Mariana Domingues, a sustainability specialist with Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon, has been recognised with the prestigious Wolfgang Neumann Sustainability Leader of Tomorrow Award 2025 at the World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards (WSTHA).
The prize was revealed in front of hundreds of global leaders of sustainable tourism gathered in Dubai for the World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards 2025. The VIP ceremony was held at Terra, Expo City Dubai and recognised the individuals and organisations that are accelerating change in net positive tourism.
Domingues has driven a holistic transformation in sustainability at Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon, making it Portugal’s first hotel to achieve both Green Key (2024) and Forbes VERIFIED (2025) certifications. Under her leadership, single-use plastics have been eliminated across the property, replaced by refillable and compostable alternatives. She implemented hotel-wide waste segregation and partnered with Reciclar e Alimentar to compost Nespresso grounds, supporting rice cultivation for food banks.
“I am incredibly proud of this recognition, as it reflects our hotel’s ongoing commitment to sustainable practices with a broader vision. It’s an opportunity to contribute to a cause that extends far beyond just our guests, making a positive impact on the wider community and the environment,” said Mariana Domingues, Sustainability Manager at Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon.
Since 2012, Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon has donated food daily via DariAcordar, reducing waste and supporting the local community. At the CURA restaurant, over 60 per cent of ingredients are locally and ethically sourced. Domingues also engages staff through beach cleanups, sustainability talks, and partnerships with Hospes for linen reuse. Guided by Four Seasons’ ‘Lead with Care for the Planet’ strategy and aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, her replicable initiatives—like the Clean Plate campaign and inclusion events—prove that operational change and cultural impact can go hand in hand.
WSTHA is run in partnership with the World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance, whose partners and members represent over 66,000 hotels, eight million rooms globally, 300 brands, and over 100 supply chain and strategic partners.
Glenn Mandziuk, President & Chief Executive Officer, World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance, said: “We extend our congratulations to Mariana Domingues on being honoured with this special award. This achievement reflects an outstanding commitment to innovation, collaboration, and leadership in sustainable hospitality. At the World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance, we are proud to recognise organisations that are not only redefining excellence in guest experience but also demonstrating that responsible business practices and sustainability are essential to the future of our industry – a Net Positive Hospitality future.”
Justin Cooke, Executive Vice-President of the World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards, said: “Our organisation is dedicated to celebrating the individuals and companies setting new standards in protecting our planet for future generations – and Mariana Domingues of Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon is a truly deserving winner. It’s a privilege to recognise her achievements at our second annual Gala Ceremony, and I wish the team in Portugal continued success in the years ahead.”
