By Lana Cook
For lodging professionals looking to network, discover new sales opportunities, boost credibility, and learn from industry leaders, look no further than hospitality associations.
Hospitality associations, especially for lodging businesses, are vital for fostering growth, innovation, and resilience. They’re a place for like-minded professionals to share experiences and exchange ideas – leading to both personal and professional growth.
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. What are hospitality associations?
As a hotelier, it’s important to be active in associations as they:
- Offer peer support and mentorship opportunities
- Expand your network via events and conferences
- Increase visibility within the industry
- Provide access to industry research and market trends
- Offer guidance during crises
- Present sales opportunities (especially for group business)
- Present new hospitality career opportunities
Over the years, the number of hospitality associations has expanded significantly due to the value they provide members.
Here we break down top associations by region.
International Associations
1. International Hotel & Restaurant Association (IH&RA)
The International Hotel & Restaurant Association is a global trade association dedicated to promoting and defending the interests of the hotel and restaurant industry worldwide.
Who are its members?
IH&RA’s members include:
- International and national hotel and/or restaurant chains
- Independent hoteliers and restaurateurs
- Providers and supporters of the industry
- Educational centres
2. 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?
IHLA’s members include:
- Luxury hospitality owners
- Luxury hospitality operators
- Luxury hospitality developers
3. 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:
- Event planners and managers
- Hotel owners and operators
- Educators and researchers
4. 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:
- Hotel companies
- Real estate owners
- Investment funds
- Technology companies
US & Canada Associations
– Josh Graham, Head of Market Development, North America at Cloudbeds 
5. 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:
- Major global brands
- Management companies
- Providers and supporters of the industry
6. 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.
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:
- Independent boutique hotels
- Lifestyle hotels
- Technology providers
- Interior designers
- Industry professionals
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:
- Owners/developers of independent hotels
- Brokerage and management firms
- Financial services
- Architects
- Designers
- Construction companies
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:
- Hotels, motels, and resorts across Canada
- Industry professionals
- Suppliers and vendors
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:
- Hospitality finance professionals, including CFOs, controllers, accountants, and financial managers
- Hospitality technology professionals, including CIOs, IT directors, and technology managers
- Management companies
- 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:
- Chief staff executives from lodging associations across the US, Canada, and the Caribbean
12. 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:
- Catering and event professionals
- Hospitality professionals
13. 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
14. Asociación Española de Directores de HotelExploreTech (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:
- Hotel directors and managers
- Industry professionals
- Young professionals and students
15. 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.
16. 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.
17. 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.
18. 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.
19. 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:
- Hotel chains
- Independent hotels
- Technological partners like Google
20. 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:
- Large hotel chains
- Independent hotels
21. 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.
22. 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.
23. 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:
- Independent and chain hotels
- Restaurants
- Bars & pubs
- Nightclubs
- Leisure venues
LATAM Associations
– Sergio Sacal, Head of Market Development LATAM at Cloudbeds
24. 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.
25. 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.
26. 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:
- Professionals across sales, marketing, revenue management, and operations who work in hotel chains, independent hotels, resorts, and hostels
- Hospitality suppliers, including OTAs, technology companies, and consultants
27. 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:
- Hotels
- Airlines
- Tourism boards
- Representation companies
28. 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 section.
Who are its members?
The AMHM has more than 7,000 members across Mexico that range from small, independent hotels to large hotel chains.
29. 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
30. 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. It provides strategic advice and representation on various matters, including employment law, licensing, and regulatory compliance.
Who are its members?
APTA’s members include:
- Academics
- Researchers
- Organizations
31. Australian Hotels Association ACT (AHA ACT)
The Australian Hotels Association ACT (AHA ACT) represents the interests of hotel and hospitality businesses across Australia.
Who are its members?
AHA’s members include:
- Hotel owners and operators
- Bar and pub owners
- Entertainment venues
32. 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.
33. 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:
- Lodging businesses
- Restaurants
- Educational institutions offering hotel and restaurant courses
- Allied industry partners
34. 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:
- Government ministries
- Tourism offices
- Hotel and hospitality providers
- Airlines
- Convention visitor bureaus
- Tour operators and travel agents
35. 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:
- Hotel owners and operators
- Management and development firms
- Industry leaders and experts
36. 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.
37. 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:
- Hotel owners and operators
- Management and development firms
- Industry leaders and experts
38. 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:
- Government agencies
- Tourism authorities
- Thai Hotels Association
- Thai Exhibition Association
- Thailand Incentive and Convention Association
About Lana Cook
Lana Cook is a Content Manager at Cloudbeds where she is able to combine her love of writing and passion for travel. She has spent the last few years writing about all things technology and the ways in which it can be used to help businesses thrive. When she’s not busy writing, you can find her checking out the latest movie or searching for a new TV show to binge.
