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SUSTAINABILITY: THE PATH FORWARD FOR LUXURY TRAVEL – KEY LEARNINGS
September, 2025
In this exclusive webinar to celebrate the launch of our new partnership with Connections Luxury – the world-leading community for decision-makers in luxury travel – Positive Luxury’s Charlotte Astle is joined by Connections’ Sam Blundston to explore the future of luxury travel through the lens of sustainability and ESG. Whether you’re just starting or looking to deepen your sustainability strategy, this session is designed to equip you with the knowledge and tools needed to future-proof your business. Key themes included:
Changing luxury landscape: shifting from materialism to experientialism, with sustainability, wellness and purpose at the heart of luxury.
Consumer expectations: clients expect brands to support sustainable living; transparency drives loyalty.
Strategic framework: double materiality assessment helps businesses understand both how ESG impacts them and how they impact society/environment.
Practical examples: sustainable procurement (Domus Stay), carbon reduction (Tokyo Station Hotel), waste management (Le Grand Bellevue), and community involvement (The GreenCove).
Implementation roadmap: from laying ESG foundations → embedding and activating initiatives → verifying and communicating performance without greenwashing.
The Q&A highlighted challenges such as resource constraints, regulatory pressures, cultural sustainability, and persuading internal teams to adopt ESG practices.
THREE KEY ACTIONS FOR LUXURY BUSINESSES
1. Embed ESG at the core with double materiality
Conduct a double materiality assessment to identify the most impactful sustainability issues (e.g., climate, waste, community).
Use this to set clear targets, KPIs, and action plans that align business growth with societal and environmental priorities.
2. Leverage sustainability for commercial advantage
Invest in operational efficiencies (renewable energy, waste reduction, circular procurement) that lower long-term costs.
Highlight sustainable practices transparently in branding and guest experiences to drive loyalty and differentiate in the market.
3. Engage people – inside and outside the business
Train and inspire internal teams by linking ESG to company values, making sustainability part of daily roles.
Collaborate with local communities and cross-industry partners to preserve culture, strengthen supply chains, and create authentic experiences.
