News & Features
Home News & Features

Montserrat Tourism Launches Youth-Led Environmental Magazine
MONTSERRAT—The Montserrat Tourism Authority is pleased to release the first edition of the Community Environmental Stewardship Initiative (CESI) Magazine, a vibrant new platform championing local voices and environmental action.
CESI is more than a movement; it’s a call to action. It brings together residents, community leaders, and policymakers to protect Montserrat’s breathtaking landscapes and coastal ecosystems. Through collective stewardship, we’re securing a sustainable future for our island, our people, and the tourism industry that depends on the health of our environment.
“This launch marks a pivotal moment in our commitment to sustainability,” said Nicole Fagan, Product Development Officer at the Montserrat...
Accor Signs New Swissotel at Beihu Ecological Park in Chengdu
CHENGDU, CHINA—Accor announced the signing of a new Swissôtel hotel in the thriving destination of Chengdu, in partnership with Beijing Tianheng Group. Set to open in 2026, Swissôtel Chengdu Beihu Lake will bring the brand’s signature blend of precision, cultural authenticity, and Swiss premium hospitality to the up-and-coming community of Beihu. Surrounded by the Beihu Ecological Park, the site of the new 150-guestroom hotel is just a short ten-minute drive to the Giant Panda Base, a popular tourist attraction beloved by both Chinese and international travelers.
“Swissôtel Chengdu Beihu Lake will provide a meaningful economic boost to the beautiful and fast-growing community of Beihu, attracting visitors and...
Treehouse Hotel Silicon Valley Is Now Open
SUNNYVALE, CALIF.—Treehouse Hotels has officially landed stateside with its first U.S. outpost: Treehouse Hotel Silicon Valley, a happiness-inducing hotel that’s part of the playful lifestyle brand created by hospitality innovator Barry Sternlicht, Founder and Chairman of Starwood Hotels.
Treehouse Hotels first took root in 2019 with a celebrated location in London’s Marylebone neighborhood and is continuing to grow—with a much-anticipated second U.K. act that just opened in Manchester and even more global locations on the horizon.
Now open in Sunnyvale, Calif., the new Treehouse Hotel Silicon Valley brings Treehouse Hotel’s trademark blend of whimsy and warmth to America’s innovation capital. A...
The Beck Group Receives NEWH’s Inaugural SOHE Award
SHAWANO, WIS.—NEWH, Inc. (Network of Executive Women in Hospitality), the premier association committed to scholarships, advancing education, mentorship, and networking in the hospitality industry, announced The Beck Group as the winner of the inaugural Structures of Hospitality Excellence (SOHE) Award.
The Beck Group included The Populus Hotel in Denver as one of their recent projects in their SOHE nomination. The Populus Hotel reflects The Beck Group’s abilities and collaboration with ownership to deliver this project, which redefines sustainable hospitality as the first carbon-positive hotel in the United States, setting a new standard for eco-conscious operations and pushing the boundaries of architectural...
Sustainable Travel Series Expands Global Lens with Earth Day Episode on Zurich
SEATTLE—In honor of Earth Day, Sustainable Travel International released the latest episode of its Sustainable Travel: Where Next? docu-series spotlighting Zurich, Switzerland’s approach to responsible tourism. Produced in partnership with BlackRook Media, the short-form documentary reveals how sustainability in Zurich is a true community effort, rooted in local life and naturally extending to the visitor experience. From mobility and the arts to food and fashion, Zurich demonstrates how solutions that work for residents also enrich tourism, engaging visitors in creative initiatives that benefit both the city and the world. By showcasing the city’s efforts, the episode aims to inspire...
World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance, OceanShot, & Deborah Brosnan & Associates Partner
BERLIN—The World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance (the Alliance) announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with OceanShot and Deborah Brosnan & Associates during the Hospitality and Tourism Panel at the Sustainable Markets Initiative (SMI) CEO Summit in London.
This landmark partnership highlights a shared commitment to integrating nature-based solutions into the hospitality industry, aiming to achieve Net Positive Hospitality through practical, science-driven, and regenerative solutions that benefit both the environment and the sector.
The MOU will be effective for three years, focusing on key milestones such as the development of a comprehensive framework, implementation of pilot programs, and ongoing evaluation...
Local Features, Natural Landscape Enhance Design of Iceland’s ION Adventure Hotel
SELFOSS, ICELAND—Opened for more than a decade, the ION Adventure Hotel is located just about as far north as one can have a hotel—about an hour outside of Reykjavik, Iceland. The ION Adventure Hotel has many sustainable features and offers front row seating for the majestic Northern Lights. Making it easy to see those lights is the property’s Northern Lights Bar with its 180-degree panoramic windows.
The ION Adventure Hotel, which sits on a series of pillars that dramatically jut out of the slopes of Mount Hengill, was once the living residences for the nearby geothermal plant. In 2011, owner...
Accor Launches New White Paper on Sustainable Development in Greece
PARIS—Accor announces the launch of its white paper, Sustainable Expansion of Greek Tourism, an industry report exploring how sustainability can drive long-term growth and resilience in Greece’s tourism sector. In 2024, Greece welcomed a record-breaking over 35 million international visitors, reaffirming its status as one of the world’s top travel destinations.
As tourism continues to thrive, so does the need for responsible expansion—one that balances economic growth with environmental stewardship and cultural preservation. With its strong and expanding presence in Greece, Accor considers the country a strategic priority, and this white paper reflects its commitment to supporting the evolution of sustainable...
Indian Travelers Go Global: Safety, Social Media & Sustainability Stand Out in New MMGY Study
LONDON—As India rapidly matures in global and economic influence, so does the buying power of its vast and adventurous traveling population. According to new research by MMGY Travel Intelligence, passport-carrying adults in India intend to spend an average of $4,755 on leisure trips in the next 12 months, pinpointing a 14 percent increase in spending over the past year. This and other findings are at the core of Portrait of Indian International Travellers—which unveils key new insights into the travel behaviors, motivations and preferences of Indian travelers exploring abroad.
“India is rapidly emerging as one of the world’s most influential outbound travel markets,” said...
Kalahari Resorts & Conventions Introduces the Kalahari Adventure Collection: A New Chapter in Immersive, Nature-Driven Stays
WISCONSIN DELLS, WIS.—Kalahari Resorts & Conventions announced the launch of the Kalahari Adventure Collection, a new property tier defined by distinctive, experience-driven accommodations that invite guests to explore, connect and discover in unexpected ways. The first destination under this banner is now underway in Wisconsin Dells, with a bold mix of elevated treehouses, lakefront cabins and spacious villas, opening in 2026.
Tucked within the woods neighboring Kalahari’s flagship resort, the new development brings an entirely fresh flavor to the Kalahari experience—one where elevated design meets natural immersion. Leading the design and build of the custom treehouses is Nelson Treehouse, the...