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How 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 ma...

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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...

Can sustainable hospitality truly transform travel, conservation, and hotel business performance?

In this special on-the-road episode of The Conscious Check-in Podcast, Amy Wald is joined by Costas Christ, globally recognized sustainable tourism expert and conservation leader, along with Tanja from The Palms Hotel & Spa in Miami. Together, they explore what sustainable hospitality really looks like in practice—from hotel certification and staff engagement to regenerative tourism, conservation, and the business case for doing it right. Listeners will gain practical insight into how hotels, destinations, and travelers can move beyond buzzwords and make sustainability part of th...

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...

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 experi...

How can sustainable hospitality and wellness at sea transform the cruise guest experience?

Hospitality veteran Jason Gelineau joins host Amy Wald to explore how sustainable hospitality is evolving across the cruise industry—from empathetic, people-first leadership onboard to real-world environmental action. Jason shares lessons from 30+ years at sea, including crew wellbeing, operational resilience, and the shift away from fear-based hierarchies. He spotlights 4ocean’s “pull-a-pound” partnership model, noise-reduction and wildlife-safe navigation, and how wellness luxury travel is reshaping guest expectations through fitness, enrichment, and mindful shore experiences. Ideal for hoteliers and travel leaders seeking actionable ideas that elevate...

How do sustainable luxury hotels stay profitable, authentic—and truly regenerative?

Amy Wald sits down with Hans from the Cayuga Collection to unpack how small, remote, sustainable luxury hotels can thrive operationally and deliver unforgettable guest experiences. They explore Cayuga’s management model, “luxury rewilded” philosophy, passive wellness, and concrete tactics for reducing waste without sacrificing service. You’ll learn practical approaches to boutique hotel sustainability, guest-experience innovation, regenerative tourism, and how to turn sustainability into loyalty and ROI—while keeping brand storytelling authentic and clear.

Timestamps / Episode Breakdown

Can sustainable hospitality be true luxury? Inside The Ranch at Laguna Beach.

Amy Wald sits down with Kurt Bjorkman, COO of The Ranch at Laguna Beach, to explore sustainable hospitality as a driver of luxury guest experience and real operational ROI. From bamboo room keys and plastic-free initiatives to community stewardship, Beyond Green certification, and “nature as our economy,” Kurt shares actionable, property-tested strategies. You’ll learn how guest expectations are shifting, why costs have flipped in favor of sustainable purchasing, and how to build culture, hiring, and design choices that elevate both impact and guest loyalty.

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Can bamboo architecture redefine sustainable hospitality and eco luxury travel?

Award-winning eco-resort designer Louis (Louie) Thompson, CEO of Nomadic Resorts ( ⁨@Sixsenseshotels⁩  ,  ⁨@PlayaViva⁩  ) joins Amy to explore how bamboo, biomimicry, and biophilic design are transforming sustainable hospitality. From manta ray-inspired treehouses in Mexico to modular, nature-positive lodges, Louie shares practical insights on building regenerative, guest-loved experiences without greenwashing. You’ll learn why bamboo’s rapid renewability matters, how design shapes mental wellness, and what AI means for hyper-personalized, wellness-driven travel communities.

Who this episode is for

Conscious travelers, hotel owners, and hospitality lead...

How Pelican Grand earned Green Key Global certification—and elevated sustainable hospitality.

GM TJ Pierri of Pelican Grand Beach Resort (Fort Lauderdale) joins Amy to unpack how a legacy-driven, guest-first approach can power sustainable hospitality. From achieving Green Key Global certification to electrifying team and guest transport with Circuit, turtle-safe beach operations, and energy efficiency in rooms, TJ shares practical steps hotels can take now—plus the leadership mindset that wins buy-in. You’ll learn how to align guest experience with sustainability, start small without sacrificing impact, and communicate values that drive loyalty.

Who this episod...

How sustainable hospitality elevates luxury at Staypineapple Chicago—inside a certified, dog-obsessed boutique icon.

Host Amy Wald sits down with Bethann, General Manager of Staypineapple Chicago, to explore how a historic Loop landmark delivers sustainable luxury without compromise. From Green Key certification and adaptive reuse to plastic-free water programs, elevated in-room amenities, and digital ops that slash waste, this episode shows how boutique hotel sustainability can boost guest experience and business results. You’ll learn practical ideas for sustainable hotel certification, guest-centric green amenities, and how to communicate impact authentically—plus a peek at Staypineapple’s beloved “Naked Expe...

How can storytelling and GSTC standards move sustainable hospitality from checkbox to culture?

Documentary filmmaker and GLP Films founder Rob Holmes joins host Amy Wald to explore how authentic storytelling, destination stewardship, and GSTC-aligned practices can accelerate the shift toward sustainable travel destinations worldwide.

From accessibility on the Oregon Coast to the groundbreaking Palau Pledge, Rob shares field-tested insights on how destinations and hotels can avoid greenwashing, champion conservation and biodiversity, and turn regenerative tourism into tangible guest experiences.

Expect practical guidance for hoteliers, DMOs, travel journalists, and conscious travelers alike—covering supply-chain sh...

Craving eco luxury travel that changes lives and protects places? Start here.

Adventure luxury meets purpose-driven travel. Amy sits down with Kevin Jackson and Maxie Johnson of EXP Journeys, a B Corp adventure operator designing bespoke, conservation-forward experiences across the American Southwest and beyond. From helicopter-only lunches atop Tower Butte to Navajo-led cultural immersions and regenerative partnerships, learn how eco luxury travel can be exclusive, ethical, and life-changing. You’ll hear powerful guest transformation stories, why guided experiences beat DIY itineraries, how EXP vets sustainable partners, and what’s next for adventure travel: privacy, remoteness, and deeper cult...

Can a luxury Amazon cruise actually protect wildlife and empower local communities?

In this episode on sustainable luxury travel, we explore how Delfin Amazon Cruises and Relais & Chateaux are redefining regenerative tourism in Peru’s Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve.

Host Amy Wald sits down with tropical biologist and sustainability lead Gabriela Orihuela of Delfin Amazon Cruises to unpack what it really means to cruise with purpose in the Amazon. From pink river dolphin research and giant river otter sightings to community-driven “BioRest” reforestation with native species, this conversation spotlights nature-based tourism that restores ecosystems and culture.

Y...

Can luxury and sustainable hospitality truly coexist—and even drive profitability?

Step into Casa di Langa in Piedmont, Italy, for a masterclass in sustainable luxury hotels, storytelling, and community impact.

In this episode, we explore how a Beyond Green property brings regenerative design, local heritage, and guest delight together—without compromise.

This Conscious Check-in takes you to northern Italy for a behind-the-scenes look at Casa di Langa, a Beyond Green boutique property redefining sustainable hospitality in the Piedmont region. Host Amy Wald is joined by General Manager Eva Codina and Krause Group Director of S...

Indulgence and impact can coexist, especially when your safari is designed to give back.

This episode shows how nature-based tourism can deliver bucket-list safaris while creating real impact for wildlife, communities, and the planet.

Go beyond the Big Five with a purpose-driven look at modern safaris. Amy sits down with Liesel van Zyl, Head of Positive Impact at Go2Africa (a B Corp) to explore how luxury, conservation, and community can thrive together.

Learn how to plan a safari that feels indulgent yet regenerative—from choosing accredited partners to tailoring hands-on experiences for yo...

Can luxury and sustainable hospitality truly thrive together? In this episode, we unpack how the Forbes VERIFIED Responsible Hospitality program is redefining five-star service through responsible hospitality—without sacrificing guest experience or profitability.

Legendary hotelier Hervé Houdré—creator and global ambassador of Forbes VERIFIED Responsible Hospitality—joins Amy to explore how sustainability becomes a competitive advantage in luxury hotels. From designing energy- and water-smart properties to eliminating single-use plastics across the guest journey, Hervé shares practical frameworks leaders can use now.

You’ll hear how the triple bottom line (People, Planet, Profit) informs winning brand strategy, w...

Discover how The Palms Hotel and Spa in Miami Beach integrates sustainability into its core identity, proving that eco-conscious hospitality is more than a trend — it's a continuous journey. Join marketing and sustainability director Tanya Morariu as she candidly shares the challenges, successes, and impactful guest experiences that come with leading a truly green luxury hotel. This conversation offers valuable insights for hospitality professionals striving to embed sustainability authentically and effectively and inspiration for your next feel good tropical getaway!

Join us in this inspiring episode of the Conscious Check-in as Costas Christ, a pioneer of eco-tourism and sustainable travel, shares his groundbreaking journey transforming the tourism industry. Discover how sustainability not only protects our planet but also enhances profitability and creates lasting benefits for communities and businesses alike.

Discover:

Join Amy Wald in this inspiring episode of the Conscious Check-in as she sits down with Bria Guishard, General Manager of Long Bay Resort in the British Virgin Islands. Discover how Bria blends authentic hospitality with thoughtful sustainability initiatives to create a luxurious yet eco-conscious guest experience. Learn how community engagement, resilient leadership, and innovative practices define visionary hospitality in the Caribbean and beyond.

Discover:

Anegada is unlike anywhere else in the Caribbean.

Flat, wild, and naturally resilient—this coral island has preserved its beauty not because of development, but in spite of it.

In this special episode, I visit Anegada Beach Club and with Bunchie who know the island best. We explore:

This isn’t a sustainability success story. It’s a pres...

In this insightful conversation, Greenluxe founder Amy Wald sits down with global travel influencer and digital marketing expert Scott Eddy to explore what truly drives loyalty and emotional connection in hospitality today. From storytelling and sustainability to personal branding and ROI, Scott shares lessons from decades of experience that hoteliers, marketers, and entrepreneurs alike can apply right now.

Make sure to follow along all of Scott's exciting journeys at:

Website:

www.mrscotteddy.com

Twitter:

@twitter.com/MrScottEddy

Facebook:

facebook.com/MrScottEddyPage

Instagram: