Towards circular hospitality: transforming the tourism system

This white paper, developed by Circle Economy and Iberostar Hotels & Resorts in collaboration with UN Tourism, provides one of the first action frameworks for the circular transition of the hospitality industry. It shows how circular strategies are not only essential for the long-term well-being of the destinations, ecosystems, and communities on which hospitality depends, but also a clear business imperative.

The paper identifies ten key systemic barriers currently hindering progress, including the absence of a shared industry framework. In response, the paper focuses on five strategic opportunities through which circularity can help overcome these challenges: circular procurement, circular operations, a circular built environment, a circular business and guest culture, and circular destinations. To support wider adoption and scale impact, the paper also identifies six key enablers that can help unlock circularity across the whole value chain.

The framework presented in this paper is a starting point. It shows what can be done to advance circular hospitality and strengthen collaboration across tourism systems. The next step is to do it together. If you want to explore how circular tourism can create value for your city, organisation or destination, get in touch and start the conversation with us. You can reach our Senior Cities Strategist, Claudia Alessio, at claudia@circle-economy.com.