As the year 2025 unfolds, the business events sector—encompassing corporate travel, conferences, and other significant gatherings—finds itself at a critical juncture. The global imperative to address climate change and social equity has shifted market dynamics, compelling hotels and venues to provide ever more detailed sustainability data in response to corporate Requests for Proposals (RFPs). This “new normal” places higher expectations on hospitality providers to demonstrate robust environmental policies, socially responsible practices, and transparent reporting.
In a recent World Panel discussion on Hospitality Net, seven industry experts offered their perspectives on a viewpoint by Maribel Esparcia Pérez, Managing Partner of the European Sustainable Hospitality Club. Esparcia Pérez’s viewpoint underscores the role of business events in driving job creation, attracting investment, and promoting cultural heritage, while highlighting that hotels face stringent RFP requirements linked to environmental and social performance metrics. This editorial summarizes the experts’ opinions, focusing on four key questions posed by Esparcia Pérez and drawing broader conclusions about the future of sustainable corporate travel.
1. The Growing Requirement for Sustainability Data in Corporate RFPs
Pressure and Competitiveness
One of the central themes in Esparcia Pérez’s question is how the evolving demand for sustainability data influences a hotel’s competitiveness if they lack strong policies. Sven Wiltink, Global Senior Director of Sustainability at Radisson Hotel Group, notes that corporate clients increasingly prioritize verified sustainability credentials. Companies ask for details such as a property’s carbon footprint, water usage, and waste management practices—and the absence of reliable data can cost hotels crucial contracts.
Similarly, Jonathon Day, Associate Professor at Purdue University, underscores that market forces remain a major driver of sustainability. Even if certain regulatory pressures ebb—particularly with political shifts—business travel managers and corporate organizations often have internal Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) goals that guide their decision-making. For hotels, not having credible sustainability measures risks both immediate losses in contract opportunities and a longer-term impact on brand reputation.
From a more global perspective, Federico Vignati, Principal Executive at CAF – development bank of Latin America, ties sustainability demands to broader economic factors such as access to climate finance. He illustrates how demonstrating measurable progress—via recognized standards or carbon neutrality certifications—can unlock preferential rates and investment opportunities that would otherwise remain inaccessible.
Market Implications
Natasha Montesalvo, Principal Consultant at EarthCheck, believes that the heightened focus on sustainability has placed early adopters in a leadership position. Destinations and properties that have diligently invested in energy efficiency, water conservation, and waste reduction now reap tangible benefits, including better positioning in RFP processes. Those lagging behind may face a tipping point if they do not adapt soon, as corporate clients show a growing preference for venues with verified sustainability records.
2. Essential Sustainable Practices and Certifications
Recognized Standards
Experts converge on the importance of recognized certifications and frameworks. Wiltink points to initiatives like the Hotel Sustainability Basics verification by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) and eco-labels recognized by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC). These verifications serve as markers that a hotel meets baseline sustainability criteria, which can then be extended to more advanced certifications as the property’s practices mature.
Montesalvo cites how EarthCheck’s VenueCheck seal and event carbon calculators provide a quantified approach to assessing sustainability. By capturing metrics on energy, water, and waste, event organizers gain insight into the tangible environmental footprint of their gatherings. Willy Legrand draws attention to the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) Sustainable Procurement Standards, which have helped unify and standardize RFP requirements, making it easier for hotels to understand what areas to improve.
Climate Action and Financing
Vignati highlights that climate certifications aren’t just checkboxes; they also offer strategic advantages. Hotels can capitalize on climate finance frameworks, attracting investments to expand or upgrade their operations. He references real-world examples such as SENAC’s Carbon Neutral Certification in Brazil, where local sourcing and reduced transportation costs align with sustainability goals. Inkaterra, a Peruvian hotel group managing vast forest areas, underscores how ecological stewardship can enhance brand reputation and open doors to partnerships with financial institutions like the Inter-American Development Bank.
3. Assessing Sustainability Efforts and Metrics in the RFP Process
Data Points and Audit Trails
When discussing how corporate clients evaluate sustainability claims, the experts highlight the importance of transparency and comparability. Legrand remarks that discussions at the GBTA Sustainability Summit illuminated key metrics such as carbon emissions, energy consumption, and overall environmental impact. Under the GBTA’s Sustainable Procurement Standards for Accommodations, hotels are prompted to disclose various aspects of their operations, including policies for water management, waste reduction, and local community engagement.
Montesalvo explains that using an event carbon calculator can produce tangible, standardized metrics, giving both hotels and event planners a shared language. These calculators consider everything from attendee travel to on-site energy usage, offering a detailed report on the event’s overall emissions. The availability of such tools makes it easier for corporate buyers to compare venues on an apples-to-apples basis.
Social and Community Metrics
While carbon footprints dominate discussions, several experts emphasize that social metrics are also gaining attention. Wiltink notes that some corporate RFPs include inquiries about labor practices, local hiring policies, and community impact. In many cases, corporate social responsibility (CSR) extends beyond environmental stewardship to encompass how a venue contributes to local well-being and economic development.
For Montesalvo, these additional data points enable event planners to craft strategies that minimize negative impacts and maximize positive contributions. Hotels demonstrating robust social policies—such as equitable wages, local sourcing, and cultural preservation—often score higher during RFP evaluations.
4. Technology as a Key Enabler
Streamlining Data Collection and Reporting
Technology plays a pivotal role in collecting and sharing the detailed environmental, social, and governance data requested in modern RFPs. Wiltink highlights advanced property management systems (PMS) and specialized sustainability software that track resource consumption in real time. This data can then be integrated with corporate travel platforms, giving buyers instant insight into a hotel’s performance.
Greg Poirier, Global Director of Hospitality Certification Programs at Audubon International, points to Travalyst as an innovative example. Founded under Prince Harry’s Sustainable Travel Philanthropy, Travalyst initially focused on providing carbon footprint data for flights at the point of booking. It now expands these metrics to accommodations, offering travelers and corporate bookers comparable data on hotels’ sustainability. By having that information readily available, decision-makers can select more eco-friendly options with ease.
Connecting Technology with Financial Incentives
For Vignati, the real potential lies in connecting technology-driven sustainability tracking with climate financing options. When a hotel can consistently record and verify reduced emissions or efficient resource use, it is better positioned for loans tied to sustainability targets, lower insurance premiums, and government incentives. This financial dimension underscores the strategic value of adopting accurate, tech-driven reporting platforms.
Other Key Observations
Emphasis on Regional Travel
Melinda Ratkai, a professor of hospitality business, points out that as companies strive to lower their carbon footprints, short-distance travel and rail alternatives gain traction. Hotels located in easily accessible regions might see a competitive edge for small to medium-size events, especially when flights are a major source of emissions. Ratkai adds that while virtual meetings have their place, there remains a strong need for in-person connections in many industries.
Evolving Global Context
Day’s comments about changing U.S. regulations remind us that sustainability agendas can be influenced by political climates. However, the consensus across experts is that corporate commitments to ESG and consumer demand are powerful enough to keep sustainability considerations at the forefront of business travel. Legrand’s invocation of Warren Buffet’s quote—“risk comes from not knowing what you’re doing”—highlights the peril for hotels that fail to understand and manage sustainability risks.
Conclusions
The expert responses to Maribel Esparcia Pérez’s questions converge on a clear directive for the hospitality industry: failing to adopt rigorous environmental and social policies is rapidly becoming a competitive disadvantage. As corporate travel rebounds, RFPs serve as rigorous tests of a venue’s sustainability credentials, from energy consumption to local community engagement.
Sustainability as a Market Differentiator:Hotels demonstrating tangible, audited improvements—backed by recognized certifications—stand out in a crowded market. This focus goes beyond purely environmental concerns, extending to labor practices, cultural preservation, and community support.
Data Transparency and Technology:The quality of sustainability data matters. Detailed, real-time metrics on carbon emissions, water usage, and other factors are becoming key selection criteria for corporate clients. Technology platforms that automate data gathering and align with global standards allow hotels to communicate their performance effectively.
Financial and Operational Benefits:Beyond RFP success, adopting sustainability measures can unlock climate finance, reduce operating costs, and buffer hotels against resource price volatility. Vignati’s examples underscore that aligned policies can result in more favorable financing terms and a stronger overall brand.
Resilience in an Evolving Landscape:Shifting political agendas may alter the regulatory backdrop, but the market’s commitment to ESG indicates that sustainability requirements will continue to grow. Those who adapt proactively—leveraging certifications, new technologies, and comprehensive data—will remain competitive, while laggards risk a loss of market share and reputational standing.
In sum, sustainability has moved from being a peripheral concern to a central pillar of strategic planning in hospitality and corporate travel. Whether it’s through advanced technology solutions, credible certification programs, or transparent reporting, hotels are tasked with demonstrating that they can contribute positively to local economies, global environmental goals, and broader social well-being. As the experts unanimously suggest, integrating and improving sustainability practices is no longer optional; it is indispensable for thriving in the reactivated business travel market of 2025 and beyond.
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