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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 shifts, slow travel, Indigenous tourism, and why a little spontaneity still creates the most meaningful trips.
Who this episode is for
Conscious travelers, hoteliers, DMOs, and travel journalists seeking practical, real-world strategies for sustainable hospitality and destination storytelling.
Timestamps / Episode Breakdown
00:29 – Why sustainable hospitality moved from side note to center stage
02:02 – Food and place: raw, in-the-moment travel experiences (Senegal, Tierra del Fuego)
06:03 – Rob’s path: wildlife conservation, MBA, media, and founding GLP Films
10:20 – The falcon perspective: looking ahead, landscapes, and conservation mindset
12:16 – From slideshows to docs: how storytelling shapes traveler behavior
18:17 – Career advice: find your niche, blend creativity with business, avoid polish for polish’s sake
21:51 – Inside GSTC: raising the bar, community, and post-COVID momentum
23:31 – Certifications vs. checkboxes: accountability, greenwashing, and systemic change
28:22 – Destination realities: small DMO teams, why private sector support matters
33:14 – Case study: Oregon Coast—accessibility, inclusivity, and stewardship storytelling
34:54 – The Palau Pledge: locally led design that shifts traveler mindset
38:04 – World Tourism Day wish: conservation and biodiversity as core KPIs
42:39 – Standout regions: Canada (indigenous tourism), Greenland, Cook Islands, Finger Lakes
46:50 – Traveler tips: slow travel, off-season, public transport, buy local
50:13 – For travel journalists: keep it simple, verify, celebrate leaders, call out greenwashing
53:52 – Hotels: the highest-leverage move—transform your supply chain
58:05 – Travel hack: embrace spontaneity to unlock authentic experiences
1:03:14 – Where to find Rob and GLP Films content
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About the podcast
The core mission of The Conscious Check-in is to inspire travelers and hospitality and destination leaders to embrace sustainability, showing how conscious choices in travel and luxury hospitality can create meaningful experiences for guests while driving positive impact for people, planet, and business.
11 episodes
