HELSINKI, FINLAND—Earlier this month, Helsinki was granted the Green Destinations GSTC certificate, which is one more step towards its goal of becoming the world’s most sustainable travel destination. Helsinki is the first city with over half a million residents to receive this certificate. Helsinki receives the Green Destinations GSTC certificate, which meets the strictest criteria of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) for a sustainable travel destination. Achieving it essentially requires full compliance with the criteria. There are over 280 items in the GSTC criteria that cover all areas of sustainability. The criteria examine operations from the perspectives of environmental, cultural, social and economic sustainability and sustainable...

MADEIRA, PORTUGAL—Savoy Signature has transformed five thousand square meters of land in the west of Madeira into cultivated areas, where various vegetables and aromatic herbs are now grown for use in the restaurants of its hotel units. This is just one of the initiatives that form part of the brand’s sustainability project. Under the slogan “Hosting the Future Together”, which has just been launched as a reinforcement of this commitment, the hotel collection promotes various actions that benefit not only guests and employees but also the local community and Madeira’s natural heritage. Sílvia Dias, Head of Marketing and Sustainability at Savoy Signature,...

CAM RANH, VIETNAM—Alma Resort Cam Ranh is encouraging the young and the young at heart to roll up their sleeves and get their hands dirty in the name of the environment. From Monday to Sunday between 3 p.m. to 4 p.m., the award-winning resort’s Kid’s Club offers its “Green Hands, Green Future Tree Planting Activity”. Green thumbs choose between planting three different trees; a Golden Bell, a Bauhinia variegata or a coconut Tree. Participants receive a personalised name tag for their tree as well as regular photo updates of its progress. “Leave your mark on our resort by selecting from three tree...

PARIS—Accor, a global leader in hospitality, Booking.com, one of the world’s leading digital travel platforms, and the University of Surrey, a global leader in hospitality and tourism management education and research, have published a report based on research aimed at understanding and addressing traveler motivations when it comes to making more sustainable decisions during their stay. This initiative has been driven by an understanding that guests play a critical role in the efficacy and efficiency of various sustainability initiatives. However, there can be a high level of skepticism among travelers when it comes to their role in those efforts. The...

WILMINGTON, DELAWARE—The global sustainable tourism market was valued at $3.3 trillion in 2022, is projected to reach $11.4 trillion by 2032, and will grow at a CAGR of 14 percent from 2023 to 2032. This is according to a new report published by Allied Market Research, titled, “Sustainable Tourism Market Size, Share, Competitive Landscape and Trend Analysis Report, by Type, by Application, by Age Group: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2023-2032.” The research report offers quantitative and qualitative analyses of the overall market environment, focusing on key investment opportunities, top market segments, value chain analysis, market dynamics, regional outlook,...

CHICAGO—Hyatt Hotels Corp. and RLH Properties announced the planned transformation and rebranding of Andaz Mayakoba Resort Riviera Maya to Alila Mayakoba, which will mark the Alila brand’s entry into Latin America and the Caribbean. Andaz Mayakoba Resort Riviera Maya is expected to suspend operations on March 2, 2025, and debut as Alila Mayakoba later this year. Alila is a luxury brand that has received substantial recognition for its place at the forefront of transformational travel. Hotels and resorts in the global brand portfolio are known for their awe-inspiring experiences that allow guests to create a sense of connection to...

MONTEGO BAY, JAMAICA—Palladium Hotel Group has announced the expansion of Grand Palladium Hotels & Resorts in Jamaica, a project promoted by Grupo Empresas Matutes. This transformative development will add more than 948 new rooms and is expected to create around 1,500 direct jobs in the destination, along with 2,600 to 5,700 indirect job opportunities. The expansion will further strengthen the brand’s presence in Jamaica, introducing the TRS Hotels adults-only luxury all-inclusive brand and the Family Selection concept at Grand Palladium Hotels & Resorts. Details of the expansion project were revealed during a groundbreaking ceremony on February 18. The event was attended by...

This year, the lodging industry will continue to face the growing demand of delivering exceptional guest experiences while embracing sustainable development. This will be compounded by the need to manage rising operational costs, competitive market pressures, and the increasing expectation to integrate innovative technologies that enhance both energy efficiency and guest satisfaction. Yet the industry is also experiencing a renewed sense of optimism, thanks to the continued post-pandemic rebound and a recovering demand for wider travel. This surge has encouraged developers and operators to invest in new projects and property upgrades, particularly those focusing on creating more sustainable, energy-efficient, and...

SEATTLE—World Gym Mexico recently acquired nine pieces of SportsArt’s ECO-POWR premium cardio equipment for its Playa Del Carmen location. The installation includes five G660 treadmills, two steppers and two cycles from the ECO-POWR Elite line. A key component to the acquisition is ECO-POWR’s patented technology that captures human energy created by using the machines and returns it to the grid. SportsArt is committed to leading the fitness industry in eco-friendly action through research, design and education on sustainable business solutions and practices. SportArt’s patented ECO-POWR technology is revolutionizing cardio workouts. The built-in technology drives a connection between individual actions and the impact...

MILWAUKEE, WIS.—Zurn Elkay Water Solutions, a leading provider of innovative water solutions, kicked off its 125th anniversary year celebration with the release of its 2024 Sustainability Report. The report highlights Zurn Elkay’s progress in addressing critical water challenges and improving operational sustainability, including advancements toward its 16 timebound goals. Notably, the company reduced its energy intensity by 23 percent from its 2021 baseline, surpassing the 15 percent reduction target set for 2024. Zurn Elkay is also on track to meet its goal of a 50 percent reduction in GHG intensity by 2030, achieving a 38 percent reduction since 2021. The...