“Sounds like home.” Policing plastic waste, but make it art Would you stay in a former police station turned design-led, eco-friendly hostel? Located inside a former police station in Milan, Italy, Madama Hostel & Bistrot has built its sustainability journey around giving things a second life – from the building itself and reclaimed furnishings to the everyday…
Category: Sustainability
Sustainability Stories: The Green Rainbow – How Eco-Pride is redefining travel in Cape Town
If you’ve ever wondered what happens when environmental sustainability, inclusive tourism, and Pride collide – meet Rayan. Traveller. Volunteer. Pride advocate. After winning Hostelworld’s ESG World Tourism Day competition, Rayan travelled to Cape Town, South Africa. Not just to explore and celebrate Pride, but to help build something new. Having previously heard Soul Fam…
Sustainability Stories: Pride, Place & Purpose – How The Cool Hostel built a queer-friendly space rooted in community
“The Cool Hostel, where you can show up exactly as you are.” Pride Month is a time to celebrate LGBTQ+ visibility, inclusivity and diversity. But in Coquimbo, Northern Chile, one hostel is building that – not just for a moment, but every single day. We met Cris Sankari, co-founder of The Cool Hostel, the…
Sustainability Stories: “It changed the way I travel” – Volunteering in Colombia, One Year On
(L: Entrance to El Rio Hostel. R: Boat trip with our guide Gabriel and dog Suki) A year ago, you met Amy Phung, winner of Hostelworld’s yearly staff travel competition, who spent several weeks travelling across Colombia – hopping from hostel to hostel, and discovering a country that surprised her at every turn. Almost a year on,…
Sustainability Stories: Inside Hostelworld’s 2026 Culture Champion – Black Llama Cusco
“When guests stay with us, they’re not just visiting – they’re starting to understand Cusco and the heritage”, says Eric Beland, founder of Black Llama Hostel Cusco. Sitting at over 3,400 metres in the Peruvian Andes, Cusco, otherwise known as the “navel of the world”, is one of South America’s most historic and visited cities,…
Sustainability Stories: Earth Day – What Casa en el Agua Teaches Us About Everyday Sustainability
Every day action. Intentional choices. Impact that lasts. On Earth Day, it’s easy to focus on big promises and bold commitments. But during our recent fireside chat with Casa en el Agua, a simple but powerful message emerged: sustainability is built through intention, consistency, and everyday action. Casa en el Agua is a hostel quite literally…
Sustainability Stories: Twentytu – Redefining responsible travel in Barcelona and beyond…
“Our dream is for sustainable travel to be the norm, not the exception”, says the director, Josep Aguilar, from Twentytu Hostel in Barcelona’s busy and modern 22nd district. Twentytu is the perfect base for any curious traveller looking to explore Barcelona and stay in one of their private or shared dorm rooms. Beyond the best spot for watching a sunset from their rooftop terrace, Twentytu is surrounded by emblematic monuments such as…
Sustainability Stories: JO&JOE Rio – discover this eco-warrior hostel in the urban jungle
At the foot of Rio de Janeiro’s famous Corcovado mountain, where monkeys swing through palm trees and samba drifts through the air, you’ll find JO&JOE Rio – a hostel that proves that big-city energy and sustainability get along just fine. Built along six restored colonial buildings in the historic Largo do Boticario, this open house…
Sustainability Stories: Villa Viva Cape Town – clean water for all
See how Viva con Agua started in South Africa Cape Town, South Africa. Sunshine, murals, and a deep blue building shouting from the hillside. That’s Villa Viva Cape Town, a hostel, a creative hub and a social movement rolled into one. The best part? Every night’s sleep helps someone else get access to clean water….
How to travel responsibly: 42 real tips for sustainable adventures
It’s no news that tourism changes everything from the planet to the people who call it home. But the good news is: You’ve got power. Responsible travel means being aware of your impact and doing something about it. It’s not about perfection. It’s about better choices, trip by trip. Here’s your ultimate, no-fluff guide to…
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