Exploring sustainability in hospitality and travel with Jessica Matthias

IBB Hotel Collection and Cugó Gran Collection recently marked a significant event – World Environmental Education Day, by hosting a special talk on March 14, 2025, featuring Jessica Matthias. The session focused on how we can make sustainability a priority in our industries, particularly in travel and hospitality.

About Jessica Matthias

Jessica Matthias is a renowned sustainability consultant and speaker, with over 17 years of experience in the travel, hospitality, aviation, and tech sectors. As the Senior Director of Sustainability at Sabre Corporation, she led the creation of Travel Positive, Sabre’s global sustainability framework, and helped launch initiatives aimed at achieving the Science-Based Targets Initiative. Her work focuses on making travel more sustainable and creating positive environmental and social impacts.

With a global reach, Jessica has led sustainability projects across five continents and worked with top organisations like Choice Hotels, the United Nations, and the Vienna Tourist Board. Academically, she has studied at prestigious institutions, including the University of Oxford and the University of Surrey, Roehampton.

Why sustainability is crucial for the planet

Jessica’s discussion highlighted the urgent need for sustainability in travel. She touched upon the critical climate crisis, emphasising how regions like the Mediterranean are particularly vulnerable to rising sea levels, extreme weather, and other environmental changes. Her key message was that sustainability isn’t just an option – it’s a necessity.

The Price of inaction

With travel and transport emissions on a rising trend, Jessica delved into the consequences of inaction and the importance of reaching Net Zero by 2050. She addressed the rising cost of doing nothing and the opportunity we have to shift the trajectory toward a sustainable future.

During the session, Jessica shared 5 innovative sustainability tech trends in hospitality that can make a big difference:

1. AI for food waste reduction: AI systems using cameras and data analysis to help hotels reduce food waste by up to 50%.
2. Circular economy platforms: Encouraging the reuse of materials and minimising waste.
3. Sustainability-focused smart room tech: Incorporating smart meters and sensors to optimise energy use based on room occupancy.
4. Eco-friendly hotel retailing: Offering sustainable products like local artisan goods and eco-conscious travel essentials.
5. Sustainable supply chains: Fostering responsible sourcing and supporting green initiatives.

Our commitment to sustainability

At IBB Hotel Collection and Cugó Gran Collection, sustainability is at the heart of our operations. We are continuously taking steps to minimise our environmental impact and promote eco-friendly practices across our hotels. From implementing energy-efficient lighting and reducing water consumption to partnering with sustainable suppliers, our commitment to preserving the planet is clear. We also encourage our guests to join us in our sustainability efforts by offering eco-friendly amenities, such as reusable water bottles and digital in-room resources to reduce paper waste. Our goal is to create a sustainable and responsible experience for both our guests and the communities we serve.

Taking action for a more sustainable future

In her closing remarks, Jessica stressed the importance of making better choices today for ourselves, our businesses, and future generations. Sustainability in travel and hospitality is an evolving journey, and every step counts toward creating a more responsible and eco-friendly industry.

Read more about our commitment to sustainability here: World Environmental Education Day. Stay tuned for more insights and updates on our sustainability initiatives at IBB Hotels!