ReportWire

Tag: sustainable tourism

  • Kind Traveler Expands for Earth Day: The Travel Revolution That Gives Back

    [ad_1]

    Every Stay Gives Back: Growing Kindness One Destination at a Time


    LOS ANGELES, April 3, 2025 (Newswire.com)
    –
    In celebration of Earth Day – recognized by over a billion people across 192 countries – Kind Traveler announces a major expansion of its Every Stay Gives Back (ESGB) program. With 20 newly onboarded hotels and 16 charity partnerships across 16 destinations worldwide, Kind Traveler continues its mission to make travel a force for kindness, creating measurable impact for local communities and ecosystems.

    New destinations include Patagonia, Chile; Maui, Hawaii; Palermo, Italy; Victoria, Canada; Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts; Cannonville, Utah; and nine locations across California in collaboration with Visit California. Since launching in September 2023, the program has raised $530,000+ for local charities.

    TURN YOUR VACATION INTO A GIFT TO THE PLANET

    Kind Traveler’s Every Stay Gives Back program – founded by a woman-and-veteran-owned public benefit corporation – makes charitable giving part of every hotel stay. Regardless of how a stay is booked, a portion of the revenue supports vetted nonprofits in wildlife conservation, food security, disaster relief, and environmental restoration.

    Guests receive access to live impact dashboards to see how their stay contributes to real-world change, fostering transparency, education, and inspiration to travel kindly.

    EARTH DAY IMPACT: HOW YOUR STAY MAKES A DIFFERENCE

    • 91,652 servings of locally grown produce shared by Farm to Pantry in Sonoma County

    • 1,932 students served with art supplies via La Playa Centro Comunitario in Los Cabos

    • 458 native seabirds rehabilitated by Wildlife Center of the North Coast (Oregon Coast)

    • 633 homeless dogs rescued and cared for by SAGA Humane Society in Belize

    FEATURED HOTEL & CHARITY PARTNERSHIPS

    • The Surfrider Malibu – Los Angeles Emergency Preparedness Foundation

    • Regent Santa Monica Beach / westdrift Manhattan Beach – Marine Mammal Care Center

    • Nonpareil Stays (Los Angeles) – Wolf Connection

    • The Bower Hotel (Coronado) – Emerald Keepers

    • Casa Cody & Acme House Co. (Palm Springs) – Friends of the Desert Mountains

    • Coasting Homes / Mar Vista Farm + Cottages (Mendocino) – Redwood Coast Land Conservancy

    • Noyo Harbor Inn – Mendocino Land Trust

    • Ojai Retreat & Inn – Ojai Retreat Cultural Center

    • Geneseo Inn / JUST INN (Paso Robles) – Echo Shelter

    • Dunton Hot Springs (CO) – Bridge Shelter

    • Clear Sky Resorts (UT) – Grand Staircase Escalante Partners

    • Nobnocket Boutique Inn (MA) – Lagoon Pond Association

    • Hale Akua Garden Farm (HI) – Leilani Farm Sanctuary

    • Brentwood Bay Resort (Canada) – Power to Be

    • Eko Patagonia (Chile) – Fundación Renoval

    • La Bella Palermo (Italy) – Medicare Onlus

    THIS EARTH DAY, CHOOSE A STAY THAT GIVES BACK

    A recent New York Times report found that 71% of travelers want to leave destinations better than they found them. Kind Traveler meets this demand by helping travelers create a positive impact through intentional stays.

    “As we celebrate Earth Day 2025, it’s clear that travel can be a powerful catalyst for change,” says Jessica Blotter, CEO and co-founder. “Through Every Stay Gives Back, we’re reimagining hospitality to uplift communities and protect the planet.”

    Explore with purpose this Earth Day – discover new opportunities to travel responsibly and give back at KindTraveler.com.

    Source: Kind Traveler

    [ad_2]

    Source link

  • Unity Environmental University Spearheads Sustainable Tourism Education Programming

    Unity Environmental University Spearheads Sustainable Tourism Education Programming

    [ad_1]


    NEW GLOUCESTER, Maine, December 22, 2023 (Newswire.com)
    –
    Unity Environmental University, a pioneering institution in environmental education, is announcing the launch of two new baccalaureate programs within its Distance Education arm: B.S. in Tourism Destination Management and B.S. in Regenerative Hotel Management. These programs mark the beginning of a new line of programming dedicated to servicing the rapidly growing hospitality and tourism industry.

    President and CEO Dr. Melik Peter Khoury shared his vision for the expansion, “We are introducing new programs as a first step in our broader strategy to offer a variety of educational opportunities. Our aim is to cultivate a new generation of environmental leaders, equipped with the skills and knowledge necessary to address the intricate environmental challenges of our era.”

    “Tourism and hospitality intersect with all 17 global Sustainable Development Goals. If done in a regenerative way that centers on ethical and sustainable principles, tourism can help advance sustainable development in many areas,” said Dr. Lydia Horne, Associate Director of Sustainable Ecotourism and Recreation Programs.

    Dr. Horne is dedicated to the development of a comprehensive suite of degree programs in regenerative tourism and hotel management.

    B.S. in Tourism Destination Management: This program merges a passion for travel with environmental consciousness. It addresses critical global issues like climate change, biodiversity loss, and cultural preservation through sustainable travel experiences. Students will learn to balance local development needs, sustainable resource use, and economic security by designing and evaluating tourism experiences using regenerative principles. There’s a strong focus on project management so students can work in a wide variety of fields, such as in corporate or non-profit spaces.

    B.S. in Regenerative Hotel Management: As demand for sustainable travel options rises, this program prepares students to lead in eco-friendly hospitality management. It encompasses aspects such as circular product management, waste reduction, and culturally enriching travel experiences. The course covers sustainable hospitality and supply chain management, equipping graduates for management positions in hotels, resorts, and smaller lodging facilities.

    “A lot of work remains if the industry is going to be part of the solution to global socio-ecological challenges. Without a shift toward widespread adoption of sustainable and regenerative tourism, the industry will remain part of the problem instead of being part of the solution,” said Dr. Horne.

    These programs are framed through the concept of regenerative tourism and hospitality, which incorporates principles of sustainability that balance community vitality, environmental conservation, and economic viability while adding additional layers.

    “Our graduates will be the obvious choice for employers in this sector and exemplars of what it means to be culturally competent, environmentally aware professionals. We are committed to nurturing individuals who are not just career-ready but are also equipped to make a meaningful impact in the world of sustainable travel and conservation,” said Dr. Khoury. 

    Plans are underway to introduce graduate-level programs in these fields, further emphasizing the university’s commitment to providing comprehensive and innovative education in environmental sustainability across multiple fields.

    About Unity Environmental University

    Serving over 7,500 students nationwide, with locations throughout the State of Maine, Unity Environmental University is a leader in sustainable education. The University is dedicated to nurturing environmentally competent professionals and inspiring individuals from diverse backgrounds to preserve our planet’s ecosystems. Founded over 50 years ago, educational accessibility, flexibility, and sustainability are at the core of our institution’s identity, influencing all aspects of our operations, from degree programs to global initiatives. Learn more about us by visiting unity.edu.

    Source: Unity Environmental University

    [ad_2]

    Source link