As Europe approaches the Christmas and New Year holidays, tourism flows are once again concentrating heavily in major cities and festive destinations. Winter pressure is urban, intense, and highly concentrated in time and space. Europe remains the world’s largest tourism region, with 625 million international tourists between January and September 2025, a 4 % increase over 2024, indicating continued strong rebound and growth. Put simply: the holidays won’t just be “busy.” They’ll be pressure-tests for city centres, infrastructure, housing, and resident tolerance.

The announcement that the Antarctic ozone hole reached its smallest seasonal extent since 2019 is one of the most encouraging environmental signals we have received in years. After decades of global cooperation under the Montreal Protocol, the atmospheric system is finally showing measurable signs of recovery: later opening dates, earlier closures, and a progressive reduction in area size. At a time when environmental news is often dominated by climate disruption, biodiversity loss, and ecosystem stress, this positive development matters. It demonstrates something fundamental: when the world commits to science-based policy, coordinated regulation, and long-term implementation, environmental recovery is not only possible, it is inevitable. But this is where the optimism ends, and the complexity begins.

COP30, hosted for the first time in history inside the Amazon, in Belém (Brazil) , has become a symbolic and strategic moment for global climate governance. It brought together nearly 200 countries, along with businesses, indigenous communities, local governments and NGOs, to discuss how the world will adapt to the accelerating climate crisis. Although expectations were high, the outcomes were mixed: some tangible steps forward, but also major gaps in ambition, especially regarding the future of fossil fuels.

Sustainability is no longer a niche choice, it’s a strategic imperative woven into the fabric of business, policy, and consumer expectations. Investors are demanding transparency, regulators are setting stricter disclosure requirements, and customers are increasingly choosing brands that align with their values. The conversation has shifted from “why” sustainability matters to “how” it is embedded across operations, governance, and long-term strategy. At the same time, technological innovation, regulatory convergence, and growing climate risks are accelerating the urgency for action.

The hospitality industry is no stranger to environmental scrutiny, but in 2025, the spotlight has turned sharply onto plastics. With consumer expectations and government regulations mounting, hotels are accelerating action, not just for sustainability, but for competitiveness.