KELOWNA, B.C., July 7, 2026 — GreenStep has become the first North American-based GSTC-Recognized Standard Owner to make GSTC Certification available to hotels, accommodations, and tour operators. Through a partnership with RoyalCert, a GSTC-Accredited Certification Body, tourism businesses can now pursue independent third-party certification against the GreenStep Sustainable Tourism Standard.

“Becoming the first North American-based standard owner to make GSTC Certification available is a major milestone for GreenStep and for the tourism businesses we support,” said Angela Nagy, president and chief executive officer of GreenStep. “Sustainable tourism claims are only as credible as the standard and process behind them. When a business earns GSTC Certification through the GreenStep Standard, that achievement has been independently verified against globally accepted criteria. That rigour is what tourism businesses, destinations, travellers and trade partners need as sustainability becomes a core part of competitiveness.”

The Global Sustainable Tourism Council sets the internationally accepted baseline for credible sustainability in travel and tourism through criteria developed with input from governments, the private sector, non-governmental organizations and the United Nations.

Unlike self-reported sustainability programs, GSTC Certification confirms that a tourism business has been independently audited against these criteria by a third-party
GSTC-accredited certification body. Businesses certified through the GreenStep Sustainable Tourism Standard will be audited by RoyalCert, which conducts certification audits in more than 40 countries.

GSTC Certification also drives market access for tourism businesses. GSTC-certified properties are eligible for the GSTC Market Access Program, which provides added visibility on major booking platforms including Booking.com and Trip.com, where certification drives algorithmic preference and feature placement. Major corporate travel managers, including American Express Global Business Travel and BCD Travel, are actively preferencing or requiring GSTC-certified properties, with AMEX GBT targeting certification at 25 per cent of Bookings.

Demand for certification also extends to the largest global tourism sectors. Major international cruise lines, including Royal Caribbean Group and MSC Cruises, now require or prefer that excursion tour operators hold GSTC Certification, making it a procurement requirement for tourism suppliers serving those markets.

“Becoming the first organization based in North America to make GSTC Certification available through a recognized standard is a significant milestone for GreenStep, its strategic partner RoyalCert and the credibility of sustainable tourism across the region,” said Randy Durband, chief executive officer of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council.

“Partnering with GreenStep reflects our shared commitment to raising the bar for what sustainability certification means in the tourism industry,” said Christos Markopoulos, chief executive officer of RoyalCert. “RoyalCert is proud to support this new program for North
American tourism businesses seeking credible, internationally recognized certification.” GreenStep has been advancing sustainable tourism standards in Canada since October 2020, when the GreenStep Sustainable Tourism Standard became the first Canadian standard to achieve GSTC-Recognized status. This was followed by the GreenStep Destination Standard in December 2021.

Tourism businesses interested in pursuing GSTC Certification through the GreenStep Sustainable Tourism Standard can contact GreenStep at greenstep.ca.

VICTORIA, BC (July 7, 2026) – Fairmont Empress has been crowned once again as #1 City Hotel in Canada in the 2026 World’s Best Awards by Travel + Leisure®, marking the second consecutive year the magnificent property has earned the top city hotel honour.

The Travel + Leisure's World’s Best Awards recognize the leading hotels, operators, destinations, and travel experiences worldwide, as voted by readers in the magazine’s annual survey. Today, the results confirm travelers’ strong appreciation for excellence across a variety of criteria, including rooms, facilities, location, service, and restaurants, thereby reinforcing the awards as a definitive benchmark for top-tier standards in the travel and hospitality industry.

Since 1908, Fairmont Empress—often referred to as “Canada’s Castle on the Coast”—has remained the crown jewel of the City of Victoria. As a National Historic Site with a distinguished past, architectural grandeur, impressive gardens, refined accommodations, and the iconic Tea at the Empress, the hotel continues to charm local and international guests. Recent accolades further reinforce the hotel's status as a leader in global hospitality and as a premier destination in Canada.

“It is an honour to be recognized as the #1 City Hotel in Canada by Travel + Leisure readers for a second consecutive year. It is incredibly rewarding to have our valued guests return time and time again, and to vote for us as their hotel of choice once more,” said Dan McGowan, General Manager of Fairmont Empress. “This achievement reflects the dedication of our staff and our visionary owner, Nat Bosa, whose passion and continual investment ensure Fairmont Empress remains a source of pride for our community and a world-class experience for international travelers. We are deeply grateful to our loyal guests, our supporters, our team, and Mr. Bosa for making this recognition possible.”

In the past year, the hotel has welcomed a new chapter for its dining experiences. The Bengal has reopened as the hotel’s breakfast room, bringing renewed energy to one of Victoria’s most storied spaces. In addition, the hotel’s restaurant and bar has undergone a transformation, with a brand-new look and feel for Q at the Empress—creating an even more elevated setting for Pacific Northwest-inspired dining and signature cocktails.

A pivotal chapter in the hotel’s legacy began in 2014, when Nat Bosa acquired the property. With a grand vision, Bosa spearheaded the remarkable $60+ million ‘Return of the Queen’ renovation, meticulously revitalizing the hotel in 2017 by retaining its heritage while introducing contemporary design and amenities. His ongoing investment in Fairmont Empress was further exemplified by the launch of the new Fairmont Gold experience, which includes 88 elegantly appointed guest rooms and suites, an exclusive lounge over 5,000 square feet with sweeping harbour views, and a host of elevated amenities designed to provide guests with exceptional comfort and sophistication. Additional planned capital investments demonstrate his commitment to making Fairmont Empress a top luxury hotel in the world and a source of pride for the local community.

For more information or to book a stay at Fairmont Empress, visit www.fairmontempress.com

ATLANTA (July 6, 2026) – IHG Hotels & Resorts (IHG), one of the world’s leading hotel companies, celebrates its continued growth in Canada across a portfolio that now includes more than 200 open hotels, a major milestone that underscores the company’s ongoing momentum within key global markets.

The broadening of IHG’s Canadian portfolio comes as the nation expects a strong 2026 for tourism, with Destination Canada forecasting visitor spending to increase by 6 percent year-over-year and reach more than $140B in value. This includes a resurgence in domestic travel across urban, suburban and secondary markets.

Jolyon Bulley, Chief Executive Officer, Americas for IHG, said: “Reaching 200 open IHG hotels in Canada is a testament to the strength of our brands, the dedication of our teams and the trust our owners place in us. With a balance of major metropolitan cities and scenic natural landscapes, Canada offers a stay for every traveler and occasion. We remain focused on capitalizing on this building demand and delivering the right brands in the right places that meet evolving guest needs.”

Looking ahead, IHG will further expand its presence across key Canadian markets with nearly 40 hotels in the development pipeline. Six additional hotels planned to open this year include Holiday Inn, Candlewood Suites and Staybridge Suites properties in Barrie, Aurora East, Pembroke and Woodstock. These openings will build on the seven new hotels that arrived in Canada in 2025, including a Crowne Plaza in Toronto and four Staybridge Suites properties.

IHG’s growth in Canada additionally includes the introduction of several of its new and emerging brands. voco hotels – IHG’s fastest-growing premium brand globally – recently signed its first Canadian hotels in Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver and Niagara Falls. IHG also is capitalizing on growing regional demand for high-quality midscale conversions, with the Garner brand set to make its Canadian debut in 2027 with three planned southern Alberta hotels in Red Deer, Medicine Hat and near Calgary International Airport.

To learn more and book a stay, visit ihg.com

Vancouver, B.C. – July 2, 2026 – As Vancouver’s 2026 cruise season reaches its peak, Fairmont Waterfront is highlighting the completion of the first phase of its full-scale property renovation, which delivered 96 redesigned guest rooms alongside enhanced services tailored to the growing number of travelers extending their stay in the city before and after cruising.

According to the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, the 2026 cruise season is expected to welcome approximately 1.4 million passengers and nearly 360 ship calls, surpassing previous records and solidifying Vancouver's place among North America's top cruise ports.

The season, which runs from February 26 to October 13, is already seeing strong demand, with a growing portion of travelers choosing to extend their stay in Vancouver before or after their sailing. Recent data from the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority shows that 76% of cruise passengers spent time in Vancouver as part of their journey in 2025, rising to almost nine-in-ten (88%) among international visitors – reinforcing the city's growing appeal as more than simply a cruise gateway.

Located directly across from Canada Place Cruise Terminal, Fairmont Waterfront offers guests the ability to walk from the hotel to embarkation within minutes. To support cruise travelers specifically, the hotel offers complimentary luggage transfer, allowing guests to leave tagged luggage in their room for direct delivery to their cruise ship before departure.

"Cruise travel continues to be one of the most important drivers of visitation to Vancouver, and we're seeing growing demand from guests who want to spend additional time exploring the city before or after their voyage,” said Randall Williams, General Manager, Fairmont Waterfront. “Our role is to help improve that journey, whether that's through our location just steps from Canada Place, our direct luggage transfer service, or by offering a newly renovated guest room designed for today's traveler.”

As more cruise passengers choose to incorporate Vancouver into their travel plans, Fairmont Waterfront has seen bookings tied to its Connect With Your Cruise Ship package increase by 150% year-on-year, as more travelers seek accommodation that combines proximity to Canada Place with services designed to simplify the cruise journey.

The first phase of the property’s multi-year renovation plan has recently been completed, introducing 96 newly designed guest rooms. Further renovation work will resume in fall 2026 and will include: additional guest room transformations, Fairmont Gold, the pool area, hotel lobby and ARC Restaurant + Bar.

Guests extending their stay can also experience a range of culinary, wellness and sustainability-focused programming, including the rooftop Garden Dinner Series, rooftop bee tours and seasonal wellness activities.

With cruise visitation continuing to grow and more travelers choosing to spend additional time in the city, Fairmont Waterfront is ideally positioned to welcome guests at the start and end of their cruise journey, connecting them with the very best of Vancouver.

For more information about Fairmont Waterfront's cruise offerings, or to book a stay, visit www.fairmont-waterfront.com