BRADES, MONTSERRAT—The Montserrat Tourism Authority in collaboration with local stakeholders has launched Phase 2 of its Community Awareness Program, the Community Environmental Stewardship Initiative. This initiative serves as a rallying call for all residents, community leaders, and government officials alike—to strengthen the collective commitment to preserving the island’s invaluable terrestrial and coastal ecosystems. As the driving force behind this community-led movement, the Montserrat Tourism Authority recognized that protecting Montserrat’s natural beauty is not only vital for sustainable tourism but also essential for the well-being and prosperity of its people. By fostering environmental stewardship at every level, the aim is to...

EXETER, ENGLAND—IHG has opened voco Zeal Exeter Science Park—IHG’s first branded net zero carbon hotel, in partnership with Zeal Hotels and Valor Hospitality. It has been designed to operate entirely on renewable and solar energy. As with all voco branded hotels, the 142-room voco Zeal Exeter Science Park has been designed to help guests truly unwind and feel at ease with the use of neutral tones and contemporary features throughout the guestrooms and public spaces. Guests staying at the hotel will have access to a mini gym, gardens, a versatile meeting space and 12 EV charging points. The hotel’s onsite restaurant and bar,...

BERLIN—Between revolution and adaptation: The international travel industry made an impressive comeback last year. However, new technologies are fundamentally changing the game’s rules in the industry. In a world of dynamic change, the international tourism industry remains on course. At the close of ITB Berlin 2025, the travel world presented itself in an optimistic mood and robust shape. The order books of most companies are well-filled, and global travel demand has not been this high in a long time. At the same time, the industry is facing a series of complex challenges and tasks that require new strategies and ways of thinking. The...

BETHESDA, MD.—The Luxury Collection, part of Marriott Bonvoy’s portfolio of over 30 hotel brands, announces a new brand partnership with MAD Academy, the trailblazing nonprofit organization founded by chef René Redzepi, recipient of three MICHELIN Stars, with a focus on transforming food systems through the people who work in food and hospitality across the globe. With more than 120 hotels and resorts across over 40 countries and territories, The Luxury Collection boasts a diverse global portfolio that connects guests to the distinctive wonders of their destination. Through its immersive collaboration with MAD Academy, The Luxury Collection aims to create a scalable...

CHICAGO—Hyatt Hotels Corporation announces the opening of Hyatt Place Leeds and Hyatt House Leeds in the United Kingdom, marking the Hyatt brands’ debut into the Leeds market. With Hyatt Place and Hyatt House under one roof, this new dual-branded development combines intuitive design, practical amenities, spacious rooms, and 24/7 convenience, offering guests a home away from home. Hyatt Place Leeds and Hyatt House Leeds are BREEAM certified and fully electric, which underscores the hotels’ dedication to creating more sustainable, high-performing buildings. Located in the heart of Leeds, in the regenerated Sovereign Square, these hotels are a stone’s throw from the train station...

EMERYVILLE, CALIF.—SCS Global Services (SCS), a pioneer and international leader in third-party sustainability and environmental certifications, announces the first events certified under the SCS Zero Waste Standard—two Dell Technologies Forum Events in India. Organized by Kestone Global and in consultation with Saahas Zero Waste, these regional events were held in Mumbai and Bangalore and achieved 98.64 percent and 92.88 percent diversion, respectively. The third-party certification from SCS was awarded after completing a comprehensive waste assessment, including an on-site audit during the events to verify successful diversion of waste from landfill through recycling, composting, waste-to-energy, and resale. “The events were an integrated approach...

KOHALA COAST, HAWAII—Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, an Autograph Collection property on Hawaii’s Kohala Coast, has completed the first phase of its $200 million renovation and unveiled its on-property garden, created to redefine coastal dining with a transformative culinary experience. By blending the island’s abundant variety of fresh local vegetables, herbs, and fruit with innovative culinary techniques at Manta restaurant, the newly reinvigorated oceanfront venue introduces a new concept: a hyper-farm-to-table menu sourced directly from the resort’s “Ulu Garden.” This results in bold interpretations of classic Hawaiian cuisine. Nestled within the resort, the Ulu Garden is a testament to Mauna Kea Beach Hotel’s commitment to...

Sustainability is no longer just a buzzword; it has become an integral selling point in the hospitality industry. Travelers are increasingly conscious of a hotel’s sustainability efforts and environmental impact. It’s finally become a proactive focus rather than a reactive afterthought. With this, it’s high-time that property managers and engineers recognize that successful, whole-property water management is more than just fixing leaks and implementing low-flow fixtures. By dedicating resources to automation, real-time monitoring, water recycling and predictive analytics, properties can optimize their water usage to be more eco-friendly. Tech is Evolving Technology is playing an enormous role in advancing comprehensive water management...

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,...