Nature-based travel is very high on the agenda of travelers. At the same time, hotels at destinations are keen on providing unique experiences, where the restoration of body and mind is matched with the enjoyment of exquisite natural settings. Hospitality businesses rely on nature and ecosystem services at all levels, from the beauty of the location, the guest experience, food provision and all the to material needed to furnish the facilities. At the yearly conference organized by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council HNtv INSIDERS catches up with Delphine Malleret-King - Director, The Long Run - Preferred by Nature to talk nature, conservation, regeneration and business.
Risks affecting the hospitality industry are not only related to inflation, war, and geopolitics. Science has proven that climate-related risks and biodiversity loss are a threat to the fabric of society. The convergence of global systemic risks has a name: global polycrisis [1]. In addition, localized events such as wild fires or potential torrential rain put destinations at risk, leading to the assertion that "tourism destinations in every corner of the globe face the virtual certainty of experiencing a disaster of one form or another at some point in their history"[2]. The hospitality industry operates in a volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous environment. Thus, it is challenging for hotel owners, operators, and leadership teams to adapt to the constantly changing circumstances.