30/10/2025
The global leaders of sustainable tourism convened in Dubai for a ceremony to recognise the individuals and organisations that are accelerating change in net positive tourism. The 2nd annual World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards proved a fitting showcase for Terra, Expo City Dubai and its pioneering sustainability initiatives.
The VIP reception, held on 29 October, unveiled the 30 winners of this yearâs programme. Recipients of the coveted titles reflected the length and breadth of the sustainable tourism sector, ranging from community artisan initiatives to global hospitality giants.
Highlights included ITC Hotels winning âWorldâs Leading Sustainable Organisationâ for pioneering projects to conserve water and energy. Meanwhile, Four Seasons Resort Mallorca at Formentor emerged as the winner of âWorldâs Leading Sustainable Water & Waste Innovationâ for setting new benchmarks in water recycling and rainwater harvesting systems.
Green Ramadan was named âWorldâs Leading Sustainable Partnershipâ with the Hilton initiative resulting in a 26% reduction in waste during the holy month. The city of Dubrovnik was voted âWorldâs Leading Sustainable Destinationâ.
Individual winners included Mariana Domingues from Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon, who won the âWolfgang Neumann Sustainability Leader of Tomorrow Awardâ, and Siew Kim Beh of The Ascott Limited, who was voted âWorldâs Leading Sustainability Leaderâ.
It proved a big night for Mandarin Oriental, which collected treble honours: âWorldâs Leading Sustainable Energy Efficiency Initiativeâ, âWorldâs Leading Sustainable Cultural Heritage Projectâ, and âWorldâs Leading Sustainable Policy Initiativeâ.
Dubai celebrated with a double triumph with the emirate receiving Presidentâs awards for âWorldâs Leading Sustainable Cityâ and Terra, Expo City Dubai named âWorldâs Leading Sustainable Venueâ.
Justin Cooke, Executive Vice-President, World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards says: âWe are incredibly proud to celebrate and acknowledge the winners of the World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards 2025, each with fascinating stories of how they are positively impacting change. The standard has proved exceptional, and serves as a healthy indicator of the momentum, drive and innovation towards creating a net positive travel industry.â
The World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards categories and entry criteria were agreed by an Advisory Board of thought leaders from the travel and tourism industry, academia and government. Entries were assessed by students in Sustainable Business from Nova School of Business & Economics. Industry professionals, the media, and the general public voted for the nominees they consider to be leading the world in sustainable tourism.
This eveningâs carbon-neutral, farm-to-table, zero waste menu â supplied by Official Culinary Partner, Fresh On Table and curated by Chef Sarthak â underscores the programmeâs commitment to sustainability and the drive of the travel and hospitality sector to achieve net positivity.
The programme is run in partnership with the World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance, whose partners and members represent over 66,000 hotels, 8 million rooms globally, 300 brands, and over 100 supply chain and strategic partners.
Glenn Mandziuk, President & Chief Executive Officer, World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance, says: âTonightâs winners represent the very best of what our industry can achieve when purpose and performance come together. Their innovations show that sustainability is not a side project, it is the foundation of lasting success in travel and hospitality. I congratulate each of the award recipients for setting a powerful example of leadership, collaboration, and impact. Together, they are redefining what it means to build a truly sustainable, inclusive and net positive future for our sector and our planet.â
Event Partners included Bioshpere, Tourism Economics, FHS World, TravelUni, Pinwheel, Institute Tourism, BE WTR, Bulla Co., Diageo, MMI, DrinkIQ, La Pochette, Zamna and Newby London.
World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards is the sister event of World Travel Awards, currently celebrating its 32nd anniversary.
Winners of World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards 2025
Worldâs Leading Sustainable Organisation: ITC Hotels
Worldâs Leading Small Sustainable Organisation: ECOFRY
Worldâs Leading Sustainable Partnership: Green Ramadan
Worldâs Leading Sustainability Leader: Siew Kim Beh, The Ascott
Wolfgang Neumann Sustainability Leader of Tomorrow Award: Mariana Domingues, Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon
Worldâs Leading Sustainable Employer: ITC Hotels
Worldâs Leading Sustainable Destination: City of Dubrovnik
Worldâs Leading Small Sustainable Destination: El Albergue Ollantaytambo
Worldâs Leading Sustainable Hotel or Resort Development: Peninsula Papagayo
Worldâs Leading Indigenous Community Tourism Initiative: Four Seasons Resort & Residences Whistler
Worldâs Leading Sustainable Guest Experience: Ecoventura
Worldâs Leading Conservation Programme: Gamewatchers Safaris & Porini Camps - Selenkay Conservancy
Worldâs Leading Marine & Biodiversity Conservation Programme: Iberostar Group - Coastal Ecosystem Restoration Strategy
Worldâs Leading Climate Action Initiative: Accor Supply Chain Decarbonization Program: âAchieving Net Zero Togetherâ
Worldâs Leading Sustainable Energy Efficiency Initiative: Mandarin Oriental
Worldâs Leading Sustainable Water & Waste Innovation: Four Seasons Resort Mallorca at Formentor
Worldâs Leading Sustainable Circular Economy Initiative: SM Hotels and Conventions: âPlate for the Planetâ
Worldâs Leading Sustainable Health & Well-being Initiative: NEOM Operations â Hospitality Services
Worldâs Leading Sustainable Female Empowerment Initiative: Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board
Worldâs Leading Sustainable Community Empowerment Programme: Peninsula Papagayo
Worldâs Leading Sustainable Accessibility & Inclusion Initiative: The Ascott
Worldâs Leading Sustainable Education & Training Programme: Employability Program in the Hospitality Sector
Worldâs Leading Sustainable Cultural Heritage Project: Mandarin Oriental
Worldâs Leading Sustainable Supply Chain Programme: Four Seasons Hotel George V, Paris
Worldâs Leading Sustainable Technology Initiative: FortyGuard
Worldâs Leading Sustainable Policy Initiative: Mandarin Oriental
Worldâs Leading Sustainable Food & Nutrition Initiative: ITC Hotels
Worldâs Leading Sustainable Marketing Campaign: ITC Hotels
Worldâs Leading Sustainable City: Dubai
Worldâs Leading Sustainable Venue: Terra, Expo City Dubai