When my son was about 6 years old, he began playing soccer in a local league. Perhaps some of you moms and pops can relate to this but I was “volunteered” by my wife to be his team’s coach. I knew very little about soccer, but I quickly learned the basics. I spent two seasons as coach, have grown to love the game, and have followed my son’s progress ever since—from the parents’ side of the field. (What an adventure even that can be.) The 2026 FIFA World Cup begins on June 11 and finishes on July 19. Matches will...

NATIONAL REPORT—A significant majority of corporate travel buyers are expressing concern over a U.S. government plan that would require foreign visitors to provide five years of social media history when entering the country. According to a recent survey by Business Travel Show Europe, 85 percent of respondents oppose the proposal, with only 2.5 percent in support and less than 1 percent willing to accept it for leisure tourists only. The proposal, introduced by U.S. Customs and Border Protection and detailed in the Federal Register, would apply to travelers from over 40 countries participating in the Visa Waiver Program, including the...

AMSTERDAM—Booking.com’s 2026 Travel & Sustainability Report reveals a growing tension in travel decisions, with nearly three quarters of travelers globally saying they consider extreme weather risk when choosing both destination (74 percent) and timing (74 percent), and nearly one-third (31 percent) canceling a trip due to these risks—often before the trip even starts. The concern is not without merit: 26 percent of travelers have already experienced extreme weather or a natural disaster when traveling in the past 12 months. More than half (55 percent) say these risks are stressful when planning a trip, with the same number (55 percent) saying...

NATIONAL REPORT—According to a survey of 7,000 travelers, Gen Z and Millennials make sustainability and overtourism prevention central to trip planning and 94 percent say they are willing to travel off-peak to reduce crowding. They back demand-management measures at popular sites, with 83 percent supporting restrictions that protect natural and cultural assets even if it limits their access. Gen Z and Millennial travelers are rewriting the rules on when and where they go and what they’ll give up to protect the places at the top of their bucket lists. Expedia Group’s new study, Travel with Purpose: How Gen Z &...

NEW YORK—Beyond Green, a global community of bold leaders advancing sustainable travel, marked its five‑year anniversary on Earth Day with the launch of a year‑long celebration designed to celebrate five years of impact while setting the stage for the next chapter of leadership in sustainable travel. The brand is launching a year‑long program of initiatives celebrating the brand’s evolution, impact, and continued commitment to shaping a more responsible future for travel. Since its launch in 2021 by Preferred Travel Group, Beyond Green has emerged as a leading force for positive change across the global travel industry. Beyond Green has experienced a steady growth of...

As described in my April 24 column, if you do business in the European Union, you need to pay attention to the EU Empowering Consumers Directive (EmpCo). As concerns about greenwashing grow, EmpCo is introducing stricter rules for how companies communicate sustainability claims and use environmental labels—in effect beginning September 27. As reported this week on Green Lodging News, the European Travel Commission (ETC), the Global Destination Sustainability Movement (GDS-Movement) and NECSTouR launched Proof, Not Promises: A Practical Guide to the EU Empowering Consumers Directive for Destinations, a new report designed to help destinations, tourism businesses, and event organizers respond to EMPCo. Please...

GLENEDEN BEACH, ORE.—Salishan Coastal Lodge by SCP Hotels has debuted new immersive programming perfect for meetings and groups, redefining the traditional offsite with nature-led experiences rooted in wellness, connection, and sustainability. Set between forested bluffs and Siletz Bay with more than 35,000 square feet of meeting space, the beloved coastal retreat offers a compelling backdrop for high-impact gatherings that go beyond the boardroom. “Today’s most impactful meetings are those that balance productivity with genuine human connection,” said Amy Hildahl, Senior Director of Sales at SCP Hotels. “At Salishan Coastal Lodge, we’ve designed experiences that allow teams to step outside, reconnect with...

BRUSSELS, BELGIUM—The European Travel Commission (ETC), the Global Destination Sustainability Movement (GDS-Movement) and NECSTouR launched Proof, Not Promises: A Practical Guide to the EU Empowering Consumers Directive for Destinations, a new report designed to help destinations, tourism businesses, and event organizers respond to one of the most significant regulatory shifts in sustainability communication. The report provides practical guidance on the EU’s Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition Directive (EU) 2024/825, which will apply from September 27, 2026, and fundamentally changes how environmental claims to consumers can be made across Europe. Claims will need to be clear, specific, evidence-based, and not...

CHIANG MAI, THAILAND—Meliá Chiang Mai has launched a two-night stay package that routes a portion of the proceeds to a food rescue foundation. The Sustainability Package includes two nights’ accommodation with breakfast and one three-course set dinner for two based on seasonal, locally sourced ingredients at MAI Restaurant and Bar on the 21st floor. The package supports Scholars of Sustenance (SOS) Thailand, a food rescue foundation established in 2016 to enhance the country’s food system. SOS Thailand aims to minimize needless loss of surplus food and improve food equity by redistributing quality surplus food on a daily basis from hotels, grocers, and...

INTERNATIONAL REPORT—The Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA) has released its 2026 Adventure Travel Trends & Insights report, drawing on global survey data collected between January and March 2026 to reflect operator performance and sentiment from 2025. After years of rapid post-pandemic recovery, the adventure travel sector is entering a more measured phase, defined by resilience, recalibration, and strategic adaptation. Now in its 19th year, the report continues to serve as a benchmark for tracking the direction and performance of the global adventure travel sector. A total of 329 tour operators participated, representing businesses headquartered across South America, Europe, North America, Asia,...