USAE
THE WEEKLY COMMUNITY NEWS OF ASSOCIATIONS, CVBs AND HOTELS
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JUNE 8, 2026
DI Unveils Hall of Fame Inductees and Award Honorees By Jonathan Trager
revised package also called for a larger tax increase on short-term rentals such as Airbnb and VRBO. Organizations such as the Philadelphia CVB, Visit Philadelphia, and the Greater Philadelphia Hotel Associa-
Destinations International (DI) announced on June 4 the 2026 inductees into its Hall of Fame and the recipients of the Destination Organization Leadership Award, Spirit of Hospitality Award, and Destination Organization Award for Global Impact, recognizing leaders whose work has helped shape the global travel and tourism industry. All honorees will be recognized during a ceremony on June 21 at the association’s Annual Convention in Portland, Oregon. “On behalf of the Destinations International Awards Committee, we are delighted to congratulate this year’s recipients on this well-deserved recognition,” said Committee Co-Chairs Tammy Canavan, FCDME, President & CEO of Visit Seattle, and Cleo Battle, CDME, President & CEO of Louisville Tourism. “These distinguished leaders and organizations exemplify excellence, innovation and service. Their accomplishments continue to inspire our industry and demonstrate the positive impact destination organizations can have on their communities and visitors alike.”
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New Orleans & Company hosted a media experience at the end of May in conjunction with the launch of Sail 250 and the North America’s 50 Best Restaurants Awards Ceremony. Shown here are bureau staff along with media members at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. Photo by New Orleans & Company
Proposal to Hike Philadelphia Hotel Taxes Placed on Hold
By Jonathan Trager
A revised proposal to boost Philadelphia’s hotel tax stalled in city council last week in the face of strong industry opposition as lawmakers worked to finalize the city’s budget.
The proposal, which emerged from negotiations between city and hotel industry representatives in May, would’ve hiked the city’s hotel tax by 0.6 percentage points, less than the Mayor Cherelle Parker’s original plan for a 2 percentage-point increase. The
Sébastien Bazin, CEO of Accor, to Step Down
By Jordan Bradley
Accor Group Chairman and CEO Sébastien Bazin will not renew his contract with company and plans to step down from his role by May 2028. “I was clear with the board of directors and the board was equally clear with me, this will be my last term,” Bazin said during in a May 27 shareholders call. according to a transcription of the call obtained by USAE. “Now, it is the time to lay the groundwork in terms of succession
planning.” Later in the call, Bazin said he’ll stay on at Accor in his current position unless the French hospitality company’s board of directors is able to find “the right person beforehand.” Bazin has led the company as CEO since 2013, when he left his role as managing director for Europe at Colony Capital, one of Accor’s largest shareholders. Prior to that, Bazin initially joined its board of directors in 2005. Throughout his tenure, Please turn to page 5
Inside Page 3 MGM Receives Acquisition Proposal from Magazine Publisher Page 4 Caesars Entertainment to Be Acquired for $17.6B Page 5 Salt Palace Convention Center to Close for Renovation Page 6 U.S. Travel Launches Meetings Meet the Moment Campaign Page 7 Conversation With Walt Leger III, President & CEO, New Orleans & Company
DI Announces Keynote Speakers for Annual Convention
Also Introducing New Learner Format By Jonathan Trager Destinations International (DI) has named two keynote speakers for its 2026 Annual Convention as the organization prepares to bring destination leaders together to discuss innovation, leadership, and the future of tourism. The association said innovation expert Jeremy Gutsche and purpose-driven leadership strategist
Kathy Varol will headline the event, which is scheduled for July 21–23 at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland. Gutsche is the founder of TrendHunter. com and a New York Times bestselling author, while Varol previously served as head of global purpose at Adidas. According to DI, Gutsche will deliver a keynote focused on artificial intel-
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