Virtuoso has reported improving signs of a recovery in the travel sector this year, buoyed by a strong rebound in hotel city stays, increasing traffic to Europe and growing confidence in the cruise sector.

Virtuoso has unveiled the latest edition of its white paper focused on sustainability initiatives at Virtuoso Travel Week (VTW) 2021 in Las Vegas.

Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group (MOHG) has extended its window to achieve a goal of eliminating all single-use plastics (SUP) across its portfolio of luxury hotels by 12 months, citing the impact of the pandemic on reaching its initial goal of the end of March 2021.

Traveller Made has identified 8 main travel trends in the luxury market as a result of the pandemic. Six years ago the network of luxury travel designers highlighted half-a-dozen trends it forecast would prevail over future years, some of which, including Experiential, Privacy & Intimacy and Slow Travel, have an even greater relevance today due to COVID-19.

Alaska Airlines has outlined its commitment and roadmap to reduce the company’s carbon emissions to net-zero by 2040, and commitments across carbon, waste, and water impacts by 2025.

Nordic countries continue to lead the charge in the move to global sustainable tourism, with Sweden the number one ranked nation based on its engagement and progress in the space, according to a new report.

While some governments and organisations have fallen asleep in regard to addressing climate change during the COVID period – Norway as a leading environmental policy maker – has not.

MSC Cruises and Chantiers de l’Atlantique have announced the signing of firm contracts for MSC Cruises’ third and fourth LNG-powered MSC World Class ships, to be delivered in 2025 and 2027.

MSC Cruises has announced its commitment to become the world’s first fully carbon neutral major global cruise line. MSC Cruises Executive Chairman Pierfrancesco Vago says that ever since MSC launched its first commercial cruise ship in 2003, the company has been “one of the highest environmentally performing” operators on the seas.

Hurtigruten has become the first Norwegian cruise line to begin testing biodiesel on board a ship, providing up to a potential emissions reduction of 95%. The initiative is the latest push by Hurtigruten as it strives to the goal of becoming completely emission free.

Six Senses has announced it open its the first resort in the Galápagos Islands, with the property slated to open in 2021.