{"id":5711,"date":"2025-10-24T12:38:26","date_gmt":"2025-10-24T16:38:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ustoa.com\/blog\/?p=5711"},"modified":"2025-10-24T12:38:27","modified_gmt":"2025-10-24T16:38:27","slug":"how-to-choose-a-sustainable-hotel","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ustoa.com\/blog\/how-to-choose-a-sustainable-hotel\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Choose a Sustainable Hotel: Lessons from Maui\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

How to Choose a Sustainable Hotel: Lessons from Maui<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

By Classic Vacations<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Maui, sustainability isn\u2019t just a philosophy \u2014 it\u2019s a promise. Standing on the golden sands of K\u0101\u2018anapali, with trade winds carrying the scent of plumeria and the sound of waves meeting the shore, it\u2019s easy to see why protecting this paradise matters. For travelers, the question is no longer should we travel sustainably, but how. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Classic Vacations recently gathered travel advisors from across the country for its annual E3: Elite. Education. Experience. event \u2014 this time, with a powerful new focus on sustainability. In partnership with the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) and California State University Monterey Bay\u2019s Sustainable Hospitality & Tourism Management program, advisors came together at The Westin Maui Resort & Spa, K\u0101\u2018anapali to earn their GSTC certification and deepen their understanding of responsible travel. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Learning What Sustainability Looks Like in Action<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The training, led by Dr. Paige Viren of CSUMB, went beyond classroom discussions. Advisors explored how tourism can protect, rather than deplete, the destinations we love \u2014 from conserving energy and water to ensuring tourism dollars stay within the community. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Through guided learning, they discovered that sustainability isn\u2019t a checklist. It\u2019s a mindset. It\u2019s about asking better questions: Who benefits from my stay? How does this hotel support its environment and people? Does this property reflect the culture it represents? <\/p>\n\n\n

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Royal Lahaina Resort, Photo credit: Classic Vacations<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Seeing Sustainable Hospitality Firsthand<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

To bring those lessons to life, advisors toured two of Classic Vacations\u2019 preferred partners \u2014 the Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa and the Royal Lahaina Resort \u2014 both recognized for their sustainability leadership. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the Sheraton Maui, the group learned how the resort collaborates with more than 80 local businesses, ensuring that everything from food to furnishings supports Maui\u2019s economy. Guests can also experience Hawaiian culture through culinary programs that highlight indigenous ingredients and through educational experiences like coconut weaving and storytelling with local artisans. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nearby, the Royal Lahaina Resort shared how its teams weave cultural heritage into daily operations \u2014 from employing local staff and sourcing island-grown produce to hosting community-led events that celebrate Hawaiian traditions. Each initiative demonstrated that sustainability and authenticity are deeply intertwined. <\/p>\n\n\n

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Photo credit: John Bell, courtesy of Classic Vacations<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Why Responsible Travel in Maui Matters<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

For Maui, tourism is more than an industry \u2014 it\u2019s a lifeline. Supporting responsible tourism means helping the community, culture, and environment recover and thrive together. The island\u2019s recent challenges have underscored how vital it is to ensure that every visit gives back more than it takes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When travelers choose hotels that honor local culture, employ local residents, and invest in conservation, they become part of that recovery. For the advisors who attended the training, the experience reinforced a shared perspective: sustainable travel isn\u2019t just about where clients stay, but about the impact those choices make on destinations and communities. <\/p>\n\n\n

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Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa, Photo credit: Classic Vacations<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

How to Identify a Sustainable Hotel<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

You don\u2019t need to be an expert to make responsible choices. A few simple steps can make a meaningful difference: <\/p>\n\n\n\n