A Quick Look at Green Key Year‑End Summary with Criteria Update in 2026
Green Key certified sites grew 25% to 8,300 properties in 90 countries, with new criteria launching October 2026 to align with EU regulations.
Sustainability
Sustainability Beyond the Obvious: Why Packaging Matters More Than We Think
GCSTIMES reports 82,735 kg CO₂e offset through bio-based packaging for key cards, equivalent to planting 3,760 trees.
American Hotel & Lodging Association Joins the U.S. Food Waste Pact
AHLA becomes the 30th signatory to the voluntary pact aimed at reducing the 10% of food waste that comes from lodging, equivalent to $17 billion annually.
100% of RIU’s hotels have the ECOSTARS certification, an important sustainability milestone
RIU becomes first hotel chain to certify 100% of properties with ECOSTARS, covering 98 hotels across 21 countries one year ahead of schedule.
Writing a Sustainable Christmas Story in Hospitality with GCSTIMES Eco Pens
GCSTIMES promotes their biodegradable bamboo and kraft paper pens as sustainable alternatives for hotels during the busy Christmas season.
Redefining Hospitality Through Sustainability and Innovation
Iberostar details its comprehensive Wave of Change sustainability program, including 70% landfill waste reduction, coral restoration projects across eight nurseries, and renewable energy operations in Spain and Brazil.
By Erika Harms, Global Director of Sustainability, Iberostar Hoteles
Sustainability News You Don’t Want to Miss in Recent Weeks
Multiple hotels earned Green Globe and EarthCheck certifications while new tools like BCD Travel's sustainability index make environmental performance measurable for corporate buyers.
Sustainable Christmas 2025: Practical Actions Hotels Can Take Today
The piece outlines specific strategies for hotels to reduce environmental impact during Christmas 2025, from living tree rentals to root-to-shoot menus and digital gift alternatives.
Beyond Green Expands Global Impact with Five New Members and Consulting Integration
Beyond Green unified its consulting division and added five sustainability-focused properties across Malaysia, New York, and Portugal to strengthen its global impact platform.
Sustainability in Hospitality: The Buzzwords That Defined 2025
The article identifies 10 key sustainability buzzwords that shaped hotel operations in 2025, from regenerative hospitality to ESG transparency.
AI-Enabled Sustainability: Turning Hotel Guests into Active Participants
Research from Rotterdam School of Management shows guests support sustainability but need visible, personalized AI tools to drive actual behavioral change in hotels.
By Dr. Yaser Al Dhabyani, Senior Lecturer in Hospitality Research and Marketing Innovation, Hotelschool The Hague and Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Hotelschool The Hague
U.S. Travel & Tourism Grows While Cutting Emissions, WTTC reveals
WTTC data shows U.S. tourism GDP grew 1.8% annually while emissions fell 1.7%, demonstrating successful economic-environmental decoupling.
Tourism Advances Climate Action at COP30 with Stronger Governance and Adaptation Focus
UN Tourism and Brazil's tourism ministry launched initiatives at COP30 to strengthen climate governance and accelerate the Glasgow Declaration's implementation across 70 endorsing governments.
How Hotels Are Blending Sustainability With Local Heritage, Craftsmanship & Culture
The article showcases three hotels demonstrating how sustainability initiatives can preserve local heritage, support traditional craftsmanship, and strengthen cultural connections.
Sustainable Gift Ideas: Embracing a Green Christmas
Hotel sustainability company promotes ISO-14068 amenity kits with bamboo accessories and FSC-certified packaging for eco-conscious guests.
Sunway Hotels & Resorts Partners with Saxon Renewables to Let Guests Take Control of their Carbon Emissions
Sunway's programme lets guests voluntarily offset emissions through certified projects, targeting 500 tonnes offset in year one with full rollout by Q1 2026.
How can we celebrate more sustainably this Christmas?
Two hotels showcase innovative approaches: The Upper House Hong Kong created a recyclable tree from plastic bottles, while Four Seasons Koh Samui used farm-grown materials.
When Your Sustainable Products Start Acting Like Hotel Staff…
The piece uses creative analogies to compare sustainable hotel products like wooden key cards and bamboo amenities to dedicated hotel staff members.
Small Luxury Hotels of the World debuts Call-to-Action Report
SLH introduces 10 mandatory sustainability standards for all 650+ member hotels by 2027 and expands its Considerate Collection to 82 certified properties across 40+ countries.
PATA and CWP Team Up to Produce Pacific Asia: Tourism with Purpose
PATA's new digital series will launch at the 2026 Annual Summit in Korea and showcase sustainable tourism initiatives across Asia Pacific.