Our Mission

LEADING RESPONSIBLE TOURISM

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THE OCEAN IS A LIFELINE TO TOURISM: IT IS OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO PROTECT IT

Wave of Change is Iberostar’s pioneering movement dedicated to the oceans and to leading responsible tourism. Our mission is simple - to tackle the ocean’s biggest challenges by using the strengths of the tourism industry and private sector to scale solutions. In doing so, we build a more resilient business and more resilient destinations to enjoy for generations to come.

It is a tourism provider's responsibility to care for its communities

Miguel Fluxá Rosselló, Chairman

It's a conscious decision we make every day to play a leading role in sustainable development

Sabina Fluxá Thienemann, Vice-Chairman & CEO

To a beach-front tourism company, the ocean is everything

Gloria Fluxà Thienemann, Vice-Chairman & CSO

To be competitive in the long run, we have to focus the hotels' operations not only on the business and the client, but also towards the people and the planet

Rodrigo Moscardó, COO

We could not more urgently need science to play a role in business, and for businesses to bring new solutions. This is our bold experiment to do that.

Dr. Megan Morikawa, Global Sustainability Director

At a Glance

34

Countries of Operation
8 million

Clients
120+

Properties

RESPONSIBLE TOURISM ACROSS THE GROUP

More than 60 years as a leader in international tourism, we aspire to be an international benchmark for sustainable tourism, with a business model that is 100% family-run, cost-effective and sound. We aim to be a leader in offering quality and achieving customer satisfaction with an open organisational culture that encourages innovation and teamwork.

Iberostar Group

LEADING A WAVE OF CHANGE

- WHY RESEARCH?
  
  With nearly 40% of the world’s population living within 100 kilometers of the coast, growing populations and increasing tourism efforts are putting high pressure on coastal areas in terms of waste disposal, aquaculture, recreation and other services.
  
  More than 80% of Iberostar’s hotels are located along the coastline. Coral reefs, mangroves, seagrasses, wetlands, dunes, and other ecosystems all play an integral role in protecting our coasts and in turn, our hotels.
- SCIENTIFIC COMMITMENTS
  
  Our commitment to the oceans is ingrained in our company DNA, and is one of the pioneering ways we contribute towards leading Responsible Tourism. Specifically, we have committed to having all ecosystems that surround Iberostar properties in improving ecological health alongside profitable tourism by 2030.
  
  This means a rigorous, science-based and expert-informed approach to our actions in coastal health. In specific cases, we also aim to share our findings in the peer-reviewed literature such that our learnings from Coastal Health may be applicable to the greater research community.
- SCIENCE TEAM
  
  To conduct this research and work on coastal health, we have our own internal team of researchers as well as collaborations with NGOs or universities in the countries where we operate. We aim to complement existing work in the region, ensure our questions are based on the latest scientific findings and immediately apply our findings to improve our ocean stewardship.
- DESIGNED FOR OUR COMMUNITIES
  
  It is not enough to improve our properties. We strive to create a significant improvement in the locations where we operate.
  
  This is done through our work with local schools, educating students on different marine topics and introducing scholarships in both Latin America and Spain for students to perform marine research.
- CALENDAR PROJECT
  
  In 2019, we visited schools near our facilities attended by children of our employees. Through these visits we had the opportunity to tell children up to ten years old about the importance of coastal health and the ecosystems that surround it.
  
  Education and outreach are both critical parts of any project Iberostar does. Iberostar values its ability to bring Wave of Change to its employees, their families and the communities where we operate to make a lasting impact.
- UNIVERSITY SCHOLARSHIPS
  
  A fundamental driver of Wave of Change is our passion for science. Our passion for the pursuit of science was paired with a special interest that has always been rooted in the heart of the company: support for the educational community with the aim of training, educating and raising awareness for future generations.
  
  So, in 2018, we forged a partnership with the University of the Balearic Islands (UIB) and created the Iberostar del Mar Chair. Each year, Iberostar gives scholarships to students to boost the work of young researchers in the field of marine science.
- BUILDING CONNECTIONS
  
  Iberostar, with Wave of Change, works tirelessly to build connections with its community and industry alike.
  
  It is through these connections, and the work of our great teams, that make our Wave of Change movement possible.
- BUILDING A MOVEMENT WITH SUPPLIERS
  
  We recognize the effort it takes to reach our long-term goals, and none of it would be possible without the relationships we developed with our suppliers.
  
  From sourcing new bio-degradable products to bringing in Chain of Custody Certified seafood, our suppliers work hand-in-hand to help us reach our goals.
- CHALLENGING THE STATUS QUO
  
  As we think about the ways that we change our operations, it’s evident that the solution does not stop there.
  
  We are working to encourage our clients to bring Wave of Change home with them. Whether that is working to eliminate single-use plastics, improving the way that one shops for seafood or working to improve our ecosystems, we all play a role.

Change comes from human actions

Our people are the champions of change. Come meet our sustainability office, a mixture of scientists, specialists and hoteliers who make the Wave of Change possible across Iberostar Group.

Meet Our Team

In the News

May 07, 2021
Responsible Tourism

Eye on Travel — WTTC in Cancun — May 1, 2021

Dr. Megan Morikawa, American Marine Biologist and Global Director of Sustainability for Iberostar Hotels & Resorts, describes the true definition of “sustainability” and how it relates to our oceans, solving climate change and carbon-neutrality.

Nov 30, 2020
Circular Economy

Iberostar Unveils Roadmap To Reach Carbon Neutrality By 2030

As part of this commitment, the company has now specified its carbon emissions roadmap, which will offset emissions by implementing nature-based solutions at its destinations.

Nov 30, 2020

Иберостар стремится к достижению углеродного нейтралитета к 2030 г.

Иберостар” стремится к достижению углеродной нейтральности к 2030 году и в настоящее время объявил о плане компенсации не менее 75 процентов выбросов за счет “охраны природы в местах ее назначения”.

Nov 30, 2020
Circular Economy

Iberostar aims for carbon neutrality by 2030

Iberostar is aiming for carbon neutrality by 2030 and has now announced a plan to offset at least 75 per cent of emissions by “protecting nature in its destinations”

Nov 30, 2020
Responsible Tourism

When We Can Travel Again, This Hotel Is On The Right Path To Sustainability

All hotel rooms are free of single use plastic, not just at Iberostar Selection Bávaro but at every Iberostar resort.

Our Mission

LEADING RESPONSIBLE TOURISM

THE OCEAN IS A LIFELINE TO TOURISM: IT IS OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO PROTECT IT

At a Glance

RESPONSIBLE TOURISM ACROSS THE GROUP

LEADING A WAVE OF CHANGE

WHY RESEARCH?

SCIENTIFIC COMMITMENTS

SCIENCE TEAM

DESIGNED FOR OUR COMMUNITIES

CALENDAR PROJECT

UNIVERSITY SCHOLARSHIPS

BUILDING CONNECTIONS

BUILDING A MOVEMENT WITH SUPPLIERS

CHALLENGING THE STATUS QUO