INTERNATIONAL REPORT—Tourism can offer unforgettable experiences, but it comes with increasing environmental costs. As sustainability takes center stage in the industry, an emerging focus is on how travelers themselves can make a difference through pro-environmental behavior. To date, however, the interplay of personal and cultural values in shaping such behavior remains underexplored. Seeking to fill this gap, Professor Dori Davari and Professor Seongseop Kim of the School of Hotel and Tourism Management (SHTM) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, working with a co-author, targeted Chinese millennials, a major consumer group known for valuing luxury and self-expression while showing growing...

DUBAI, U.A.E.—Hilton announced the results of its Green Ramadan 2025 initiative, revealing a 26 percent reduction in post-consumer plate waste during the holy month. The month-long effort helped avoid more than 2.6 tons of food waste, the equivalent of more than 6,000 meals—reinforcing Hilton’s commitment to reducing food waste across its hotels through consistent, measurable impact. Building on the momentum of previous years, the program marked the initiative’s biggest rollout yet, scaled across 45 hotels in 14 countries in EMEA and APAC, and served more than 340,000 guests during iftar and suhoor—traditional meals during Ramadan. Participating hotels in Saudi Arabia, the United...

BENGALURU, INDIA—Marriott India has achieved its ambitious goal for World Environment Day 2025, a commitment to plant 100,000 trees across its extensive portfolio of over 150 hotels nationwide. This significant undertaking marked a powerful escalation of Marriott India’s dedication to sustainability and ecological restoration, building upon the success of its previous environmental initiatives. This landmark endeavor was built upon the successful foundation of last year’s “Two Trees per Room” initiative, launched on World Environment Day 2024. That program, a cornerstone of Marriott India’s environmental stewardship, saw over 32,600 trees planted by more than 4,900 volunteers. This year, Marriott India exponentially scaled...

ASPEN, COLO.—Arts and culture are interwoven into the fabric of Aspen One and its world-class portfolio of brands—Aspen Snowmass, The Little Nell, Limelight, and Aspen Collection. For decades, it has been part of the company’s ethos to support the arts and artists across its businesses and in the communities they serve. Expanding on that tradition, Aspen One announced that it is renewing and strengthening its commitment to the arts. First, the long-standing Art in Unexpected Places (ArtUP) program will receive new energy and funding, with an expansion of the program to include additional support of emerging artists and new partnerships with a range of art organizations....

VISTA, CALIF.—Uric acid scale is a mineral build-up commonly found in urinal basins. It forms when urine combines with flush water, making it primarily an issue with conventional flush urinals rather than waterless models. “This scale most often accumulates directly underneath waterspouts and water disbursement rims in urinals, creating both an unsightly appearance and unpleasant odors,” says Klaus Reichardt, CEO and founder of Waterless Co., Inc., a leading marketer of waterless urinals. “The scale can also build up on the floors directly below the urinal.” Cleaning professionals consider removing this scale one of their most challenging cleaning tasks. Making matters worse, the...

PUERTO VALLARTA, MEXICO—Velas Resorts, the renowned resort collection with properties across Mexico, introduces a new experience across its locations that merges environmental awareness, artistic expression, and elevated hospitality. Part of the resorts’ ongoing commitment to sustainability and responsible tourism, the Water Bottle Painting Workshop invites participants to customize their own reusable water bottles using premium paints, fine brushes, and a protective lacquer spray to ensure long-term durability and usability. Set in serene beachfront settings or private garden venues, the activity is ideal for team building, bridal parties, extended families, couples, and more, fully tailored for different occasions. Refillable at...

AMSTERDAM, THE NETHERLANDS—The Sustainable Hospitality Challenge (SHC), founded by Hotelschool The Hague, returns in 2025 with a dynamic new format that reflects the evolving landscape of hospitality innovation. It now features two powerful tracks centered around Impact and Inspiration. SHC continues to empower top students from around the world to redefine the future of sustainable travel and tourism. Over the past decade, SHC has evolved from a student competition into a global platform for innovation, generating hundreds of ideas showcased at leading industry conferences and impacting thousands of industry professionals. SHC envisions a hospitality industry where sustainability is embedded not only in products and...

LONDON—The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) and Greenview have launched a Global ESG Policy Tracker to help Travel and Tourism businesses monitor evolving ESG-related regulations and policies worldwide. The tool is designed to help these businesses navigate complex regulatory landscapes and incorporate sustainability considerations into their core business decisions. The tracker was developed in collaboration with Greenview, a company specializing in sustainability and ESG data solutions for the hospitality and Travel and Tourism industries. The Global ESG Policy Tracker is an online interactive dashboard that offers thorough coverage of regional, national, and state-level ESG policies. In addition to policy coverage,...

WISCONSIN DELLS, WIS.—Venture Luxury Estates, a division of Uphoff Resorts, announced that the Treetop Villas at Mirror Lake in the Wisconsin Dells is now open. Dawn Manor Restaurant, located next door, will also open this month. “We’re thrilled to open the doors of the Treetop Villas,” says Steve Uphoff, CEO of Uphoff Resorts. “The Wisconsin Dells is a one-of-a-kind destination, and we’re honored to be part of this community. Our luxurious tree houses offer guests a unique and tranquil retreat all year round.” “The Treetop Villas are a one-of-a-kind luxury retreat that seamlessly blends contemporary architecture with the natural beauty and...

NEW YORK—The International Interior Design Association’s New York Chapter (IIDA NY) has launched FurnitureMatch, a groundbreaking platform designed to connect surplus furniture with nonprofits and community organizations throughout New York City. This forward-thinking initiative aims to reduce landfill waste by giving high-quality furnishings a second life in the neighborhoods that need them most. FurnitureMatch acts as a centralized hub that connects designers, furniture liquidators, nonprofit leaders, and community stakeholders, streamlining the redistribution of furniture and fostering a more circular economy within the built environment. By closing the gap between surplus and need, the platform helps ensure that valuable resources are...