TAMPA, FLA.—The Wellness Tourism Association (WTA), a respected voice in global wellness tourism, announces its relaunch as a for-profit entity under the ownership and leadership of Robin Ruiz, Founder & CEO of WITT (Wellness in Travel & Tourism), who now also serves as WTA’s President & CEO. Founded in 2018 as a U.S.-based nonprofit, the WTA has been instrumental in shaping the modern wellness tourism sector by: • Building a global network of DMOs, suppliers, travel advisors, practitioners, retreat leaders, media, and aligned partners; • Publishing the first Glossary of Wellness Tourism Terms; • Conducting foundational industry research and consumer surveys; and • Creating the first Wellness Travel...

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...

CHARLOTTE, N.C.—GPS Air, a leading provider of indoor air quality (IAQ) solutions, recently announced a successful partnership with The Houstonian Hotel, Club & Spa, a premier luxury hospitality and fitness destination in Houston. In response to increased air quality concerns triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic, The Houstonian installed GPS Air’s state-of-the-art air purification technology in 32 units across key areas, including hotel rooms, the spa, fitness center and restaurants, ensuring cleaner air for its guests and members. Faced with uncertainties at the onset of the pandemic, The Houstonian's facilities team sought a robust solution to protect multiple high-traffic spaces across...

INTERNATIONAL REPORT—The hospitality industry thrives on people, both the teams delivering exceptional guest experiences and the communities they serve. Yet the 2025 Taking the Temperature Survey, conducted by Hospitality Action in partnership with Agilysys, reveals a pressing challenge for many hospitality workers as stress, burnout, and mental health struggles remain part of daily life. As a partner of Hospitality Action, Agilysys is committed not only to supporting individual operators but also to uplifting the industry as a whole. When our people thrive, so does our sector. The survey results are a reminder that prioritizing wellbeing is not only a moral responsibility,...

SANTA MONICA, CALIF.—Filterbaby, a leader in clean water solutions for beauty and wellness, announces its partnership with Proper Hotel, as a featured wellness brand in the newly unveiled Wellness Rooms at Santa Monica Proper Hotel. Designed to support travelers on their personal wellness journeys, the new Wellness Rooms offer a choice between restorative or performance-focused environments, each thoughtfully curated to support rest, recovery and balance. The partnership follows a series of recent milestones for Filterbaby, including being named “Brand of the Year” in the 2025 Glossy Pop Awards, winning a 2025 NewBeauty Beauty Award for “Best Shower Filter” and being named one of the TIME Best Inventions of 2024, all testaments...

MIAMI—The Global Wellness Summit (GWS) announced that its 19th annual conference will take place in Dubai from November 18 to 21, 2025. The event will focus on the theme “Longevity Through a Wellness Lens,” addressing the growing emphasis on longevity and health span within the wellness industry. This marks the first time the Summit will be held in the Middle East’s Gulf Region. The conference will bring together leaders from various sectors, including wellness companies, healthcare professionals, investors, and policymakers. Discussions will cover the future of wellness, innovations, and evidence-based practices, with a particular focus on the role of wellness...

“Wellness-Washing.” Have you heard of it? A cousin of greenwashing, whose origin is in hospitality, wellness-washing suggests an attempt at dishonesty or exaggeration of the steps a hotel is taking to provide a healthy environment and wellness options for guests and employees. According to WITT (Wellness in Travel & Tourism) and the Wellness Tourism Association (WTA), wellness-washing is common. That is one reason why the two organizations have partnered to launch the Core Wellness Standards for Hotels. And yes, it is another certification for hotel owners/operators to consider. See wittcertified.com. The article posted on Green Lodging News this past week provides more details, but...

TAMPA, FLA.—WITT (Wellness in Travel & Tourism) and the Wellness Tourism Association (WTA) have partnered to launch the Core Wellness Standards for Hotels, a first-of-its-kind global initiative designed to help hotels integrate authentic, holistic and high-quality wellness into every guest touchpoint. Developed with guidance from the WITT Standards Advisory Committee, a global assembly of experts in hospitality, fitness, nutrition, sustainability, and travel, the standards set clear, measurable benchmarks to help hotels elevate their wellness offerings and stand out in a competitive market. Drawn from WITT’s 100+ rigorous certification criteria under five essential pillars, the Core Wellness Standards represent the fundamental requirements for a property to...

With summer nearly behind us—my son has already been in school a week—it’s time to preview the next few months of the busy trade show/conference season. The season kicks off on August 23 with The Clean Show at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla. (August 23 to 26). This event is a great opportunity to connect with companies ranging from laundry equipment suppliers to floor cleaning equipment suppliers. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn how you can reduce energy and water consumption in your cleaning processes. Educational sessions will cover topics such as “Hygienically Clean, Clean Green and...

INTERNATIONAL REPORT—The hospitality industry contributes to 3 percent of global carbon emissions, with hotel operations responsible for 1 percent and construction of new hotels accounting for the remaining 2 percent (UNTWO, 2022). Additionally, the industry generates approximately 289,700 tons of waste annually, which include around 79,000 tons of food waste (Tostivint et al., 2016). As concerns over environmental impact and corporate responsibility grow, hotels globally are adopting multiple “green” initiatives aimed at reducing their carbon footprint, conserving resources, and improving community engagement. Numerous green certifications have emerged over the last decade, and this can be noted as a step in the...