The hospitality industry is experiencing a period of adjustment. Multiple factors are converging to create a storm of uncertainty. However, a ray of hope is shining through in the form of the growing sustainability movement. The number of visitors from 20 major countries to the U.S. decreased by 10.3 percent this past March when compared to the same time last year. In addition, travel from Western Europe saw a noticeable drop of 17.2 percent, according to data by the U.S. International Trade Administration. This comes at a time when many of our neighbors to the North are also pausing on travel...

While the hospitality market’s sustainability ambitions have hit the launchpad here in the U.S., they haven’t quite reached a sustained orbit.  But we’re on our way, and to get there, our nation must first acknowledge that, at this moment, we’re trailing much of the world in this vital stewardship movement throughout. We’ve got a way to go. The commercial asset class of hospitality is still trailing behind much of the developed world to date. So, what in the world does that mean for our industry in 2025 and 2026? Many great sustainability technologies are now available, and more innovations enter the...

As more consumers and designers increasingly prioritize wellness, biophilic design has become a driving force in furniture manufacturing, especially within hospitality spaces. Beyond simply adding greenery, biophilic design extends to the materials and textures and is reflected in the craftsmanship that collectively shapes a space holistically. Incorporating biophilic elements into furniture manufacturing involves utilizing responsibly sourced materials like reclaimed wood, embracing organic forms, and applying textured finishes. It’s imperative for brands to design biophilic furniture that connects to nature while minimizing environmental impact. A commitment to durable, recyclable materials ensures that sustainability is built into every piece—without compromising the client’s...

Today’s design decisions for the hospitality industry, and the built environment generally, will have an impact on human health, ecosystem health, and planetary health for generations. So, it’s important that “cost” is appropriately defined and understood. This is made more complicated by a lack of published information (the majority of products used in the built environment do not fully disclose their contents and only a small minority of HPDs are prepared by an independent third party) and the prevalence of greenwashing. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC or simply “vinyl”) is very familiar to many designers and has been for decades, so understandably,...

In today’s evolving business landscape, social sustainability has emerged as a crucial pillar of responsible governance, emphasizing the importance of creating supportive, inclusive environments that benefit individuals and communities. For the hospitality industry, social sustainability involves fostering an atmosphere where all guests feel valued and understood, including those with invisible disabilities like autism. This approach aligns with Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles and opens new brand opportunities to serve a broader demographic. By making accommodations for autistic guests, hotels can enhance guest satisfaction, loyalty, and inclusivity—essential qualities for a socially sustainable business. Expanding Hospitality to Include Guests with Autism As mid-level...

Sustainability is no longer just a buzzword; it has become an integral selling point in the hospitality industry. Travelers are increasingly conscious of a hotel’s sustainability efforts and environmental impact. It’s finally become a proactive focus rather than a reactive afterthought. With this, it’s high-time that property managers and engineers recognize that successful, whole-property water management is more than just fixing leaks and implementing low-flow fixtures. By dedicating resources to automation, real-time monitoring, water recycling and predictive analytics, properties can optimize their water usage to be more eco-friendly. Tech is Evolving Technology is playing an enormous role in advancing comprehensive water management...

This year, the lodging industry will continue to face the growing demand of delivering exceptional guest experiences while embracing sustainable development. This will be compounded by the need to manage rising operational costs, competitive market pressures, and the increasing expectation to integrate innovative technologies that enhance both energy efficiency and guest satisfaction. Yet the industry is also experiencing a renewed sense of optimism, thanks to the continued post-pandemic rebound and a recovering demand for wider travel. This surge has encouraged developers and operators to invest in new projects and property upgrades, particularly those focusing on creating more sustainable, energy-efficient, and...

Regardless of sector, no company can afford to ignore sustainability today; the commercial, moral, and regulatory mandates are just too significant—and potentially costly. Despite this, many companies struggle to advance sustainability within their operations, resulting in tepid actions that amount to little more than greenwashing or worse, greenhushing. Why? In most cases, organizations have a data problem. Specifically, they lack reliable and trustworthy data about their environmental and social impacts and the tools to translate them into the meaningful insights required to convince decision-makers to pursue transformative projects. The adage, “You can’t manage and innovate what you can’t measure,” has...

Hotel sustainability certifications are no longer a specialized distinction but an essential means of meeting market demand. With 73 percent of global tourists preferring to stay in hotels that apply sustainable practices, green certificates increasingly play a key role in influencing consumer choices. Research shows that hotels with sustainability certifications typically receive higher guest satisfaction ratings, as these certifications enhance the perceived quality of the hotel. For this reason, the number of hotels earning certifications like Bioscore, Green Key, EarthCheck and LEED is rapidly expanding, with a 20 percent increase between 2022 and 2023 alone. In this context, hotel operators...

Hello, Green Lodging News readers! My name is Meredith Marin, and I’m thrilled to be writing to you from the crossroads of two things I’m deeply passionate about: hospitality and veganism. As the founder of Vegan Hospitality, I spend my days helping hotels and resorts navigate the ever-evolving needs of vegan guests—one plant-based menu and guest experience at a time. “I’m not interested in plant-based eating or veganism, and frankly vegan guests are difficult to deal with,” you may be thinking. This is where you might stop reading, wondering how this topic even applies to your life or your business....