hotel tourist moscow

2024 Best Hotels in Moscow

Hotels ranked on industry awards, guest reviews and hotel class ratings

Unbiased content created by U.S. News editors

Photo tours of select hotels by local experts

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Discover the best hotel for you:

Hotel Metropol Moscow

Radisson Collection Hotel, Moscow

Hotel Baltschug Kempinski Moscow

Lotte Hotel Moscow - The Leading Hotels of the World

Swissotel Krasnye Holmy Moscow

InterContinental Moscow - Tverskaya, an IHG Hotel

Hotel Savoy Moscow

Four Seasons Hotel Moscow

Mamaison All-Suites Spa Hotel Pokrovka

Radisson Blu Olympiyskiy Hotel

StandArt Design Hotel

Ararat Park Hotel Moscow

Petroff Palace Boutique Hotel

Chekhoff Hotel Moscow Curio Collection by Hilton

Mövenpick Moscow Taganskaya

Travel Guide

Moscow's opulence and high culture is a sight to be seen. Forget what you learned about Russia in grade school. This lavish capital of a formerly communist nation has fully embraced the luxuries, excesses and decadence of Western capitalism. Like many former Soviet countries, Mother Russia struggles to successfully confront issues of widespread poverty, alcoholism, failing healthcare, and environmental protection. But Moscow has burgeoned into one of the most expensive, exclusive and largest travel destinations in the world. It comes complete with world-class museums, magnificent palaces, $1,000-a-night hotels, "face-control" nightclubs and internationally-renowned restaurants. Don't think you can afford Moscow? Don't be afraid. You can still find affordable deals if you are vigilant. This metropolis has a big and bold character and grandiose setting that's definitely worth getting to know.

If you make a purchase from our site, we may earn a commission. This does not affect the quality or independence of our editorial content.

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Hotel Tourist in Moscow

• Vending Machine (snacks)
• Vending Machine (drinks)
• Shuttle Service (surcharge)
• ATM/Cash Machine on site
• Ticket Service
• Fax/Photocopying
• Bridal Suite
• Ironing Service
• Barber/Beauty Shop
• Business Centre
• Airport Shuttle
• Meeting/Banquet Facilities
• Internet Services
• Free Wi-Fi Internet Access Included
• Restaurant (buffet)
• Designated Smoking Area
• Breakfast Buffet
• Luggage Storage
• Safety Deposit Box
• 24-Hour Front Desk
• The hotel has parking
• Selskokhozyaistvennaya Street 17
• Hotel facilities
• Important information

Tourist Hotel is a hotel complex represented by six five-storey buildings. This three-star hotel that welcomed its first guests in 1955 is nowadays an ideal place for rest as well as for work. The hotel is located in the ecologically clean area in the northern part of Moscow, near the beautiful Botanical Gardens and the All-Russian Exhibition Centre "VDNH".

The window of Tourist Hotel look over the forest reserve Losiny (Elk) Island and the River Yauza. It is only 20-30 minutes to get to the centre of Moscow that is no time for such a big city as the Russian capital. Highly developed infrastructure of Tourist Hotel guarantees holiday-makers and business travellers maximum comfort.

Tourist Hotel offers top-class conditions for work. There you will find well-equipped business-centre, conference halls, auditorium, meeting rooms. For a business dinner or a private party Tourist Hotel offers several cafes and a bar. High quality service. Attentive staff, a wide spectrum of amenities are the guarantees of unforgettable pleasant and fruitful sojourn in Tourist Hotel.

Similar hotels

Kalina hotel, hostel narnia on gagarinsky, hostel narnia on arbat street.

The Moscow Hotels Russia provides travelers with the most useful and up-to-date information on the best hotels of Moscow. With the help of our website you can easily reserve a room in any hotel of Moscow through our online reservation system. In addition to hotel reservations, we offer a full range of travel services. We serve both corporate and leisure clients and strive to satisfy every customer.

Tourist Hotel

View prices for your travel dates

Reviews we perform checks on reviews. tripadvisor’s approach to reviews before posting, each tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. if the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines , the review is not published. when the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site. our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines . learn more about our review moderation..

• Excellent 33
• Very Good 96
• Average 106
• Terrible 37
• All languages ( 320 )
• Russian ( 279 )
• English ( 27 )
• German ( 5 )

" i dont recommend this hotel to any traveller going to moscow for the first time. "

" Check other posts - there are surely differences between the 'blocks' (I stayed in block 6 - perhaps one of the two best). "

" choose another hotel or use 'Business tourist building' in same complex at increased cost. "

" Take renovated room. Standard Renovated is good value for money for Moscow. "

" Stay away from this hotel "

Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.

TOURIST HOTEL: Reviews (Moscow, Russia) - Photos of Hotel - Tripadvisor

Hotel Tourist

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Reviews we perform checks on reviews. tripadvisor’s approach to reviews before posting, each tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. if the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines , the review is not published. when the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site. our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines . learn more about our review moderation..

• Excellent 0
• Very Good 2
• All languages ( 7 )
• Russian ( 6 )
• Spanish ( 1 )
• English ( 0 )

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HOTEL TOURIST - Reviews, Photos

Explore Moscow

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Travel Budget for Moscow Visit Moscow on a Budget or Travel in Style

• Moscow Costs

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• How much does it cost to travel to Moscow? (Average Daily Cost)
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Is Moscow expensive to visit?

• How much do I need for a trip to Moscow?
• Accommodation, Food, Entertainment, and Transportation Costs
• Travel Guide

How much does it cost to travel to Moscow?

You should plan to spend around $63 (₽5,802) per day on your vacation in Moscow. This is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors.

Past travelers have spent, on average for one day:

• $14 (₽1,315) on meals
• $6.18 (₽566) on local transportation
• $80 (₽7,330) on hotels

A one week trip to Moscow for two people costs, on average, $887 (₽81,233) . This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.

All of these average travel prices have been collected from other travelers to help you plan your own travel budget.

• Travel Style: All Budget (Cheap) Mid-Range Luxury (High-End)
• Average Daily Cost Per person, per day $ 63 ₽ 5,802
• One Week Per person $ 443 ₽ 40,617
• 2 Weeks Per person $ 887 ₽ 81,233
• One Month Per person $ 1,900 ₽ 174,071
• One Week For a couple $ 887 ₽ 81,233
• 2 Weeks For a couple $ 1,773 ₽ 162,467
• One Month For a couple $ 3,800 ₽ 348,143

How much does a one week, two week, or one month trip to Moscow cost?

A one week trip to Moscow usually costs around $443 (₽40,617) for one person and $887 (₽81,233) for two people. This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.

A two week trip to Moscow on average costs around $887 (₽81,233) for one person and $1,773 (₽162,467) for two people. This cost includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.

Please note, prices can vary based on your travel style, speed, and other variables. If you're traveling as a family of three or four people, the price per person often goes down because kid's tickets are cheaper and hotel rooms can be shared. If you travel slower over a longer period of time then your daily budget will also go down. Two people traveling together for one month in Moscow will often have a lower daily budget per person than one person traveling alone for one week.

A one month trip to Moscow on average costs around $1,900 (₽174,071) for one person and $3,800 (₽348,143) for two people. The more places you visit, the higher the daily price will become due to increased transportation costs.

Independent Travel

Traveling Independently to Moscow has many benefits including affordabilty, freedom, flexibility, and the opportunity to control your own experiences.

All of the travel costs below are based on the experiences of other independent travelers.

Moscow is a reasonably affordable place to visit. Located in Russia, which is a reasonably affordable country, visitors will appreciate the relatively low cost of this destination. It is in the top 10% of cities in the country for its overall travel expenses. If you're traveling on a budget, then this is a good destination with affordable accommodation, food, and transportation.

Within Europe, which is known to be an expensive region, Moscow is a reasonably affordable destination compared to other places. It is in the top 25% of cities in Europe for its affordability. You can find more affordable cities such as Novi Sad, but there are also more expensive cities, such as Avignon.

For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is Moscow Expensive?

How much money do I need for a trip to Moscow?

The average Moscow trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Moscow travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers.

Accommodation Budget in Moscow

Average daily costs.

Calculated from travelers like you

The average price paid for one person for accommodation in Moscow is $40 (₽3,665). For two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room, the average price paid for a hotel room in Moscow is $80 (₽7,330). This cost is from the reported spending of actual travelers.

• Accommodation 1 Hotel or hostel for one person $ 40 ₽ 3,665
• Accommodation 1 Typical double-occupancy room $ 80 ₽ 7,330

Hotel Prices in Moscow

Looking for a hotel in Moscow? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.

Find the best hotel for your travel style.

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Transportation Budget in Moscow

The cost of a taxi ride in Moscow is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $6.18 (₽566) per person, per day, on local transportation in Moscow.

• Transportation 1 Taxis, local buses, subway, etc. $ 6.18 ₽ 566

Recommended Services

• Private Transfer from Tangkerang Labuai to Pekanbaru Airport (PKU) Viator $ 41
• Private Transfer from Pekanbaru Airport (PKU) to Kedungsari Viator $ 41

Flights to Moscow

Rental cars in moscow, what did other people spend on transportation in moscow.

Typical prices for Transportation in Moscow are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the prices in Moscow, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.

• Two Metro Passes ₽ 135

Food Budget in Moscow

While meal prices in Moscow can vary, the average cost of food in Moscow is $14 (₽1,315) per day. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out an average meal in Moscow should cost around $5.74 (₽526) per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in Moscow is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.

• Food 2 Meals for one day $ 14 ₽ 1,315

What did other people spend on Food in Moscow?

Typical prices for Food in Moscow are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the prices in Moscow, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.

• Lunch for Two ₽ 550
• Lunch in the Center Market ₽ 300
• Breakfast for 2 ₽ 1,000

Entertainment Budget in Moscow

Entertainment and activities in Moscow typically cost an average of $16 (₽1,471) per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.

• Entertainment 1 Entrance tickets, shows, etc. $ 16 ₽ 1,471

Recommended Activities

• 2 Days Private Tour to See Bull Race and Raflesia Arnoldi Flower Viator $ 250

What did other people spend on Entertainment in Moscow?

Typical prices for Entertainment in Moscow are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the prices in Moscow, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.

• Theater Tickets ₽ 1,150
• Kremlin Entry (2) ₽ 1,000

Tips and Handouts Budget in Moscow

The average cost for Tips and Handouts in Moscow is $0.25 (₽23) per day. The usual amount for a tip in Moscow is 5% - 15% .

• Tips and Handouts 1 For guides or service providers $ 0.25 ₽ 23

Scams, Robberies, and Mishaps Budget in Moscow

Unfortunately, bad things can happen on a trip. Well, you've just got to deal with it! The average price for a scam, robbery, or mishap in Moscow is $1.25 (₽115), as reported by travelers.

• Scams, Robberies, and Mishaps 1 $ 1.25 ₽ 115

Alcohol Budget in Moscow

The average person spends about $7.94 (₽727) on alcoholic beverages in Moscow per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.

• Alcohol 2 Drinks for one day $ 7.94 ₽ 727

Water Budget in Moscow

On average, people spend $0.70 (₽64) on bottled water in Moscow per day. The public water in Moscow is considered safe to drink.

• Water 2 Bottled water for one day $ 0.70 ₽ 64

Related Articles

Moscow on a budget.

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We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works .

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Tourist Hotel

View prices for your travel dates

• Excellent 33
• Very Good 96
• Average 106
• Terrible 37
• All languages ( 320 )
• Russian ( 279 )
• English ( 27 )
• German ( 5 )

" i dont recommend this hotel to any traveller going to moscow for the first time. "

" Check other posts - there are surely differences between the 'blocks' (I stayed in block 6 - perhaps one of the two best). "

" choose another hotel or use 'Business tourist building' in same complex at increased cost. "

" Take renovated room. Standard Renovated is good value for money for Moscow. "

" Stay away from this hotel "

Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.

Tourist Hotel - Reviews & Photos

Tourist Hotel

Selskokhozyaystvennaya 17, 129226 Moscow, Russia – Great location - show map

Cleanliness

Value for money

Great location!

Tourist Hotel Reserve now

Less than 1 km from the Botanical Garden and All-Russia Exhibition Centre, this modern hotel in Moscow offers a garden and traditional Russian food. It has a 24-hour reception. All rooms at Tourist Hotel feature a cable TV and a fridge. Free WiFi is available throughout the property. Varied buffet breakfasts are prepared at the hotel's restaurant. Guests can also enjoy local cuisine in the restaurant and pizzeria, or relax with a drink in the bar. There is also a laundry on site. Botanicheskiy Sad Metro Station is a 7-minute walk.

Couples particularly like the location — they rated it 8.1 for a two-person trip.

Distance in property description is calculated using © OpenStreetMap

• Private parking
• Non-smoking rooms
• 24-hour front desk
• Designated smoking area

Property highlights

Top location: Highly rated by recent guests (8.3)

Private parking at the hotel

Loyal customers

끖 There are more repeat guests here than most other properties.

Saved to 7350 lists

Availability

Select dates to see this property's availability and prices

Categories:

Hotel surroundings, restaurants 1 restaurant on site.

• Cuisine Russian
• Open for Breakfast • Lunch • Dinner
• Ambiance Family friendly • Traditional • Modern

Facilities of Tourist Hotel

• Toilet paper
• Bath or shower
• Private bathroom
• Free toiletries
• Wardrobe or closet
• Garden view
• Refrigerator
• Socket near the bed
• Clothes rack
• Cable channels
• Coffee house on site
• Wine/champagne Additional charge
• Street parking
• Invoice provided
• Private check-in/check-out
• Luggage storage Additional charge
• Ironing service
• Laundry Additional charge
• Fax/photocopying Additional charge
• Business centre Additional charge
• Meeting/banquet facilities Additional charge
• Fire extinguishers
• CCTV outside property
• CCTV in common areas
• Smoke alarms
• Key card access
• 24-hour security
• Safety deposit box Additional charge
• Minimarket on site
• Vending machine (snacks)
• Vending machine (drinks)
• Air conditioning
• Non-smoking throughout
• Wake-up service
• Soundproof rooms

See availability House rules

Guests are required to show a photo identification and credit card upon check-in

Until 12:00

Cancellation/ prepayment

Cancellation and prepayment policies vary according to accommodation type. Please enter the dates of your stay and check the conditions of your required room.

Children and beds

Child policies

Children of any age are welcome.

Children 18 years and above will be charged as adults at this property.

To see correct prices and occupancy information, please add the number of children in your group and their ages to your search.

Cot and extra bed policies

Prices for extra beds are not included in the total price, and will have to be paid for separately during your stay.

The number of extra beds allowed is dependent on the option you choose. Please check your selected option for more information.

There are no cots available at this property.

All extra beds are subject to availability.

No age restriction

There is no age requirement for check-in

Pets are not allowed.

Accepted payment methods

Cash Tourist Hotel accepts these cards and reserves the right to temporarily hold an amount prior to arrival.

Billing/invoices

Official invoices (for tax/billing purposes) are available at this property for business travellers.

The fine print Need-to-know information for guests at this property

Please note that 24-hour reception desk is located at Selskokhozyaystvennaya Street 17 Building 5.

Guests are kindly asked to present their passport and a bank card used for booking upon check-in. The guest who made the booking must be the holder of the bank card. In case a card is not presented, prepayment will be returned and a different payment method will be required.

Russian guests are kindly asked to present a national passport at check-in. Children 14 years and younger are kindly asked to present their birth certificate. Guests 14 years and younger are requested to have a notarised power of attorney from one of the parents allowing them the stay at the property. Foreign guests need to provide a passport with a visa and migration card.

Guests are required to show a photo identification and credit card upon check-in. Please note that all Special Requests are subject to availability and additional charges may apply.

Please inform Tourist Hotel in advance of your expected arrival time. You can use the Special Requests box when booking, or contact the property directly with the contact details provided in your confirmation.

In response to Coronavirus (COVID-19), additional safety and sanitation measures are in effect at this property.

Food & beverage services at this property may be limited or unavailable due to Coronavirus (COVID-19).

Due to Coronavirus (COVID-19), this property is taking steps to help protect the safety of guests and staff. Certain services and amenities may be reduced or unavailable as a result.

In accordance with government guidelines to minimise transmission of the Coronavirus (COVID-19), this property may request additional documentation from guests to validate identity, travel itinerary and other relevant information, during dates where such guidelines exist.

FAQs about Tourist Hotel

How far is tourist hotel from the centre of moscow.

Tourist Hotel is 5.6 miles from the centre of Moscow. All distances are measured in straight lines. Actual travel distances may vary.

What is there to do at Tourist Hotel?

Does tourist hotel have a restaurant on site, what are the check-in and check-out times at tourist hotel.

Check-in at Tourist Hotel is from 14:00, and check-out is until 12:00.

How much does it cost to stay at Tourist Hotel?

The prices at Tourist Hotel may vary depending on your stay (e.g. dates you select, hotel's policy etc.). See the prices by entering your dates.

What type of room can I book at Tourist Hotel?

The best of moscow.

• The Kremlin
• Cathedral of Christ the Saviour
• Lenin Mausoleum
• Saint Basil's Cathedral
• Donskoi Monastery
• Victor Vasnetsov House Museum
• Tretyakov Gallery
• State Historical Museum
• Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts
• Zaryadye Park
• Neskuchny Garden
• Kolomenskoye Park
• Losiny Ostrov National Park
• Botanical Garden of Academy of Sciences

Popular areas

• Izmaylovsky Kremlin
• Arbat Street

Shopping areas

• GUM Department Store

Stadiums and arenas

• Luzhniki Stadium
• Olympic Stadium
• VTB Arena - Dinamo Stadium
• Spartak Stadium
• Sport complex Snezh.com
• Bolshoi Theatre

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Intourist Hotel

The vast Intourist Hotel boasts some 458 guest rooms, 4 restaurants, 5 bars, a casino, and is ideally located right next to the Kremlin. Built in 1970, the Intourist is very much a relic of the Soviet era and offers very modest but clean and modern accommodation right in the center of the city. Rooms are reasonably well equipped and the hotel offers various dining options. The Intourist staff are helpful and courteous and the hotel offers a range of conventional services to its guests.

SERVICES & FACILITIES

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'A Gentleman in Moscow' Ending Explained: Alexander Rostov's departure from Metropol Hotel marks a new beginning

Contains spoilers for 'A Gentleman in Moscow' Episode 8

MOSCOW, RUSSIA: The Finale Episode of 'A Gentleman in Moscow, ' titled 'Adieu,' has been released on Paramount+ with Showtime, offering viewers a deeper insight into the life of Count Alexander Rostov (Ewan McGregor) as he leaves the Metropol Hotel.

Starring Ewan McGregor, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Fehinti Balogun, Björn Hlynur Haraldsson, Leah Harvey, and Johnny Harris in pivotal roles, ' A Gentleman in Moscow' revolves around Rostov and his journey of resilience, adaptation, and survival while confined within the Metropol Hotel.

Based on Amor Towles' bestselling novel of the same name, the series presents a captivating story set against the tumultuous backdrop of Russian history.

There's much to uncover in 'A Gentleman in Moscow' Episode 8. So, let's jump in!

Sofia leaves the Metropol Hotel to embrace a new future

In ' A Gentleman in Moscow ' Episode 8, Richard (Lucian Msamati), an American diplomat residing at the Metropol Hotel, seeks Rostov's help in gathering intelligence at a crucial meeting where officials will choose the next leader.

In return for spying on the meeting's attendees, Richard offers to take Sofia (Beau Gadsdon) to the United States, giving her a chance at a new beginning. In Episode 8 of 'A Gentleman in Moscow', Sofia finally leaves the hotel.

Rostov informs Sofia that after her performance in Paris, arrangements have been made for her to be taken to the U S Embassy. From there, she will have the opportunity to travel to the United States and begin a new life.

This plan subtly indicates that Richard may have played a significant role in facilitating this fresh start for Sofia.

After her performance in Paris, Sofia cuts her hair short and dresses in boys' clothes, adopting a disguise to avoid detection.

With her new appearance, she discreetly leaves the venue, representing her determination to leave her past behind and embrace a future full of possibilities.

Alexander Rostov finally achieves freedom from the confines of the Metropol Hotel

As the episode progresses, Rostov engages in a conversation with Anna Urbanova (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) about the possibility of using two passports to travel to Finland. They dance around, cherishing the moments they have together. 

However, Osip Glebnikov (Johnny Harris) intervenes and stops Rostov from executing his plan. He reveals that the authorities have their eyes on Rostov and warn that any attempt to use the passports to travel to Finland could result in harm to his family members.

On the other hand, The Bishop (John Heffernan) has taken the passports because he knows it was stolen. Rostov goes to his room with a gun and blackmails him to give back the passports.

Rostov, aware of the dangers posed by the authorities who are closely monitoring his movements, decides to take a cautious approach. He entrusts Osip with the crucial task of delivering the passport to Anna.

Anna cries when she realizes that Rostov will never come. The hope she had clung to, the belief that they would be reunited, is shattered in an instant.

However, in the last scene, Rostov realizes that the authorities are no longer watching him. Rostov steps out of the confines of the Metropol Hotel, symbolizing his freedom from the restrictions that have bound him for so long. 

However, it is left ambiguous whether Rostov reunites with Anna. In the last scene, through Sofia's imagination, viewers see Rostov and Anna living together. This dream-like sequence hints at a possible reunion between the two characters. 

'A Gentleman in Moscow' Episode 8 is now streaming on Paramount+ and Showtime

10 celebrities who have been banned from talk shows

They said her husband drowned snorkeling, but she saw him walk to shore. What happened?

A Michigan woman and her family are suing a Maui resort , the Hawaiian Tourism Authority, and the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau after her husband died while snorkeling . She doesn’t believe it was a drowning. 

Patricia and Ray Johnson, along with four friends, arrived at the Fairmont Kea Lani on Maui on the evening of Feb. 23, 2022, with plans to visit multiple islands over several weeks. This was the couple’s sixth time in Hawaii, and they had snorkeled the Hawaiian waters many times in the past, Patricia told USA TODAY. 

On the morning of Feb. 25, some of the travelers, including Ray, went snorkeling around Wailea Beach, which fronts the resort, while Patricia opted to walk a trail that overlooks the beach. “I looked out, and I saw my husband and my friends or people out there,” she told USA TODAY. “I’m waving at him, and it hits me.” Patricia saw what looked like other snorkelers helping Ray. 

She hurried down to the beach, but “things deteriorated quickly.” At first, Ray had his head above water and was returning to the beach, but then the 64-year-old fell onto his back with his head “snapped back at one point” and had to be pulled in. “I knew he was gone,” she said. 9-1-1 was called, but medical professionals failed to resuscitate Ray. 

The autopsy report called Ray’s death an accidental drowning, which Patricia doesn’t believe. 

“I was watching him come in, how could he be drowning?” According to her friends who were snorkeling with him, Ray was talking and also diving down under the water. At one point, he came up and said, “You gotta help me, I’m having trouble breathing,” and that’s when he decided to head back to shore. “I don’t think when people are drowning in a conditional manner, you’re going to be conversing,” she said.

What to do in Hawaii? Locals weigh in on if these popular spots are worth the hype

By a landslide, the leading cause of death for Hawaii tourists is drowning. And of ocean drownings for residents and visitors, the majority occur when snorkeling. While the ocean is powerful and unpredictable, some advocates, including the Johnsons, are trying to bring attention to a lesser-known medical condition that specifically poses risks to snorkelers and hasn’t gotten much attention over the years: Rapid Onset Pulmonary Edema (ROPE). 

The Johnson family believes ROPE is the real cause of Ray’s death, and the lawsuit alleges that Hawaii travel entities have failed to educate the public on ROPE, resulting in “an important public health concern,” according to the complaint filed in the Circuit Court of the First Circuit in the State of Hawaii in February 2024. The case should begin the fact-discovery process this week.

The Hawaiian Tourism Authority, Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau and Fairmont Kea Lani declined to comment on the lawsuit. 

“I would like to see warnings out there,” Patricia told USA TODAY. “I truly believe my husband would still be here if we’d been warned.” 

How is snorkeling dangerous?

Breathing through a snorkel tube is similar to pinching your nose and breathing in through your mouth. The resistance is immediate. ROPE occurs when the negative pressure on the lungs ends up sucking bodily fluids out of the capillaries and into the airways, according to Dr. Raj Dasgupta , a California-based pulmonologist. 

“That snorkel resistance to airflow,” he said. “They want to breathe in but they have to breathe through that straw.”

Once fluid is in the lungs, it becomes difficult to breathe and people can experience hypoxia, or a lack of sufficient oxygen. “You slowly become weak then into a loss of consciousness,” Dasgupta said. Underlying health conditions such as heart and lung disease also increase someone’s predisposed risk for ROPE, he said.

If a person begins to feel shortness of breath, they may panic, causing more exertion, which can be life-threatening if they’re already suffering from a lack of oxygen, Dasgupta said. 

Drowning by ROPE is “fundamentally different” than typical drowning when people are aspirating water or submerged and often showing signs of distress, the complaint said.

A lack of public awareness

In October 2017, after California woman – and avid swimmer and snorkeler – Nancy Peacock died while snorkeling in calm waters off the coast of Hawaii Island in a full-face mask and no signs of struggle, the Hawaii State Department created the Snorkeling Safety Sub-Committee to “address public concern about snorkel-related drownings.”

In a Snorkeling Safety Study led by the sub-committee, 50 different snorkels were tested, and the experts examined nonfatal and fatal drownings. The interim report released in July 2020 concluded that “ROPE-induced hypoxia is a factor in fatal and nonfatal snorkel drownings.” The study also had a survey conducted at Oahu’s most popular snorkeling spot, Hanauma Bay, but only 36 participants – mostly locals – were interviewed due to the islands being closed to travel during the pandemic. 

The high altitude from air travel impacting someone’s lungs may be a contributing factor, but there wasn’t enough evidence in the study to confirm this. Since getting to Hawaii requires at least a five-hour flight, it’s possible that fatigue and stress from flying could play a role in someone’s risk of drowning by ROPE. 

The Hawaiian Tourism Authority funded the study to “develop appropriate safety messages.” However, as of April 2024, there have not been any public-facing messages on any of the official Hawaii tourism websites. Information cards have been passed out to most Kauai and Oahu tour boat operators, the subcommittee said. Although the study is preliminary and not robust in terms of participants and even calls for further investigation, it is the only one to explore ROPE in snorkelers so far.

“Why aren’t we in Hawaii letting people know?” said Jay Stuemke, an Oahu-based attorney who filed the complaint on the Johnsons’ behalf. “Pamphlets in rooms, apps, websites, in-room videos, all types of mechanisms to warn people. It’s an easy enough thing to do. We believe had they done that, Ray would still be alive today as well as many other people.” 

Snorkeling safety tips

◾ Always snorkel with a buddy, and if you can’t swim, don’t snorkel.

◾ Choose a snorkel with a wide opening and no constrictions in the mouthpiece.

◾ Learn to use the snorkel device before venturing out into water that’s too deep to stand in.

◾ If you feel shortness of breath, stay calm, remove the snorkel and get out of the water immediately, Dasgupta said.

Kathleen Wong is a travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Hawaii. You can reach her at [email protected] .

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A Gentleman In Moscow Cast & Character Guide

Ewan mcgregor's historical drama weirdly copies his 2022 star wars show, the deeper meaning behind a gentleman in moscow episode 3's bees.

Warning: Spoilers ahead for the finale of A Gentleman in Moscow.

• Count Rostov finds family, love, and purpose in his confinement at the Metropol Hotel, despite his initial imprisonment.
• The ending of A Gentleman in Moscow remains ambiguous, leaving Alexander's fate open to interpretation.
• Love and sacrifice are the central themes of the show, as Alexander risks everything to ensure the safety and happiness of his found family.

The ending of A Gentleman in Moscow brings with it the conclusion of Alexander Rostov's story, with his 35-year stretch of imprisonment inside Moscow's Metropol Hotel coming to a halt. After returning home from Paris in 1918 to save his grandmother from the violence of Russia's Bolshevik revolution , Count Rostov is sentenced to life imprisonment for his status as a member of the nation's ruling class. However, instead of being locked in a prison cell, Ewan McGregor's character is confined to the walls of a luxury hotel in the nation's capital.

Alexander's is spared execution, unlike so many of his other social peers. The reason for the leniency is Alexander being incorrectly credited with a poem titled "Where is our Purpose Now?" The literary work, actually written in 1913 by Alexander's old friend, Mishka, was partially credited as inciting the Revolution. The count manages to carve out some level of existence for himself at the Metropol , with the novelty of his situation quickly wearing off. Along the way, Alexander Rostov finds the family he'd never had before, giving a man who'd lost everything something else to lose.

The Paramount/Showtime limited series A Gentleman in Moscow is led by Golden Globe and Emmy winner Ewan McGregor and his wife Mary Elizabeth Winstead.

What Happens To Alexander Rostov After He Leaves The Metropol Hotel Explained

The post-escape fate of mcgregor's character is unknown.

At the end of A Gentleman in Moscow episode 8, "Adieu," Alexander dons his hat and strolls through the doors of the Metropol Hotel. After all the phones in the building ring at once as Richard Vanderwhile's signal that Sofia is safe, Alexander can depart while knowing his surrogate daughter is in trusted hands. While Alexander is shown successfully leaving the building , the other side of the door isn't shown, so it's impossible to confirm what happens to the Count after this scene. Even the show's narrator, an older Sofia, confirms that she never knew what her father did next.

"I discovered that Papa had escaped the hotel, but what happened after remains a mystery. I like to imagine [Alexander and Anna] finally free, living out the rest of their lives together. They gave me the greatest gift of life. I'll keep them in my heart. Always. "

The sequence that's shown of Alexander's reunion with Anna in "Adieu" is shot in the same 4:3 aspect ratio as A Gentleman in Moscow 's flashbacks sequences, which were often from Count Rostov's point of view. However, as Sofia confirms that she never saw her parents again , this particular scene can't be a memory. Instead, what's being shown is Sofia's imaginings, dreaming of the two people who risked so much to save her enjoying a well-deserved, peaceful life.

Alexander does still have his stolen Finnish passport when he leaves the hotel, so it is possible he was able to flee the country and reunite with Anna.

The black apples shown during this scene are another sign that it's nothing more than Sofia's fantasy . Earlier in the same episode, Alexander tells the Metropol staff of an old legend from when he was growing up. The story tells of a tree hidden deep in the woods, bearing " Apples as black as coal ." If a person found and ate the apples, they would have the chance to live their life anew. Alexander immediately adds that he wouldn't eat the apples if he were to find them today, as despite his tumultuous life, it's a journey he doesn't regret.

Alexander is never shown telling Sofia this same story, but the presence of the black apples in the story's closing sequence suggests that he did share the tale with her at some point.

How & Why Sofia Flees Russia At The End Of A Gentleman In Moscow

Sofia's one-way trip to america took careful planning.

Despite being a staunch patriot, Alexander is still of the opinion that Sofia would have a better life in America than she would if she were to stay in Russia. Thankfully, Alexander's spying on the country's top brass in A Gentleman in Moscow episode 7 , "An Assembly," also presents an opportunity for McGregor's character to send his daughter to safety. The scheme is carried out in collaboration with Alexander's American ally , Richard Vanderwhile, who plans the operation for them.

Only Sofia is granted asylum by the Americans, with Alexander telling his daughter that the request for himself and Anna to receive the same treatment was simply too much to ask.

With the recordings from the meeting in her possession, Sofia heads to Paris as part of a musical tour. After performing, she cuts her hair short and changes her clothes to blend in with the crowd and leaves without being spotted. The powers that be grow wise to her scheme, as they move her performance slot from before the interval to the penultimate position in the running order. Thankfully, Sofia still has just enough time and barely manages to avoid being detected. After arriving at the American embassy in Paris, Vanderwhile arranges for Sofia to be flown to the USA .

Where Alexander Rostov Stands With Osip Glebnikov At The End Of A Gentleman In Moscow

Alexander & osip exchange declarations of friendship.

Alexander's relationship with Osip Glebnikov is intentionally unclear throughout A Gentleman in Moscow . Although Osip is essentially responsible for making sure Alexander doesn't break the terms of his sentence by leaving the Metropol, Alexander's jailer chooses to spend more time with his prisoner than is necessary for him to perform his duties. They engage in etiquette lessons, debates about literature, and even start to watch movies together. However, it mostly seems as though Osip is forcing the interactions to take place. Despite the ambiguity of their arrangement, Osip admits in the finale that he values their relationship .

The story of Ewan McGregor's Alexander Rostov from A Gentleman in Moscow shares some strong parallels to that of the actor's Star Wars character.

While warning McGregor's character of the danger Sofia is in - and by extension, Alexander himself - Osip says, " I like you, Alexander. I think of you as a friend ." The count replies in his signature guarded style: " As do I you, in a manner of speaking ." Osip may not have been the most valued figure to Alexander in his day-to-day life, but their friendship offered both men a different perspective. In addition, Osip also assisted Alexander return to the Metropol undetected following Sofia's trip to the hospital - an act that could have had both characters severely punished, if not killed.

Osip is also instrumental in making sure Anna departs for Finland without Alexander. By the time of "Adieu," Osip's wife and daughter are dead. So, Osip wants to make sure Alexander's family doesn't suffer the same fate.

Did Alexander Leave Manager Leplevsky To Die?

Alexander finally takes the revenge he's been trying to avoid.

Leplevsky is the biggest villain throughout the story of A Gentleman in Moscow , with Alexander's life at the Metropol Hotel becoming more difficult as his nemesis rises through the ranks. With Alexander's planned departure from the hotel imminent, it initially seems as though he's willing to let bygones be bygones and spare Leplevsky any acts of revenge. Unfortunately for the hotel manager, his last-minute discovery of Alexander's plan to escape results in McGregor needing to take action .

After arming himself with the dueling pistols from the manager's office, Alexander chains up Leplevsky in the bowels of the Metropol Hotel.

After arming himself with the dueling pistols from the manager's office, Alexander chains up Leplevsky in the bowels of the Metropol Hotel. At the same time, he incinerates the files the manager had been collating about the hotel's staff - Alexander and Sofia included. Leplevsky begs to be set free as Alexander departs , with the exchange between the two adversaries suggesting it would be a while before anyone finds the trapped hotel boss. So, while Alexander doesn't directly murder Manager Leplevsky, he could still be responsible for his death.

How Alexander's Imprisonment In The Metropol Hotel Was The Beginning Of His Life (Not The End)

Alexander rostov's personal life somehow flourished at the metropol.

When Alexander was sentenced to life imprisonment, he was in his early thirties. His only surviving family member was his grandmother, whom he had helped escape the country four years previously. In addition, he was estranged from Mishka - his oldest friend. Alexander had never married, nor fathered any children. Despite his life of wealth and privilege that had preceded his incarceration, he was deeply alone. Somewhat surprisingly, Alexander's decades trapped in the Metropol led to some of the most important relationships in his life .

Despite the early trauma of seeing Prince Nikolai being dragged out of the hotel to be shot in the street in A Gentleman in Moscow episode 1 , Alexander went on to hit a rich vein of social bonds. His friendship with Nina was vital during the early stages of his sentence, and although the pair struggled to stay on the same political wavelengths at times, their special relationship weathered the storm. Alexander also eventually managed to build bridges with Mishka .

Eventually, Alexander's on-and-off romantic dynamic with Anna Urbanova solidified into a solid foundation of love and trust, with the pair essentially becoming joint parents to Sofia.

If Alexander was a father figure to Nina, then he was essentially a grandfather in his role as generational caretaker when Sofia was left in the count's care. Alexander raised Sofia as his own , while making sure she never forgot her birth mother. Eventually, Alexander's on-and-off romantic dynamic with Anna Urbanova solidified into a solid foundation of love and trust, with the pair essentially becoming joint parents to Sofia. As a result, Alexander hit several milestones during his imprisonment that he either neglected or failed to achieve while he was a free man.

The Real Meaning Of A Gentleman In Moscow's Ending

Alexander's unconfirmed destiny compounds the story of love and loss.

A Gentleman in Moscow , like so many other stories, is about love. However, the show's theme of love is also tied into the concept of loss, and how the two interact with one another. The love that Alexander Rostov has for Anna and Sofia results in him putting their safety first , ensuring they are away from the Metropol Hotel and safely on their respective ways to their new homes at the time of him making his escape attempt.

Alexander Rostov's journey in A Gentleman in Moscow has been full of twists and turns, but the bees in episode 3 serve as a brilliant metaphor.

Alexander is fully aware of the risks to himself, Anna, and Sofia that their plan presents. Still, the love he has for his found family makes him willing to put himself in harm's way if it means there's a chance of a better tomorrow for the daughter he cherishes and the woman he loves. Osip acts in a similar vein by helping Alexander. Despite losing his wife and daughter, Osip chooses not to let his grief turn him bitter and instead makes sure Alexander doesn't suffer the same heartbreak.

Sofia's fantasy of her parents living out their days together is about as perfect an ending as the show can expect, with the unconfirmed nature of the scenario contributing to the dark beauty of the story's conclusion.

Sofia's fantasy of her parents living out their days together is about as perfect an ending as the show can expect , with the unconfirmed nature of the scenario contributing to the dark beauty of the story's conclusion. The trio would never have had the life they'd wanted in the building that brought the three of them together. Knowing this, they give their best effort to free themselves of the restrictions imposed upon them by Alexander's prison sentence, A Gentleman in Moscow 's final episode perfectly encapsulates the tale's message of sacrifice in the name of love.

All episodes of A Gentleman in Moscow are available to stream on Paramount+.

A Gentleman in Moscow

Based on the novel by Amor Towles, A Gentleman in Moscow is a historical dramatic-thriller created by Ben Vanstone for Paramount+ and Showtime. Following the advent of the Russian Revolution, Count Alexander Ilyich Rostov is forced to spend several decades locked away in a hotel room and watch as the country around him transforms.

‘A Gentleman in Moscow’ Finale Will Make You Cry, if Only for a Moment

ONE LAST BOW

The series finale of Ewan McGregor’s hotel drama brought tears to my eyes—even if only for a moment.

Fletcher Peters

Entertainment Reporter

Ben Blackall/Paramount+ with SHOWTIME

We’ve reached the end of A Gentleman in Moscow , but we can’t wrap things up without one final escapade for Alexander ( Ewan McGregor ), Anna ( Mary Elizabeth Winstead ), and Sofia (Beau Gadsdon). Before the finale wraps, they’ll need to become spies for the American government—this way, Sofia will have a ticket out of the corrupt Russian leadership.

The plan sounds simple enough. While Sofia is off performing at the conservatory in Paris, she’ll sneak off in the middle of the show to deliver the important tapes Alex recorded from dinner a few nights ago. She’ll head to the American Embassy in Paris, hand over the evidence, and Richard (Lucian Msamati) will get her on the next plane to the United States. Then, once everything has arrived safely, Richard will call every phone at the Metropol Hotel, alerting Alex to his child’s safety.

Sofia is fitted for her recital dress—really one of the most gorgeous dresses I’ve seen all year, a fit that would look marvelous on Anne Hathaway—by Marina (Leah Harvey), and Alex is speechless. “You look so grown up,” he says through tears. Wait…am I also crying? This is kind of adorable. I’ve spent weeks complaining about how much I want this show to end, but now, I’m a little sad it’s coming to a close. Just two episodes ago, Sofia was giggling while hiding a thimble in Alex’s room—now, she’s a woman.

Sofia is fully on board with the plan, but she has one request: If she’s going to do this, Alex and Anna need to join her in America, too. Ugh. We know that’s not possible, Alex knows that’s not possible, but Sofia—sweet, youthful, naive Sofia—still has a dream. Alex lies and says that he and Anna will be right over following her journey.

While grabbing a final drink at the bar with Anna, Sofia mentions how excited she is to live life in America with her and Alex. Anna is confused for a second—wait, she’s not going to America with Sofia—and then understands. Alex had to create this lie to ensure Sofia’s safety. Anna goes along with it, and after a few stories about Sofia’s mom Nina (Leah Balmforth), Sofia is sent to one last dinner with Alex.

This is all getting to be a bit too saccharine—we could’ve cut to Paris after the dress bit. Alex and Sofia are nearly sobbing into their pork chops, crying about how much they’ll miss one another and how worried they are for their safety. “I shall be incredibly sad in your absence,” Alex says, his voice shaky, “but I’ll be full of joy thinking of the adventures that you’ll have.” How is Sofia still blind to the fact that he’s not coming with her, even after this?

Everyone says goodbye to Sofia while pretending that this is only a two-week jaunt, so as to not disturb the Bishop (John Heffernan), who suspects something is afoot. Everyone on staff invites Alex to a big party to get his mind off of Sofia’s departure—they drink, juggle knives, gossip. Alex tells an old wives’ tale about a bloody apple that provides the chance to live life over again if eaten; he says he wouldn’t eat it at all. Life is good. He loves its imperfections.

Osip confronts Alex after the dinner because, of course, we have to wrap up this pointless arc in some way. I’ll keep it short for you: Osip (Johnny Harris) regrets the fact that he didn’t really get to say goodbye to his daughter when he sent her off. Although Alex may be thinking about leaving, he should really stay put and see Sofia’s departure to Paris as the best closure he can get. No matter what, after Sofia’s quest, the Russian government will hunt Alex down until he’s dead. He should distance himself from Sofia sooner rather than later.

Sofia arrives in Paris. She’s not worried: As the first performer of the night, she will have plenty of time to put on a disguise and sneak over to the American Embassy. But the organizer confronts her at the start of the show—actually, Tarkovsky has requested her to be the penultimate performer of the night. Godammit.

Back at the hotel, Alex and Anna are still trying to figure out what they’ll do to escape. All that matters is that they have each other. They make some vague plan about taking a train to Helsinki once they know Sofia is safe, but it still seems like Alex will stay at the Metropol Hotel forever. Anna departs for her train to Helsinki, Alex promises to meet her there, but c’mon. Man is staying in the hotel until the day he dies. He wouldn’t risk anything for his girls.

There’s a bit of action intertwined as events play out in Paris and at the hotel. The Bishop sees Anna leaving and starts to get nervous—so he ransacks Alex’s room, looking for clues as to what’s going on. Alex threatens to shoot the Bishop, then chains him up in the basement while throwing all the prisoner files on his fellow Metropol staffers into a fire. They can now be free; there’s no record of any of them in the Russian system.

At the same time, Sofia finishes her performance and races off the stage. She cuts her hair off and changes into a disguise; then, she must somehow escape the theater while the conservatory organizer hunts around for her. This conservatory woman is on a damn mission—why is she so pressed about Sofia? Kids will be kids; let her run wild in Paris. Sofia escapes, barely, and we never see her again.

We do, however, hear every phone in the Metropol start to ring. She’s safe. She did it. Alex weeps. But…now, what’ll he do?

We don’t really know, that’s the answer. Sofia narrates that she never saw Alex and Anna ever again, but she did somehow hear that they made it out of the hotel safely. We cut to some vaguely European farm where an older Alex and Anna are living together; but there’s no real description on how this happened, and then the show just ends . OK, sure. If they’re going to end the show on such a lackluster note, I’ll do the same with this recap—whatever.

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Why Did the Hotel Chain Hire a Marine Biologist?

Megan Morikawa of the Iberostar Group is applying science — and scale — to eliminate food waste, save coral and collaborate across the travel industry to cut carbon.

Megan Morikawa went from getting her Ph.D. at Stanford to working for the Spanish hotel group as director of sustainability. Credit... Iberostar

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By Elisabeth Goodridge

• May 15, 2024

Carbon neutrality, zero waste and serving seafood solely from responsible suppliers: Many boutique eco-tourism destinations — particularly those catering to small numbers of luxury travelers — can reach or come close to sustainability goals such as these, but what about a decades-old resort company operating 97 properties across 14 countries?

As the global director of sustainability at Iberostar Group , Megan Morikawa is striving to prove that large travel operators can be better stewards of the planet. The Stanford-educated marine biologist is applying science to achieve these goals and more, such as helping the privately held hospitality company build coral research labs and use A.I.-powered trash cans to reduce kitchen waste.

In a nearly two-hour video conversation, Dr. Morikawa talked about her career pivot from academia to hospitality, the importance of collaboration across the travel industry and her new role for the Travel Foundation , a nonprofit providing destinations with sustainable-tourism research, strategy and training.

This conversation has been edited and condensed for clarity.

What led you to research coral reef die-offs for your doctorate?

Basically, the theme of my technical background is how we can use the technology of genetics and genomics to better conserve species on the planet.

My Ph.D. adviser, Stephen Palumbi, was focused on genetics, genomics and coral reefs. His whole proposition was: Could we find the world’s toughest corals, learn what makes them tough and use that to help predict winners and losers of climate change, so that managers could better understand how to restore reefs?

How did you end up in travel?

It was at the end of my Ph.D. when at Stanford I met Gloria Fluxá Thienemann, Iberostar’s vice chairman and chief sustainability officer. My adviser and I were scratching our heads asking, “What does a Spanish hotel owner have in terms of interest in our research?”

Our initial conversation showed that she was genuinely interested in the science. Gloria’s passion for the science of the oceans has facilitated so much of what we now do.

I moved from academia to Iberostar because really passionate people want to use the private sector to scale solutions for critical ecosystems, like coral reefs.

Iberostar now has three coral labs and seven underwater nurseries in three countries. How did that start?

The first year that I joined, we constructed our first coral lab at a property in the Dominican Republic. It would have taken us four or five years if we were doing this from an academic standpoint.

The coral lab is three things in one. It’s an outreach center, where guests and others can pop in and stumble upon seeing — for many of them — coral for the first time. But it’s also a genetic bank: Corals in the Caribbean are experiencing a lot of challenges, like widespread disease and bleaching events. Having a genetic bank is an important asset saving for genetic diversity. Our third objective is to recreate coral bleaching: The lab has a sophisticated system that recreates heating waves with small tanks so that we can stress individual corals, and predict winners and losers, just like I did for my Ph.D.

Iberostar has taken hotels off fossil fuels, partnered to create a waste-management system in Brazil and more. How is it making these changes?

The question is always around how you scale sustainability. Scaling is an interesting combination of being able to speak in a high-level strategy voice about say, business objectives, and then being able to translate that down to the actual actions that a hotel director needs to take.

Because it’s not just our executive leadership. From our operations to our procurement team to our head of human resources, we all recognize the risk climate change poses to our business. So the passion and enthusiasm to do something about it is there and was not what needed to be sparked.

Tell me about these trash cans.

We do a lot of work on our food waste — we serve around 45 million meals a year.

With our partnership with Winnow , an A.I. waste management company, we have placed devices in our kitchens that have an A.I.-assisted camera and scale that allows for chefs to spend the first month or so training the model on what the camera is seeing. Through time, the system automatically registers what is being wasted.

With that data, we can get feedback on those economic losses as well as carbon footprint losses. And finally, what is it that we are throwing away? And how can that help us to inform how we produce food the next day?

What are the top challenges to Iberostar’s sustainability goals?

Travel is made up of a bunch of different businesses in different sectors. And how that all joins together can be really difficult to understand — particularly in the role we all play in protecting natural resources. Because we are a beachfront resort company, when we see erosion and other impacts on those areas, it’s really clear and evident. But one of our excursion providers might not be thinking about it as much in their day-to-day.

As a scientist, I recognize that a lot of discovery of how to do things that have never been done before requires quick absorption of new materials and being able to speak multiple languages. And by that, I don’t mean linguistic languages; I mean speaking from a research standpoint to a government standpoint to a business standpoint. A lot of the barrier to collaboration was not being able to communicate effectively with each other.

Are any of these changes something a guest would see?

We somewhat boldly said we are demonstrating that a luxury hospitality experience does not require single-use plastics. What I like to say is that when you see a room that is free of single-use plastics, it’s kind of hard to unsee it. A lot of times it can be thought of — initially — as needing to remove items. But I think our operations team thought critically about ways to elegantly offer an experience that was a better product. So that’s probably the most tangible way that we can see that.

What is the purpose of the Travel Foundation?

The Travel Foundation is a U.K.-based NGO, providing research, strategy and support in their aim for tourism to provide the greatest benefits for every destination around the world, so local communities and environments can thrive. The role I’ve taken is chair of the board of trustees.

A recent research piece they published was looking at how to model pathways to reach net zero emissions, looking at aviation, transport and hotels. The Travel Foundation also supports destinations in producing management plans. For Lake Tahoe, in California, they’ve been doing great work to help the area think through its new boom in tourism and how residents can have a voice.

When it comes to changing human impact on the environment, what are steps that travelers could take?

One of the best things that tourists can do is to inject mindfulness into their decisions. I know it sounds really silly, but the more meaning that we draw from the choices that we make in our consumption, the more likely we’re able to maximize the value that comes from it and make them memorable experiences.

Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram and sign up for our weekly Travel Dispatch newsletter to get expert tips on traveling smarter and inspiration for your next vacation. Dreaming up a future getaway or just armchair traveling? Check out our 52 Places to Go in 2024 .

Elisabeth is the deputy editor for the Travel Desk at The New York Times. More about Elisabeth Goodridge

Open Up Your World

Considering a trip, or just some armchair traveling here are some ideas..

52 Places:  Why do we travel? For food, culture, adventure, natural beauty? Our 2024 list has all those elements, and more .

Mumbai:  Spend 36 hours in this fast-changing Indian city  by exploring ancient caves, catching a concert in a former textile mill and feasting on mangoes.

Kyoto:  The Japanese city’s dry gardens offer spots for quiet contemplation  in an increasingly overtouristed destination.

Iceland:  The country markets itself as a destination to see the northern lights. But they can be elusive, as one writer recently found .

Texas:  Canoeing the Rio Grande near Big Bend National Park can be magical. But as the river dries, it’s getting harder to find where a boat will actually float .

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*2024 AMER Summer Sale Terms and Conditions:

IHG Hotels & Resorts Summer Sale promotional rate save 25% is valid across participating properties in the US, Canada, Mexico, Latin America, the Caribbean, East Asia, South Asia, Southeast Asia, South Korea, Japan, Guam, Saipan, Australia, New Zealand and The South Pacific and valid only for bookings made by IHG One Rewards Members from May 9, 2024 – May 21, 2024 and for stays between May 24, 2024 – September 2, 2024 with a minimum 1-night stay requirement. Non-members save 20%.

The Summer Sale includes a minimum public discount of 20% off the hotel’s Best Flexible Rate (BFR), the BFR rate is an unrestricted, non-qualified, non-discounted rate. IHG One Rewards members will also be eligible to save even more on bookings which are made directly through IHG bookings channels, including IHG Brand websites, IHG App, CRO or directly at the hotel. Rates are per room, per night and are subject to availability during the Stay Dates.  Blackout dates apply and rooms are subject to availability. Certain room types may be excluded from the rate. Hotel policy varies in regards to the minimum length of stay required and number of guests allowed per room. Not applicable with other discounted rate promotions. Not applicable to group bookings. Hotel specific early departure fee applies. IHG® Army Hotels, Intercontinental Alliance Resort and Iberostar Beachfront Resorts are excluded from the promotion. Visit your hotel’s website for exact details.

Bookings must be made at least three (3) days in advance of your check-in date. Reservations are final and require full prepayment for the entire stay at time of booking. Payment is non-refundable. No refunds if cancelled or changed. Once a reservation is confirmed, your credit card will be charged between the time of your booking and your check-in for the total amount shown, regardless of whether or not the reservation is used.

Bookings made through IHG Brand websites, IHG App, CRO or directly at hotel qualify for IHG One Rewards Points. Standard IHG One Rewards programme terms and conditions apply. Visit www.ihgonerewards.com  for details. IHG reserves the right to remove a member's points or cancel a member’s account if fraudulent use of the Promotion is detected.