Mississauga, ON – May 23, 2025 | The Ontario Restaurant Hotel and Motel Association (ORHMA), in collaboration with ACHĒV and funded by Employment and Social Development Canada, is preparing to launch the Skills for Success in Food Services and Accommodation program - a new initiative designed to address pressing labour shortages in Ontario’s hospitality industry.

Targeting three critical roles identified by industry employers - hotel front desk agents, hotel room attendants, and food and beverage servers - this no-cost, training program will equip job seekers with the foundational and transferable skills needed to thrive in these high-demand positions in the hospitality industry.

The program has been accepting clients since April and there are close to 300 job seekers have already expressed interest, underscoring the demand for accessible, industry-specific training that leads directly to employment opportunities.

“This program is not just about filling jobs - it’s about preparing people for meaningful careers in hospitality,” said Fatima Finnegan, ORHMA’s Vice President of Workforce Initiatives and Industry Relations. “We’re proud to be part of a project that bridges the gap between labour market needs and the untapped potential of individuals looking to enter or re-enter the workforce.”

Developed with support from the Essential Skills Group Inc. (ESG) and AyeWorks Inc., and focused on underrepresented groups such as newcomers, women, youth, and racialized individuals, the program includes:

• Online training courses designed specifically to reflect the skills and responsibilities of the three targeted hospitality roles.
• Online assessment tools aligned with Canada’s nine Skills for Success, with a focus on key social and emotional competencies essential for workplace success.
• Employment coaching of candidates selected for work placements.
• 12-week paid work placements for top performers.

ORHMA is inviting hotels and restaurants across Ontario that are interested in participating in the program by offering employment opportunities in these roles to contact Fatima Finnegan at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or (905) 361-0268 / (800) 668-8906 ext 0335.

Funded through the Government of Canada’s Skills for Success initiative, the program supports employers in building a skilled, diverse, and resilient workforce, while opening new pathways to employment for job seekers.

More information and registration details will be announced soon.

BETHESDA, Md., May 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Marriott International, Inc. (Nasdaq: MAR) today announced the global launch of its new collection brand for the midscale and upscale lodging segments—Series by Marriott™—as the company continues to expand its lodging offerings around the world. Series by Marriott is expected to expand Marriott's global presence by bringing well-established regionally created brands and hotels that champion consistent quality and service into the Marriott Bonvoy portfolio. Series by Marriott will offer guests comfortable stays in more places and provide regional owners access to the benefits of Marriott's platforms, including the company's award-winning Marriott Bonvoy loyalty program, all while maintaining their portfolio's independent identity.

Series by Marriott marks its initial launch through a founding deal with (CHPL) in India, a key growth market for Marriott. Established in 1996 by Param Kannampilly, CHPL, is one of India's leading hotel management companies with a portfolio of six brands and over 100 hotels operating in 90 locations. Under the strategic agreement between CHPL and Marriott, CHPL's flagship brands—The Fern, The Fern Residency, and The Fern Habitat—will affiliate with Series by Marriott on an exclusive basis across India and Marriott will make a small equity investment in CHPL. The Fern portfolio is currently comprised of 84 open properties and 31 executed pipeline deals, totaling 115 properties and approximately 8,000 rooms. Fern properties are expected to join Marriott's portfolio in India over time following discussions with the third-party hotel owners and execution of long-term franchise agreements with those owners. CG Hospitality, the hospitality division of the multi-national conglomerate CG Corp Global, is the majority stakeholder in CHPL.

"Series by Marriott furthers Marriott's commitment to delivering lodging offerings in the right place at the right price with basics done well," said Anthony Capuano, President and CEO of Marriott International. "Creating a new, regional collection brand will further Marriott's reach among value-conscious travelers, provide additional choice for our existing Marriott Bonvoy members and guests, and offer more affiliation opportunities for local owners.

"We are thrilled to launch Series by Marriott through our founding deal with CHPL. This deal will help meaningfully expand Marriott's leading position in India, a key market for the company. We see this multi-unit conversion deal as a strong foundation as we look to accelerate growth of the Series by Marriott collection in additional markets around the world. The Fern portfolio throughout India is highly regarded and CHPL's commitment to operational excellence and meeting the needs of regional travelers embodies the spirit of the Series by Marriott brand," said Capuano.

"Through our majority stake in CHPL, we've nurtured The Fern brands as standard-bearers for eco-sensitive, high-quality hospitality in India. Being part of Series by Marriott will allow us to amplify our reach. The Fern brands are expected to benefit not only from the Marriott Bonvoy loyalty program and global distribution systems, but also from strategic growth opportunities," said Dr. Binod Chaudhary, Chairman of CG Corp Global.

"We are thrilled to partner with the world's largest hospitality company in driving a new era of growth in India's midscale segment. Our vision is to unlock the immense potential of Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, as well as lesser-known destinations across India that are rich in culture, heritage, and opportunity. This strategic collaboration underscores our commitment to expanding access to quality hospitality, fostering local economies, and meeting the rising demand for sustainable, comfortable, and accessible stays in emerging markets," said Param Kannampilly, Chairman, Concept Hospitality Private Limited.

A Series of Hotels: Regionally Created, Globally Connected

Series by Marriott is designed to deliver a simple and approachable experience for travelers with a focus on fundamentals and well-executed basics. Hotels in the portfolio will offer quality and value with clean, comfortable rooms, free Wi-Fi, daily coffee or tea, with breakfast, fitness centers and meetings and event spaces available at certain properties. Hotels will reflect the regions and customers they serve while delivering Marriott's global standards for safety and cleanliness. As part of the Marriott Bonvoy loyalty program, members staying at Series by Marriott properties will be able to earn and redeem points and enjoy member benefits.

Global Growth Opportunity for Owners

Series by Marriott has been created to bring strong, regionally relevant brands and hotels into the Marriott portfolio with industry leading revenue generation capabilities and affiliation cost structures. Owners will have the ability to maintain their portfolio's independent identity while leveraging the power of Marriott's award-winning Marriott Bonvoy loyalty program with nearly 237 million members globally, and digital platforms like Marriott.com and the Marriott Bonvoy mobile app to generate direct bookings.

In addition to its founding deal with CHPL, Marriott is also in active discussions about the Series by Marriott brand with owners in the United States, the Caribbean and Latin America, Europe, Middle East, and Africa.

To learn more about Series by Marriott, click .

NOTE ON FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

All statements in this press release are made as of May 22, 2025. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise these statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of federal securities laws, including statements related to Marriott's expectations regarding the Series by Marriott brand launch, founding deal and related timing; future growth prospects, opportunities, plans and expectations for the Series by Marriott brand and within certain lodging segments; the addition of Fern hotels to Marriott's portfolio; the expansion of Marriott's leading position in India and broadening access to hospitality in the region; the creation of additional reach for Marriott among value-conscious travelers, additional choice for Marriott Bonvoy members and guests, and additional affiliation opportunities for hotel owners; the benefits of affiliation with Series by Marriott; Marriott Bonvoy benefits and participation; Marriott's revenue generation capabilities; and similar statements concerning possible future events or expectations that are not historical facts. Marriott cautions you that these statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to numerous evolving risks and uncertainties that the company may not be able to accurately predict or assess, including, with respect to the founding deal with CHPL, whether individual hotels and hotel owners agree to enter into Series by Marriott franchise agreements with Marriott, and the other risk factors that we describe in our U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K or Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Any of these factors could cause actual results to differ materially from the expectations we express or imply in this press release.

TORONTO, May 20, 2025 /CNW/ - Centennial College and LCBO recently celebrated the opening of a newly renovated beverage tasting lab at the college's School of Hospitality, Tourism and Culinary Arts, made possible by a $50,000 donation from LCBO Spirit of Sustainability.

The investment has revamped the more than 1,000-square-foot facility into a premier experiential learning space. This new space replicates current trends in the restaurant industry and gives students opportunities to sharpen their skills in a realistic work environment, with defining features such as its horseshoe-shaped bar. The Beverage Tasting Lab in partnership with LCBO Spirit of Sustainability will host student and corporate learners, as well as community and industry events.

"We are incredibly grateful to LCBO Spirit of Sustainability, whose generous investment in revitalizing our lab facility has enabled us to fully capitalize on our ability to teach students, industry professionals and amateur enthusiasts in the beverage tasting field," said Dr. Craig Stephenson, President and CEO, Centennial College. "This project exemplifies the power of collaboration between education and industry, ultimately strengthening our already high bar for innovation and experiential learning in beverage management and hospitality education."

The partnership between the college and LCBO Spirit of Sustainability is a natural pairing, with these latest lab upgrades providing an opportunity to strengthen existing ties. The School of Hospitality, Tourism and Culinary Arts offers a Fundamentals of Alcoholic Beverages course on wine, beer and spirits that covers LCBO product knowledge.

"Through LCBO's Spirit of Sustainability platform, we are pleased to support and celebrate the opening of a newly renovated beverage tasting lab at Centennial College," said George Soleas, President & CEO, LCBO. "The collaboration reflects LCBO's commitment to creating opportunities and investing in the future of our incredible beverage alcohol industry."

Officials from the college and LCBO formally welcomed students, faculty, alumni and industry partners into the new space with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on May 12.

The beverage tasting lab is just one more way that the School of Hospitality, Tourism and Culinary Arts is leading on innovation and sustainability in hospitality education. The investment comes at a critical time for the food and beverage industry, which faces labour shortages that graduates of the school's programs have the skills to help fill.

May 20, 2025 – True Key Hotels & Resorts (True Key) is pleased to announce the addition of Adam Elwakeel to its leadership team as General Manager at Sunrise Ridge Waterfront Resort in Parksville, BC, bringing a distinguished background in hospitality operations, financial management, and guest experience innovation.

Adam’s career spans financial and operational leadership roles across the hospitality sector. Beginning in financial management, Adam honed expertise in process optimization, cost efficiency, and strategic reporting before moving into operational management. As Assistant Operations Manager in Toronto, Adam successfully oversaw multiple restaurant locations, streamlining inventory systems and contributing to long-term growth initiatives.

Most recently, Adam served as Lodging & Guest Experience Manager at Fairmont Hot Springs Resort in British Columbia’s Columbia Valley, where he led operations for a 151-room property. In this role, Adam implemented guest service enhancements and strategic marketing efforts that drove significant revenue growth. His leadership also played a key role in the successful delivery of capital projects and innovative guest satisfaction initiatives—earning him the prestigious CEO’s Choice of the Year Award in 2023.

Holding a Bachelor of Business Administration and certifications in Revenue Management and Food & Beverage Management, Adam is a forward-thinking leader with a passion for excellence in team development, guest services, and operational efficiency.

“We are thrilled to welcome Adam to our team,” said Michael Anderson, President & CEO, “His proven track record and passion for hospitality innovation align perfectly with our vision for the future.”