Traveling for Happiness 2025 Awards

The Traveling for Happiness Awards recognize excellence in sustainability across eight categories. The 2025 jury selected the winners of the fifth edition, awarding the following companies: Ilunion Hotels, Arantza Hotela, Ecotouristing Ideas Regenerativas, Barceló Hotel Group, The Palace A Luxury Collection Hotel, Minor Hotels Europe & Americas, Grupo Satre, Novotel Madrid Center, and Fundación Eco-Bahía.

Winning projects in 2025

Award categories

  • It rewards those establishments and tourist entities that stand out in the integration of sustainable practices in gastronomy. It recognizes excellence in the use of sustainable, local and seasonal ingredients, the minimization of food waste, the elimination of plastic and the promotion of healthy and sustainable food, thus contributing to the conservation of the environment, health and local economic development.

  • - SDG 2: Zero Hunger - Promoting sustainable agriculture and the use of local ingredients. Sustainable and resilient agricultural practices (Target 2.4)

    - SDG 3: Health and Well-being - Promoting healthy diets reducing non-communicable diseases and mental health (Target 3.4)

    - SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth - By sustaining local economic growth (Target 8.1) and local enterprise promotion and development (Target 8.3)

    - SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production - Minimizing Food Waste (Metal 12.3)

    - SDG 13: Climate Action - By reducing carbon footprint through sustainable practices in the production of ingredients, strengthening resilience and adaptation (Target 13.1)

    - SDG 14: Underwater Life - For the prevention and reduction of marine pollution by avoiding the use of synthetic fertilizers (Target 14.1), minimizing ocean acidification, reducing the carbon footprint of products (Target 14.3), promoting sustainable fisheries (Target 14.B).

    - SDG 15: Life of Terrestrial Ecosystems - Promoting the use of ecosystem-friendly ingredients (Target 15.1).

  • Awards are given to those tourism establishments and entities that focus on the health, mental health and well-being of visitors, as well as on the relaxation of people, while demonstrating a firm commitment to sustainability. This includes practices such as responsible use of natural resources, environmentally friendly products, wellness programs that respect the environment, and physical activities that promote personal well-being and connection with nature.

  • - SDG 3: Health and Wellness - Promoting physical and mental health and well-being of visitors through the use of environmentally friendly products and wellness programs (Target 3.4)

    - SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation - Increase the efficient use of water resources (Target 6.4)

    - SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production - Through the responsible use of natural resources and the use of environmentally friendly and sustainable products (Target 12.2)

    - SDG 13: Climate Action - Contributing to climate change mitigation by adopting sustainable practices and reducing carbon footprint (Target 13.1)

    - SDG 15: Terrestrial Ecosystem Life - Promoting the use of ecosystem-friendly products and services (Target 15.1)

  • This award is given to tourism initiatives that go beyond sustainability, towards the active regeneration of ecosystems and local communities. It includes strategies for the responsible use of resources, in harmony with the ecosystem(water, energy, etc.).

    Seeks to recognize those projects that not only minimize negative impact, but also generate a positive impact on the environment, the economy and society, fostering social cohesion and community development.

  • - SDG 3: Health and Well-being - Promoting healthy diets reducing non-communicable diseases and mental health (Target 3.4)

    - SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation - Increase efficient use of water resources (Target 6.4) and protection of water-related ecosystems where business is conducted (Target 6.6).

    - SDG 7: Clean Energy - Projects Increasing the Use of Renewable Energy (Target 7.2)

    - SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth - By sustaining local economic growth (Target 8.1), fostering and developing local enterprise (Target 8.3), promoting sustainable tourism (Target 8.9) and local labor in general (Target 8.5).

    - SDG 9: Infrastructure - For the creation and promotion of sustainable tourism infrastructure (Target 9.1)

    - SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities - By protecting the destination's cultural and natural heritage (Target 11.4) and supporting the construction of sustainable buildings (Target 11.C).

    - SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production - For achieving an efficient use of natural resources (Target 12.2), the reduction, reuse and recycling of waste (Target 12.5) and, in short, for achieving tourism that goes beyond sustainability (Target 12.B), which seeks to regenerate and improve the destinations where it is developed.

    - SDG 13: Climate Action - By reducing the overall carbon footprint of business, strengthening resilience and adaptation, mainstreaming climate change into corporate strategies (Target 13.2) and (Target 13.1) and facilitating awareness (Target 13.3)

    - SDG 14: Underwater Life - For the prevention and reduction of marine pollution through the absence of single-use plastics and all sustainable practices involved in regenerative operations (Target 14.1), minimization of ocean acidification, reducing the footprint of the activity (Target 14.3).

    - SDG 15: Terrestrial Ecosystem Living - Promoting sustainable use of ecosystems (Target 15.1)

  • It distinguishes those entities within the tourism sector, including companies, organizations, or projects, that are dedicated to the conservation and promotion of artistic and cultural heritage, integrated into the environment and that promote social welfare. This award values projects that preserve cultural heritage, promote social welfare and minimize environmental impact. It also seeks to encourage participants and spectators to move towards more sustainable practices in their daily lives through the critical, emotional and reflective connection offered by art.

  • - SDG 3: Health and Well-being - Promoting emotional and mental health through arts and culture (Target 3.4)

    - SDG 4: Quality Education - Fostering lifelong learning and cultural appreciation through the arts (Target 4.7).

    - SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities - By protecting the destination's cultural and natural heritage (Target 11.4) and supporting the construction of sustainable buildings (Target 11.C).

    - SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production - For achieving efficient use of natural resources in artistic and cultural production (Target 12.2), reduction, reuse and recycling of waste (Target 12.5)

    - SDG 13: Climate Action - By reducing the carbon footprint of overall activity, strengthening resilience and adaptation (Target 13.1) and facilitating awareness (Target 13.3)

    - SDG 15: Terrestrial Ecosystem Living - Promoting sustainable use of ecosystems (Target 15.1)

  • This award recognizes companies and organizations in the tourism sector that lead the way towards a sustainable transformation, integrating sustainability into their business model, encompassing economic, social and environmental aspects to make the expression "sustainable development" more and more real. It highlights those who implement effective, innovative and inspiring strategies to promote positive impact, while promoting economic development and the generation of local wealth, establishing themselves as a role model in the sector.

  • - SDG 5: Gender equality - Leaders who support and endorse gender equality policy (Target 5.C)

    - SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth - Promoting sustainable and inclusive economic growth and decent employment (Target 8.1).

    - SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure - Implementing innovations for sustainability in tourism (Target 9.4).

    - SDG 13: Climate Action - Mainstreaming climate change into business strategies and policies (Target 13.2)

    - SDG 17: Partnerships to Achieve the Goals - Establishing public-private partnerships to advance sustainable development in the tourism sector (Target 17.17). Promoting impact metrics that go beyond ebitda (Target 17.19).

  • Awarded to organizations in the tourism sector that stand out for their efforts to reduce carbon emissions. It recognizes those that apply clean technologies, optimize energy use, promote sustainable transport among their visitors and take steps to achieve carbon neutrality. This award recognizes the important contribution to the fight against climate change and focuses on the transformation to a low-carbon tourism industry that protects our future.

  • - SDG 3: Health and Well-being - Promoting healthy diets reducing non-communicable diseases such as respiratory diseases, avoiding air pollution (Target 3.4)

    - SDG 7: Clean Energy - Projects Increasing the Use of Renewable Energy (Target 7.2)

    - SDG 9: Infrastructure - For the creation and promotion of sustainable tourism infrastructure (Target 9.1)

    - SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities - By facilitating access to public transport (Target 11.2) and supporting the construction of sustainable buildings (Target 11.C).

    - SDG 13: Climate Action - By reducing the overall carbon footprint of business by strengthening resilience and adaptation (Target 13.1), mainstreaming climate change into corporate strategies (Target 13.2) and raising awareness (Target 13.3).

    - SDG 14: Underwater Life - To minimize ocean acidification caused by greenhouse gases by reducing the footprint of the activity (Target 14.3).

    - SDG 15: Terrestrial Ecosystem Life - Promoting nature conservation and biodiversity loss - offsetting projects (Target 15.1)

  • This award recognizes tourism companies and organizations that develop projects with a strong positive social impact. It recognizes initiatives that significantly improve the quality of life of local communities, promote social inclusion, fair employment and capacity building. This award highlights the commitment to creating social value, strengthening communities and contributing to tourism development that benefits all stakeholders.

  • - SDG 1: End Poverty - Contributing to the improvement of the quality of life of local communities (Target 1.4).

    - SDG 4: Quality education - supporting the education and empowerment of local communities, improving their access to employment (Target 4.4)

    - SDG 5: Gender Equality - Ensure women's full participation and equal opportunities in the local community (Target 5.5)

    - SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth - Promoting fair employment and skills development (Target 8.5).

    - SDG 10: Reducing Inequalities - Promoting social and economic inclusion (Target 10.2).

    - SDG 17: Partnerships to Achieve the Goals - Promoting investment in less developed communities

  • This award is intended for those initiatives that are committed to the regeneration of the flora and fauna of their environment through two types of measures. On the one hand, those that advocate minimizing the impact on the ecosystem in which they are in order to restore the environment. But, above all, those in which, through reforestation, the reintroduction of endemic species, the protection of endangered species or the repair of marine or terrestrial ecosystems, they are contributing to the natural preservation of the place where they are found. In addition, special value will be given to those projects that share these initiatives with guests and even propose experiences of awareness and responsible enjoyment of this recovered environment.

  • - SDG 12: Responsible production and consumption - By 2030, significantly reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse (Target 12.5)

    - SDG 13: Climate Action - Improve education, awareness and human and institutional capacity for climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction and early warning (Target 13.3)

    - SDG 14: Underwater Life - Conserve at least 10% of coastal and marine areas, in accordance with national laws and international law and based on the best available scientific information (Target 14.5).

    - SDG 15: Terrestrial Ecosystem Life - Ensure the conservation, restoration and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and the services they provide, in particular forests, wetlands, mountains and drylands, consistent with obligations under international agreements Promoting the use of ecosystem-friendly ingredients (Target 15.1).

    - SDG 15: Life of Terrestrial Ecosystems - Combat desertification, rehabilitate degraded land and soils, including land affected by desertification, drought and floods, and aim for a land degradation-neutral world (Target 15.3)

    - SDG 15: Terrestrial Ecosystem Life - Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity and, by 2020, protect threatened species and prevent their extinction (Target 15.5).

Discover the winners of the Traveling For Happiness 2025 awards

Winners 2025

ZURAB POLOLIKASHVILI

Secretary General of UN Tourism.

Jury

FERRAN ADRIÀ

Leader of elBullifoundation.

STUART GREIF

Director of Strategy, Innovation and Operations of Forbes Travel Guide.

ALICIA TORREGO

Director of the National Environmental Congress Foundation (CONAMA).

EVELIO ACEVEDO

Managing Director of the Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza.

TERESA SAPEY

CEO and founder of the architecture, interior design and design studio "Teresa Sapey+Partners".

JAVIER ZORI

Director of National Geographic Travel.

JUAN ABARCA

President HM Hospitales.

JUAN CARLOS DELRIEU

Head of the Environmental, Social and Governance Office of the Bank of Spain.

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