In a business where change is constant, hospitality associations put you at the table with the people who’ve been there and are shaping what’s next. Here’s our take on 40 of the best to grow your network this year.
What are hospitality associations?
A hospitality association is an organization that represents the interests and serves the needs of businesses and professionals within the hospitality industry. Associations help provide lodging professionals with networking opportunities, education and training, and resources, including market trends and industry research, to help owners and operators elevate their property.
As a hotelier, it’s important to be active in associations as they:
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Advice on specific technology needs, such as revenue, reservation management, marketing, and more
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Offer peer support and mentorship opportunities
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Expand your network via events, conferences, and tradeshows
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Increase visibility within the industry
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Provide access to industry research and market trends
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Offer guidance during crises
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Present sales opportunities (especially for group business)
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Present new hospitality career opportunities
Over the years, the number of hospitality associations has expanded significantly due to the value they provide members.
International Associations
1. International Luxury Hotel Association (ILHA)
The International Luxury Hotel Association (ILHA) is a global non-profit organization dedicated to the luxury hospitality and travel industry.
Who are its members?
ILHA’s members include:
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Luxury hospitality owners
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Luxury hospitality operators
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Luxury hospitality developers
2. Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA)
The Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) is an association dedicated to advancing the business events industry.
Who are its members?
PCMA’s members include:
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Event planners and managers
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Hotel owners and operators
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Educators and researchers
3. Sustainable Hospitality Alliance
The Sustainable Hospitality Alliance is a global organization that unites the hospitality industry and strategic partners to address key sustainability and social challenges.
Who are its members?
The Sustainable Hospitality Alliance’s members include:
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Hotel companies
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Real estate owners
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Investment funds
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Technology companies
US & Canada Associations
Being a hotelier means being part of a community, yet often being isolated. Hoteliers have so many demands on their time that it is easy to get stuck in your own silo. Joining the right association and community can be critical to learn best practices, stay on pace with innovation, and develop a deep and meaningful professional network.
Josh Graham, Head of Market Development, North America at Cloudbeds
4. American Hotel and Lodging Association (AHLA)
The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) is the largest hotel association in the United States. It aims to support and advocate for the hospitality industry, focusing on strategic advocacy, communications, and workforce development.
Who are its members?
AHLA’s members include:
5. Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA)
The Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA) is one of the largest hotel owners associations in the United States and aims to protect the interests of Asian American hotel owners through advocacy, professional development, and community engagement.
Who are its members?
AAHOA has nearly 20,000 hotel owners as members.
6. The Association of Lodging Professionals (ALP)
The Association of Lodging Professionals (ALP) supports independent lodging owners and operators across the United States, including inns, B&Bs, small hotels, and alternative accommodations.
Who are its members?
ALP’s members include:
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Independent innkeepers and B&B owners
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Small hotel operators
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Alternative lodging professionals
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Industry suppliers serving independent properties
7. Boutique & Lifestyle Lodging Association (BLLA)
The Boutique & Lifestyle Lodging Association (BLLA) is an organization dedicated to supporting and promoting the boutique and lifestyle lodging industry. It offers resources like industry reports, webinars, marketing tools, and networking opportunities.
Who are its members?
BLLA’s members include:
8. Independent Lodging Congress (ILC)
The Independent Lodging Congress (ILC) or INDIECongress hosts events and provides networking opportunities for those in the lodging industry.
Who are its members?
ILC’s members include:
9. Hotel Association of Canada (HAC)
The Hotel Association of Canada (HAC) focuses on identifying and addressing the critical challenges faced by the industry in Canada by bringing together hospitality leaders and key stakeholders to collaboratively problem-solve and mobilize for action.
Who are its members?
HAC’s members include:
10. Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP)
The Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP) is a nonprofit association that focuses on providing education, resources, and networking opportunities for professionals in the hospitality finance and technology sectors.
Who are its members?
HFTP’s members include:
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Hospitality finance professionals, including CFOs, controllers, accountants, and financial managers
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Hospitality technology professionals, including CIOs, IT directors, and technology managers
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Management companies
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Academic institutions
11. International Society of Hotel Associations (ISHA)
The International Society of Hotel Associations (ISHA) is a professional association that provides professional development, networking opportunities, and a unified voice for lodging associations, particularly in collaboration with national industry partners.
Who are its members?
ISHA’s members include:
12. National Association of Black Hotel Owners, Operators & Developers (NABHOOD)
The National Association of Black Hotel Owners, Operators & Developers (NABHOOD) is a U.S.-based organization dedicated to advancing the business interests of Black hotel owners, developers, investors, and hospitality professionals.
Who are its members?
NABHOOD’s members include:
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Hotel owners and developers
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Investors and asset managers
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Hospitality executives and operators
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Industry suppliers and partners
13. National Association for Catering & Events (NACE)
The National Association for Catering and Events (NACE) is an organization dedicated to advancing the catering and events industries.
Who are its members?
NACE’s members include:
14. North American Hostel Association (NAHA)
The North American Hostel Association (NAHA) is a nonprofit trade organization dedicated to advocating for and empowering hostel operators in North America. It provides resources, advocacy, and collaboration opportunities for its members.
Who are its members?
The NAHA’s members include owners and managers of hostels across North America.
Europe & UK Associations
15. Asociación Española de Directores de Hotel (AEDH)
The Asociación Española de Directores de Hotel (AEDH) is an organization that supports and promotes the professional development of hotel executives, providing a platform for networking, education, and advocacy within the hospitality industry.
Who are its members?
AEDH’s members include:
5. Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA)
The Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA) is one of the largest hotel owners associations in the United States and aims to protect the interests of Asian American hotel owners through advocacy, professional development, and community engagement.
Who are its members?
AAHOA has nearly 20,000 hotel owners as members.
16. Austrian Hotelier Association (ÖHV)
The Austrian Hotelier Association (ÖHV) is an organization that represents the interests of the Austrian hotel industry.
Who are its members?
The (ÖHV) has over 1,600 members across resorts, groups, and city hotels in Austria.
17. Confederación Española de Hoteles y Alojamientos Turísticos (CEHAT)
The Confederación Española de Hoteles y Alojamientos Turísticos (CEHAT) is the main representative body for the Spanish hotel and tourist accommodation sector.
Who are its members?
The CEHAT has over 16,000 establishments, including hotels, apartments, resorts, and campgrounds across Spain.
18. Europe’s Famous Hostels
Europe’s Famous Hostels is an association of top-rated independent hostels that aims to promote fun, sustainable travel and provide unique, high-quality experiences for travelers.
Who are its members?
Europe’s Famous Hostels has 50 member hostels located across Europe and Israel.
19. Hospitality Professionals Association (HOSPA)
The Hospitality Professionals Association (HOSPA) is a UK-based organization that supports professionals in the hospitality industry.
Who are its members?
HOSPA’s members include individuals working in various operational roles within the hospitality industry across finance, revenue management, operations, technology, sales, marketing, and human resources.
20. Hotels, Restaurants & Cafes in Europe (HOTREC)
HOTREC is the umbrella association representing hotels, restaurants, cafés, and similar establishments at the European level. Based in Brussels, HOTREC serves as the voice of the hospitality industry within EU institutions, advocating on regulatory issues.
Who are its members?
HOTREC’s members include:
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National hospitality trade associations across Europe
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Industry partners and affiliated organizations
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Hospitality businesses represented through national bodies
21. Instituto Tecnológico Hotelero (ITH)
The Instituto Tecnológico Hotelero (ITH) is a Spanish innovation center dedicated to advancing technology and management within the hotel and tourism industry.
Who are its members?
ITH’s members include:
22. HotellerieSuisse
HotellerieSuisse is a Swiss professional association founded in 1882 that represents and supports the interests of the hospitality industry in Switzerland.
Who are its members?
HotellerieSuisse’s members include:
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Large hotel chains
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Independent hotels
23. Irish Hotel Federation (IHF)
The Irish Hotels Federation (IHF) is the national organization representing the hotel and guesthouse industry in Ireland. It provides its members with marketing support, bookings, representation, and practical support.
Who are its members?
The IHF includes over 1,000 hotels and guesthouses across Ireland.
24. Portuguese Hotels Association (AHP)
The Portuguese Hotels Association, or Associação da Hotelaria de Portugal (AHP) is the largest hotel association in Portugal. It offers hotels consulting services, information sharing, and knowledge creation.
Who are its members?
The AHP includes over 700 hotels across Portugal, ranging from independent units to large chains.
25. UKHospitality
UKHospitality is the leading trade association representing the hospitality sector in the UK. It advocates for the interests of the industry, providing a unified voice to influence government policy, shape public debate, and promote positive change.
Who are its members?
UKHospitality’s members include:
LATAM Associations
Those who are hoteliers are born with the idea of filling their hotel, selling it with the best rates, and having the best occupancy compared to their competition. To achieve this, you should approach associations and groups that can give you the support you need.
26. Brazilian Hotel Industry Association (ABIH)
The Brazilian Hotel Industry Association (ABIH), or Associação Brasileira represents and advocates for the interests of the hotel industry across Brazil.
Who are its members?
ABIH represents over 32,000 accommodation providers across Brazil, including hotels, resorts, and other lodging facilities.
27. Colombia Hotel Association (COTELCO)
The Colombia Hotel Association, or Asociación Hotelera y Turística de Colombia (COTELCO), is the main association representing the interests of Colombia’s hotel and tourism industry.
Who are its members?
COTELCO’s members include a wide range of hotels and tourism-related companies across Colombia.
28. HSMAI LATAM
The Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International Latin America or HSMAI LATAM is an organization dedicated to supporting the growth and development of the hospitality industry across Brazil, Colombia, Peru, Chile, and Mexico.
Who are its members?
HSMAI LATAM’s members include:
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Professionals across sales, marketing, revenue management, and operations who work in hotel chains, independent hotels, resorts, and hostels
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Hospitality suppliers, including OTAs, technology companies, and consultants
29. Latin American Travel Association (LATA)
The Latin American Travel Association (LATA) is an organization that promotes Latin America as a premier tourist destination by fostering a community of travel professionals.
Who are its members?
LATA’s members include over 400 companies, such as:
30. Mexican Association of Hotels & Motels (AMHM)
The Mexican Association of Hotels & Motels, or Asociación Mexicana de Hoteles y Moteles (AMHM), is an organization representing the hotel industry in Mexico. It aims to support and advocate for its members by collaborating with authorities to create policies that promote the development of the hospitality sector.
Who are its members?
The AMHM has more than 7,000 members across Mexico that range from small, independent hotels to large hotel chains.
31. Mexico City Hotel Association
The Mexico City Hotel Association, or Asociación de Hoteles de la Ciudad de México, represents and supports the interests of hotels in Mexico City.
Who are its members?
The Mexico City Hotel Association includes a wide range of hotels in Mexico City.
Asia Pacific Associations
32. Asia Pacific Tourism Association (APTA)
The Asia Pacific Tourism Association (APTA) is an internationally recognized organization dedicated to tourism and hospitality research in the Asia-Pacific region.
Who are its members?
APTA’s members include:
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Academics
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Researchers
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Organizations
33. Australian Hotels Association (AHA)
The Australian Hotels Association (AHA) represents the interests of hotel and hospitality businesses across Australia.
Who are its members?
AHA’s members include:
34. Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association (HSMAI-APAC)
The Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association – Asia Pacific (HSMAI-APAC) is a non-profit industry association dedicated to growing business for hotels and their partners in the Asia-Pacific region.
Who are its members?
HSMAI-APAC’s members include hotel and hospitality sales, marketing, revenue management, distribution, and general managers.
35. The Hotel and Restaurant Association Philippines (HRAP)
The Hotel and Restaurant Association Philippines (HRAP) is an organization that represents the interests of the hotel and food service industry in the Philippines.
Who are its members?
HRAP’s members include:
36. Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA)
The Pacific Asia Travel Association is an association responsible for the development of travel and tourism to, from, and within the Asia Pacific region.
Who are its members?
PATA’s members include:
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Government ministries
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Tourism offices
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Hotel and hospitality providers
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Airlines
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Convention visitor bureaus
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Tour operators and travel agents
37. Philippines Hotel Owner Association (PHOA)
The Philippines Hotel Owner Association (PHOA) is an association representing the voice of hotel owners across the country.
Who are its members?
PHOA’s members include:
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Hotel owners and operators
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Management and development firms
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Industry leaders and experts
38. Phuket Hotels Association (PHA)
The Phuket Hotels Association (PHA) is an association dedicated to promoting sustainable tourism and environmental responsibility within Phuket, Thailand.
Who are its members?
PHA’s members include hotels and resorts across Phuket.
39. Thai Hotel Association (THA)
The Thai Hotel Association (THA) is an association that represents the interests of hoteliers and the hospitality industry in Thailand.
Who are its members?
THA’s members include:
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Hotel owners and operators
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Management and development firms
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Industry leaders and experts
40. Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (TCEB)
The Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) is an association established to promote Thailand as a leading destination for Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, and Exhibitions (MICE).
Who are its members?
TCEB’s members include:
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Government agencies
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Tourism authorities
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Thai Hotels Association
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Thai Exhibition Association
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Thailand Incentive and Convention Association