A new climate action training programme for destinations has been launched by sustainable tourism non-profit, the Travel Foundation, in partnership with Expedia Group. ‘Destination Climate Champions’ is the first climate action training course that is free to access for those working in Destination Management Organisations (DMOs) and National Tourism Organisations (NTOs), thanks to generous sponsorship from Expedia Group.
In this second half of the interview with Dalené Claassens, Hotel General Manager at Babylonstoren, a rural resort located near Paarl, South Africa within the Cape Winelands vinicultural region, we take a closer look at some of the key onsite features that make this property both a one-of-a-kind destination for any traveler and a world leader in regenerative tourism. Indeed, delivering a truly unforgettable guest experience at this caliber is wholly dependent on all the various agricultural, immersive culinary and wellness programs that are on offer for visitors.
UN Tourism has opened applications for the 2025 edition of its prestigious Best Tourism Villages initiative. This initiative marks a continued commitment to advancing rural tourism as a catalyst for sustainable development and inclusion, while celebrating the rich tapestry of cultural and natural heritage, community values, and sustainable practices that make these destinations unique.
As the year 2025 unfolds, the business events sector—encompassing corporate travel, conferences, and other significant gatherings—finds itself at a critical juncture. The global imperative to address climate change and social equity has shifted market dynamics, compelling hotels and venues to provide ever more detailed sustainability data in response to corporate Requests for Proposals (RFPs). This “new normal” places higher expectations on hospitality providers to demonstrate robust environmental policies, socially responsible practices, and transparent reporting.
Through a matching campaign, Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH) and members of the Choice Privileges rewards program have donated nearly $90,000 toward the American Red Cross relief efforts for communities impacted by the wildfires in California in 2025. The campaign to raise funds ended on January 31, 2025. Choice Privileges members donated over 12.7 million points equivalent to $63,740, and Choice Hotels fulfilled a $25,000 donation match.
Hotel carbon emissions are at least five times higher than previously thought, according to research by Bob W.
New reporting requirements will oblige companies to pay closer attention to their sustainability data and goals and the disclosure of their annual progress. With more transparency will come a greater expectation for business travel to play its part in addressing climate change. Less talk and more action will be needed to avoid accusations of greenwashing.
A YOUGOV poll has revealed fewer than a third of over 60s in the UK have worried about the impact of their travel on the environment and the communities they visit – compared to half of Gen Zers.
Last month, Airbnb.org, a nonprofit founded by Airbnb, partnered with 211 LA to provide free emergency housing for people displaced by the fires. Within 48 hours of launching, 211 LA received more than ten thousand applications from Angelenos.
True hospitality is a story of people, the lands they live on, the foods they eat, the activities they do day in, day out, and all the cultural nuances that make life so joyous. Hospitality is also about giving back and stewarding the larger community, leaving the land better off for all stakeholders rather than a merely extractive enterprise catering to only travelers.
Several large hotel brand companies in the United States, as well as hotel ownership groups, have now formally committed to require third-party sustainability certifications for their properties. These must be from an approved and generally known and respected nonprofit certification body like Audubon International. These companies have embarked on a sustainability transformation journey for their physical assets, along with program and employee behavior changes in their hotel operations. The goal is to positively impact team culture, their overall business, and the community. They deserve credit and recognition for showing such leadership for the hospitality asset class in commercial real estate.
The hospitality industry is at a pivotal moment, balancing the urgent need for sustainability with the demands of an increasingly conscientious traveler. Today’s guests seek more than token gestures like reusing towels and linens; they demand genuine, impactful sustainability initiatives that align with their values. Enter artificial intelligence (AI) – a transformative force capable of propelling the industry toward a future where environmental responsibility, community engagement, and unparalleled guest experiences coalesce.
Accor's partnership with Energy Observer, the world’s first hydrogen-powered, zero-emission vessel, reflects our commitment to sustainable hospitality. The Group has also invested in Energy Observer’s development branch, EODev, to explore technologies that develop innovative energy solutions for the hotel of the future, aiming to reduce our carbon footprint.
The Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA) and the Energy & Environment Alliance (EEA) today announced a partnership to help establish unified sustainability standards, benchmarks, and performance metrics specifically tailored to the hotels and lodging sector. AAHOA's 20,000 members own 60% of the hotels in the United States; the EEA's membership represents around 45,000 hospitality assets globally.
Climate change is driving the world’s agenda. Business leaders everywhere are wrestling with how to respond to rising public and political pressure and align their systems and operations with the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement, established to keep global warming below 2°C and ideally 1.5°C. None more so than for hotels, that means reducing their emissions by 90 percent by 2050.
The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) unveiled its latest report today, exploring the critical gap between travellers’ desire for sustainable options and their actual behaviour.
The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA), the AHLA Foundation, and the BHN Group/Northstar Travel Group announced today that the co-founders of Procure Impact, the B2B marketplace for products that support workers in overlooked communities, have been named this year’s recipients of the Arne Sorenson Social Impact Leadership Award.
In today’s fast-paced work environment, well-being has become more critical than ever. As life accelerates, the need to slow down is gaining momentum. In fact, Accor’s recent study, The New Quality of Time, reports that 73% of respondents want to slow down the pace of their lives1. The study goes on to show that society’s perception of time in general is evolving ౼ people are seeking moments to pause, engage in self-care and create balance, both in their personal lives and at work.
Six Senses has received the highest level of certification by Control Union – a certification body accredited by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council. Six Senses properties* underwent an extensive audit by Control Union to verify their efforts in sustainability planning, reducing negative environmental impacts, enhancing cultural heritage, and maximizing social and economic benefits for surrounding communities.
In an era where we need our sustainability efforts to make a real, tangible impact, carbon pricing is overdue for an overhaul. Organizations can integrate carbon pricing into their business strategy to make economic growth compatible with climate action.
To discover more content beyond these 20 pages, please use our search feature or browse by category.