BRIDGETOWN, BARBADOS—The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with New York-based nonprofit Travel Unity to strengthen the region’s commitment to sustainable tourism by integrating inclusive practices across its membership and programming. The agreement leverages Travel Unity’s expertise in inclusive travel to support CTO’s vision of positioning the Caribbean as the world’s most desirable and welcoming destination. Founded in 2016, Travel Unity is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that makes the world of travel welcoming for all people through innovative approaches to education, professional development and community building. “Travel Unity is honored to formalize our collaboration with the...

PALM SPRINGS, CALIF.—Kimpton Rowan Palm Springs has joined Kind Traveler’s Every Stay Gives Back community impact program, empowering positive impact on local communities with every guest stay. The 153-room boutique hotel is partnering with Friends of the Desert Mountains, whose mission is to connect people to the Coachella Valley land through conservation, education and research, while also serving as the nonprofit steward of the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument. Since 1987, the organization has conserved 63,000 acres of desert landscape, built and restored over 310 miles of recreational trails, and protected more than 27 threatened and endangered plant...

MALDIVES—Green Lodging News was recently approached to learn more about the environmental efforts at the InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort. The following are the results of questions presented by Green Lodging News to Shoaib Siddiqui, Assistant Chief Engineer at the resort. 1. In what year did the property open? 2019 2. How many employees? 290 3. What plastics have been eliminated to qualify the resort as being free of single-use plastic? For example, is water now available in glass bottles? Another form? Are bathroom amenities available in pump dispensers? What other single-use plastics have been eliminated and why is it so important to do that? From...

ROME—Despite facing economic challenges and overtourism, the global hospitality industry is urged to focus on long-term opportunities, as discussed at the Italian Hotel Investment Conference in Rome. Terence Baker of CoStar News reports that the global hotel and travel industry is navigating a complex landscape characterized by both challenges and opportunities. At the recent Italian Hotel Investment Conference, industry leaders emphasized the importance of looking beyond immediate hurdles and planning for the future. The conference highlighted the dual pressures of economic uncertainty and overtourism, while also pointing to the enduring appeal of travel and the potential for growth in the hospitality...

JOSHUA TREE, CALIF.—Fieldtrip, Southern California’s leading boutique short-term rental brand, announces the latest addition to its growing collection of purpose-built properties, Atomic Ranch, a one-bedroom retreat set in Joshua Tree’s Pipes Canyon. Enveloped by 250 acres of untouched desert, Atomic Ranch offers an experience of complete privacy, nestled among towering boulders and blending the beauty of the desert with the sophistication of modern architecture and design. Atomic Ranch captures the spirit of Joshua Tree and everything we love about the desert. It’s a home that lets guests truly experience the destination and makes you feel completely connected to your surroundings. Inside, floor-to-ceiling windows...

NEW YORK—Starwood Hotels, the hotel brand management company behind 1 Hotels, Baccarat Hotels, and Treehouse Hotels, announced that 1 Hotel Copenhagen, 1 Hotel Melbourne, and 1 Hotel Seattle have each been awarded one Michelin Key, marking an impressive debut year for all three properties. They join 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge, 1 Hotel Central Park, 1 Hotel San Francisco, 1 Hotel South Beach, 1 Hotel Toronto, 1 Hotel Mayfair, 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay, 1 Hotel Haitang Bay, 1 Hotel Nashville, and Baccarat Hotel New York, which were among the first properties to receive the prestigious distinction and have each maintained...

SEATTLE—Expedia Group has released its annual global travel insights report, “Unpack ‘26,” which forecasts significant travel trends for the year 2026. The report, based on data from Expedia, Hotels.com, and Vrbo, as well as a survey of 24,000 travelers across 18 countries, provides a comprehensive look at the future of travel. 2026 Travel Trends Overview The “Unpack ‘26” report identifies several emerging trends that are shaping the travel landscape. These include the rise of sustainable tourism, the popularity of unique lodging experiences, and the increasing desire for immersive local and cultural experiences. Sustainable Tourism & Smart Travel Health Check A key focus of...

MALDIVES—On October 29, 2025, as the world celebrates conscious living, The Nautilus Maldives, an ultra-luxury bohemian private island hideaway, invites families to embark on a journey of transformation, creativity, and renewal. Debuting on World Sustainability Day, The Nautilus introduces a new series of monthly sustainability workshops for families, developed by ecoBirdy, a like-minded innovator in circular design. Earlier this year, The Nautilus introduced its sustainability partnership with ecoBirdy—an award-winning, family-run design brand renowned for its imaginative approach to socially and environmentally responsible design. Curated for Young Wonderers, this collaboration now deepens with immersive, hands-on workshops designed to blend creativity, learning, and...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—More than 30 industry associations representing hotels across the country yesterday sent a letter to the leaders of the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate urging them to end the government shutdown. As the county enters the fourth week of the shutdown, the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA), its members, and allied organizations are imploring Congressional leaders to reopen the government and restore services that impact travel and tourism. The consequences of the shutdown are far-reaching across the tourism and hospitality sectors broadly. According to an economic analysis, each day of the government shutdown costs the economy $31 million in activity that would’ve...

SINGAPORE—IHG Hotels & Resorts announced that Holiday Inn Express Singapore Clarke Quay is the first hotel in Asia to join its Low Carbon Pioneer program. The program is part of IHG’s global initiative to enhance sustainability across its properties by focusing on energy efficiency and renewable energy sources. The Holiday Inn Express Singapore Clarke Quay, which opened in 2014, incorporates various sustainability features. These include a fully electric kitchen, hot water heat pumps, high-efficiency water fixtures, and an intelligent building management system designed to optimize energy usage. The hotel also utilizes solar glazing and advanced lighting controls to maximize daylight...