As part of World Oceans Day, Meliá Hotels & Resorts —the brand of Meliá Hotels International, known for its focus on holistic well-being and its unmistakable Spanish style— strengthens its environmental commitment with a new edition of the "MELIÁ FOR THE OCEANS" program, in collaboration with Gravity Wave, a social enterprise dedicated to cleaning and regenerating the sea. Throughout 2025, this partnership aims to remove over 20,000 kg of plastic from the Mediterranean Sea and its ports, with the goal of restoring the marine environment's health. The initiative has become a key action within the brand’s sustainability strategy, based on circular economy, responsible design, and environmental awareness.
The collaboration between both entities began in 2024 along the coasts of Ibiza, coinciding with the opening of the new Meliá Ibiza. During its first season, Meliá Hotels & Resorts and Gravity Wave removed more than 3,000 kg of plastic from the Mediterranean. These materials were transformed into functional and sustainable items for the hotel, such as furniture, signage, and gifts for the hotel’s guests. This action not only celebrated the brand’s environmental commitment but also marked the beginning of a collaboration based on the circular economy and care for the marine environment.
The positive impact of that experience led to the expansion of the project, which this year will involve more than 20 hotels in locations across Spain and Europe, including destinations such as Mallorca, Sitges, Cádiz, Tenerife, Albania, Madrid, and Barcelona.
For this year, the goal is even more ambitious, aiming to collect up to 20 tons of plastic and waste. These materials will be given new life by transforming them into useful items with symbolic value for the hotels, such as furniture, sustainable signage, sculptures, eco-friendly gifts, and artwork. In this way, the recovered plastics not only cease to pollute marine ecosystems but also become visible parts of the hotel experience, reinforcing the sustainability message both among guests and employees.
Well-being with a Purpose
“MELIÁ FOR THE OCEANS” represents a concrete expression of Meliá Hotels & Resorts’ philosophy, where sustainability is not an isolated initiative but one of the core pillars of its well-being offering. For the brand, well-being is an all-encompassing concept that includes conscious nutrition, mindfulness, experiential sustainability, and a healthy lifestyle. This vision responds to the growing demand from travelers seeking transformative and responsible experiences, while also being fully aligned with Meliá Hotels International’s firm commitment to responsible tourism.
As María Romero, Marketing Director of Premium Brands at Meliá, highlights: "For Meliá Hotels & Resorts, sustainability is not a trend but a real commitment to the present and future of our destinations. Guided by the 'Travel for Good' program, which defines the responsible business strategy of Meliá Hotels International, the brand and its hotels actively seek to create a positive impact. Through initiatives like MELIÁ FOR THE OCEANS, we take care of every part of the environment and turn waste into transformative experiences, aligned with a new way of traveling: more conscious, more humane, and connected to the well-being of the planet."
Gravity Wave
Gravity Wave is a social impact company founded in 2020 by brothers Amaia and Julen Rodríguez, with the mission to rid the oceans of plastic and transform marine waste into valuable resources. Through a circular economy model, this Spanish organization works with fishermen, ports, and companies to remove plastic from the Mediterranean and turn it into sustainable products. In partnership with Meliá Hotels & Resorts, these materials are transformed into functional objects that are integrated into the hotels, making the commitment to sustainability tangible and aligning with the brand’s philosophy of responsible well-being.
In the words of Álvaro García Artiñano, Head of Partnerships at Gravity Wave: “We are deeply grateful to have a partner like Meliá Hotels & Resorts, whose vision and environmental responsibility allow us to continue moving forward together toward a cleaner and healthier Mediterranean. This project is not just a simple isolated sustainability action; it is a clear example of long-term circular economy, and we are convinced that it will not only inspire the tourism sector but other industries as well. This partnership, together with one of the most recognized brands in our country, fills us with hope and shows once again that protecting our oceans is becoming increasingly possible when we unite our efforts.”