In celebration of World Oceans Day, Meliá Hotels & Resorts—the signature brand of Meliá Hotels International, renowned for its holistic wellbeing philosophy and unmistakable Spanish flair—reaffirms its environmental commitment with a new edition of the “MELIÁ FOR THE OCEANS" program. In partnership with Gravity Wave, a social enterprise dedicated to cleaning and regenerating the seas, the initiative aims to remove more than 20,000 kg of plastic waste from the Mediterranean's waters and ports throughout 2025. The project is a key part of the brand's sustainability strategy, grounded in circular economy principles, responsible design, and environmental awareness. 

The partnership began in 2024 on the coast of Ibiza with the launch of the new Meliá Ibiza. In its first season, Meliá Hotels & Resorts and Gravity Wave removed over 3,000 kg of plastic from the Mediterranean. The recovered waste was transformed into functional and sustainable items for the hotel, such as furniture, signage, and giveaways for guests. This initiative marked not only a strong environmental commitment but also the beginning of a long-term collaboration focused on circularity and marine conservation. 

Inspired by the success of the initial project, the initiative will expand this year to include over 20 hotels across key locations in Spain and Europe, such as Mallorca, Sitges, Cádiz, Tenerife, Albania, Madrid, and Barcelona. 

This year, the target is even more ambitious, with the goal of collecting up to 20 tons of plastic and waste. These materials will be given a second life, turned into meaningful items for the hotels—such as furniture, eco-friendly signage, 3D logos, sustainable gifts, and artwork. Not only will the recovered plastics be kept out of marine ecosystems, but they will also become part of the guest experience, reinforcing the brand's sustainability message to both guests and team members. 

Purpose-driven Wellbeing

“MELIÁ FOR THE OCEANS" is a concrete expression of the Meliá Hotels & Resorts philosophy, where sustainability is not an isolated initiative but one of the main pillars of its wellbeing offering. For the brand, wellbeing is a holistic concept that encompasses conscious nutrition, mindfulness, experiential sustainability, and a healthy lifestyle. This vision responds to the growing demand from travelers seeking transformative and responsible experiences, and it is fully aligned with Meliá Hotels International's strong commitment to responsible tourism.

Gravity Wave is a social impact company founded in 2020 by siblings Amaia and Julen Rodríguez, with the mission to free the oceans from plastic and transform marine waste into valuable resources. Following a circular economy model, this Spanish organization collaborates with fishermen, ports, and businesses to remove plastic waste from the Mediterranean and repurpose it into sustainable products. Together with Meliá Hotels & Resorts, these materials are turned into functional pieces integrated into hotel operations—making the brand's sustainability commitment tangible and consistent with its wellbeing philosophy. 

Art as a Vehicle for Awareness

A major new element of the project this year is the collaboration with visual artist @chafer.j, who will transform some of the recovered marine waste into artworks. These pieces will be showcased in hotel common areas and incorporated into the properties' design. 

To help amplify the project's reach and impact, Meliá is also partnering with ocean and environmental influencers such as @gadormunta and @mads_ocean, who will help raise awareness and connect with eco-conscious audiences. 

Through this initiative, Meliá Hotels & Resorts continues to lead the way in responsible tourism—protecting the Mediterranean while offering meaningful, sustainable guest experiences. The partnership with Gravity Wave promotes a circular economy model that turns marine waste into valuable elements, engaging guests and employees alike in the importance of caring for our natural world.​