Barceló, Iberostar and Palladium drive progress in destination‑care models
3 December, 2025At the 20th Spanish Hoteliers Congress, held in Cartagena, Barceló Hotel Group, Iberostar Hotels & Resorts and Palladium Hotel Group agreed that the sector must evolve from impact mitigation towards generating tangible benefits for destinations. The three companies have presented initiatives focused on relationships with local communities, environmental restoration and the creation of structures that enable more responsible destination management.
Barceló is making progress on its own standards aligned with the GSTC (Global Sustainable Tourism Council) to guide daily management towards cultural and environmental respect for the destination. Its commitment to zero‑kilometre suppliers and its Barceló Experiences platform seeks to distribute tourism value beyond the hotel itself.
Iberostar bases its strategy on active listening to residents and public authorities. Among its projects, the first public‑private blue carbon plan in Europe stands out, aimed at restoring marshlands as natural sinks.
Palladium operates through local sustainability committees that promote community projects. Its agricultural initiative in Brazil, replicated in the Dominican Republic and expanding to Jamaica, combines sustainable production, preservation of local knowledge and training for residents and visitors.