sustainable tourism
What Is Sustainable Travel: 10 Best Practices
Dr. Carlos Martin-Rios | July 3, 2024
As academics specializing in the travel, tourism and hospitality (TTH) industry, we have trained and advised dozens of companies in their journey towards sustainable businesses. There is so much more to sustainable travel & tourism than the generic statements you see on brand websites - which are invarably an attempt to greenwash. TTH firms are accountable and must take the changes taking place seriously, from Greta Thunberg's movement to new priorities in the World Economic Forum´s agenda or the ever-growing list of world moguls taking on a leading role in the fight against climate change. For that reason, we have identified 10 ...
UN Tourism Launches Second Edition of Women in Tech Startup Competition: Middle East
UN Tourism | May 9, 2024
UN Tourism has launched the second edition of its Women in Tech Startup Competition: Middle East. The initiative aims to highlight and support women entrepreneurs who are shaping the future of sustainable tourism and technology across the region. Applications now Open The competition targets startups that are led by women and based in the Middle East. Enterprises must be operating within the tourism sector and related industries, and offer sustainable solutions for people, the planet, and prosperity. They must also be an entrepreneurial project at an early stage, idea stage, or Series A stage of their journey. Applications are open for th...
Hilton’s Vice President of ESG and Global Head of Sustainability, Jean Garris Hand, Represents AHLA, Highlights ‘Responsible Stay’ in Senate
AHLA | November 8, 2023
WASHINGTON (Nov. 8, 2023) – Today, Hilton’s Vice President of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) and Global Head of Sustainability, Jean Garris Hand, testified on behalf of Hilton and the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) to the U.S. Senate Subcommittee on Tourism, Trade and Export Promotion. The hearing, titled “Sustainable Tourism for a Thriving Economy,” explored how to build a sustainable travel and tourism sector while balancing the needs of businesses, visitors, and local communities. Ms. Garris Hand’s written and spoken testimony highlighted how AHLA’s Responsible Stay initiative is rallying the h...
Tourism for Sustainable Development in the Spotlight at UN High-Level Forum Event
UNWTO | July 13, 2023
This week will bring tourism back to the United Nations headquarters to emphasize the sector’s unique position to accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Reflecting the unprecedented relevance of tourism on the UN agenda, UNWTO together with the Ministry of Tourism and Sport, Republic of Croatia and support from Ministry of Tourism, India, Chair of the G20 Tourism Working Group will gather leaders from the public and private sectors for a high level roundtable at the official side event on “Economic, Social, and Environmental Sustainability in Tourism" which will be held on Friday 14 July within the framewor...
New Global Research From Expedia Group Spotlights Growing Consumer Interest in Sustainable Tourism
Expedia Group | April 21, 2022
Expedia Group Takes Action to Improve Sustainability in the Travel Industry by Joining the Travalyst Coalition and Becoming a Signatory of the Glasgow Declaration for Climate Action in Tourism SEATTLE, April 21, 2022 – Expedia Group is dedicated to working within the travel industry to make travel more responsible. New research released today by Expedia Group™ Media Solutions, the global travel advertising platform connecting marketers with millions of travelers across Expedia Group’s brands, reveals that although 90% of consumers look for sustainable options when booking, 70% feel overwhelmed with navigating options and making the be...
Will ‘Less Is More’ Become the Tourism Buzzword of 2022?
Gregg Rockett | October 15, 2021
Reflections on the post-pandemic approach to sustainable tourism By Gregg Rockett The unprecedented 18-month hiatus in the global tourism industry has been a unique opportunity for communities to assess the pros and cons of their current tourism strategy. Tourism receipts evaporated, but so too did the throngs packing the streets and disrupting the lives of locals. The big-name ‘Bucket List’ destinations were given some rare peace and quiet and, maybe (hopefully), time to consider that enough is enough. Traveling in Portugal and Greece this summer, I witnessed first-hand the return of tourists to two of Europe’s most en...
Sustainable Tourism: A Long Road Ahead
Samuel Wich | March 4, 2020
By Samuel Wich Every single second, more than 30 tourists arrive at their destination worldwide. With more than 1 billion passengers projected to travel in 2020, the effect tourism has on the environment cannot be underestimated. “Sustainability” has been one of the biggest buzz words of the past decade in the industry. Yet, the proliferation of its use is not necessarily a good thing. Like other terms that are often used in marketing to promote some products or services of virtually any company, (e.g. “eco-friendly” or “green”), the word itself has in many instances lost its true meaning. According to the United Nations, su...
Sustainable Tourism: Why Should Hotels Lead in This Effort?
Lisa Xie | January 21, 2020
Sustainable tourism has grown significantly is the last few years. Why and how can hotels implement more sustainable practices, taking inspiration from the UN SDGs? By Lisa Xie The tourism industry has one of the highest growth rates out of all industries in the world, accounting for 10.4% of global GDP and 319 million jobs (10% of total employment in 2018)1.. At the moment, there is no sign of a slump in this trend. In 2018, 1.4 billion international tourist arrivals were recorded (up 47% from the 2010s' 950.8 million) and the number is expected to rise to 1.8 billion in 2030. Hotels are only one of the many actors that play a big...
