Under the expanded partnership, the Alliance’s Summit will take place during the day, featuring a programme of best practice sessions, seminars, workshops and thought leadership discussions. The event will then transition in the evening to the World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards Gala Ceremony, recognising achievements and initiatives across the international travel and hospitality sector.
The combined event aims to create a unified moment in the industry calendar for destinations, companies, brands and innovators engaged in advancing sustainability across travel and hospitality.
The Summit and Awards will be held annually in November. The two organisations are currently evaluating potential host destinations, with more than four bids already submitted for consideration.
Recent recipients of the World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards 2025 were highlighted in a dedicated podcast episode showcasing sustainability initiatives across the sector. Featured examples included Iberostar’s ocean-positive hospitality approach, Dubrovnik’s recognition as “World’s Leading Sustainable Destination”, Ascott’s global sustainability framework, Accor’s responsible supply chain initiatives, EcoFry’s kitchen technology focused on environmental impact reduction, Ecoventura’s expedition tourism model with low environmental footprint, and the partnership between Hilton and Winnow addressing food waste through the Green Ramadan initiative.
These initiatives illustrate a range of approaches being implemented by organisations across the global tourism ecosystem, from operational innovation and supply chain management to destination management and technology solutions.
As part of the new phase of cooperation, the World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards and the Alliance are inviting expressions of interest from destinations and organisations interested in hosting the Summit and Awards over the next decade, with the objective of establishing a long-term international home for the platform.
Justin Cooke, Vice President of the World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards, said: “This partnership creates the ultimate annual date for sustainable travel and tourism. The Summit delivers the thinking, frameworks and practical action, while the Awards shine a spotlight on excellence and leadership. Together, they form a compelling global platform that informs, inspires and celebrates progress across the sector.”
Glenn Mandziuk, President and Chief Executive Officer of the World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance, said: “By bringing our Annual Summit together with the World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards, we are creating a platform that combines insight with inspiration. This next chapter is about accelerating impact at scale, sharing what works, and strengthening collaboration across the industry, while recognising those who are setting new benchmarks for sustainable leadership.”
Further announcements, including confirmation of the November host destination, programme details and additional podcast features with award winners, are expected to be released in the coming months.
Tags: Glenn Mandziuk, World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance