ESG
Swedish aluminum packaging startup Meadow is expanding into the hospitality sector with a wall-mounted system for pre-filled aluminum canisters, betting on sustainability regulations to drive adoption. Pilots are expected this year, with broader launches next year.
At an international hotel forum, Radisson Hotel Group announced plans to achieve net zero emissions at 100 hotels by 2030, based on its 'Verified Net Zero Hotel' pilot project launched last year, with expansion planned this year in Norway, Denmark, Sweden, the UK, and South Africa, and over the next five years extending to Germany, Austria, and Spain's Canary Islands.
Deloitte's latest report indicates that U.S. consumers still prioritize travel, but financial caution triggered by economic uncertainty is spreading across all income levels, potentially stabilizing travel metrics in 2026. The report also reveals trends such as divergence in luxury travel, the rise of younger travelers, increased attention to sustainability, and accelerated adoption of AI.
MGM Resorts International announced that with the commissioning of the Escape solar and storage project in Lincoln County, Nevada, its Las Vegas Strip properties can now meet 100% of their daytime electricity demand with solar power. The project includes 115 megawatts of solar photovoltaic capacity and 400 megawatt-hours of storage, and utilizes terrain-following solar tracker technology. Michael Gulich, Vice President of Sustainability at MGM, details the technical specifics and next steps.
In 2025, emerging technologies profoundly impacted every aspect of the hotel industry, from daily operations to guest experiences. In the second half of the year, Hotel Dive's monthly series "Hotel Tech-in" covered innovations such as water recycling systems, AI wine pairing platforms, and cinematic drone tours. This article brings together in-depth interviews with the technology leaders behind these solutions, exploring how hotel technology will develop over the coming year.
The Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills has deployed Epic Cleantec's water recycling system, treating 1,200 gallons of wastewater daily and recycling 438,000 gallons annually for rooftop greenery irrigation. The system's aesthetic design and small footprint are poised to reshape water management in the hotel industry.
Halfway through 2026, the hospitality industry's major conferences continue. From the GBTA conference in August to INSPIRE in December, this article reviews industry events worth attention for hospitality leaders in the second half of the year, covering key areas such as business travel, data insights, real estate development, technology applications, and luxury hotels.
As eco-conscious travel becomes a standard expectation, hotels must navigate a labyrinth of sustainability certifications. With varying standards, costs, and regional regulations, choosing the right certification is challenging. This article provides five strategies: select certifications that fit your priorities, align with evolving regulations like the EU's Green Claims Directive, decide whether to standardize across properties, leverage certifications for revenue impact, and future-proof your strategy with data management tools. By prioritizing credible certifications and using sustainability data platforms, hotels can enhance their sustainability leadership, build guest trust, and gain a competitive edge.
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts has launched the Accelerator Circle, a new program for its BOLD (Black Owners and Lodging Developers) and Women Own the Room (WOTR) franchisees. The program provides quarterly small-group virtual meetings where participants engage in expert-led roundtable discussions on topics such as securing financing, hotel renovations, development, and operations. The initiative, stemming from owner feedback, aims to connect franchisees with a network of existing owners and industry experts. With 90 combined hotel contracts signed by BOLD and WOTR members, the program seeks to offer peer-to-peer connections and mentorship. The first meeting, led by WaterWalk CEO Mimi Oliver, will focus on leveraging franchisor or brand support. Future topics will be selected based on franchisee polling. The program ultimately aims to expand diversity in hotel ownership, addressing the underrepresentation of Black and women entrepreneurs in the industry.