Name: Natily Santos Title: Vice President, Responsible Sourcing Company: Aramark + Avendra International Years in Current Position: Five years, 11 months Primary Responsibilities: As Vice President of Responsible Sourcing at Aramark + Avendra International, she drives sustainable procurement and inclusive sourcing initiatives that have contributed to advancing sustainable practices for operators and clients, as well as generated over $1 billion in economic impact through Aramark partnerships with small and underrepresented suppliers. Company’s most significant accomplishment in sustainability: “There’s no single initiative; we continue to expand and track progress across all programs annually, while identifying new opportunities for improvement. This year, we’ve prioritized growing the Avendra...

NATIONAL REPORT—Deloitte’s latest corporate travel survey reveals a complex landscape for business travel up to 2026. While budgets are generally increasing, there is a notable shift in priorities and a growing emphasis on cost management and sustainability. The survey, conducted among U.S.-based travel managers and corporate travelers, provides insights into the evolving dynamics of corporate travel. Company travel spend holds steady, but changes are on the horizon: three in four (74 percent) travel managers surveyed plan to expand budgets this year (similar to 2024), but fewer (68 percent) expect to do so for 2026. However, the share of travel managers expecting...

NEW YORK—Carnegie, a leader in sustainable textiles and acoustical management solutions for the commercial industry, announces its fourth consecutive recertification as a Certified B Corporation (“B Corp”) by B Lab. This achievement underscores Carnegie’s ongoing commitment to meeting high standards of verified social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency. Carnegie has been B Corp certified since 2014, undergoing rigorous recertification every three years to ensure compliance with B Lab’s continuously evolving standards. Unlike certifications that address only single attributes, B Corp Certification is a holistic framework that evaluates a company’s overall impact. In an industry crowded with certifications and vulnerable to greenwashing,...

ALASKA—Alaska has embraced its identity as “The Last Frontier” and experienced significant growth in eco-tourism, fueled by rising cruise traffic and interest in outdoor recreation, helping to offset the state’s declining oil industry. Despite challenges with strained infrastructure and political uncertainty, the overall outlook remains positive, with tourism revenues reaching record highs year-over-year. The state of Alaska, once competing for the top spot among American states for crude oil production, has been adjusting to a new reality. While oil production still accounts for a considerable 40 percent of total state revenue, according to The Tundra Drums, that percentage is significantly below oil...

INTERNATIONAL REPORT—Visiting a holiday park, ranging from lodge parks to caravan parks or glamping yurts, is a favored holiday choice for the U.K. domestic market. Estimating the market size for U.K. holiday parks is complex due to overlapping categories. However, Mintel estimates the holiday centers and parks segment revenue to be valued at £3.5bn in 2024—a 20 percent growth from pre-pandemic levels. In 2023, there were 4,754 holiday parks and campsites operating in the U.K., accounting for 320,901 pitches, with the highest number in South West England. The sector further supports approximately 230,000 full time jobs across the U.K. Holiday parks and campsites generated...

COPENHAGEN—1 Hotels, the mission-driven luxury lifestyle hotel brand founded by hospitality visionary Barry Sternlicht, announces the official opening of 1 Hotel Copenhagen, a transformative reimagining of the historic Skt. Petri. Copenhagen is one of the world’s most forward-thinking cities and a beacon of sustainability. So, it makes sense that 1 Hotels—a purpose-driven brand built around sustainable travel—chose the city for its first location in continental Europe. Drawing on Copenhagen’s commitment to climate leadership and eco-conscious living, the hotel pairs Nordic craftsmanship with a deep connection to nature. Guests will find calming interiors shaped by natural materials, living landscapes that shift with the seasons, and a lifestyle...

MONTREAL—INNhotels and SOFIAC are joining forces to launch an ambitious decarbonization project spanning the family-owned hotel chain’s eight properties across Alberta and British Columbia. This $5.9 million investment—fully financed by SOFIAC—will reduce the hotels’ energy consumption by nearly 30 percent while delivering long-term improvements to guest comfort. Now led by the second generation, INNhotels is on a mission to inspire travelers to embrace responsible tourism. The company was eager to put its decarbonization plan into action but also needed to prioritize other strategic investments to sustain its growth. With its unique financing model—with no impact on debt ratios—and tailored support, SOFIAC...

PARADISE ISLAND, BAHAMAS—Atlantis Paradise Island, a global leader in marine life conservation, has been awarded Virtuoso’s Sustainable Leadership: Protecting the Planet Award, recognizing the resort’s commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainable practices in the Bahamas. This honor highlights the resort’s ongoing dedication to preserving surrounding marine ecosystems and advancing responsible tourism as part of its new era of growth and transformation. Virtuoso, a leading global network specializing in luxury and experiential travel, announced its 2025 Virtuoso Global Awards during its 37th annual Virtuoso Travel Week, which took place August 9 to 15 in Las Vegas. Atlantis Paradise Island was honored among...

In the past, sustainability in hospitality was often considered a marketing “bonus”—a small checkbox for eco-friendly lighting or recycling bins in guestrooms. Today, that perception has shifted dramatically. For a growing segment of travelers—particularly Millennials and Gen Z—environmental responsibility is not just a preference. It is a deciding factor in where they choose to stay, dine, and spend their travel dollars. This generational shift is reshaping the hospitality industry. Hotels that align with climate-conscious values are building stronger brand loyalty, commanding premium rates, and future-proofing their operations against rising environmental regulations and resource costs. The Rise of the Climate-Conscious Traveler Multiple studies...

CANCUN, MEXICO—Due to the massive arrival of female sea turtles during the 2024 season, the Cancun City Council, through its Ecology Department, requested the Cancún Hotel Association and each hotel expand the pens where sea turtle nests are placed. It must be noted that one of the beaches that receives the most turtles is located in front of Sunset World Group’s Sunset Royal Beach Resort. Therefore, the group recently shared a progress report on the 2025 sea turtle nesting season, reporting that this year, 63 females have nested on the Sunset Royal beach and laid 7,789 eggs to date. It's worth mentioning...