EAGLE BEACH — Iberostar’s “Wave of Change” movement has been recognized by the World Economic Forum in the inaugural edition of the “Beyond Tourism Impact Stars,” an award honoring private-sector initiatives that transform tourism through science and innovation.
The distinction was announced during Beyond Tourism Day in Geneva, Switzerland, where six global initiatives were spotlighted for turning the tourism sector’s biggest challenges into measurable, real-world solutions.
Wave of Change was recognized for “Using Science to Drive Operational Innovation” — applying science, data, artificial intelligence and engineering to hotel operations to reduce environmental impacts and restore ecosystems, while strengthening the performance and resilience of the destinations on which tourism depends.
Science at the core
Launched in 2017, Wave of Change is backed by an internal team of more than 30 scientists and specialists. The program weaves environmental protection, socioeconomic progress and the safeguarding of cultural heritage into the hotel group’s management model, and promotes alliances with public administrations, private companies and local communities.
Iberostar was represented in Geneva by personnel director Luis Zamora and Álvaro Sánchez, the group’s director of Sustainability, Integration, and Impact. Sánchez said the award confirms that sustainability applied to day-to-day operations brings multiple benefits.
Six global game-changers
The inaugural cohort spans hospitality, technology, education, real estate and community tourism. Alongside Iberostar, the recognized initiatives include Accor’s global water conservation program, Sommet Education’s hospitality workforce development initiative, Discova’s community-led livelihoods program in Asia, GHE Impact Ventures’ Himalayan Living Commons — combining clean energy with regenerative mountain tourism — and Al Ismaelia’s historic urban restoration project in downtown Cairo.
The program was developed by the World Economic Forum together with Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Tourism and is supported by Kearney.
Local resonance
The recognition drew attention in Aruba, where the Spanish hotel group has a strong presence and where responsible, science-based tourism is a central theme of the island’s ongoing debate about the future of its most important economic sector.
Source: NoticiaCla
