USALI
THE 12TH EDITION of Uniform System of Accounts for the Lodging Industry (USALI) is now launched. Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals published the revised edition, overseen by the Global Finance Committee and jointly sponsored by the American Hotel & Lodging Association and HFTP. The publication added financial and operating changes, a sustainability section, and a section specific to all-inclusive hotels, with an adoption date of Jan. 1, 2026.
The GFC comprises global financial leaders from AHLA’s financial management committee and HFTP members representing the most prominent global hotel brands, operators, owners, and other industry authorities, AHLA said in a statement.
"The USALI has long been the compass guiding financial and operational reporting in hospitality," said Gina Tallarico, GFC co-chair and Hyatt’s global head of acquisition integration. "This update signifies GFC's commitment to globalization, sustainability, and informed decision-making. With this 12th Revised Edition, we’re excited to introduce a new all-inclusive reporting section — an initial step toward standardization and benchmarking capability in this rapidly-growing segment."
The USALI undergoes periodic revisions to align with the evolving landscape of hotel operations and accounting standards, the statement said. A guiding principle of these revisions is to enhance transparency in reporting and broaden data sets to better inform decision-making.
Consequently, revenue and expense categories, including guest loyalty program costs and executive lounge expenses, have been refined. New schedules for payroll full-time equivalents and annual mandatory brand and operator costs have also been introduced, AHLA said.
"The 12th Edition's updates are a testament to the diverse insights from top global brands, management companies, and owners that comprise the GFC," said Raymond D. Martz, GFC co-chair and Pebblebrook Hotel Trust’s co-president and chief financial officer. "This comprehensive update enhances reporting and analysis in critical areas such as labor, market segmentation, and sustainability. These improvements will benefit properties of all sizes, both in the United States and around the world."
In line with evolving sustainability reporting trends, the Utilities Schedule has been replaced by a new Energy, Water, and Waste Schedule, the statement said. The change facilitates improved reporting and benchmarking of EWW usage and expenses, provides a roadmap for tracking greenhouse gas emissions, and addresses the increasing Environmental, Social, and Governance reporting requirements.
Another change is the introduction of a section dedicated to reporting revenue and expenses for all-inclusive hotels, which have unique pricing and operating models. This new guidance enables benchmarking of key performance metrics and operating analyses across this expanding segment.
The USALI is available via a digital subscription service or as a soft-cover book (expected release later this summer). The digital version is compatible with smartphones, tablets, and PCs. Subscribers also gain access to the online USALI Revenue and Expense Dictionary.
In 2022, AHLA and HFTP entered into a 10-year agreement to jointly produce the Uniform System of Accounts for the Lodging Industry, which serves as the global "standard" for hospitality accounting. HFTP purchased rights to its contents in 2018.
