to an operator – or hotel service management, whereby the operator manages the hotel on behalf of the owner.
Monday, July 28, 2025
Tokyo is set to witness a surge of skyrocketing luxury hotels in 2025. As the influx of international travelers grows, so does the demand for high-end accommodations and Tokyo’s hospitality scene is shifting to cater to the needs of 21st century travellers. As the city plays up its status as an international tourism destination, the new hotel developments aim to scale the skyline with gorgeous design, plush amenities, and a curation of Japanese influenced tradition with modern-day indulgence.
Most Anticipated Luxury Hotel Openings in Tokyo for 2025
JW Marriott Hotel Tokyo
The JW Marriott Hotel Tokyo, scheduled to open in October 2025, represents the brand’s first foray into the Tokyo metropolitan area. Positioned in the emerging Takanawa Gateway City, the hotel will sit on the top floors (22-30) within the Station Complex Building, only a short walk from Shinagawa Station. The 200 guest room property will offer a signature restaurant, croissant bar, 250-meter indoor pool and the city’s well-loved Spa by JW, for a world-class modern luxury experience to both business and leisure travellers.
Fairmont Tokyo
Fairmont Tokyo Central to the historic Shibaura district and its canals and green spaces, Fairmont Tokyo will be situated in a picturesque and serene part of town. Hotel amenities will feature a world class spa, a Technogym and a 20-meter indoor infinity pool. Rooms will feature views of the city seen through floor-to-ceiling windows, interiors made of Japanese hardwood, quartzite stone and brass accents. The large suites includes: Customized pieces of furniture and art collected while traveling throughout the world, provide a unique stay for the discerning.
1 Hotel Tokyo
Later in 2025, there will be the eco-conscious 1 Hotel Tokyo, in the lively Akasaka neighborhood. As a sustainable brand, 1 Hotels incorporates reclaimed woods, energy-efficient systems and an innovative rainwater recapturing system. The hotel is Japan’s first to have CASBEE Rank S, the country’s highest rank of sustainability certification. The 211-room hotel will have a restful feeling overall, with moss-covered boulders inside and out, walls partially covered in greenery and a Zen garden for finding a bit of peace in the city. The main restaurant will have an open kitchen, while private dining will provide more personal, peaceful dining experience.
FUFU Tokyo Ginza
FUFU Tokyo Ginza, the third property, is set to launch in the end of 2025, providing a unique ryokan style stay in upmarket Ginza. Located in a converted old bank building, the hotel will mix old Japanese-style service and modern luxury design. Visitors will be greeted with an atmosphere of tranquility and meaningful privacy amid the bustle of Japanese capital and its trendiest neighborhood.
Skyrocketing Luxury Hotels
Tokyo has never been one for resting on its laurels when it comes to becoming a global travel destination, and in 2025 the city’s skyline will be taller than ever with the launch of new towering luxury hotels. The latest additions are a sign of an increasing desire for upscale lodging that combines contemporary luxury with traditional Japanese design. From eco-friendly 1 Hotel Tokyo to the luxurious Fairmont Tokyo, each building is made to provide guests with an extraordinary experience, combining comfort, boastful sustainability, and cultural immersion. With the boom in Tokyo’s hospitality infrastructure, these luxury properties will provide so much more than a place to rest; they will be taking you on an unforgettable voyage through the heart of this beating metropolis. There is no doubt that uses luxury and cultural affluence in closer reach for tourist by 2025.
Hotels & Accommodations
InterContinental Osaka’s Sky-High Urban Sanctuary Celebrates a Decade of Distinction
FOR TWELVE REMARKABLE YEARS, InterContinental Osaka has carved out a reputation as Japan’s premier urban retreat, securing the coveted number one position in Osaka and a spot among the Top 10 best city hotels nationwide.
Under the visionary leadership of General Manager Jerome Palacoeur, this 272-room property — comprising 215 luxurious guest rooms and suites plus 57 exclusive residences — has mastered the art of personalised hospitality that transforms everyday stays into extraordinary experiences.
What sets this property apart isn’t just its accolades, but a deep commitment to crafting guest journeys you simply can’t find elsewhere. A new and exclusive Insider Partnerships programme allows the concierge team to orchestrate moments of pure magic for guests. Its inaugural offering is authentic — and on-trend — a Matcha tea ceremony at Isshin-an, a heritage tea house nestled in the heart of Kyoto, where guests discover firsthand the profound traditions and ceremonial beauty of Japan’s most revered beverage ritual.
Design That Speaks to the Soul
The hotel’s breathtaking interiors emerge from the collaborative genius of Hong Kong’s Bilkey Llinas Design Ltd and Tokyo’s celebrated Yukio Hashimoto Design Studio. Together, they’ve woven what they call “Contemporary Luxury” into every corner, using locally sourced natural stone, wood and glass to create spaces that breathe modern sophistication through each space while honouring Japan’s timeless aesthetic principles.
Hashimoto Yukio Design Studios’ award-winning and philosophical approach to the property was to design ambience instead of spaces. This vision manifests spectacularly in the dramatic 20th-floor lobby, where guests are greeted by sweeping views of Osaka’s urban expanse.
The design narrative continues through generously sized guest rooms, averaging 50 square metres each, featuring floor-to-ceiling glass sliding doors that separate the sleeping and bathing areas, flooding the spaces with natural light.
Local artists’ innovative works grace both the ground-floor entrance and the sky-high lobby, creating a gallery-like experience that celebrates regional creative talent.
The design journey reaches its crescendo in the wedding chapel, where an awe-inspiring Aji Stone waterfall invites nature’s mystical essence to each ceremony. A gracefully curving seven-metre stairwell was crafted to convey feminine beauty and form across two floors.
Culinary Theatre in the Clouds
In addition to the Hotel lobby, InterContinental Osaka offers most compelling culinary destination, housing fie distinct dining experiences that showcase everything from Michelin-starred French cuisine to sweets and cocktails.
Pierre, the hotel’s signature French eatery and crown jewel, has maintained its Michelin star for an impressive nine consecutive years. It’s a place where master chefs transform seasonal ingredients using classical French techniques while an extraordinary wine collection boasts over 200 labels, including rare vintages and prestigious Champagnes.
NOKA Roast & Grill brings Osaka’s vibrant energy to life through an open kitchen concept, where culinary theatre meets curated seasonal ingredients in an atmosphere that reflects the city’s dynamic spirit. When evening arrives, adee Lounge & Bar becomes the stage for Osaka’s most sophisticated nightlife, featuring original cocktails, projection mapping that transforms walls into living art and weekend live music performances against the backdrop of the glittering Yodogawa River.
For quieter moments, Lounge ‘3-60‘ offers floor-to-ceiling windows that gracefully frame the city below, creating an intimate setting for important conversations or romantic evenings. The ground-level Patisserie ‘STRESSED‘ serves as your gateway to indulgence, offering artisanal cakes, chocolates, and baked goods perfect for fueling daytime adventures or business meetings.
Your Urban Escape Awaits
Beyond dining, this vertical sanctuary has comprehensive wellness facilities that include a 24-hour fitness centre, traditional Japanese bathhouse, MEGURI Spa, and an indoor pool, while four versatile event spaces and a complete wedding complex make it Osaka’s most sought-after venue for celebrations.
Located just five minutes from three major transportation hubs — JR Osaka Station, Umeda Station and Hankyu Umeda Station — InterContinental Osaka positions you at the heart of everything while providing an elevated refuge from the city’s bustle. Discover why discerning travellers have chosen InterContinental Osaka as their Osaka sanctuary for over a decade. Experience the difference that comes from twelve years of refined hospitality, where every detail serves a single purpose: making your stay unforgettable.
InterContinental Osaka
3-60 Ofuka-cho, Kita-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka Japan
Tel：+81 6 6374 5700
Website: www.icosaka.com
Article Sponsored by InterContinental Osaka.
Images courtesy of InterContinental Osaka.
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