[Total Food Service] Boston Hilton Hotel Workers End 24-Day Strike with New Pact

Analyzing the Shifting Landscape of Boston’s Hospitality Labor Relations Dean Arun Upneja provided critical insight into the recent labor developments in Boston’s hospitality sector. Reflecting on the 24-day strike by approximately 600 Hilton hotel employees, Upneja emphasizes the complex balancing act for hotel companies as they navigate rising worker demands and operational costs. “These strikes […]

[The Boston Globe] Hotel strikes a headache for guests, hotels, and workers alike

By Katie Johnston and Stella Tannenbaum Arun Upneja, Dean of Boston University’s School of Hospitality Administration, provided expert insight into the ongoing hotel worker strikes in Boston, emphasizing the financial pressures hotels face amid rising costs and labor shortages. Dean Upneja noted that while strikes can strain relationships between owners and workers, hotels must balance […]

[The Boston Globe] As the summer tourism season wears on, hotel workers say they’re feeling the effects of understaffing

In a comprehensive look at the current challenges facing the hospitality industry, BU School of Hospitality Administration Dean Arun Upneja interviewed with The Globe and provided expert insights into the impacts of understaffing on hotel workers and operations. Dean Upneja’s analysis sheds light on the broader trends affecting workforce dynamics and highlights the need for […]

[The Travel Leader Podcast] Start Up Mentality with Arun Upneja

In this insightful episode of The Travel Leader podcast, Rachel Vandenberg sits down with Arun Upneja, Dean and Professor of the School of Hospitality Administration at Boston University. Dean Upneja shares his extensive knowledge and experience in the hospitality industry, offering valuable perspectives on driving change, fostering innovation, and developing effective leadership. Gain a deep […]

[BBC] Why humans are drawn to the ends of the Earth

Despite the risks, costs and environmental concerns of extreme tourism, people are still drawn to potentially dangerous trips – but why? A year ago this week, the world focused its attention on the remote depths of the North Atlantic when the Titan sub, a cramped vessel operated by a video game controller, lost contact with its […]

My Secrets to Stamina – Interview: The Collaborative Leader, BU School of Hospitality Administration, Dean Arun Upneja

“Welcome to the 2nd quarter! So excited to have this guest on – Dr. Arun Upneja, the Dean of Boston University’s School of Hospitality Administration since 2013.   Dean Arun is a forward-looking strategic thinker with an inclusive and collaborative leadership style.  As Dean, he has embarked on a transformational change in SHA with a […]

[The American Bazaar] Padma Lakshmi receives Boston University’s 2024 ICON Award

ICON award recognizes innovators who create new and transformative paradigms in hospitality Indian American Emmy-nominated producer, television host, New York Times bestselling author and food connoisseur Padma Lakshmi has received the ICON Award from Boston University’s School of Hospitality Administration. Lakshmi received the annual ICON award recognizing innovators who create new and transformative paradigms in […]

[BU Today] Is Today’s Minimum Wage an Honest Living Wage?

School of Hospitality Administration speaker series on Wednesday to address minimum wages, tipping, hospitality industry challenges At $15 an hour, the minimum wage in Massachusetts is one of the highest in the nation, trailing only New York, Connecticut, Washington, D.C., the state of Washington, and California. The minimum wage still languishes in the single digits […]

BU Today – The Pandemic Changed How We Eat, Travel, Tip. Now Things Are Changing Again

It wasn’t all COVID’s fault, but the pandemic profoundly changed how we eat, travel, and even tip—it upended the entire hospitality business.  When the pandemic started in March 2020, hospitality, like a lot of other industries, all but stopped. People stayed home, didn’t travel for business or pleasure, and didn’t eat out. Workers were laid […]