April 29, 2026

This article was written by Phocuswright. Click here to read the original article

This article was written by Phocuswright. Click here to read the original article

Brussels, Belgium −The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) welcomes the final approval of the CountEmissionsEU Regulation by the European Parliament yesterday. This new law establishes a consistent and accurate methodology for calculating emissions from transport services, including air and ground transport. This initiative is critical for business travellers, as it will help them make more sustainable choices by enabling them to compare the carbon footprint of their trips across providers and modes of transport. The necessity for a standardised, international approach to calculating greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from travel, is underscored by findings from GBTA’s Sustainability Acceleration Challenge , which reveals that 70% of companies are tracking carbon emissions from their employee travel programmes*. The data also shows that 60% of companies have sustainability features in their corporate booking platforms, including displaying emissions for each business trip. While progress has been made, many organisations still rely on multiple, often inconsistent methods to collect and calculate emissions data. This fragmentation increases complexity and makes it difficult to form a clear, comparable picture of business travel emissions. By establishing a single harmonised methodology, CountEmissionsEU will help put organisations on an even footing, ensuring emissions are measured consistently across the industry and enabling meaningful comparison, transparency, and accountability. GBTA welcomes the fact that the Regulation does not create additional reporting obligations and that the Commission has committed to providing a free, public calculation tool for SMEs, to ease implementation. This will prove very helpful for smaller companies that may struggle to calculate their travel emissions. In addition, as business travel is a global sector in nature, GBTA calls for the EU to work with its global partners to achieve a global standard for transport emissions accounting. Global harmonisation would make it easier for business travellers to track and compare emissions from different travel options across the world. This would also prevent regional fragmentation that would be harmful for businesses. GBTA welcomes the adoption of the CountEmissionsEU Regulation, which will enhance the business travel sector’s ability to move towards greener practices. We are hopeful that the Regulation will serve as a first step towards a global methodology for transport emissions accounting. As an industry, business travel has been at the forefront of driving sustainable mobility, a topic which will be centre stage at our forthcoming Sustainability Summit in Vienna later this year. GBTA CEO Suzanne Neufang *Based on the results of the 2025 global benchmark

Hilton today announced the winners of its 2025 Americas Development Awards, recognizing the exceptional accomplishments of owners, development partners and hotel teams who are driving growth and innovation across the Americas. These annual awards celebrate the innovation and commitment of Hilton’s owners, development community and team members, who deliver high-quality hotels, exceptional hospitality and meaningful contributions to their communities. Categories include Lifetime Achievement Award, New Developer of the Year, Multi-Brand Developer of the Year, Dual-Brand Deal of the Year, as well as the newly added New Brand Pioneer Award and Eternal Light Award. We are incredibly proud to recognize the 2025 Development Award winners who share an unwavering passion for hospitality, a commitment for thoughtful growth, and a shared belief in building hotels that strengthen communities and create long‑term value. Our partnership continues to fuel momentum for the industry, and we’re proud to work alongside them to shape the future of hospitality. Danny Hughes, president, Americas, Hilton The 2025 cohort reflects another year of strong momentum for Hilton across the Americas. Building on continued demand for its brands, Hilton added more than 400 hotels across the region in 2025, further expanding its footprint and creating new opportunities for owners and guests alike. From these openings, 59 winners were selected for distinction based on criteria such as development excellence, brand growth, design innovation and community impact. Our owners and development partners are at the center of everything we do, and these awards recognize the quality and innovation they bring to their portfolios. The projects we are recognizing reflect the strength of our brand portfolio, creating compelling opportunities for owners across every segment while driving industry‑leading returns over the long term. Congratulations to this year’s recipients, who continue to raise the bar across our brands and markets. Christian Charnaux, executive vice president and chief development officer, Hilton Click here to view the full list of 2025 Americas Development Award winners.

IHG Hotels & Resorts, one of the world’s leading hotel companies, has signed management agreements for two new Holiday Inn branded hotels in Aswan, Egypt, marking the brand’s entry into one of the country’s most significant heritage and tourism getaways. Signed with Misr Holanda and Avenue for Development, the agreements will bring Holiday Inn Aswan and Holiday Inn Resort New Aswan to the market, adding a total of 400 keys to IHG’s growing Egypt portfolio. Globally, Holiday Inn stands as one of the world's most iconic and trusted hospitality brands, with a network of over 1,200 hotels. Rooted in a service philosophy built on creating brighter stays and genuine moments of connection, the brand is dedicated to helping guests make the most of every journey. Holiday Inn Aswan will feature 200 keys and will be located close to the city centre and major tourist attractions - ideally positioned to cater to both domestic and international travellers seeking convenient access to Aswan's cultural and historical landmarks. Slated for a 2029 opening, the hotel will feature three dining options and meeting spaces across five versatile venues. Holiday Inn Resort New Aswan will be located in the newly developed area of New Aswan, bringing quality branded accommodation to an emerging part of the city. Set to open in 2030, the resort will feature 200 keys thoughtfully designed to appeal to travellers seeking a resort-style stay in a destination defined by its natural beauty and cultural richness. Aswan stands as one of Egypt’s most captivating tourism destinations, celebrated for its stunning Nile landscapes, rich Nubian culture, and exceptional concentration of ancient heritage sites. Its strategic location on the Nile, combined with its deep historical significance and access to iconic attractions such as the Temple of Philae, continue to position the city as a key tourism hub offering visitors a unique blend of natural beauty, archaeological heritage, river-based travel, and immersive cultural experiences. IHG Hotels & Resorts currently operates 10 hotels in Egypt across 5 brands, including InterContinental, Crowne Plaza, voco, Holiday Inn, and Staybridge Suites. The Group’s long-term commitment to Egypt’s hospitality sector is further underscored by a pipeline of 23 hotels scheduled to open in the coming years.