As Earth Day Nears, Travelers Seek Environmentally-Conscious Options

Millions of people will celebrate the 55th anniversary of Earth Day on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 by attending local events or participating in environmentally-conscious efforts at destinations throughout the world. With a theme of “Our Power, Our Planet,” Earth Day highlights the importance of sustainability throughout all aspects of society. As travelers seek more meaningful and eco-conscious experiences, they are increasingly drawn to destinations that emphasize sustainability without compromising comfort or luxury. Often prioritizing sustainability and positive impact over traditional tourism, travelers are now choosing destinations that protect the environment and support local communities.

Solmar Hotels & Resorts. Mexico

From preserving the region’s fragile ecosystems to pioneering environmentally responsible initiatives, Solmar Hotels & Resorts continues to shape the future of green travel. Sustainability is at the heart of Solmar Hotels & Resorts, with comprehensive eco-friendly initiatives implemented across all properties. Key conservation efforts include: Sea turtle protection programs, including participation in the Municipal Sea Turtle Conservation Program of Los Cabos; Conservation, protection and relocation of pollinators such as bees, hummingbirds and bats. At Grand Solmar Pacific Dunes, 106 acres have been preserved with native flora such as cacti and Bougainvillea, creating a thriving habitat for local wildlife. Watering holes attract black-tailed deer, bobcats, Greater Roadrunners and Costa’s Hummingbirds.

Be The Wild, Alaska

Alaska’s Within the Wild Adventure Company and their luxury eco-lodge Tutka Bay Lodge run Be The Wild, a nonprofit land stewardship project dedicated to protecting and preserving wild places in Southcentral Alaska. Through strategic land acquisition and stewardship, the initiative safeguards wild land parcels at risk of being developed, preserving critical habitats and providing opportunities for education and conservation. Ongoing projects include preserving forested land near Tutka Bay Lodge and protecting ecologically significant sites within Kachemak Bay. The project also fosters partnerships to support traditional knowledge and cultural preservation efforts within the region. Throughout the summer, guests of Tutka Bay Lodge can take boat trips from the lodge to Gull Island, a famed rookery and summer home to 15,000 birds.

Post Ranch Inn, Big Sur, California

Post Ranch Inn, a been a pioneer of eco-forward hospitality, blends luxury with a profound respect for the majestic land it occupies. Set atop the striking cliffs of Big Sur overlooking the Pacific Ocean, the property spans 100 acres and is dedicated to preserving the natural beauty that surrounds it – all while providing guests with a transformative, eco-conscious experience. Post Ranch Inn is home to California’s largest hotel solar array, consisting of 990 solar panels that generate clean, renewable energy. Each room reflects the Inn’s commitment to sustainability without compromising on luxury. Custom-made linens and towels are free from harmful chemicals, and organic bath amenities are provided in eco-friendly, refillable containers.

Royal Lahaina Resort & Bungalows, Maui, Hawaii

Royal Lahaina Resort & Bungalows is the first resort to receive a silver certification for the Reef Friendly Landscaping Program from the Maui Nui Marine Resource Council, a nonprofit working toward healthier oceans, for committing to abstain from using chemicals that negatively impact coral reef ecosystems. In addition, Royal Lahaina Resort has partnered with Treecovery Hawaii, a nonprofit organization that aims to restore the island’s forests after wildfires. The resort is home to a Treecovery grow hub, which tends to seedlings until they can be planted on burned properties to help restore the landscape and ecological recovery of West Maui.

Rosewood São Paulo, Brazil

Rosewood São Paulo, set within the historical enclave of Cidade Matarazzo, is a complex of elegantly preserved buildings from the early 20th century that have been carefully transformed into private residences, high-end stores and a striking new vertical garden tower. The transformation of the heritage buildings is rooted in sustainability and makes Cidade Matarazzo Brazil’s largest upcycling project, with a focus on celebrating and protecting the country’s cultural heritage and natural environment. The hotel was constructed out of 100% Brazilian wood and marble and most of the hotel’s furniture is of locally sourced, upcycled or recycled materials. Sustainable measures used in Rosewood São Paulo’s creation include the meticulous restoration of historical buildings, a biodiversity program with more than 250 species of plant and trees and more than 50,000 native bees released in the hotel’s spaces.

Turneffe Island Resort, Little Caye Bokel

At Turneffe Island Resort, conservation is more than just a commitment – it’s a daily practice embedded into every aspect of the experience. Located off of the coast of Belize, the Green Globe Certified resort plays an active role in marine protection, wildlife conservation and sustainable tourism to ensure that the natural habitat thrives for generations to come. The resort hosts rangers from Turneffe Atoll Sustainability Association who safeguard the delicate reef ecosystem, ensuring the health of fish populations and coral reefs. To support the rehabilitation of manatees, the resort partners with the Belize Manatee Conservation Program by selling locally handcrafted manatee earrings in the gift shop, with all proceeds going to conservation efforts, and it protects nesting beaches for the Least Tern, an endangered seabird species.

The Otesaga Resort Hotel, New York

The Otesaga Resort Hotel, a lakeside hotel in Cooperstown, stands as a beacon of sustainable luxury. As part of its green initiatives, The Otesaga Resort Hotel incorporates high-efficiency windows, water-conserving fixtures and a detailed recycling program. The AAA Four Diamond hotel’s organic farm-to-table dining features ingredients sourced from local farms, reducing the carbon footprint of its kitchen. Their waste reduction efforts include composting pre and post-consumer food waste and their fryer oil is recycled into biodiesel fuel. The resort is also committed to supporting the community with donations of retired furnishings to local shelters. It’s within walking distance of downtown Cooperstown, including the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

The Strand, Turks and Caicos

Opened in 2024, The Strand, Turks and Caicos embedded sustainable practices from the start which allowed the site to inform the design, organically tucking the resort into the landscape. The developer preserved much of the site’s natural vegetation, prioritizing a delicate footprint that blends in the natural environment and developed the shoreline with great sensitivity to protect the coast. Now one of the most sustainable luxury resorts in the Caribbean, more than 75% of the property’s energy comes from solar power. The Strand is also the Caribbean’s first designated pollinator sanctuary partnership with the team at Colorado’s Butterfly Pavilion.

Cayo Levantado Resort, Dominican Republic

At Cayo Levantado Resort, a luxury all-inclusive secluded island resort in the Samaná Bay of the Dominican Republic, authentic sustainability is woven into the fabric of their ethos. The resort prioritizes eco-friendly practices and environmental conservation through clean energy initiatives and eco-friendly design, along with immersive nature experiences and biodiversity projects that take place on property. Led by a passionate team of expert on-staff curators, an eco-walk delves into the island’s geological history, current environmental challenges and innovative solutions, offering insights into its wonders and the strategies in place to safeguard them. Delve into nature by using microscopes, experimenting with aromatic herbs, experiencing the music/vibrations of plants and taking walks through the resort’s extensive organic garden.

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