Wave of Change

Excited to share that last week we held a training session on composting and organic waste recovery at Iberostar Kuriat Palace, taking a significant step towards circularity in Tunisia. Organized by Iberostar Group Tunisia and the Active Citizens for Development association and in partnership with the MONASTIR Living Lab, this initiative brought together 53 participants. These included garden and hygiene managers from 25 hotels—members and non-members of the Monastir and Hammamet Hotel Colleges—and representatives from national authorities such as Office National du Tourisme Tunisien, Agence Nationale de Gestion des Déchets, CRDA, and the Municipality of Monastir. Through practical training, participants gained practical skills to transform organic waste into valuable resources, embedding circular economy principles into hotel operations. We also introduced initial recommendations from our collaboratively developed waste management guide, created alongside the Monastir Living Lab, the Faculty of Science of Monastir, and Iberostar. We want to thank our teams and partners for actively participating in the session and committing to advancing scalable, waste management solutions and strengthening the future of responsible tourism. #WaveOfChange #ResponsibleTourism #CircularEconomy

The ocean and coastal ecosystems are vital to both tourism and global food systems. By adopting a blue foods strategy, we can drive meaningful positive change for people, communities, and the planet. Here’s how: 🔵 Responsible Tourism: Blue foods like fresh seafood, shellfish, and seaweed enhance the tourism experience with low-carbon, locally-sourced dishes, while safeguarding marine ecosystems. 🔵 Environmental & Economic Resilience: Blue foods strengthen biodiversity, food security, and climate resilience by reducing dependence on land-based agriculture and supporting sustainable food systems worldwide. 🔵 Empowering Local Communities: Blue foods support the livelihoods of millions, particularly through small-scale fisheries and aquaculture, fostering local economic and social prosperity while promoting responsible practices. At Wave of Change, we aspire to lead a transformational blue foods strategy. By transitioning from traditional seafood sources to responsibly-sourced alternatives, we aim to protect ocean health and promote responsible consumption practices. #BlueFoods #ResponsibleTourism #WaveofChange

Decarbonization and adaptation are essential investments in building a resilient, nature-positive tourism model. At #COP29, we presented the key findings of our soon-to-be-released report with World Travel & Tourism Council and Oxford Economics, "Climate and Ocean: Quantifying Coastal and Marine Tourism and Protecting Destinations." The findings are clear: safeguarding coastal and marine tourism from the climate crisis will require $65 billion annually for climate action and resilience-building. This investment is vital to protect a sector that, in 2023, contributed $1.5 trillion in direct GDP and supported 52 million jobs globally—or $3.3 trillion and 100 million jobs when including its value chain. Coastal and marine tourism holds immense power and potential to drive positive change and serve as a force for both nature and climate. Critical to this endeavor is also UN Climate Change's UN Ocean Breakthrough to achieve a 35% GHG emissions reduction through a healthy and productive ocean. Achieving this goal requires decisive action and cross-sector collaboration, and our sector can play a pivotal role in making it a reality. More about the key findings: https://shorturl.at/T7uhf

Honored to be a part of the first-ever COP day dedicated to tourism from Iberostar Group. During our discussions, Erika Harms, JD/MBA emphasized the urgent need to accelerate climate action and strengthen commitments to mitigation and adaptation within our industry. As proud signatories of the Glasgow Declaration, we stand behind tourism's collective goal to halve emissions by 2030 and achieve net zero before 2050. At Iberostar, we're leading the way with our decarbonization roadmap, launched at COP27, and our ambitious commitment to carbon neutrality by 2030. This includes reducing scope 1 & 2 emissions by 85% and scope 3 emissions by 50%. A heartfelt thank you to UN Tourism for hosting this session and to fellow panelists Dr. Gunay Bayramova, Heitor Kadri, Shannon Guihan, and Amy L.. Together, we can step up move the needle on climate action. #COP29 #SustainableTourism #ClimateAction

Meet Ariadna León, our dedicated Coral Restoration Technician in Mexico. Ariadna plays a crucial role in Iberostar’s coral restoration program, focusing on coral asexual reproduction to develop resilient colonies that can withstand environmental pressures. One of the primary techniques used in this initiative is microfragmentation, a method that accelerates coral growth and enhances reef restoration. Through our reef restoration program, we strive to contribute to ocean health and biodiversity, advancing our mission to foster resilient coastal ecosystems. With experts like Ariadna leading the way, we are helping corals thrive and inspiring hope for the future of our oceans. #CoralRestoration #WaveOfChange

Blue foods, such as fish, shellfish, and aquatic plants, are vital not only for enhancing culinary experiences but also for transforming the tourism industry. The vast diversity of blue foods—thousands of species rich in protein and micronutrients—holds enormous potential to achieve a more prosperous future. However, realizing the full potential of blue food systems comes with challenges. Effective governance is needed to combat overfishing and minimize environmental impact. As climate change threatens marine life and freshwater systems, building resilience and addressing pollution and habitat destruction is crucial. At Wave of Change, we are committed to empowering small-scale fisheries and promoting responsible fishing and aquaculture practices to preserve marine ecosystems, create jobs, and enhance livelihoods. Join us in this vital mission for a sustainable future for our oceans. Together, we can harness the power of blue foods to create a thriving tourism industry and resilient communities.

In our latest reel, Macarena Blanco Pimentel, Iberostar's Science Coordinator, talked about reef resilience and how resilient corals are paving the way for more effective restoration efforts. For this second part, Macarena sheds light on how certain coral species, capable of withstanding environmental stressors, are now being collected, reproduced, and reintroduced into vulnerable reef ecosystems. This approach aims to maximize the success of restoration projects, especially as climate change continues to challenge coral health. By focusing on corals with proven resilience to factors like increased temperatures and bleaching events, we create a more adaptable foundation for restoration projects, increasing the likelihood of long-term recovery. Macarena explains the science and strategies behind selecting these hardy coral specimens, as well as the careful processes of reproducing and transplanting them. Join us in protecting these precious ecosystems and witness how research is shaping the future of ocean conservation. #WaveOfChange #CoralRestoration #MarineConservation #ReefResilience

Excited to share that last week, Iberostar Group and the Active Citizens for Development association (ACD) formalized a strategic alliance to advance environmental sustainability in Tunisia.This agreement solidifies a long-standing collaboration and demonstrates our shared commitment to a circular economy and waste management solutions tailored to local needs, aiming to drive sustainable change across the hospitality industry and Tunisia's tourism sector. A key initiative within this partnership is the Hotels Colleges project, developed in coordination with the National Office of Tunisian Tourism (ONTT) and the FTH Fédération Tunisienne de l'Hôtellerie . This project is designed to engage hospitality sector leaders in sustainable practices and to create collective solutions for responsible resource management. This agreement underscores Wave of Change dedication to both environmental stewardship and community well-being. By bringing together innovation and environmental responsibility, we are working to build resource management models that not only reduce the environmental impact of tourism but also support local communities in adopting sustainable practices. Through this collaboration, we strive to inspire change within Tunisia’s tourism industry, encouraging actions that help preserve and regenerate the country’s natural resources for future generations. #ResponsibleTourism 

Today, on #WorldScienceDay, we celebrate the vital role of scientific research in advancing our mission for a sustainable ocean economy. At Wave of Change, our efforts are grounded in science and data—from our waste reduction and decarbonization strategies to coastal protection analysis and initiatives that strengthen resilience in coastal ecosystems surrounding our destinations. Thanks to the dedication of our scientists and our collaboration with the broader scientific community, we continue to drive science-based actions that pave the way for a future where nature and tourism thrive together. #WaveOfChange #WorldScienceDay #ResponsibleTourism

This Coral Bleaching Awareness Month, we invite everyone to discover the importance of protecting one of Earth’s most extraordinary ecosystems. Coral reefs are the vibrant heart of our oceans, supporting an astonishing 25% of marine life, shielding coastlines, and nurturing the livelihoods of countless communities. 🔵 What is Coral Bleaching? Coral bleaching occurs when corals, stressed by rising sea temperatures, expel the algae (zooxanthellae) that provide them with food and vibrant colors. This loss leaves corals white and extremely vulnerable to disease and death if the stress continues. 🔵 How Can We Resolve It? Protecting coral reefs starts with reducing global carbon emissions, supporting marine conservation efforts and fostering a responsible tourism model that helps reefs heal and thrive. At Wave of Change, we’re addressing coral bleaching through research, reef restoration initiatives, and by educating people of all ages on the essential role these ecosystems play in sustaining life on our planet. By raising awareness and taking action, we can help preserve these underwater wonders for future generations. #CoralBleachingAwareness #ProtectOurReefs #MarineConservation #WaveofChange