INTERNATIONAL REPORT—Trade wars, tariffs, sluggish growth: uncertainty and stagnation are the dominant themes of the 2025 global economy. By contrast, German consumer confidence is proving to be surprisingly robust, at least where travel and relaxation are concerned. Despite the difficult economic climate in Germany, summer holidays remain a priority for its citizens. According to estimates by the German Travel Association (DRV), Germans plan to spend around 85 billion euros on pre-holiday travel services in 2025—a significant 6 percent increase over the previous year. The organized travel market with package and tailormade tours is growing particularly strongly. The industry expects that...

I have reported many times over the years—especially during the height of COVID-19—about the impact of indoor air quality (IAQ) on the guest experience. (See the IAQ section of Green Lodging News.) According to EPA, there are a lot of elements of a hotel space that can negatively impact IAQ—everything from carbon monoxide to pesticides to cleaning products to what is off-gassed by pressed wood products. Hoteliers often fail to provide the level of IAQ that guests deserve. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 8 percent of the U.S. population has asthma. An estimated...

NATIONAL REPORT—Poor indoor air quality (IAQ) from allergens, mold, mildew, viruses, bacteria, cigarette smoke, marijuana smoke, vaping, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and more can easily result in a negative experience for your guests, harsh reviews of your property, and unexpected time, labor and dollars spent addressing the source(s) of the problem. Being proactive about IAQ can prevent a lot of headaches—literally—and even result in a higher room rate if you utilize one of the programs available from the companies in lodging that specialize in helping with TRevPAR (Total Revenue Per Available Room). Each company is unique in its approach....

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...

NATIONAL REPORT—As conversations around sustainability grow across industries, hoteliers have to ask: Is this something we should be focusing on? If you’re going for a higher star rating, sustainable operations initiatives may be a lot lower on your priority list than daily room cleanings, providing hair dryers and other star requirements. However, sustainability may be more valuable for your hotel than you realize. It can reduce water and energy consumption and staff workloads, potentially saving you money. Sustainable operations initiatives can also be marketing differentiators, helping you showcase the value of your hotel beyond good star ratings. Below, we look at why sustainable tourism...

INTERNATIONAL REPORT—Electric Vehicle (EV) charging points are becoming increasingly essential for hotels to stay competitive in the hospitality industry. The number of EV drivers in the U.K. has seen a sixfold increase from 2020 to 2024, reaching 1.36 million. As a result, the demand for accessible charging facilities has grown, with the availability of these facilities playing a pivotal role in the choice of accommodation for EV owners. Hotels that provide EV charging facilities stand to benefit in multiple ways. They can expect increased bookings and longer stays, as EV drivers often plan their trips around charging availability and may...

GLENS FALLS, N.Y.—Sustainable PR (SPR), a specialized “green” public relations firm, is expanding its team and client base to meet the increasing need for environmental advocacy. This growth comes as landmark climate laws face challenges and clients in clean tech, food service, and renewable energy sectors intensify their advocacy efforts at the state and federal levels. SPR has appointed Matthew Matyjek as Director of Media Relations and Carly Vallet as Associate Account Manager. Matyjek will oversee media relations and the accounts team, Vallet will support media and community relations. “These additions enhance our capacity to meet client needs in a rapidly...

AMSTERDAM—Booking.com released the 10th edition of its annual research exploring consumer attitudes and intentions with regards to the social and ecological impact of travel. With insights from 32,000 travelers in 34 countries, and amid growing discussion of the impact of tourism on destinations, the research concludes that, for the first time, more than half of travelers (53 percent) are now conscious of travel’s impact on communities as well as the environment, and that two thirds (69 percent) now want to leave places better than when they arrived. Booking.com’s new research takes a community-centric lens. Asking respondents not just how they...

Last week I attended the AAHOA Convention & Trade Show in New Orleans. One of the most interesting companies I came across at the trade show was AdReach. The company makes it easy for upscale properties to supply affordable water to guests in Tetra Prisma Aseptic 330mL cartons made from 63.4 percent renewable plant-based materials. All paperboard used in the cartons comes from Forest Stewardship Council-certified forests and other controlled sources. The recyclable cartons include a plant-based cap that is also recyclable. A lodging establishment must commit to purchase at least 1 pallet (2,304 cartons) per month for 12 months....

PUERTO VALLARTA, MEXICO—In honor of Earth Day, Velas Resorts is offering a series of immersive, eco-conscious activities at its properties in Puerto Vallarta, Riviera Nayarit, Los Cabos, and Riviera Maya. These initiatives are designed to connect guests with the natural world, highlight the importance of sustainability, and celebrate the local ecosystems and cultures that surround each property. “At Velas Resorts, we believe that sustainability isn’t a single-day effort—it’s a daily commitment to minimize our impact, support local communities, and preserve the culture around us,” says Juan Vela Ruiz, President of Velas Resorts. “This Earth Day, we’re inviting our guests to...