News

Why every day is Earth Day at new eco London hotel, room2 Chiswick

Earth Day is just round the corner on April 22nd and the world’s first whole life net zero hotel, room2 Chiswick, is celebrating Earth Day all 365 days of the year. In keeping with the 2022 Earth Day theme of investing in our planet, room2 Chiswick is setting the new standard for environmental responsibility, using technical innovation, local d­­esigners and craftmanship and zero-waste policies to prove sustainability doesn’t mean sacrificing style, convenience, or comfort when on the move. room2 Chiswick is the ideal destination for eco-conscious and responsible travellers looking for the ultimate stay in London this Earth Day, or any day.

Lamington Serviced Apartments

Chiswick, United Kingdom

Travelodge appoints ‘Disability Positive’

Earlier this week, Travelodge, one of the UK’s largest hotel chain’s that operates over 590 hotels across the UK, Ireland and Spain, has appointed Disability Positive to advise on policy and training programmes to support customers with lived experience of disability and long term health conditions, and their families.

Travelodge

United Kingdom

Scotland Calls on Visitors to Travel Responsibly

Like other destination marketing organizations (DMOs) impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, VisitScotland has launched marketing efforts to keep Scotland front of mind as potential visitors make future travel plans. At the same time, the organization wants to be sure that Scottish tourism builds back sustainably, in a way that supports the destination in the long term. In this post, we discuss how VisitScotland partnered with us at Expedia Group Media Solutions to deliver a series of marketing campaigns that promote both recovery and responsibility, and committed itself to these ideals by signing the UNESCO Sustainable Travel Pledge.

By Evelina Hederer, Director, Business Development, Expedia Group Media Solutions

Scotland, United Kingdom

Top Five Business Supporting Hospitality Sector Recovery

The Covid-19 pandemic has been ruthless and unwavering in its destruction over the past two years. In the UK, many lives have unfortunately been taken; pressure on the NHS reached new heights and the economy has suffered considerably. Businesses across the country were forced to close or operate at limited capacity with significant losses, and the health of businesses in the hospitality sector have been in jeopardy ever since. However, as we look ahead to a post-pandemic world, we have an opportunity to rebuild our economy in a greener, fairer and more resilient way; the key to doing so, is through innovation.

By Jonny Voon, Head of The Sustainable Innovation Fund, Innovate UK

Ukraine

room2 Chiswick sets a new green standard for hotel design

Bringing a whole new sense of green living to the hospitality industry, new hometel, room2 Chiswick steps away from polished neat interiors and instead offers a relaxed setting that feels real to the touch with genuine connection to craftsmanship and community. Inspired by the spirit of Chiswick’s 19th century arts and crafts heritage and recognising the climate situation, room2 Chiswick, the world’s first whole life net zero hotel, combines handcrafted local design with much reduced environmental impact, proving that style doesn't come at the expense of the environment.

Lamington Serviced Apartments

London, United Kingdom

The Gran Meliá Menorca and Paradisus Gran Canaria Hotels Win the Rethink 2022 Awards for Sustainability

The renovation of the future Gran Meliá hotel on the island of Menorca and the transformation of the Meliá Tamarindos in Gran Canaria into the future Paradisus Gran Canaria Resort have been named winners of the Rethink Hotel Award. The award is presented by the Habitat Futura Group at the FITUR International Tourism Trade Fair in recognition of the most sustainable hotel refurbishment projects based on criteria including energy efficiency, renewable energy use and production, waste management and water use.

Melia

Spain

7 Changes the UK’s Hotel Sector Can’t Afford to Ignore

The pandemic, Brexit and ongoing supply issues have prompted key changes in the UK’s hotel sector, many of which are long-term, if not permanent.

By Russell Kett, Chairman at HVS - London Office, HVS

United Kingdom

Spotta & Stainbusters team up to protect UK hotels from bed bugs

Spotta Smart Pest Systems has partnered with Stainbusters Cleaning & Hygiene Services as part of a strategic programme to bring full-service smart bed bug detection and treatment to accommodation-based businesses.

Spotta Smart Pest Systems

United Kingdom

BTA First to Benchmark Business Travel

The BTA is taking the initiative for the business travel industry to fulfil the United Nation’s (UN) COP26 goals with a trailblazing 3-step environmental, social and governance (ESG) campaign, launching in January 2022.

BTA (Business Travel Association)

United Kingdom

De Vere donates over half a million pounds to NHS Charities Together

De Vere

United Kingdom

Climate change and the growing thirst for sustainable Swiss wine

The challenges faced by the wine industry globally are echoed in the Swiss wine industry too. Setting aside the challenges brought by the global pandemic, we took a look through the lenses of sustainability, innovation and global warming to analyse the current developments taking place in the Swiss wine regions.

EHL

Switzerland

UNWTO, WTTC & WTM Ministers’ Summit commits to Investing in Tourism’s Sustainable Future

Tourism leaders from around the world will once again come together for the UNWTO, WTTC & WTM Ministers’ Summit at WTM London this November, to commit to investing in the sector’s sustainable future.

RX

London, United Kingdom

Launch of world’s first fully net zero carbon hotel

room2, the hometel brand, announces that it will open the world’s first whole life net zero carbon hotel in Chiswick, West London, in December. Expected to be 89% more energy efficient than the typical UK hotel per sqm, room2 Chiswick has been built with pioneering technologies to achieve net zero throughout both the design and construction stages and throughout its whole life, which, in a hotel industry first, includes both embodied and operational emissions.

Lamington Serviced Apartments

London, United Kingdom

“Football meets Culture” initiative enjoys the support of strong partners

Strong partners have come together to assist with an integrative education programme entitled “Football meets Culture”. In Frankfurt am Main, local supporters of the initiative introduced themselves and described their work with socially disadvantaged children.

H World International

Germany

Ecamir Launches First-of-a-Kind Environmental Sustainability Lessons Across Russia

Non-profit organisation Ecamir has been awarded a Hilton Effect Grant to introduce interactive lessons on environmental sustainability to more than 250,000 schoolchildren of all ages across Russia.

Hilton

Russian Federation

A Hands-on Mentality Aimed at Enshrining Sustainability

Conserving resources for future generations requires a pro-active approach. The Steigenberger Grandhotel Belvédère Davos in the Swiss Alps has become one of the first active participants in the Davos Climate Fund, which was instigated today by the Destination Davos Klosters Tourism Office and the not-for-profit organisation myclimate. The goal is for the town to become carbon neutral by 2030. The financial resources made available via the fund will be used for purposes such as the establishment of renewable energies, investment in electromobility equipment including e-bikes, e-cars and charging stations or special measures to raise awareness amongst guests and the local population.

H World International

Switzerland

Future-Proofing UK Hotels

Malcolm Kerr, Managing Director of Horwath HTL UK has been talking to prominent executives and advisors to get their perspective on the major challenges facing owners and how they are preparing for an uncertain future.

By Malcolm Kerr, Managing Director of Horwath HTL UK, Horwath

United Kingdom

Wine Tourism And Rural Development: Strategies To Support Recovery Will Be Discussed In Portugal On 9-10 September 2021

Following the success of the past four editions, the Conference will take place on 9-10 September 2021, in Reguengos de Monsaraz in the Alentejo region, in collaboration with the Government of Portugal.

UN Tourism

Portugal

Mallorca Joins UNWTO’s Network Of Sustainable Tourism Observatories

Mallorca, one of Europe’s top destinations for more than 70 years, welcoming millions of visitors every year, becomes the latest member of UNWTO’s global INSTO network. The Mallorca Sustainable Tourism Observatory (STO) is a key new element of the island’s strategy to preserve the destination and assess how the sector affects the natural environment, economy, and residents.

UN Tourism

Mallorca, Spain

UNWTO And Greece To Collaborate On Maritime Tourism Research Centre

The new monitoring centre will be based at the University of the Aegean in Greece. From here, experts will capture and collate measurement data and analysis relating to the environmental, economic, and social impact of tourism.

UN Tourism

Greece