PARIS—Accor, Booking.com and the University of Surrey have co-authored a comprehensive report on encouraging travelers to adopt more sustainable behaviors. The study’s findings are based on analyzing 24 traveler interviews, a journey analysis of 22 additional travelers, and rigorous lab-based behavioral research with 67 participants. Most modern travelers (83 percent) consider sustainable travel crucial, with 67 percent feeling motivated to embrace more responsible practices when they see them implemented. Accor and Booking.com partnered with the University of Surrey to address this demand, applying academic meticulousness to an innovative research protocol. This protocol used advanced technologies like eye tracking, galvanic skin...

BURLINGTON, VERMONT—A new study published in Science reveals a startling 22 percent decline in butterfly populations across the United States over the past two decades, with Monarch butterflies (Danaus Plexippus) suffering particularly severe losses. The latest Western Monarch Count recorded just 9,119 butterflies—a staggering 96 percent drop from last year’s 233,394. Adding to the urgency, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has proposed listing the monarch butterfly as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act due to dramatic population declines. Scientists warn that habitat destruction, climate change, and pesticide use are driving the crisis, but gardeners and community members can take immediate action...

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLA.—Certified B Corporation andCo Hospitality announced its official launch, marking a transformative evolution for the storied sustainable hospitality brand. Originally operating as a singular flag under the Legacy Vacation Resorts name, andCo will now become the leading entity for a collection of three dynamic accommodations brands, each with its own personality and guest promise. This new multi-level brand structure including newly created “The Fold Hotels,” a revamp of the “Legacy Vacation Resorts” brand, and the recently acquired “The Local,” will provide many opportunities for responsible vacations in destinations across the U.S. for all travelers, making sustainable tourism options more accessible than...

Travel industry leaders remain committed to action around sustainability but require more support, according to data from Travalyst, the not-for-profit organization founded by Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex. Travalyst’s Five-Year Milestone Report includes survey data from travelers and industry leaders in the United States and the United Kingdom, as well as insights on the coalition’s efforts since its 2019 launch and moving forward. The survey of travel leaders revealed that the “industry is committed to action, despite a challenging context,” the report said. In fact, more than nine in 10 travel industry leaders said they agree that governments should ensure companies in the space report...

STOWE, VERMONT—Spruce Peak announced it has achieved its 14th consecutive year as an Audubon International Sustainable Community. This prestigious recognition underscores Spruce Peak’s ongoing commitment to environmental stewardship, sustainability, and the enhancement of the natural beauty that defines the region. Spruce Peak’s long history with the Audubon International Sustainable Communities Program began in 2010 when it became the first Ski Resort community in the country to earn this distinguished environmental achievement. Since then, the community has continued to uphold and exceed the standards set by this certification. Additionally, the dedication to sustainability is evident through the involvement in other Audubon...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—One year after the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) and the Hotel Association of Canada (HAC) united to co-own and operate Green Key Global to advance sustainability in the hospitality industry, Green Key Global, a leading sustainability certification body for hotels, announces the launch of Green Key Ready. This new entry-level solution provides hotels with a structured, accessible and cost-effective first step toward full Green Key Eco-Rating certification. Green Key Ready is tailored to hotel properties in the early stages of their sustainability journey or with limited resources. The solution consists of a questionnaire based on sustainability fundamentals and...

SAVANNAH, GA.—Green Badger, the leading SaaS developer for managing sustainable construction, released its 2024 Sustainability Report and announced that 80 percent of the top 25 Green Construction firms now use its software to streamline and automate LEED certification and ESG reporting. According to the report, year-over-year growth remained strong, with more than 550 construction projects using Green Badger’s software in 2024, and total users eclipsed 11,200 worldwide, representing a 20 percent increase. While federal environmental policies continue to ebb and flow, Green Badger CEO and Founder Tommy Linstroth sees a consistent undercurrent of strong demand for sustainable construction. “We’re talking with leaders at...

NATIONAL REPORT—An extensive study conducted by Hospitality and Tourism Management has highlighted potential issues with hotel sustainability information. The research indicates that excessive quantity and complexity of this information could lead to customer confusion and skepticism, potentially driving perceptions of “greenwashing”. The study was published in the Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Management and involved over 800 users of hotel search platforms in the U.K. and Germany. The researchers used self-reported data and sustainability ratings from Booking.com’s now-defunct Travel Sustainable label. The label was removed in March 2024 following criticism from the Netherlands’ Consumers and Markets Authority. Survey results showed that 48 percent...

LONDON—Stripped-back yet refined, within striking distance of Lisbon yet a world away, Comporta has a singular charm and serene beauty. A few miles south is the new Pinheirinho coastal estate, many years in the making, that will set an exceptional new standard in mindful design. Six Senses, part of IHG Hotels & Resorts’ fast-growing Luxury & Lifestyle portfolio, has signed a hotel management agreement with VIC Properties as one of the few hand-picked communities that will be brought to life in accordance with strict aesthetic and sustainability guidelines. Understated Slice of Atlantic Coastline For decades, the 400-hectare Pinheirinho estate was privately owned and accessible by invitation only, with...

WILLEMSTAD, CURAÇAO—As destinations worldwide struggle with overtourism, the Caribbean Island of Curaçao is taking a forward-thinking approach that prioritizes high-value, low-impact tourism growth and long-term resilience over short-term gains. In partnership with Sustainable Travel International and the George Washington University International Institute of Tourism Studies (GW IITS), Curaçao is implementing a Destination Carrying Capacity Study, a 360-degree framework evaluating the economic, environmental, and social impacts of increasing tourism. By shifting the focus from sheer volume to a more holistic measure of tourism’s value, this initiative aims to create a balanced, mutually beneficial industry that maximizes economic benefits while safeguarding...