Tourexpi
World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards announces Terra, Expo City Dubai as 2025 Venue Partner
Expo City Dubai is a globally connected destination, strategically located between Dubai and Abu Dhabi. With a dedicated metro station, two on-site hotels, and a focus on accessibility and sustainable transport, it provides seamless connectivity for visitors from around the world. The iconic Terra building has played host to world-class events, such as COP 28, hosted at Expo City Dubai.
The building is a showcase of sustainable best practice in action, with innovative solutions enabling Terra to achieve the highest available accreditation for sustainable architecture, LEED Platinum certification.
Designed by Grimshaw Architects, Terra stands as Expo City Dubai’s sustainability centrepiece, seamlessly blending innovative architecture with cutting-edge environmental solutions. Its pioneering design supports the UAE’s Net Zero ambitions, serving as a global model for sustainable urban development.
The partnership between Expo City Dubai and World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards underscores a shared commitment to sustainability and reflects the collective drive of the travel and hospitality sector to reach net positivity.
Justin Cooke, Executive Vice President, World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards, says: “We are thrilled to host the 2nd annual World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards at Terra, Expo City Dubai. Its visionary approach to sustainable development makes it the perfect venue to celebrate the pioneers shaping a net-positive future for travel and hospitality.”
A standout attraction that welcomed millions of visitors during Expo 2020 Dubai, Terra continues to captivate visitors with its immersive experiences that challenge perceptions and inspire action for a sustainable future. From the breathtaking ‘Under the Ocean’ and ‘Under the Forest’ exhibits to its thought-provoking storytelling, Terra offers a journey that deepens our understanding of the planet and our role in protecting it.
Marjan Faraidooni, Chief of Education and Culture and Founding Member of Terra, explains: “Terra is more than just an architectural landmark, it’s a catalyst for change, designed to inspire action. We challenge visitors to rethink their relationship with the natural world. Hosting the World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards here reinforces our shared mission to accelerate solutions for a more sustainable planet. We look forward to welcoming the industry’s changemakers to Terra as we celebrate the innovations shaping the future of travel.”
The Awards programme is run in partnership with the World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance, whose partners and members represent over 66,000 hotels, 8 million rooms globally, 300 brands, and over 100 supply chain and strategic partners.
Glenn Mandziuk, CEO of the World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance, says: “Sustainability is not just a goal – it is a necessity for the future of travel and hospitality. Hosting the World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards 2025 at Terra, Expo City Dubai, underscores the industry’s commitment to driving meaningful change. Terra is a shining example of what is possible when innovation and sustainability come together, making it the perfect venue to celebrate those leading the way towards a Net Positive future.”
The 2025 Awards programme will cover the full spectrum of the sustainable travel and tourism economy, from community initiatives and eco hotels to food sourcing and clean water. The winners will be revealed at the Gala Ceremony on 29 October.
Launched in 2023 at COP 28 in Dubai, the Awards serves to recognise, celebrate, and share the stories of individuals and organisations that are accelerating change and making an impactful contribution in sustainable travel and tourism. The inaugural ceremony, held in Belize in September 2024, brought together the global leaders of sustainable tourism.
Image Credit: © WSTHA
The most interesting news
Hyatt Regency Danang Enhances Family Offerings for 2025
Hyatt Regency Danang Resort and Spa is expanding its award-winning family experience in 2025 with new attractions designed to delight guests of all ages.
Corendon Airlines Celebrates 20th Anniversary with New Routes, Onboard Specials, and Discounts
Corendon Airlines marked its 20th anniversary with a celebratory gala at the Cosmos Theatre in Antalya, bringing together partners from tourism, aviation, business, and media to honour two decades of growth and look ahead to the future.
United Airlines Reaches Tentative Agreement with Flight Attendants Union
United Airlines and the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA) have reached a tentative agreement that includes industry-leading wages, a signing bonus, and quality-of-life improvements for the airline’s 28,000 flight attendants.
Emirates Skywards Partners with Coca-Cola Arena to Offer Exclusive Entertainment Experiences
Emirates Skywards, the award-winning loyalty programme of Emirates, has expanded its Skywards Exclusives portfolio by partnering with Dubai’s Coca-Cola Arena, offering members the chance to redeem or bid Miles for hospitality tickets to top live ev
WTM London 2025 Poised to Be the Largest in Its 45-Year History
World Travel Market (WTM) London is set to host its most expansive and influential edition to date when it returns from Tuesday 4 to Thursday 6 November 2025.
International Tourist Arrivals Rise 5% in Q1 2025, Surpassing Pre-Pandemic Levels
According to the latest World Tourism Barometer published by UN Tourism, international tourist arrivals (overnight visitors) grew by 5% in the first quarter of 2025, with more than 300 million travellers crossing borders—an increase of 14 million c
Marella Cruises Unveils Winter 2026 Itineraries
Marella Cruises, the UK cruise line of TUI, has announced its winter 2026 programme, featuring an exciting mix of brand-new ports of call and long-awaited returns to popular destinations.
Bangladesh Seeks Turkish Partnership for Forest Restoration and Eco-Tourism Development
Bangladesh has officially requested technical support from Türkiye to advance its forest restoration initiatives and develop a sustainable eco-tourism strategy.
Türkiye Welcomes 10,59 Million Foreign Tourists in First Four Months of 2025
Türkiye attracted 10.59 million foreign visitors between January and April 2025, according to data released today by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.
Hilton Named #1 Best Workplace in Vietnam for 2025
Global hospitality leader Hilton (NYSE: HLT) has been named the No. 1 Best Workplace in Vietnam™ 2025 in the medium-sized company category by Great Place to Work®, marking its first time at the top spot in the country.
Moldova to Host the 46th World Congress of Vine and Wine
The Country with the Highest Vineyard Density Per Capita.
IHG Hotels & Resorts and Singapore Airlines Partner to Empower SMEs Across Asia-Pacific
IHG Hotels & Resorts (IHG) and Singapore Airlines (SIA) have launched a strategic partnership to support the growth and mobility of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across the Asia-Pacific region.
Spanish Government Reaffirms Commitment to Social Sustainability and Digitalisation
Jordi Hereu, Spain’s Minister for Industry and Tourism, today reiterated the government’s strong commitment to the social sustainability of the tourism sector, describing it as an immense industry undergoing rapid and continuous transformation.
‘Tout à fait Thaï 2025’ Festival in Paris Attracts 10,000 Visitors
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) celebrated the success of the “Tout à fait Thaï 2025” festival in Paris, which welcomed over 10,000 visitors to the Parc de Bagatelle on 24–25 May.
South Africa’s Travel & Tourism Sector Set to Reach Record Employment in 2025
The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has announced that South Africa’s Travel & Tourism sector is on course to achieve a historic employment milestone in 2025, with job numbers projected to exceed pre-pandemic levels.
Riyadh Air and Saudi Ministry of Culture Unite to Showcase National Heritage through Air Travel
Riyadh Air has signed a strategic partnership with Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Culture to make authentic Saudi heritage a core feature of its passenger experience.
UN Tourism and FAO Launch Sustainable Gastronomy Tourism Initiative in Pacific Island States
A new joint project by UN Tourism, the Mountain Partnership Secretariat at FAO, and the Pacific Tourism Organization (SPTO) aims to connect agrifood systems with tourism in seven Pacific Small Island Developing States (SIDS), promoting inclusive grow
Chiang Mai: San Kamphaeng Hot Springs Transformed by Light and Imagination
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) unveils Onsen@Sankamphaeng, a radiant nighttime experience blending digital art, cultural storytelling, and natural wonder.
Four Seasons Yachts Unveils Marina Day Experience, Redefining Luxury at Sea
Innovative design, Riviera-inspired elegance, and bespoke sea-level adventures set to debut aboard Four Seasons I in 2026
Thailand Launches ‘Sawasdee Nihao’ Initiative to Celebrate 50 Years of Thai–Chinese Relations
High-profile campaign marks diplomatic milestone and repositions Thailand as a premium, sustainable destination for Chinese travellers
Spain Hosts 123rd Meeting of UN Tourism Executive Council to Nominate New Secretary-General
High-level gathering in La Granja (Segovia) highlights Spain’s leadership in sustainable tourism and UN Tourism’s 50th anniversary
