Summary:
Sustainability has become a defining feature of the modern business travel experience. Hotels, venues, and event professionals are embracing eco-conscious practices that benefit travelers, companies and destinations worldwide.

In Brief

  • Business hotels and meeting venues are prioritizing sustainability through energy, water and waste reduction.

  • Corporate travel programs now integrate green criteria into hotel and event sourcing.

  • Meeting planners are requesting eco-friendly practices and transparent ESG reporting.

  • Sustainability is shaping the next generation of responsible business travel.

The Shift Toward Sustainable Hospitality

Sustainability has moved from an emerging concept to a core expectation in business travel. More than ever, business travelers and meeting planners are prioritizing eco-friendly hotels, responsible event practices and travel programs that align with their company’s environmental and social goals.

McCormick Place Chicago

Parts of McCormick Place Chicago is LEED Certified. Courtesy image

Across destinations worldwide, tourism offices, hotel brands, event venues, caterers and transportation providers are integrating sustainability into daily operations. Many in hospitality describe themselves as lifelong “students of sustainability” — continually learning and finding new ways to balance business travel with environmental responsibility.

Green Hotel Initiatives for Business Travelers

Modern business hotels have gone far beyond linen reuse programs and recycling bins. Sustainable practices are now built into the design, technology and guest experience.

Travelers can expect:

  • Smart energy systems that reduce power use when rooms are unoccupied

  • Low-flow water fixtures and efficient laundry operations

  • Natural bath amenities and non-toxic cleaning products

  • Digital newspapers and in-room tablets to minimize printing

  • Compostable room keys and renewable materials throughout

Leading hotel groups — including Hilton, Marriott, Hyatt, IHG and Melia — have introduced comprehensive sustainability programs that target energy, waste and carbon reduction. Many properties now offer carbon-neutral meeting packages, EV charging stations and eco-certified event spaces. They appeal to both business travelers and corporate travel buyers focused on measurable impact.

Sustainable Meetings and Event Practices

Meeting and event planners are driving further progress. Many now require venues to provide sustainability data and eco-friendly meeting packages.

Common practices include:

  • Sourcing locally grown or plant-forward menus

  • Eliminating single-use plastics and bottled water

  • Donating leftover food to community programs

  • Composting food waste and recycling event materials

  • Using digital signage, event apps, and QR codes

  • Selecting eco-certified vendors and local suppliers

  • Offering fuel-efficient shuttles and public transit options

These steps not only minimize event waste but also support a growing number of ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) reporting goals for corporations and associations.

Corporate and Industry Leadership

Corporate travel and meetings programs continue to lead by example. Many Fortune 500 companies now require hotels to meet LEED®, Green Key or EarthCheck standards as part of their preferred supplier agreements.

Industry organizations such as the Events Industry Council (EIC) and Meeting Professionals International (MPI)have updated their sustainability frameworks, helping planners benchmark performance and standardize expectations for greener meetings worldwide.

Hotels, meanwhile, are publishing annual ESG impact reports, showcasing measurable reductions in energy use, emissions, and waste — all critical data points for responsible travel programs.

Looking Ahead: The Evolving Green Standard

The next phase of sustainable hospitality goes beyond recycling and energy savings. Expect more hotels and convention centers to:

  • Integrate carbon tracking tools within group booking platforms

  • Pursue net-zero building designs and renewable energy

  • Support biodiversity initiatives and on-site green spaces

  • Blend sustainability with wellness-driven design

As destinations compete for global events, sustainability has become both a business advantage and an operational necessity.

Final Thoughts

For today’s business traveler, sustainability isn’t just a preference — it’s a standard. From eco-certified hotels and digital meeting materials to plant-forward dining and carbon-neutral events, the shift toward responsible hospitality is shaping the future of business travel.

Hotels that embrace these principles are building loyalty, reducing costs, and driving meaningful change — one stay, one meeting and one destination at a time.

Updated. Initially published June 15, 2020.

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