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  • What Hotel Leaders Get Wrong About the Future of Travel | Costas Christ
    2026/07/24
    What if hotel leaders are misunderstanding what they are really selling?

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    Hotels aren’t simply selling rooms. They’re selling access to nature, culture, well-being, and a meaningful sense of place. So why has hospitality enthusiastically embraced wellness while continuing to shy away from sustainability?

    In this first episode of The Conscious Check-In: On the Road, recorded at The Palms Hotel & Spa in Miami Beach, Amy Wald sits down with globally recognized travel and conservation expert Costas Christ and Tanja Morariu, Director of Marketing and Head of Sustainability at The Palms Hotel and Spa, to explore what hospitality leaders may be missing about the future of travel.

    Timestamps / Episode Breakdown

    00:00:00 — Why is the future of travel inseparable from nature and culture?

    00:02:21 — Who is Costas Christ, and why has he spent decades defending the soul of travel?

    00:08:25 — What does greenwashing look like in hospitality today?

    00:10:08 — Why does the Serengeti matter to the future of responsible tourism?

    00:11:01 — What do travelers actually want from sustainable luxury travel?

    00:15:30 — Can marketing and sustainability work together in a hotel strategy?

    00:19:01 — Should sustainability sit inside marketing, operations, or its own department?

    00:23:34 — How do hotels build staff buy-in for sustainable practices?

    00:46:15 – About CleanCore

    Sponsored by

    CleanCore Aqueous Zone

    CleanCore helps hospitality teams clean and disinfect using aqueous ozone produced on-site—reducing reliance on conventional chemicals, recurring product orders, plastic packaging, and transportation emissions.

    Learn more about CleanCore’s hospitality pilot

    About Costas Christ

    Costas Christ is a globally recognized travel conservation expert, writer, and longtime advocate for responsible tourism. He has spent decades helping shape a more responsible future for the industry at the intersection of conservation, destination stewardship, and traveler education.

    His work demonstrates how exceptional travel experiences can help protect the people, cultures, and natural places that make travel meaningful.

    Key Links

    Connect with Costas Christ on LinkedIn

    Listen to this Podcast on Apple or Spotify:

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    About Greenluxe

    1:1 with Amy

    About the podcast

    The Conscious Check-In is a Greenluxe podcast exploring the future of luxury hospitality, travel, and tourism through the lens of conservation, responsibility, and exceptional guest experiences.

    Hosted by Amy Wald, founder of Greenluxe, the show brings together hoteliers, travel leaders, conservation experts, and brand innovators to explore how better hospitality can build guest desire, brand trust, operational value, and measurable impact.

    Wherever you’re headed next—travel deeper, stay inspired.

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    1 時間 6 分
  • Why Miami Beach Is Winning More Business Travel
    2026/07/17
    Is Business Travel in Miami Beach Becoming More Sustainable—and More Valuable for Planners?Presented by JupiterGet the latest sustainable hospitality news. Subscribe to our newsletter.This Greenluxe original is presented by Jupiter, creator of KeyGift—a branded, reusable hotel room key that helps hotels reduce plastic waste while elevating guest check-in into a thoughtful welcome gift for meeting and incentive attendees.Learn more about Jupiter and KeyGiftMiami Beach may be known for leisure and nightlife, but the destination has grown into something far more sophisticated for meetings, incentives and business travel.In this conversation, Amy Wald sits down with Marianne Schmidhofer, Director of Meeting & Convention Services at the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau, and Tanja Morariu, Director of Marketing and Head of Sustainability at The Palms Hotel & Spa.Together, they explore what planners now expect in RFPs, why greenwashing no longer works and how wellness, community impact, food-waste reduction, certification and destination stewardship are reshaping business travel.Hospitality and destination leaders will discover how credible sustainability can strengthen the guest experience, build trust and create long-term commercial value.Produced by Greenluxe Media in collaboration with the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau.Episode Breakdown00:00 — Why is Miami Beach rethinking business travel and its destination reputation?03:00 — What do meeting planners now expect from a responsible destination?07:35 — Why are RFPs demanding proof instead of greenwashing?09:25 — How does destination stewardship protect the bottom line?12:39 — What does wellness look like in modern meetings and incentives?18:50 — How did the pandemic accelerate Miami Beach’s evolution?25:37 — Can sustainability deliver measurable ROI for hotels and destinations?28:22 —Jupiter: Rethinking the hotel key card with KeyGift30:41 — How are Green Key certification and industry collaboration changing hospitality?34:29 — What responsible meeting trends are planners requesting now?37:07 - How MBCC has turned into an innovative world class convention center.39:25 — How should hotels rethink swag, sourcing and storytelling?40:08 — What will meeting and incentive planners no longer accept from hotels and destinations?Featured LeadersMarianne Schmidhofer, CMMDirector of Meeting & Convention Services, Greater Miami Convention & Visitors BureauMarianne works with planners, hotels, convention partners and community organizations to help create more responsible meetings and meaningful destination experiences throughout Greater Miami and Miami Beach.Tanja MorariuDirector of Marketing and Head of Sustainability, The Palms Hotel & SpaTanja brings marketing and sustainability together to communicate the hotel’s commitments credibly while strengthening its luxury guest experience and long-term positioning.Listen to this Podcast on Apple or Spotify:Apple PodcastsSpotifyExplore GreenluxeRequest the Greenluxe Media KitSchedule a conversation with AmyAbout GreenluxeGreenluxe explores how hotels and destinations can use nature, responsible hospitality and stronger storytelling to create more meaningful guest experiences and lasting commercial value.Through original films, executive conversations and The Conscious Check-In podcast, Greenluxe brings together hospitality leaders, destinations, planners and innovators shaping the future of travel.Wherever you’re headed next—travel deeper, stay inspired.
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    41 分
  • How 1 Hotels Reimagines Luxury Hotel Concierge | Michelle Exarhos
    2026/06/12
    Sign up to our newsletterWhat is the future of the luxury hotel concierge in a world of AI, personalization, and rising traveler expectations? In this conversation, Amy Wald speaks with Michelle Exarhos, President of Les Clefs d’Or Denmark and an experienced luxury hotel concierge, about why concierge service remains one of hospitality’s most powerful differentiators. Michelle shares how she built her career across Four Seasons, Generator, Radisson, and 1 Hotels, and why great concierge work goes far beyond bookings. The episode explores human intuition, guest psychology, sustainable luxury storytelling, local sourcing, and why the best concierge teams can drive loyalty, revenue, and unforgettable guest experiences.Timestamps / Episode Breakdown00:00:40 — How did Michelle Exarhos build a career as a luxury hotel concierge?00:03:18 — What she learned from Four Seasons Beverly Hills and early luxury service?00:04:11 — How do you create local experiences that bring in guests and locals alike?00:07:31 — What is Les Clefs d’Or and why does it matter in luxury hospitality?00:15:09 — How does concierge community and service through friendship work globally?00:20:53 — Will AI replace the luxury hotel concierge?00:23:30 — How do great concierges anticipate needs and read guests quickly?00:31:27 — How does 1 Hotels balance sustainability with five-star luxury?00:33:20 — How do hotels avoid greenwashing and tell sustainability stories well?00:39:03 — How do local materials and design shape the guest experience?00:42:04 — What is the most memorable guest request a concierge can solve?00:47:07 — What skills do great concierges need that outsiders underestimate?00:52:04 — How can concierge teams generate revenue, not just service?00:54:29 — What animal energy best matches a modern concierge?Guest BioMichelle Exarhos is an award-winning luxury hospitality professional and President of Les Clefs d’Or Denmark, the international concierge organization known for its service ethos and global network. With more than a decade of concierge experience across leading hospitality brands, Michelle brings deep expertise in guest experience, local partnerships, operational agility, and the evolving role of concierge teams in sustainable luxury hotels.Key LinksConnect with the MichelleListen to this Podcast on Apple or Spotify:Apple PodcastsSpotifyConnect with us:Partner with usLinkedInInstagramAbout Greenluxe1:1 with AmyAbout The Conscious Check-InThe Conscious Check-In is a Greenluxe podcast exploring the future of sustainable luxury hospitality, travel, and tourism. Hosted by Amy Wald, founder of Greenluxe, the show brings together hoteliers, travel leaders, sustainability experts, and brand innovators to examine how responsible hospitality can create stronger guest experiences, deeper brand trust, operational value, and measurable impact. From conservation-led luxury and responsible tourism to guest loyalty, wellness, community, and the evolving expectations of modern travelers, each episode helps hospitality leaders turn sustainability into a smarter way to stay relevant.Wherever you’re headed next — travel deeper, stay inspired.
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    1 時間 1 分
  • How the Cruise Industry Uses Sustainability as Competitive Advantage | Steve Jones, Will Pearson, Alex Schultz & Tony Rossi
    2026/05/28
    How can the cruise industry use sustainability as a competitive advantage, not just a compliance exercise?In this Seatrade panel, Amy Wald is joined by Steve Jones (ORCA),Will Pearson (Ocean Bottle), Alex Schultz (4ocean), and Tony Rossi (TerraCycle) to explore how the cruise sector can turn sustainability into guest value, operational progress, and stronger brand trust. From ocean conservation and circularity to crew engagement, stakeholder mapping, and sustainable product innovation, the conversation shows why cruise industry sustainability matters commercially and reputationally—and how cruise brands can start small, communicate better, and create measurable impact across the voyage experience.Timestamps / Episode Breakdown00:01:44 — What does cruise industry sustainability look like in practice?00:05:00 — How do you make ocean conservation understandable for guests and crew?00:06:24 — Can sustainable products improve the guest experience on ships?00:09:38 — Where should cruise brands start with sustainability partnerships?00:12:29 — What are the most common sustainability mistakes cruise brands make?00:16:49 — How do cruise lines shape destination perception and stakeholder trust?00:20:00 — Can sustainability drive revenue and competitive advantage?00:22:37 — Why is recycled content becoming the new standard?00:25:18 — How important is crew engagement in sustainability programs?00:31:21 — Are mega ships better or worse for sustainability outcomes?00:34:16 — What would the ocean say to the cruise industry?Guest BioSteve Jones is Director of Fundraising and Operations at ORCA, where he supports whale and dolphin conservation through crew training, education, citizen science, and vessel strike mitigation. Will Pearson is Co-Founder of Ocean Bottle, a social enterprise creating products that help fund ocean plastic collection while delivering strong retail and branding value. Alex Schultz is CEO and Co-Founder of 4Ocean, an ocean cleanup company partnering with brands to deliver accessible sustainability programs and measurable environmental impact. Tony Rossi leads business development at TerraCycle, helping companies recycle hard-to-recycle materials and build circular solutions that support both sustainability goals and business performance.Key LinksConnect with the guests:Steve Jones / ORCAWill Pearson / Ocean BottleAlex Schultz / 4OceanTony Rossi / TerraCycleListen to this Podcast on Apple or Spotify:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-conscious-check-in/id1832522451Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2YfXT8SElYqYEbhYqbD1AJ?si=00fad07476c14a70Connect with usPartner with us: https://www.greenluxeinc.com/partner-with-usLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/theconsciouscheckin/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theconsciouscheckin/About Greenluxe: https://www.greenluxeinc.com/1:1 with Amy: https://calendly.com/greenluxeinc/sustainable-hospitalityAbout the podcastThe Conscious Check-In is a Greenluxe podcast exploring the future of sustainable luxury hospitality, travel, and tourism. Hosted by Amy Wald, founder of Greenluxe, the show brings together hoteliers, travel leaders, sustainability experts, and brand innovators to examine how responsible hospitality can create stronger guest experiences, deeper brand trust, operational value, and measurable impact. From conservation-led luxury and responsible tourism to guest loyalty, wellness, community, and the evolving expectations of modern travelers, each episode helps hospitality leaders turn sustainability into a smarter way to stay relevant.Wherever you’re headed next — travel deeper, stay inspired.
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    38 分
  • Transformational Travel and the Human Touch | Dan Christian
    2026/05/15
    Subscribe to our NewsletterHow are sustainable travel and transformational travel reshaping the future of hospitality?In this episode, Amy sits down with Dan Christian, founder and host of the Travel Trends Podcast and a longtime travel industry executive, for a wide-ranging conversation on sustainable travel, storytelling, traveler behavior, and what’s next for the industry. Dan shares why sustainability is becoming table stakes, how transformational travel is moving from trend to expectation, and what travel brands, advisors, and hospitality leaders need to do now to stay relevant in a more conscious, experience-driven market.Timestamps / Episode Breakdown00:02:03 – Meet Dan Christian: from travel executive to Travel Trends Podcast host00:02:54 – A standout lesson in storytelling in hospitality and social-first travel marketing00:04:40 – How travel content can influence careers, leadership, and industry learning00:06:01 – Dan’s career journey through Lonely Planet, G Adventures, and digital transformation00:11:02 – COVID, personal loss, and the launch of Travel Trends Podcast00:13:52 – Where the industry is making real progress in sustainable travel00:17:07 – Why sustainability used to rank low for travelers—and what changed00:18:23 – Why sustainability is now table stakes for travel brands00:19:02 – Closing the gap between traveler intent and actual booking behavior00:19:55 – Why brands shouldn’t put the burden of sustainability on the guest00:23:00 – The language problem: sustainability, regeneration, and consumer confusion00:24:30 – What actually motivates conscious travel decisions: people, animals, and personal connection00:27:34 – Reframing eco experiences through wellness, connection, and guest benefit00:30:30 – The rise of transformational travel and why it matters now00:35:34 – What travel advisors need to understand about selling transformative experiences00:39:20 – What travel brands should stop saying—and start prioritizing instead00:41:27 – The future of travel demand, overtourism, and why sustainability can’t be optional00:46:10 – Dan’s favorite travel hacks and in-flight essentials00:49:34 – An overrated destination, a scary travel story, and Dan’s “animal energy”Key LinksConnect with the guest(s):Dan ChristianTravel Trends PodcastOur platformsApple PodcastsSpotifyConnect with usPartner with usLinkedInInstagramAbout Greenluxe1:1 with AmyGuest BioDan Christian is the founder and host of Travel Trends, a globally recognized B2B travel podcast focused on industry transformation, traveler behavior, and the future of travel. With over 20 years of experience across digital strategy, marketing, and travel leadership roles, Dan brings a sharp executive perspective on how brands can stay relevant, grow audience trust, and communicate change with clarity.About the Conscious Check-in PodcastThe Conscious Check-In is a Greenluxe podcast exploring the future of sustainable luxury hospitality, travel, and tourism. Hosted by Amy Wald, founder of Greenluxe, the show brings together hoteliers, travel leaders, sustainability experts, and brand innovators to examine how responsible hospitality can create stronger guest experiences, deeper brand trust, operational value, and measurable impact. From conservation-led luxury and responsible tourism to guest loyalty, wellness, community, and the evolving expectations of modern travelers, each episode helps hospitality leaders turn sustainability into a smarter way to stay relevant.Wherever you’re headed next — travel deeper, stay inspired.
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    1 時間
  • How to Visit the Galapagos Responsibly with Galapagos Safari Camp
    2026/05/07

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    How can travelers experience the fragile wonder of the Galapagos more sustainably — and still feel the once-in-a-lifetime magic of the “Darwin Effect”?

    In this episode of The Conscious Check-In, Amy sits down with Stephanie Bonham-Carter, co-founder of Galapagos Safari Camp, to explore how sustainable Galápagos travel can protect one of the world’s most fragile ecosystems while preserving the awe that makes the islands unforgettable.

    From creating one of Latin America’s first tented camps to redefining “appropriate luxury,” Stephanie shares how land-based Galapagos travel can offer a deeper connection to conservation, community, and place. Together, Amy and Stephanie discuss why smaller-scale hospitality matters, how thoughtful design can reduce impact, and why the future of luxury travel may be less about overengineering the guest experience — and more about making space for wonder.

    Timestamps / Episode Breakdown

    00:02:16 – Stephanie Bonham-Carter on the origin of Galapagos Safari Camp

    00:04:22 – From cattle pasture to conservation-led destination in the Galápagos

    00:07:24 – Why land-based travel offers a different Galápagos experience than cruising

    00:11:12 – Inside the tented camp concept: immersive design and quiet luxury hotels

    00:14:17 – What “appropriate luxury” means in sustainable luxury hotels

    00:18:22 – Responsible travel in one of the world’s most protected ecosystems

    00:21:57 – Sustainable hospitality in action: rainwater collection, airflow, and low-impact operations

    00:26:14 – Moving beyond trends: timeless lessons in nature-based tourism

    00:29:06 – What defines nature-based hospitality when it’s done right

    00:31:02 – Designing personalized guest journeys for adventure seekers and reflective travelers

    00:34:13 – Wellness luxury travel without a spa: reconnection, stillness, and the natural world

    00:38:24 – What gives Stephanie hope about the future of the Galápagos

    00:42:40 – Stephanie’s advice for hoteliers: stop overengineering guest experiences

    Credits: photos and video footage provided courtesy of Galapagos Safari Camp.

    Key Links

    Connect with the guest(s):

    Stephanie Bonham-Carter

    Our platforms

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    About Greenluxe

    1:1 with Amy

    About the podcast

    The Conscious Check-In is a Greenluxe podcast exploring the future of sustainable luxury hospitality, travel, and tourism. Hosted by Amy Wald, founder of Greenluxe, the show brings together hoteliers, travel leaders, sustainability experts, and brand innovators to examine how responsible hospitality can create stronger guest experiences, deeper brand trust, operational value, and measurable impact. From conservation-led luxury and responsible tourism to guest loyalty, wellness, community, and the evolving expectations of modern travelers, each episode helps hospitality leaders turn sustainability into a smarter way to stay relevant.

    Travel deeper, stay inspired.

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    46 分
  • What Is Deep Travel? One Planet Journey's Richard Lindberg
    2026/04/21
    What if the problem with sustainable travel isn't the intention — it's the language?

    In this episode of The Conscious Check-In, Amy sits down with Richard Lindberg, co-founder of One Planet Journey, to explore a concept called deep travel — a philosophy built around why you travel, not just where. Richard breaks down the difference between sustainable, responsible, regenerative, and deep travel, unpacks the say-do gap that's stalling real change in the industry, and makes a compelling case that the responsibility for shifting travel behavior sits more with the industry than the traveler. Plus — a legendary pizza story from the Amalfi Coast you won't forget.

    What is deep travel?

    It's the shift from obsessing over the destination to understanding your deeper why — connecting meaningfully with local communities, cultures, and yourself in the process. One Planet Journey built their entire platform around it, and this conversation is one of the clearest explanations of the concept you'll find anywhere.

    What's the difference between regenerative and sustainable travel?

    00:00:52 — Richard's sustainable travel hack: take fewer trips, do them better

    00:02:21 — From tech entrepreneur to sustainability nonprofit to travel changemaker

    00:04:43 — The slow European road trip that changed everything and sparked One Planet Journey

    00:07:02 — What is deep travel and why it connects where sustainable travel language fails

    00:09:28 — Deep travel vs sustainable vs responsible vs regenerative travel — the clearest breakdown you'll hear

    00:11:49 — Why guilt, shame and doom are killing sustainable travel adoption (the clip you need to hear)

    00:14:01 — The say-do gap: why travelers say they want responsible luxury travel but don't book it

    00:16:02 — Should travelers be responsible for sustainability? Richard's answer might surprise you

    00:18:03 — Why Richard believes sustainability must become the industry default, not a traveler choice

    00:20:28 — The role of sustainable hotel certification and why it matters even when guests don't see it

    00:22:46 — The underrated internal benefit of certification: what it does for your staff

    00:25:01 — Food, culture and one legendary pizza story from the Amalfi Coast (Pepe Ingrani)

    00:27:22 — Richard's sci-fi writing and how travel shapes his fiction

    00:29:43 — The animal that reflects how Richard moves through the world

    00:31:33 — Final fill-in-the-blank: why One Planet Journey exists

    Key Links

    Connect with the guest(s):

    One Planet Journey

    Our platforms

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    Connect with us

    Sign up to our Newsletter

    Partners with us

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    About Greenluxe

    1:1 with Amy

    About the podcast

    The core mission of The Conscious Check-in is to inspire travelers and hospitality leaders to embrace sustainability, showing how conscious choices in travel and luxury hospitality can create meaningful experiences for guests while driving positive impact for people, planet, and business.

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    29 分
  • Is Sustainable Luxury Real? Inside Africa’s Most Impactful Safari Brand
    2026/03/27
    What if the future of luxury travel wasn’t defined by excess—but by what it protects?Sustainable luxury travel is evolving—and nature-based tourism is leading the shift. In this conversation with Beks Ndlovu of African Bush Camps, we explore how safari tourism supports local communities, wildlife conservation, and the future of meaningful travel.In this episode of The Conscious Check-In, Amy Wald sits down with Beks Ndlovu, founder of African Bush Camps, to unpack how hospitality can go far beyond operations and become a powerful model for conservation, community impact, and unforgettable guest experiences.From building one of Africa’s most respected safari brands to redefining what luxury actually means today, this conversation explores:How sustainable hospitality shows up in real hotel operationsHow safari tourism supports wildlife conservation and local communitiesWhat travelers are really looking for in meaningful, transformational travelHow hotels can create deeper, more memorable guest experiencesWhether you’re a hotelier, travel advisor, or a traveler seeking more purpose in where you go next, this conversation will challenge how you think about impact, experience, and the future of travel.Timestamps / Episode Breakdown00:01:53 – Sustainable hospitality as a business modelBeks explains how African Bush Camps was built on conservation, community integration, and commercial success.00:03:57 – How guest spending supports conservation and local communitiesWhy transparency, impact reporting, and foundation funding matter in responsible tourism.00:06:24 – Turning guests into conservation advocatesHow on-property storytelling and foundation ambassadors deepen the guest experience.00:10:07 – The origin story behind African Bush CampsBeks shares how growing up near wildlife shaped his mission and approach to tourism.00:12:36 – Storytelling in hospitality: from information to inheritanceWhy guides, camp teams, and frontline staff are central to sustainable brand storytelling.00:14:26 – Hiring locally and building a culture of purposeLessons in talent development, retention, and community-based hospitality leadership.00:16:22 – What a luxury safari day actually looks likeA sensory look at the guest journey, from sunrise game drives to sundowners and campfire stories.00:22:48 – Managing guest expectations without overpromising wildlife sightingsHow ethical safari operators create anticipation, not performance.00:24:46 – Avoiding greenwashing with measurable impactWhy baseline surveys, metrics, and real-world outcomes are essential for credibility.00:27:05 – Tourism as a tool for economic developmentHow wilderness protection can support local jobs, entrepreneurship, and long-term stewardship.00:28:37 – Debunking myths about African safarisWhy safari is not a zoo experience, but an immersive journey into nature.00:29:38 – Leadership lessons for hospitality teams everywhereWhat hotels around the world can learn from empowering every team member as a storyteller.00:30:41 – How to plan a more meaningful safariWhy staying at least three nights in one place leads to a richer, more immersive experience.00:31:18 – What luxury means nowBeks defines luxury as space, silence, wilderness, and expert guidance—not just physical design.00:34:17 – The first decision every safari traveler should makeWhy working with an informed Africa specialist is key to planning an ethicalhigh-impact trip.Key LinksConnect with African Bush Camp:African Bush CampsYoutubeInstagram Our platformsApple PodcastsSpotifyConnect with usBecome a partner to the PodcastLinkedInInstagramAbout Greenluxe1:1 with AmyAbout the podcastThe core mission of The Conscious Check-in is to inspire travelers and hospitality leaders to embrace sustainability and nature based solutions to drive conscious choices in travel and luxury hospitality. Using solutions based storytelling as a vehicle for meaningful experiences with guests while driving positive impact for people, planet, and the tourism industry .
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    37 分