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Sustainability Success

10 Sustainable Tourism Examples

Tourism is fun; you get to meet new people, learn about new cultures and build beautiful memories that will last forever. However, as a tourist, have you ever paused to think that the areas you visit are actually people’s homes? And, of course, you wouldn’t want to ruin the homes and environments of other people, right? 

This is where green tourism comes in. Sustainable tourism factors in the economic , environmental , and social aspects of tourism, ensuring that it does not have any negative consequences on the environment. In addition to protecting the environment, sustainable tourism also protects the local communities and businesses.

In this article, I will go through 10 sustainable tourism examples around the world!

Here are 10 remarkable examples of sustainable tourism for environmentally conscious persons, including both luxury travel and budget options! Responsible tourism examples:

1. Feynan Ecolodge – Jordan

The first ecolodge of its kind in Jordan, Feynan Ecolodge was designed to reflect the architectural style of the ancient caravanserai and was built in 2005 by the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature.

In 2009, EcoHotels took over the management and operation of the lodge, offering travelers an opportunity to experience the wild nature of Jordan, meet its natives and explore its ancient history. All of this with minimal impact on the environment!

Feynan Ecolodge is found deep in the Dana Biosphere Nature Reserve; a mountainous place located in Jordan.

It is one of the best examples of sustainable tourism globally, with the National Geographic Traveler Magazine ranking it among the top 25 ecolodges globally.

The lodge has partnered with the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature to provide solar-powered accommodation. The use of solar as the main source of energy greatly reduces the carbon footprint released and led them to win the World Responsible Tourism Award in 2019. Therefore, guests who use these accommodation services play a role in protecting the environment.

Dana Biosphere Reserve is one of the largest nature reserves in Jordan. It was established in 1989 to protect the area’s diverse wildlife, geology, and landscape. The reserve encompasses four different bio-geographical zones: Mediterranean, Irano-Turanian, Saharo-Arabian, and Sudanian. It is home to 800 plant species and 449 animal species, including several globally threatened/endangered species.

The Bedouin people are the original inhabitants of Jordan and are considered the backbone of the country. The Bedouin culture has transformed over time, as many people have left the traditional lifestyle and migrated to cities. However, there is still a small community of Bedouins who continue to live in the Feynan area, and geotourism has been helpful in preserving this culture.

As you can see, the Feynan Ecolodge is acting on all three pillars of sustainability (or the 3 E’s of sustainability ) by supporting the local culture (promoting cultural sustainability ), preserving the environment, and improving the local economy.

The Feynan Ecolodge is without a doubt one of the great examples of sustainable tourism, as well as an example of environmental responsibility !

2. Mdumbi Backpackers Hostel – South Africa

The Mdumbi Backpackers Hostel is specifically designed for people who like sustainable tourism.

Mdumbi Backpackers is a community-driven backpacker hostel located in the Transkei with panoramic views of the coast. They promote community involvement and sustainable eco-tourism.

The nearby beach was voted the best beach in Southern Africa, with world-class surf and incredible hiking and exploration opportunities, Mdumbi is a hidden gem not to be missed.

It provides an ideal base for whale-watching, hiking, and doing other outdoor tourist activities. The hostel uses multiple eco-friendly tools and practices, all of which are aimed to encourage more sustainable green tourism.

For example, all the accommodations use solar power and include a waste management system that is sustainable.

Besides, the hostel has a special ownership model, so that even local employees can own shares in the hostel.

3. Six Senses Resort – Fiji

The Six Senses Resort in Fiji resort is located on Malolo island at a secluded bay. The 5-star luxury resort can be said to meet all the sustainable tourism guidelines and principles.

Six Senses Fiji is committed to sustainability , with 100% solar power, programs to conserve energy and rainwater, make high-quality drinking water, and locally grow organic produce.

For example, Six Senses Resort uses solar energy to power the entire resort . Also, it established rain capture and efficient water filtration systems that help to reduce the usage of plastic bottles.

The resort has one of the largest off-grid solar installations in the Southern Hemisphere, using batteries to power the resort and the desalination plant.

In addition, the resort encourages recycling and re-using of materials, minimizing overall wastage and the release of harmful gases due to wastage.

Furthermore, the Six Senses Resort greatly supports different causes and programs aimed to help the local communities lead a more sustainable life.

For example, the resort works with Rise Beyond the Reef , an NGO that teaches women in remote communities to create marketable goods using traditional skills.

The Six Senses Resort in Fiji is clearly an amazing luxury eco-tourism example and a great option for those who can afford it!

4. Bom Bom Water Project – Príncipe Island – Africa

This water project is controlled and managed by the Bom Bom Resort . This luxury resort can be found in Príncipe and Sao Tome, an island that is located off the western coast of Gabon, West Africa.

This resort has a recycling scheme that involves replacing used water bottles with a stainless steel bottle (known as the “Biosphere Bottle”) that can be refilled.

So far, this recycling scheme has led to the removal of over 300,000 plastic bottles; a result that has contributed to a cleaner and more sustainable island.

More so, the Bom Bom Resort supports the water purification fountains and recycling projects established by UNESCO and the Príncipe Island World Biosphere Reserve.

It has established 13 water stations in different parts of the island, where tourists can refill their Biosphere Bottles. Besides, the resort encourages tourists and guests to take part in the sustainable programs available.

If you are interested in visiting this luxury eco-tourism option, then you can check a detailed review by some of their guests!

5. Inkaterra Hotels – Peru

Inkaterra Hotels is a 100% carbon-neutral organization with 47 years of experience in practicing sustainable tourism with its eco-lodges. Not bad for those luxury ecolodge options!

These hotels can be found in different parts of Peru, such as Tambopata, Machu Picchu Pueblo, Cusco, and Sacred Valley.

They were crowned by Greeninitiative , an organization endorsed by the United Nations (UN), as the very first “Climate Positive” hotel brand in the world.

All the lodges in these hotels are built using locally-sourced products; eliminating any transportation which would’ve led to a high carbon footprint.

Besides, the lodges are built in such a way that they do not ruin the environment or cause permanent damage.

Also, the Inkaterra Hotels provide support to education, scientific research, and local efforts aimed to conserve the environment and boost the economic condition of the locals.

Inkaterra Hotels is a great example of ecotourism , because the organization is truly aiming at sustainable development, by acting on all the 3 Ps of sustainability : people, profit, planet!

6. Atlantis Submarines – Hawaii

Sustainable tourism is not just about ecolodges, but also about experiences. Atlantis submarines in Hawaii offers the possibility to explore the submarine world in a more eco-friendly way.

The Atlantis Submarines are located in three different regions in Hawaii. They provide the thrill of diving up to 30 meters underwater to tourists and adventurous people.

Having been operational since 1988, the submarines are powered by environmental-friendly batteries. Therefore, they do not emit any pollutants or release harmful greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. 

Furthermore, all the Atlantis Submarines move quietly via the water without causing any environmental disturbance.

The company has also installed environmental-friendly artificial reefs in two different locations; these reefs help to re-establish healthy habitats for Marine life and fish.

Indeed, the Atlantis Submarines provide an eco-friendly way of exploring the deep sea.

7. BEES Elephant Sanctuary – Thailand

The BEES Elephant Sanctuary is located in rural Thailand in the Maechaem district. Most animal sanctuaries are considered unsustainable since most of the activities only function to exploit the animals kept there. However, the BEES sanctuary is different from these other sanctuaries, since it takes a different approach that aims to improve sustainability.

BEES was founded in 2011 by Burm Pornchai Rinkaew and Emily Rose McWilliam.

Emily traveled to Thailand as a teen in early 2009 and was appalled by the living conditions and hardships elephants experienced working in tourist camps. She made a promise to the elephants to do something about their plight and, at just 18 years of age, co-founded BEES with her partner Burm.

BEES provides a safe, natural home for elephants to just BE elephants and also rescues and provides care for local cats and dogs.

This sanctuary has adopted a sustainable approach known as the “No Contact – Hands Off Approach.” The hands-off policy prevents humans from forcing elephants into contact.

Also, all the elephants in the sanctuary have either been rented from the owners, retired, or rescued in the wild, in turn giving them a break from all the tough work that they do.

More so, the BEES sanctuary has set up different programs that allow people to work for the sanctuary, providing them with the opportunity to give back to nature.

8. Summit Expeditions & Nomadic Experience (SENE) – Tanzania

SENE is a tour operator company based in Tanzania . It offers a wide range of tours, such as around Zanzibar island, climbing up to the top of Mt. Kilimanjaro, Mbahe farm cottages , and other wildlife safaris. Since the company was established in 1998, it has been offering sustainable tours to tourists and jobs to the locals.

The SENE tour company is a member of “Leave No Trace”; a set of ethics whose main goal is to promote a sustainable world that will support many generations to come.

Also, they use portable toilets whose disposal systems are biodegradable.

In addition, the company encourages tourists to take alternative routes to their destination, so that they give the busier routers a chance to recuperate.

All these sustainable activities help to promote a healthier local environment in Tanzania.

9. Wavelength tours – Australia

Wavelength is a family-operated firm with a team made of local marine biologists or people who have spent most of their lives on the barrier reef. It provides snorkeling tours on the great barrier reef of Australia. However, unlike other similar snorkeling tour firms, Wavelength offers more environmentally friendly tours.

For example, the company takes only a small group of people for snorkeling. They also have a “no-touch” policy that prevents unnecessary disturbance of nature.

Also, all tourists are recommended to use environmental-friendly sunscreen that won’t have any negative impact on the corals and marine life.

All these sustainable solutions help to protect the great barrier reef, ensuring that it is not put under much pressure, which would in turn have significant effects on the environment.

Of course there is still more that could be done, but this company is surely doing some steps in the right direction.

10. Trash Hero – Thailand/Global

Trash Hero is a volunteer-led movement whose mission is to drive positive change within communities all over the world. It does so by encouraging communities globally to pick up rubbish and prevent plastic waste being dispersed in the local environment.

While Trash Hero was first started in Thailand, they have been establishing in 12 more countries.

They combine the effort of local communities and eco-friendly tourists by encouraging both parties to clean rubbish wherever they see it and work together to create a healthy, trash-free world.

Trash Hero also produces steel bottles that are more sustainable; the movement sells these bottles and also works with other businesses to make them more sustainable and greener.

Why is Sustainable Tourism Important?

The main goal of sustainable tourism is to minimize the negative impact that tourism has on the environment and local communities. It ensures that all resources are used in an optimal way, preventing over-consumption and wastage. In turn, sustainable tourism helps to preserve the natural world, as well as local traditions, culture and heritage.

Besides, sustainability tourism provides social and economic benefits to the local communities. This contributes to a mutually beneficial relationship of “give and take” where both locals and tourists gain equal benefits.

What’s even better, the sustainable activities involved with this form of tourism ensure the long-term future of travel, such that the environmental, economic, and social benefits are enjoyed now and by many more generations to come.

Sustainable tourism is not only good for business; it is also good for the environment, ensuring sustainability now and in the future. Therefore, unless you want to promote an unsustainable world, you need to ditch mass tourism and apply to tours that support sustainable tourism.

However, did you know that soon we may be getting also new ways to travel sustainably and enjoy an eco-friendly luxury vacation on the water? This may soon become available thanks to the new solar catamarans that are starting to become more mainstream!

Here are the 10 sustainable tourism examples I went through in this article:

• Feynan Ecolodge – Jordan
• Mdumbi Backpackers Hostel – South Africa
• Six Senses Resort – Fiji
• Bom Bom Water Project – Príncipe Island – Africa
• Inkaterra Hotels – Peru
• Atlantis Submarines – Hawaii
• BEES Elephant Sanctuary – Thailand
• Summit Expeditions & Nomadic Experience (SENE) – Tanzania
• Wavelength tours – Australia
• Trash Hero – Thailand/Global

I hope you enjoyed learning about those responsible tourism examples, and if you are not sure where to start, simply pick one of the 10 sustainable tourism examples discussed above. These destinations will not only give you the best time of your life, but also give you the opportunity to make a positive contribution to the world while you’re having fun!

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Sustainable Tourism Practices and Destinations: Examples from Around the World

Sustainable Tourism Practices: Sustainable tourism is a growing trend in the travel industry that focuses on minimizing the environmental and social impact of tourism while providing economic benefits to local communities. From eco-friendly accommodations to responsible travel practices, there are many ways that tourism can be made more sustainable. Around the world, destinations and businesses are implementing sustainable tourismthat support conservation, reduce carbon emissions, and promote local cultural heritage. These efforts not only benefit the planet, but also provide a unique and authentic travel experience for visitors. In this context, we will explore some of the sustainable tourism and destinations from around the world that are leading the way in promoting responsible and ethical tourism.

Here are 40 examples of sustainable tourism and destinations from around the world:

• The Galapagos Islands, Ecuador – A protected wildlife sanctuary that limits visitor numbers to prevent environmental damage and promote sustainable tourism.
• Costa Rica – A country that has made a strong commitment to sustainable tourism, with a focus on eco-tourism, community-based tourism, and conservation efforts.
• Bhutan – A country that measures its economic success through a Gross National Happiness index, which includes the protection of the environment and cultural heritage.
• Norway – A country that is known for its sustainable tourism, including eco-friendly transportation, green energy, and sustainable tourism certification programs.
• The Netherlands – A country that is promoting sustainable tourism through initiatives such as green hotels, bike-friendly cities, and nature conservation programs.
• New Zealand – A country that has a strong focus on sustainable tourism, including eco-tourism, conservation efforts, and responsible travel practices.
• The Amazon Rainforest, Brazil – A region that has adopted sustainable tourism to promote conservation and support local communities.
• The Great Barrier Reef, Australia – A protected marine park that promotes sustainable tourism, such as reducing carbon emissions and protecting the natural environment.
• Kenya – A country that has implemented sustainable tourism, including wildlife conservation, community-based tourism, and eco-friendly lodges.
• Iceland – A country that is promoting sustainable tourism through eco-friendly transportation, renewable energy, and eco-certification programs.
• South Africa – A country that is known for its conservation efforts, including wildlife protection and community-based tourism.
• The Azores, Portugal – A group of islands that is promoting sustainable tourism through eco-tourism, whale watching, and nature conservation programs.
• The Serengeti, Tanzania – A protected wildlife sanctuary that promotes responsible tourism practices, such as reducing carbon emissions and supporting local communities.
• The Cook Islands, Pacific Ocean – A group of islands that is committed to sustainable tourism, including protecting the environment and supporting local communities.
• Thailand – A country that has implemented sustainable practices, including community-based tourism, wildlife conservation, and responsible travel.
• The Faroe Islands, Denmark – A group of islands that is promoting sustainable tourism through eco-friendly transportation, sustainable seafood, and nature conservation programs.
• The Lake District, England – A protected national park that promotes sustainable tourism, such as reducing carbon emissions and supporting local communities.
• The Annapurna Region, Nepal – A region that is promoting sustainable tourism through community-based tourism, conservation efforts, and responsible trekking practices.
• The Maasai Mara, Kenya – A protected wildlife reserve that promotes sustainable practices, such as reducing carbon emissions and supporting local communities.
• The Blue Mountains, Australia – A protected national park that promotes sustainable tourism practices, such as reducing carbon emissions and supporting local communities.
• Guna Yala, Panama – A protected indigenous territory that promotes sustainable tourism, such as supporting traditional livelihoods and preserving cultural heritage.
• The Isle of Eigg, Scotland – An island that is promoting sustainable tourism through renewable energy, eco-friendly accommodations, and community-based tourism initiatives.
• The San Blas Islands, Panama – A group of islands that is promoting sustainable tourism through eco-tourism, community-based tourism, and responsible travel practices.
• The Burren, Ireland – A protected national park that promotes sustainable practices, such as reducing carbon emissions and supporting local communities.
• The Bay of Fundy, Canada – A protected marine park that promotes sustainable tourism practices, such as reducing carbon emissions and supporting local communities.
• The Lofoten Islands, Norway – An archipelago that is promoting sustainable tourism through eco-friendly transportation, responsible fishing, and community-based tourism initiatives.
• The Tongariro National Park, New Zealand – A protected national park that promotes sustainable tourism, such as reducing carbon emissions and supporting local communities.
• The Danube Delta, Romania – A protected wetland that promotes sustainable tourism practices, such as eco-tourism and responsible travel practices.
• The Douro Valley, Portugal – A region that is promoting sustainable tourism through eco-tourism, responsible wine tourism, and community-based tourism initiatives.
• The Lake Titicaca, Peru/Bolivia – A protected lake that promotes sustainable tourism, such as preserving cultural heritage and supporting traditional livelihoods.
• The Everglades, United States – A protected wetland that promotes sustainable tourism, such as reducing carbon emissions and supporting local communities.
• The Cinque Terre, Italy – A protected coastal area that promotes sustainable tourism practices, such as reducing carbon emissions and supporting local communities.
• The Mekong Delta, Vietnam – A region that is promoting sustainable tourism through eco-tourism, responsible travel practices, and community-based tourism initiatives.
• The Lake District, Chile – A protected national park that promotes sustainable tourism practices, such as reducing carbon emissions and supporting local communities.
• The Sinharaja Forest Reserve , Sri Lanka – A protected rainforest that promotes sustainable tourism, such as eco-tourism and responsible travel practices.
• The Jasper National Park, Canada – A protected national park that promotes sustainable tourism practices, such as reducing carbon emissions and supporting local communities.
• The Arctic, various countries – A region that is promoting sustainable tourism through eco-tourism, responsible travel practices, and nature conservation programs.
• The Torres del Paine National Park, Chile – A protected national park that promotes sustainable tourism, such as reducing carbon emissions and supporting local communities.
• The Sagarmatha National Park, Nepal – A protected national park that promotes sustainable tourism practices, such as eco-tourism and responsible trekking practices.
• The Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, Costa Rica – A protected cloud forest that promotes sustainable tourism practices, such as eco-tourism and nature conservation programs.

These are just a few more examples of the many destinations and businesses around the world that are adopting sustainable tourism. With a growing focus on responsible and ethical tourism, sustainable tourism is becoming an increasingly important industry worldwide.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Sustainable Tourism Practices

What is sustainable tourism?

Sustainable tourism is a form of tourism that focuses on minimizing the environmental and social impact of travel while providing economic benefits to local communities.

What are some sustainable tourism practices?

Some sustainable tourism practices include supporting conservation efforts, reducing carbon emissions, promoting local cultural heritage, and supporting local communities through community-based tourism initiatives.

Why is sustainable tourism important?

Sustainable tourism is important because it helps to preserve natural and cultural resources, provides economic benefits to local communities, and promotes responsible and ethical travel practices.

How can travelers practice sustainable tourism?

Travelers can practice sustainable tourism by supporting eco-friendly accommodations, engaging in responsible travel practices, supporting local communities, and minimizing their carbon footprint.

What are some examples of sustainable tourism destinations?

Some examples of sustainable tourism destinations include national parks, protected areas, eco-tourism lodges, and community-based tourism initiatives.

How can tourism businesses implement sustainable tourism practices?

Tourism businesses can implement sustainable practices by reducing their carbon emissions, supporting local communities, promoting conservation efforts, and adopting eco-friendly practices.

What is community-based tourism?

Community-based tourism is a form of tourism that involves local communities in the tourism industry, providing economic benefits while preserving local culture and traditions.

What is responsible tourism?

Responsible tourism is a form of tourism that focuses on minimizing the environmental and social impact of travel while providing economic benefits to local communities and promoting cultural awareness.

What is the difference between sustainable tourism and ecotourism?

Sustainable tourism is a broader concept that encompasses all forms of tourism that are socially, economically, and environmentally responsible, while ecotourism is a specific form of tourism that focuses on nature-based experiences that support conservation efforts.

How does sustainable tourism benefit local communities?

Sustainable tourism benefits local communities by providing economic benefits through job creation and supporting local businesses, while also preserving cultural heritage and traditions.

How can tourists ensure they are practicing sustainable tourism?

Tourists can ensure they are practicing sustainable tourism by choosing eco-friendly accommodations, engaging in responsible travel practices, supporting local communities, and minimizing their carbon footprint.

What role do governments play in promoting sustainable tourism?

Governments play an important role in promoting sustainable tourism by establishing policies and regulations that support conservation efforts, promoting sustainable practices, and providing funding for sustainable tourism initiatives.

What are some challenges to implementing sustainable tourism practices?

Some challenges to implementing sustainable tourism practices include the high cost of implementing eco-friendly practices, lack of awareness among tourists, and limited resources in developing countries.

What is the role of tourism businesses in promoting sustainable tourism?

Tourism businesses play a critical role in promoting sustainable tourism by adopting eco-friendly practices, supporting conservation efforts, and engaging with local communities to ensure their economic benefits are sustainable.

What is the impact of sustainable tourism on the environment?

Sustainable tourism aims to minimize the impact of tourism on the environment by reducing carbon emissions, supporting conservation efforts, and promoting eco-friendly practices. This can have a positive impact on the environment by preserving natural resources and reducing pollution.

What is the role of tourists in promoting sustainable tourism?

Tourists have a crucial role to play in promoting sustainable tourism by supporting eco-friendly accommodations, engaging in responsible travel practices, supporting local communities, and minimizing their carbon footprint.

What is the role of local communities in sustainable tourism?

Local communities play a vital role in sustainable tourism by providing unique cultural experiences, supporting conservation efforts, and benefitting from the economic opportunities that tourism can bring. Sustainable tourism initiatives often involve working with local communities to ensure their voices are heard and their needs are met.

How can sustainable tourism help preserve cultural heritage?

Sustainable tourism can help preserve cultural heritage by supporting local cultural practices and traditions, promoting cultural awareness, and providing economic benefits to local communities. In doing so, it helps to maintain and celebrate cultural diversity and promote the value of cultural heritage.

What is the impact of sustainable tourism on the economy?

Sustainable tourism can have a positive impact on the economy by providing job opportunities, supporting local businesses, and promoting economic growth in tourism-dependent communities. It can also encourage investment in infrastructure and services, leading to long-term economic benefits.

What is the role of education in promoting sustainable tourism?

Education plays a critical role in promoting sustainable tourism by raising awareness among tourists, tourism businesses, and local communities. It can help to promote best practices, encourage responsible travel behavior, and foster a culture of sustainability.

How can technology be used to promote sustainable tourism?

Technology can be used to promote sustainable tourism by supporting digital platforms that provide information and resources for sustainable travel, reducing the need for paper-based materials and promoting more efficient and eco-friendly travel methods.

What is the role of sustainable tourism in climate change mitigation?

Sustainable tourism can contribute to climate change mitigation by promoting low-carbon travel options, reducing carbon emissions, and supporting conservation efforts that help to mitigate the impact of climate change on natural resources.

How can sustainable tourism be measured?

Sustainable tourism can be measured using a range of indicators, such as carbon emissions, waste reduction, water conservation, and economic impact. There are also several certification programs and sustainability standards that can be used to assess the sustainability of tourism businesses and destinations.

How can travelers support sustainable tourism initiatives?

Travelers can support sustainable tourism initiatives by choosing eco-friendly accommodations, engaging in responsible travel practices, supporting local communities, and minimizing their carbon footprint. They can also seek out sustainable tourism certification programs and support businesses that are committed to sustainable tourism practices.

• Carbon emissions
• community-based tourism
• conservation
• Cultural Heritage
• Eco-friendly travel
• ethical tourism
• Local Communities
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12 most innovative sustainable travel and hospitality start-ups

May 20, 2021 •

5 min reading

In response to consumer concerns over sustainability and to give industry players an edge in an increasingly competitive market, hotels, airlines, booking agents and tour operators —among others— have been developing a host of innovative sustainable travel start-ups.

In fact, sustainable innovation has become so sought-after that in July, in the midst of the pandemic, the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO)— the UN agency responsible for promoting sustainable, accessible and inclusive tourism—launched a startup competition to identify particularly promising new businesses. The competition attracted more than 10,000 participants from 138 countries; winners were announced in February . As UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili said, “The winners show the power of new ideas for transforming our sector.” Winning startups will receive support to develop their ideas further through guided mentorship programs with Amadeus, Google, IE University and FarCo.

EHL's Innovation Village

EHL has been at the forefront of innovation in the hospitality sector for years and in 2009, launched an incubator for the development of new concepts. The initiative was so successful, that nine years later, EHL’s own Innovation Village was launched with the goal of supporting entrepreneurship and disrupting the hospitality industry, with a particular emphasis on sustainability. Over the years, the Village has evolved into a dynamic learning and experimentation center for students and a source of research and talent for companies.

Showcasing the sustainable travel and hospitality start-ups launched at EHL 

One-StepUp , an initiative founded by Jeanne Guerlais to encourage businesses to rethink packaging and reduce the use of plastic that is polluting oceans, soils and compromising the health of future generations. The firm works only with European companies to find alternative packaging solutions including, for example, bags made from compostable cellulose and homecompostable certified hot beverage cups. R-PET is the direction that the food industry is taking to go further. Today the start-up with a team of 3 is providing big company names in Switzerland such as Manor.

I am not saying that this is the end of plastic, but our wish is to find a strategy for a sustainable management of plastics in the sense of a circular economy. - Jeanne Guerlais, One-StepUp

• With a team of 12, Swiss start-up KITRO uses AI provide food waste data collection and analysis to companies. By providing an automated overview of their waste stream, KITRO enables businesses us to make targeted changes to increase efficiency and reduce waste and cost.
• Initially supported by EHL during a pilot program that started in 2012, Beelong was founded in 2014 to bring greater transparency, traceability and sustainability to the food industry. Today, the firm works with food companies and caterers concerned about the future of our planet and who want to gain greater insight into the environmental impact of the foods they’re sourcing.

Providing simple environmental information is key to helping our society move towards a greener future, and the current lack of transparency on food products is what drives me to raise awareness on the major environmental issues of our actual diets. The EHL incubator provides us the perfect environment to carry out our mission. - Charlotte de La Baume, Beelong

Sustainable travel and hospitality start-ups

Meeting a growing demand for authentic travel experiences.

Sustainable innovation reaches far beyond the boundaries of EHL, with exciting new start-ups launching all the time. Among the hottest areas in sustainable innovation is experiential tourism. While the pandemic has created pent-up demand to travel, the social isolation that people have endured during the past year means they’re looking forward to not just touring cities and relaxing on beaches but connecting with people. And a growing number of startups are responding to that desire for authentic connection. Here are a few examples; there are dozens more.

• French start-up Partasam recently launched  com , a collaborative platform that allows travelers to get in touch with locals for tips and advice. Within six months, the multilingual platform already registered members from more than 25 countries.
• Tastemakers Africa brings together artists, chefs, musicians and creative entrepreneurs to host tours and activities that go beyond stereotypical safaris and allow visitors to discover music, arts and cuisine.
• The B-Certified, Barcelona-based online startup Authenticitys designs local experiences that drive social change.
• I Like Local runs tours in 19 countries across Asia and Africa with the goal of creating a source of sustainable income for guides and hosts while providing travelers with off-the-beaten track experiences including family homestays with indigenous communities, cycling, crafts and cooking.
• And Fair Voyage is on a mission to make sustainable travel easyby connecting travellers with verified local companies

While the pandemic has given operators plenty of time to rethink their business objectives and reinvent themselves, a number of them are responding to travelers’ desire to stay close to home and avoid air travel. For example, a new British operator founded  Byway specializing custom journeys by train, boat and bike to off-the-beaten corners of Europe.

And banking on people’s desire to share their experiences with their social networks, the Portuguese company Live Electric Tours provides self-drive experiences in electric vehicles equipped with internet and camera, which allows travelers to keep friends and family up to date if not bring them along on a virtual tour.

Start-ups helping airlines to reduce and offset carbon emissions

In response to the increased pressure on airlines to reduce and offset their carbon emissions, most airlines have adopted zero-net emissions targets and are working to develop alternative biofuels. A number of start-ups are facilitating that transition.

• Since 2006, Toulouse-based OpenAirlines has been supporting reduced fuel consumption for airlines by using big data from flight recorders to optimize flight paths.
• Bulgarian startup  CO2 Cards offers a carbon-offsetting solution enabling online travel agencies, car and delivery services, for example, to calculate the carbon footprint of their clients’ orders and integrate offsetting options into their ticketing systems.

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Sustainability Leaders United

Innovation for tourism sustainability: examples and solutions.

Innovation for sustainability is a key component on tourism’s journey towards a more sustainable development. Around the world, businesses and destinations are getting creative in their approach to achieving sustainability – or even regenerative tourism. How do they do it?

We asked our panel of sustainable tourism champions which destinations or organizations have done a particularly impressive job with regard to innovation for tourism sustainability. Here’s what they answered (highlighted respondents are available as consultants or speakers ).

Brian Mullis

It is well known that tourism has inherent negative environmental impacts and is extractive in nature when it’s not well managed. Sustainable tourism is usually focused on sustaining current tourism activities and / or limiting environmental damage and negative impacts on host communities.

Rather than sustaining an approach to tourism that is unsustainable by design, regenerative tourism is a holistic process that uses nature’s principles to restore degraded environments and uplift host communities helping both to flourish.

Good examples can be found in Hawai’i, New Zealand , Ireland, Rwanda and elsewhere. For example, the Regenerative Places Program .

Jonathon Day

Innovation comes in a variety of forms: Here are three examples that include technological innovation, and process innovation:

• EV [electronic vehicle] transportation will change tourism for the better. Hoteliers and other tourism organizations are working through the challenges of introducing these new technologies. That’s critical – because the EV change is happening (at scale), and we need to get in front of it. 
• Groups in destinations all around the world are coming together and thinking through ways to make tourism better. These changes are co-created with a range of stakeholders and unique to each location. Even though the solutions are “local” – the regenerative approach is an example of innovation in how we approach challenges that are global in scope. 
• Another innovation that is worth watching is the move to destination stewardship . This is a paradigm shift that a few “early adopters” have embraced.

Raj Gyawali

In 2020, Ethical Travel Portal won an innovation grant in Norway for the idea to research and develop a measurement tool for sustainable tour operations. The measurement itself might not be a big innovation but engaging the travellers as a decision making partner in sustainability is innovative, as the traveller is the one affecting change in the long run. The tool is being prototyped, and collaboratively formed in the community to help develop and nurture it. That itself is innovative, as sustainability is an issue that should be for everyone, and not about market shares.

In 2021, the same company won another innovation grant from Innovation Norway to prototype the first version of travel community engagement through a local storytelling website. This again is based on the principle to actively engage travellers – or intending travellers – in understanding destinations, through stories owned by the destinations and not by content generated by massive media machines which constantly misrepresent destinations. This is being prototyped and populated at www.resonate.travel .

In 2020, women in tourism in Manang, Nepal started agriculture as tourism dried out and rediscovered the joy of community agriculture. They then partnered with karma coffee in Kathmandu to get help on product packaging, marketing and exposure to the market. With an active focus on sustainable sourcing and packaging and smart marketing these products were launched as ManangDirect, and later KarnaliDirect also joined in from Far West Nepal. The spin off smart marketing via Instagram raised the profile of the product, and hence young people from Manang started owning their produce. And feeling a sense of pride. The produce was also used by chefs to create fusion food and presented at an exclusive dinner in Kathmandu, further raising its profile.

Post this, a further innovation was done by my own company, socialtours , in developing an agritourism experience of understanding this phenomenon, going back to the village to see the agriculture. This is an example of using tourism for regeneration.

Vicky Smith

• Climate : Tourism Declares a Climate Emergency has done a fantastic job growing from what was called a “specialist group” of nearly 30 travel organisation launch signatories to become the Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism, to more than 500 organisations today. Decarbonisation : we’ve seen EasyJet recently drop the bandaid of carbon offsets to focus on actual emission reduction. Our partners’ electric game drive vehicles aren’t just better for emissions, but quieter for watching wildlife and so a better customer experience. We’re also seeing meat-free menus (at least some days) pop up all over the world. Such reductions also help transition focus to restoration and regeneration.
• Collaborations : With such global, existential issues as Covid and climate crisis, we see how cross-sector and public/private partnerships are required to pool resources to support the wide-ranging, intense efforts and energy needed for big change. Tourism isn’t an island, and we are now seeing the intersection of the SDGs play out – not just SDG 17 (partnerships), but in implementations like Doughnut Economics in Amsterdam, really understanding how different priorities inter-depend, impact and are impacted by tourism, in order to deliver social needs within planetary resource boundaries.
• Consumers : are finally starting to demand sustainability. Where pioneering suppliers have led the charge for triple bottom line impacts, Covid and lockdown have increased public consciousness of wellness of community, economy and environment, and their ability to join the dots between issues of concern and how tourism can offer solutions. Annual surveys like Booking.com’s show yearly increases in interest and desire that the future of travel can only be sustainable.
• Greenwash : Unsurprisingly, as demand for sustainable tourism grows, so does greenwashing as companies try to appeal to the demand, without necessarily having the evidence to substantiate sustainability claims. Where in the past we’ve seen UK’s Advertising Standards Authority ban ads such as Ryanair’s claiming the ‘lowest emissions airline’ (based on per passenger per kilometre flown with little substantiated comparison), they’ve now taken the proactive positive step of publishing advertising guidance over misleading environmental claims and social responsibility. This gives tools to the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) and European counterparts to investigating misleading claims. Will our governments even stack up to their own policies?

Willy Legrand

If we take a look at the environmental pillar and in particular climate and biodiversity related issues, three innovations (which have actually been around for decades but increasingly being rediscovered and applied in the hotel and tourism settings) include:

• Nature-based solutions for urban destinations (a source of solutions to mitigate and adapt to climate change and protect biodiversity while ensuring human well-being with street trees, green roofs, green walls, green spaces which are particularly applicable to the urban building sector in general; some of this best represented by concepts such as green cover replacement or green plot ratio in urban settings)
• Biophilic design in hotels (related to the point above, plenty of application in the hotel settings with ROI on investment calculated environmentally, socially and psychologically as studies demonstrate the use of nature elements in a hotel minimizes employee burnout and increases productivity, work engagement satisfaction and employee retention, let alone the restoration benefits to guests)
• Blue roofs (the water cycles in urban areas are often broken with increased sealed spaces by building and asphalts; hotel buildings with blue roof allow for storage of rainwater which can be slowly drained, mitigating local flooding)

Gianna Moscardo

This is hard as since the pandemic I have seen almost no innovation in tourism in the areas I am familiar with. One that was emerging of interest was Istria In Spirit as a community based group engaging locals and tourists in regional stories.

Rachel Dodds

• Amsterdam : refocusing their campaigns to focus on ‘ Enjoy & Respect ’ rather than just attracting visitors.
• Intrepid Travel : The company offered vaccine equity. When someone booked a trip, they offered a vaccine to someone who didn’t have access. This supported safety and equity within the regions Intrepid was visiting.
• 4VI : Vancouver Island in Canada shifted their focus from just being a destination marketing organizations to a social enterprise.

Steve Noakes

Three examples from Indonesia .

Doing innovative environmental things: Urban Biologist Bali –

• A responsible waste management service for residents or business
• A chemical-free mosquito control for local community and private sector
• A wildlife exploration and education platform in the urban settings of Bali

Doing innovative things to change human behaviour: Greeneration Foundation , an Indonesian non-governmental organization that focuses on utilizing adaptive creative media in changing human behaviour to implement Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP) in Indonesia.

Doing innovative good things for small scale (but important) economic benefit to local communities – Indonesia Conservation Foundation . One project during COVID shutdowns was to establish goat farming using zero grazing at the homes of the staff of the ecolodge that had to be closed (now reopened as Satwa Elephant Ecolodge).

Urs Wagenseil

Systemic innovations we are seeing more and more:

• Installation of Destination Management Organizations in tourism destinations with a clear task of sustainable development
• Adapting the tasks, duties and goals of already existing DMOs towards a more sustainable development
• Bridging DMOs and local governments with institutional structure to combine forces for a more sustainable development
• Installation of destination-specific monitoring systems

More about the sustainable tourism panel here – including previous sessions and answers to some of the most pressing issues linked to making tourism more sustainable and its development regenerative.

• by Editorial Team

Beyond Greenwashing: Experts Weigh in on the Realities and Opportunities of Sustainable Tourism

Most Inspiring Sustainable Tourism Champions to Follow in 2023

Sustainable Tourism Development: Key Trends and Priorities in 2023

Innovation for Tourism Sustainability: Challenges to Overcome

Innovation for Tourism Sustainability: Priorities & Opportunities

Achieving Sustainable Tourism: These Are the Key Challenges

Sustainable Tourism 2022 and Beyond: These Are the Keys to Success

Career Choice: Why Focus on Tourism and Sustainability?

What Characterizes a Sustainability Leader in Tourism?

Sustainable, Responsible, Transformative, or Regenerative Tourism: Where Is the Difference?

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How to develop sustainable travel products customers want

Many travellers want to buy sustainable travel products but don't because of limited availability, a price premium or low credibility, among other factors. Image:  Unsplash/Mantas Hesthaven

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David walfisch, natalie nehme, maksim soshkin.

.chakra .wef-9dduvl{margin-top:16px;margin-bottom:16px;line-height:1.388;font-size:1.25rem;}@media screen and (min-width:56.5rem){.chakra .wef-9dduvl{font-size:1.125rem;}} Explore and monitor how .chakra .wef-15eoq1r{margin-top:16px;margin-bottom:16px;line-height:1.388;font-size:1.25rem;color:#F7DB5E;}@media screen and (min-width:56.5rem){.chakra .wef-15eoq1r{font-size:1.125rem;}} Travel and Tourism is affecting economies, industries and global issues

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Stay up to date:, travel and tourism.

Listen to the article

• Travel and tourism firms are increasingly looking to develop sustainable travel products, but they need to be made more desirable to customers.
• Many travellers want to buy sustainable travel products but don't because of limited availability, a price premium or low credibility, among other factors.
• The How to Create the Sustainable Travel Products Customers Want report outlines what companies can do to create successful products.

Travel and tourism companies are increasingly looking to develop sustainable travel products to capitalize on growing consumer interest in environmentally and socially sustainable journeys, and address the industry’s role in meeting global climate and other environmental, social and governance (ESG)-related goals.

However, successful travel offerings will need to be made desirable to customers by bridging the ‘say-do gaps’ around limited availability, lack of awareness, low credibility, price premium, cumbersome purchasing experience and lack of rewards or acknowledgment.

These roadblocks are common reasons why customers may avoid purchasing sustainable travel offerings, thereby explaining the discrepancy between travellers’ stated intention to travel sustainably and actual booking behaviour.

Have you read?

Why these are the smartest and most sustainable cities, 11 climate leaders share their visions for saving the planet: sustainable development impact meetings, digital technologies can make the real world more livable and sustainable. here's how.

Overcoming the say-do gap roadblocks and further guidance on developing sustainable travel products are some of the main themes covered in the newly-released How to Create the Sustainable Travel Products Customers Want report.

Published in collaboration with Accenture, this World Economic Forum paper is backed by research on consumer travel behaviour and product portfolios of 50-plus travel and tourism companies and involved industry stakeholder consultations and case study interviews with representatives from the aviation, hospitality and car rental and ride-sharing ecosystem.

The resulting white paper provides an overview of existing sustainable travel products and configurations, includes recommendations for creating sustainable products, and presents the industry with a necessary call to action.

The sustainable travel products landscape

Typically, sustainable travel products touch on issues such as carbon reduction, water safeguarding, waste management, worker and community inclusivity, and the protection of natural and cultural heritage.

For the purpose of the report, travel products that address carbon emissions within the aviation, hospitality and car rental and ridesharing were analyzed, with 12 mainstream sustainability features found.

As shown in in the graphic below, these can be grouped into three main decarbonization levers spanning a scale of companies’ effort and integration levels. Sustainable travel products are built according to these categories, starting with a low effort level with compensation strategies, and passing through more robust reduction and zero-emissions strategies.

Under the compensation lever, carbon-offsetting services are a common choice offered to customers by most companies covered in the analysis of the white paper. These services help prevent (avoidance offset) or capture (removal offsets) carbon emissions through mechanism like reforestation and carbon capture, usage and storage.

Reduction products directly produce less carbon emissions and vary by industry. These include the use of more efficient latest-generation aircraft in aviation and optimizing energy efficiency of facility systems like ventilation and air-conditioning in hospitality.

For zero-emissions products, different maturity levels exist, depending on the segment. In aviation electric and hydrogen propulsion aircraft are still under development, while some hotel chains’ properties are already entirely powered by renewables. For car rental and ride sharing, a zero-emission product is also commercially available today in the form of battery-electric vehicles.

Lastly, visibility features such as carbon calculators, filters and green badges can serve as enablers for all the sustainable product types. These tools can help travellers identify sustainable travel offerings and the impact of their purchase decisions, thereby nudging them to make more sustainable choices.

Products can be configured in various ways

It is also important to mention that all of the above offerings can be configured in various ways. For instance, carbon offsets are often offered as an ancillary option during the purchase of an existing travel product or services (for example, as an extra purchase option at the end of booking a flight).

On the other hand, the use of more efficient latest-generation aircraft by airlines is an example of embedded products , as the composition of an airline’s fleet is not a customer choice, but the sustainability benefits of newer planes still become part of the core product.

Particularly for embedded products, the use of visibility tools is key to enabling customer decisions and competitive differentiation. For example, carbon calculators can help customers identify flights flown on the latest-generation aircraft and green certifications achieved through practices such as using renewable energy can help such offerings to stand out in the hospitality space.

How to build sustainable products that customers want

Addressing the say-do gap roadblocks will be key to improving the above sustainable products’ adoption by customers. Several strategies can be used for this purpose, thereby building the foundation for a cycle of sustainable product development.

These recommendations include increasing product availability, improving the customer experience, reducing the green premium and providing suitable product value and impact, focusing on customer incentives and recognition, and educating consumers through greater focus on product credibility and awareness.

• Develop sustainable products: Continually develop new sustainable products and refining existing one based on customer feedback and industry trends.
• Provide a frictionless experience: Simplify the booking process by adding filters and options to compare alternatives and select sustainable products to help travellers make informed decisions.
• Improve the value proposition: Improve the perceived and actual value delivered to travellers through the sustainable product by having lower prices or highlighting the sustainability and other benefits of the offerings in ways that help justify higher prices (i.e., competing on value, not price).
• Recognize and reward customers: Reward travellers’ sustainable choices through incentives and the opportunity to showcase their sustainable behavior.
• Increase awareness: Educate travellers about sustainable travel products, alternatives, and their environmental impact.
• Improve transparency and alignment: Provide clear information on calculation methodologies, underlying criteria, and clear traceability of environmental action.

In addition, investment in technology, data and analytics and related competencies will be critical factors in successfully creating sustainable travel products.

Moreover, sustainable travel product development challenges can’t be tackled in isolation and will require cross-industry and stakeholder collaboration and alignment.

In the report, we have outlined an industry wide call to action that will help overcome the existing roadblocks.

During COP26 the World Economic Forum and the Clean Air Fund launched the Alliance for Clean Air , the first global private sector initiative to tackle air pollution.

The Alliance for Clean Air brings together business leaders committed to measuring and reducing value chain air pollutant emissions, investing in innovation, and working with policy makers and peers to champion the social, economic and climate benefits of tackling air pollution.

Announced at COP27, the Alliance for Clean Air announced the release of a guide to help businesses deliver on their commitments to reduce air pollution across value chains and get ahead of sustainability reporting standards.

A Practical Guide For Business Air Pollutant Emission Assessment – developed by the Stockholm Environment Institute, Climate and Clean Air Coalition, and Inter IKEA Group – enables alliance members to quantify the air pollutant emissions along their value chains from key sectors, including electricity generation, transport, industrial processes, agriculture and waste. This has enabled them to consider the impact of their existing climate mitigation strategies on air pollution and ways to increase their ambition through specific air pollution mitigation measures. It is an important contribution that businesses can take to enhance their sustainability strategies.

Also announced at COP27, companies interested in learning more about the business case for tackling air pollution as part of their climate strategies can access a new business action toolkit launched in partnership with Accenture and the Clean Air Fund.

If your company is committed to improving air quality contact us to express interest in working with us.

Examples include sharing success stories about sustainable travel products, aligning across the industry on sustainability metrics and reporting standards, working with supply-chain partners and aligning with local governments and communities on local sustainability initiatives and needs.

Implementing products for more sustainable travel is possible, but stakeholders across the industry need to work together to create them.

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World Economic Forum articles may be republished in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International Public License, and in accordance with our Terms of Use.

The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone and not the World Economic Forum.

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Sustainable tourism

Related sdgs, promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable ....

Description

Publications.

Tourism is one of the world's fastest growing industries and an important source of foreign exchange and employment, while being closely linked to the social, economic, and environmental well-being of many countries, especially developing countries. Maritime or ocean-related tourism, as well as coastal tourism, are for example vital sectors of the economy in small island developing States (SIDS) and coastal least developed countries (LDCs) (see also: The Potential of the Blue Economy report as well as the Community of Ocean Action on sustainable blue economy).

The World Tourism Organization defines sustainable tourism as “tourism that takes full account of its current and future economic, social and environmental impacts, addressing the needs of visitors, the industry, the environment and host communities".

Based on General assembly resolution 70/193, 2017 was declared as the  International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development.

In the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development SDG target 8.9, aims to “by 2030, devise and implement policies to promote sustainable tourism that creates jobs and promotes local culture and products”. The importance of sustainable tourism is also highlighted in SDG target 12.b. which aims to “develop and implement tools to monitor sustainable development impacts for sustainable tourism that creates jobs and promotes local culture and products”.

Tourism is also identified as one of the tools to “by 2030, increase the economic benefits to Small Island developing States and least developed countries” as comprised in SDG target 14.7.

In the Rio+20 outcome document The Future We want, sustainable tourism is defined by paragraph 130 as a significant contributor “to the three dimensions of sustainable development” thanks to its close linkages to other sectors and its ability to create decent jobs and generate trade opportunities. Therefore, Member States recognize “the need to support sustainable tourism activities and relevant capacity-building that promote environmental awareness, conserve and protect the environment, respect wildlife, flora, biodiversity, ecosystems and cultural diversity, and improve the welfare and livelihoods of local communities by supporting their local economies and the human and natural environment as a whole. ” In paragraph 130, Member States also “call for enhanced support for sustainable tourism activities and relevant capacity-building in developing countries in order to contribute to the achievement of sustainable development”.

In paragraph 131, Member States “encourage the promotion of investment in sustainable tourism, including eco-tourism and cultural tourism, which may include creating small- and medium-sized enterprises and facilitating access to finance, including through microcredit initiatives for the poor, indigenous peoples and local communities in areas with high eco-tourism potential”. In this regard, Member States also “underline the importance of establishing, where necessary, appropriate guidelines and regulations in accordance with national priorities and legislation for promoting and supporting sustainable tourism”.

In 2002, the World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg called for the promotion of sustainable tourism development, including non-consumptive and eco-tourism, in Chapter IV, paragraph 43 of the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation.

At the Johannesburg Summit, the launch of the “Sustainable Tourism – Eliminating Poverty (ST-EP) initiative was announced. The initiative was inaugurated by the World Tourism Organization, in collaboration with UNCTAD, in order to develop sustainable tourism as a force for poverty alleviation.

The UN Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD) last reviewed the issue of sustainable tourism in 2001, when it was acting as the Preparatory Committee for the Johannesburg Summit.

The importance of sustainable tourism was also mentioned in Agenda 21.

For more information and documents on this topic,  please visit this link

UNWTO Annual Report 2015

2015 was a landmark year for the global community. In September, the 70th Session of the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a universal agenda for planet and people. Among the 17 SDGs and 169 associated targets, tourism is explicitly featured in Goa...

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In December 2015, the United Nations General Assembly declared 2017 as the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development. This is a unique opportunity to devote a year to activities that promote the transformational power of tourism to help us reach a better future. This important cele...

Emerging Issues for Small Island Developing States

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This Agenda is a plan of action for people, planet and prosperity. It also seeks to strengthen universal peace in larger freedom, We recognize that eradicating poverty in all its forms and dimensions, including extreme poverty, is the greatest global challenge and an indispensable requirement for su...

15 Years of the UNWTO World Tourism Network on Child Protection: A Compilation of Good Practices

Although it is widely recognized that tourism is not the cause of child exploitation, it can aggravate the problem when parts of its infrastructure, such as transport networks and accommodation facilities, are exploited by child abusers for nefarious ends. Additionally, many other factors that contr...

Towards Measuring the Economic Value of Wildlife Watching Tourism in Africa

Set against the backdrop of the ongoing poaching crisis driven by a dramatic increase in the illicit trade in wildlife products, this briefing paper intends to support the ongoing efforts of African governments and the broader international community in the fight against poaching. Specifically, this...

Status and Trends of Caribbean Coral Reefs: 1970-2012

Previous Caribbean assessments lumped data together into a single database regardless of geographic location, reef environment, depth, oceanographic conditions, etc. Data from shallow lagoons and back reef environments were combined with data from deep fore-reef environments and atolls. Geographic c...

Natural Resources Forum: Special Issue Tourism

The journal considers papers on all topics relevant to sustainable development. In addition, it dedicates series, issues and special sections to specific themes that are relevant to the current discussions of the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD)....

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Market forces and government policies, including the Tenth National Development Plan (2007-2012), are moving Thailand toward a more geographically specialized economy. There is a growing consensus that Thailand’s comparative and competitive advantages lie in amenity services that have high reliance...

Road Map on Building a Green Economy for Sustainable Development in Carriacou and Petite Martinique, Grenada

This publication is the product of an international study led by the Division for Sustainable Development (DSD) of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA) in cooperation with the Ministry of Carriacou and Petite Martinique Affairs and the Ministry of Environment, Foreig...

Natural Resources Forum, a United Nations Sustainable Development Journal (NRF)

  Natural Resources Forum, a United Nations Sustainable Development Journal, seeks to address gaps in current knowledge and stimulate relevant policy discussions, leading to the implementation of the sustainable development agenda and the achievement of the Sustainable...

UN Ocean Conference 2025

Our Ocean, Our Future, Our Responsibility “The ocean is fundamental to life on our planet and to our future. The ocean is an important source of the planet’s biodiversity and plays a vital role in the climate system and water cycle. The ocean provides a range of ecosystem services, supplies us with

UN Ocean Conference 2022

The UN Ocean Conference 2022, co-hosted by the Governments of Kenya and Portugal, came at a critical time as the world was strengthening its efforts to mobilize, create and drive solutions to realize the 17 Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.

58th Session of the Commission for Social Development – CSocD58

22nd general assembly of the united nations world tourism organization, world tourism day 2017 official celebration.

This year’s World Tourism Day, held on 27 September, will be focused on Sustainable Tourism – a Tool for Development. Celebrated in line with the 2017 International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development, the Day will be dedicated to exploring the contribution of tourism to the Sustainable Deve

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Accessible Tourism for all is about the creation of environments that can cater for the needs of all of us, whether we are traveling or staying at home. May that be due to a disability, even temporary, families with small children, or the ageing population, at some point in our lives, sooner or late

4th Global Summit on City Tourism

The World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) and the Regional Council for Tourism of Marrakesh with support of the Government of Morroco are organizing the 4th Global Summit on City Tourism in Marrakesh, Morroco (9-10 December 2015). International experts in city tourism, representatives of city DMOs, of

2nd Euro-Asian Mountain Resorts Conference

The World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) and Ulsan Metropolitan City with support of the Government of the Republic of Korea are organizing the 2nd Euro-Asian Mountain Resorts Conference, in Ulsan, Republic of Korea (14 - 16 October 2015). Under the title “Paving the Way for a Bright Future for Mounta

21st General Assembly of the United Nations World Tourism Organization

Unwto regional conference enhancing brand africa - fostering tourism development.

Tourism is one of the Africa’s most promising sectors in terms of development, and represents a major opportunity to foster inclusive development, increase the region’s participation in the global economy and generate revenues for investment in other activities, including environmental preservation.

• January 2017 International Year of Tourism In the context of the universal 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the International Year aims to support a change in policies, business practices and consumer behavior towards a more sustainable tourism sector that can contribute to the SDGs.
• January 2015 Targets 8.9, 12 b,14.7 The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development commits Member States, through Sustainable Development Goal Target 8.9 to “devise and implement policies to promote sustainable tourism that creates jobs and promotes local culture and products”. The importance of sustainable tourism, as a driver for jobs creation and the promotion of local culture and products, is also highlighted in Sustainable Development Goal target 12.b. Tourism is also identified as one of the tools to “increase [by 2030] the economic benefits to Small Island developing States and least developed countries”, through Sustainable Development Goals Target 14.7.
• January 2012 Future We Want (Para 130-131) Sustainable tourism is defined as a significant contributor “to the three dimensions of sustainable development” thanks to its close linkages to other sectors and its ability to create decent jobs and generate trade opportunities. Therefore, Member States recognize “the need to support sustainable tourism activities and relevant capacity-building that promote environmental awareness, conserve and protect the environment, respect wildlife, flora, biodiversity, ecosystems and cultural diversity, and improve the welfare and livelihoods of local communities” as well as to “encourage the promotion of investment in sustainable tourism, including eco-tourism and cultural tourism, which may include creating small and medium sized enterprises and facilitating access to finance, including through microcredit initiatives for the poor, indigenous peoples and local communities in areas with high eco-tourism potential”.
• January 2009 Roadmap for Recovery UNWTO announced in March 2009 the elaboration of a Roadmap for Recovery to be finalized by UNWTO’s General Assembly, based on seven action points. The Roadmap includes a set of 15 recommendations based on three interlocking action areas: resilience, stimulus, green economy aimed at supporting the tourism sector and the global economy.
• January 2008 Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria The Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria represent the minimum requirements any tourism business should observe in order to ensure preservation and respect of the natural and cultural resources and make sure at the same time that tourism potential as tool for poverty alleviation is enforced. The Criteria are 41 and distributed into four different categories: 1) sustainability management, 2) social and economic 3) cultural 4) environmental.
• January 2003 WTO becomes a UN specialized body By Resolution 453 (XV), the Assembly agreed on the transformation of the WTO into a United Nations specialized body. Such transformation was later ratified by the United Nations General Assembly with the adoption of Resolution A/RES/58/232.
• January 2003 1st Int. Conf. on Climate Change and Tourism The conference was organized in order to gather tourism authorities, organizations, businesses and scientists to discuss on the impact that climate change can have on the tourist sector. The event took place from 9 till 11 April 2003 in Djerba, Tunisia.
• January 2002 World Ecotourism Summit Held in May 2002, in Quebec City, Canada, the Summit represented the most important event in the framework of the International Year of Ecosystem. The Summit identified as main themes: ecotourism policy and planning, regulation of ecotourism, product development, marketing and promotion of ecotourism and monitoring costs and benefits of ecotourism.
• January 1985 Tourism Bill of Rights and Tourist Code At the World Tourism Organization Sixth Assembly held in Sofia in 1985, the Tourism Bill of Rights and Tourist Code were adopted, setting out the rights and duties of tourists and host populations and formulating policies and action for implementation by states and the tourist industry.
• January 1982 Acapulco Document Adopted in 1982, the Acapulco Document acknowledges the new dimension and role of tourism as a positive instrument towards the improvement of the quality of life for all peoples, as well as a significant force for peace and international understanding. The Acapulco Document also urges Member States to elaborate their policies, plans and programmes on tourism, in accordance with their national priorities and within the framework of the programme of work of the World Tourism Organization.

Is it possible to be a ‘sustainable tourist’? 12 ways to make a positive impact on your travels

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After a period of plummeting tourism numbers during the pandemic, tourism is having a resurgence. This is good news for many workers and businesses, but it could be bad for the planet. Here is a selection of ways tourists can ensure that their holidays don’t harm the environment.

There are many positive aspects to tourism. Around two billion people travel each year for tourism purposes. Travel and tourism connect people and bring the world closer through shared experiences, cultural awareness and community building. It provides jobs, spurs regional development, and is a key driver for socio-economic progress.

However, there is often a downside; Many popular destinations are threatened by increasing pollution, environmental hazards, damage to heritage sites and overuse of resources. And that’s without factoring the pollution caused by travel to and from these destinations.

So, with that in mind here are some tips that will help you to enjoy your trip, and leave with the confidence that your favoured tourist destination will not be damaged by your presence, once you return home.

1. Ditch single-use plastics

Often used for less than 15 minutes, single-use plastic items can take more than 1,000 years to degrade. Many of us are switching to sustainable options in our daily lives, and we can take the same attitude when we’re on the road. By choosing reusable bottles and bags wherever you go, you can help ensure there is less plastic waste in the ocean and other habitats.

2. Be ‘water wise’

On the whole, tourists use far more water than local residents. With a growing number of places experiencing water scarcity, the choices you make can help ensure people have adequate access to water in the future. By foregoing a daily change of sheets and towels during hotel stays, we can save millions of litres of water each year.

3. Buy local

When you buy local, you help boost the local economy, benefit local communities, and help to reduce the destination’s carbon footprint from transporting the goods. This is also true at mealtimes, so enjoy fresh, locally grown produce every chance you get.

4. Use an ethical operator

Tour operations involve people, logistics, vendors, transportation and much more. Each link in the chain can impact the environment - positively or negatively. If you prefer to leave the planning to someone else, be sure to pick an operator that prioritizes the environment, uses resources efficiently and respects local culture.

5. ‘Please don’t feed the animals’

Sharing food with wildlife or getting close enough to do so increases the chances of spreading diseases like cold, flu and pneumonia from humans to animals. Also, when animals get used to receiving food from humans, their natural behaviours are altered, and they become dependent on people for survival. In some cases, it can also lead to human-animal conflict.

6. And don’t eat them either!

By creating the demand, consuming endangered or exotic animals leads to an increase in poaching, trafficking and exploitation of animals. Besides the harm done to the individual animal on your plate, irresponsible dining can contribute to the extinction of species already threatened by climate change and habitat loss. Keep this in mind when shopping for souvenirs as well, and steer clear of products made from endangered wildlife.

7. Share a ride

Transportation is a major contributor to the carbon footprint from tourism. Instead of private taxis, explore using public transportation like trains, buses and shared cabs. You can also ride a bicycle, which offers a convenient and cheaper way to explore and learn about a place.

8. Consider a homestay

Staying with a local resident or family is a nature-friendly option that allows you to get up close and personal with local culture and customs. Staying at local homestays can uplift communities by providing income while giving you a peek into different ways of life.

9. Do your homework

Before your travel, educate yourself about your destination. Doing so will allow you to better immerse yourself in local traditions and practices and appreciate things that might have gone unnoticed otherwise. With the right information, you can explore a destination in a more sensitive manner and surprise yourself with new adventures and discoveries.

10. Visit national parks and sanctuaries

Exploring nature and wildlife through national parks is an intimate way to learn about the animals and their ecosystems first hand. In some cases, your entrance fee supports conservation efforts that protect species and landscapes and preserve these natural spaces for future visitors to enjoy.

11. Don’t leave a trace

You can make a mark by not leaving a mark on your vacation destination. Put garbage in its place to avoid litter, and don’t remove or alter anything without permission. Let’s make sure we leave only soft footprints, and not the environmental kind.

12. Tell your friends

Now that you’re ready to travel in eco-friendly style, it’s time spread the word! Inform fellow travellers, friends and family about how sustainable tourism benefits local people by enhancing their livelihoods and well-being, and helps all of us by safeguarding our beautiful environment.

Sustainable Tourism Products and Policies

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Definition and Conceptual Framework

Under the title, “Sustainable tourism products and policies,” one of the important pillars of sustainable tourism, the economic pillar of sustainable tourism shall be dealt with. As it may be predicted, the “policy” is representing the “macro” and the “product” the “micro” level on the planning and operational management of sustainable tourism. On the pathway to realize more sustainability in tourism policy and planning, theoricians and practitioners affirm involvement of all parties toward more participatory patterns and/or structures. The economic aim of this flexible, ever-evolving, and multidimensionally participative pattern which encourages cooperation and collaboration is to distribute fairly the benefits of sustainable tourism to the stakeholders.

UNWTO (United Nations World Tourism Organization) is the leading authority continuously working to develop this philosophy and the practicability of this pattern. UN (United Nations) members...

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İzmir Katip Çelebi University, İzmir, Turkey

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René Schmidpeter

College of Business, Loyola University New Orleans, New Orleans, LA, USA

Nicholas Capaldi

International Training Centre of the IL, International Labor Organization, Turin, Italy

Liangrong Zu

Department of Economics, Society and Politics, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, Urbino, Italy

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Instituto Politécnico da Guarda, Guarda, Portugal

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Faculty of Social Sciences and Business Studies, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland

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Sonuç, N. (2020). Sustainable Tourism Products and Policies. In: Idowu, S., Schmidpeter, R., Capaldi, N., Zu, L., Del Baldo, M., Abreu, R. (eds) Encyclopedia of Sustainable Management. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-02006-4_453-1

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DOI : https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-02006-4_453-1

Received : 03 November 2019

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Please note you do not have access to teaching notes, responsible sustainable tourism product planning and design for recovery.

Resilient and Sustainable Destinations After Disaster

ISBN : 978-1-80382-022-4 , eISBN : 978-1-80382-021-7

Publication date: 16 August 2023

Tourism product designing is a process of integrating all the components of a tourism product, i.e., the 5 A's: Attraction, Accommodation, Accessibility, Amenities, and Activities. The lack of awareness and unaccountability of mass tourism has demanded the need for “Responsible and Accountable Tourism, calling for better places to live and visit.” However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions on mass travel, “Mother Earth” got the opportunity of environmental restoration. The tourism business was badly hit by the pandemic and created an introspection phase for the tourism stakeholders to control and check their activities for a better global recovery. The responsible tourism product development in this VUCA (volatile, uncertain, complex, ambiguous) world needs controlled planning and a duty-bound PPP (Public–Private Partnership) model. A scoping review was done to analyze the planning process of the responsible sustainable tourism product. It was observed that all the stakeholders involved in tourism product development need to understand their accountability. Local host communities and tourists visiting the destinations should be culturally and environmentally sensitive. They should be involved in decision-making during the tourism product development and be pride bearers. The responsibility of the various tourism agencies, organizations, and individuals toward minimizing the impact of carbon footprints is evident from various research.

• Product planning
• Product design
• Sustainability framework
• Tourist responsibility
• Tourist behavior
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Jamgade, S. and Mondal, P. (2023), "Responsible Sustainable Tourism Product Planning and Design for Recovery", Kumar, J. , Bayram, G.E. and Sharma, A. (Ed.) Resilient and Sustainable Destinations After Disaster ( Tourism Security-Safety and Post Conflict Destinations ), Emerald Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 179-193. https://doi.org/10.1108/978-1-80382-021-720231013

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12 innovative sustainable tourism attractions you can visit around the world

Apr 4, 2022 • 5 min read

Check out these innovative sustainable attractions worldwide, like the Jewel at Changi Airport © Travel man / Shutterstock

More and more travelers are looking beyond the most affordable and comfortable way to travel and are putting more thought into how their choices might affect the destination they want to visit. 

As travel priorities shift, on top of having a great time travelers increasingly want to do the right thing by the places they visit. In this extract from Sustainable Escapes , Lonely Planet looks at how 12 worldwide tourist attractions have approached sustainability in an innovative way. 

Jewel at Changi, Singapore, is an indoor oasis

First came Gardens by the Bay with its solar-harvesting Supertrees, and in 2019 Singapore upped its urban garden game with an airport terminal you’ll never want to leave. Harnessing cutting-edge sustainable technology, Jewel at Changi is a green oasis, complete with a hedge maze, a canopy bridge, and the world’s tallest indoor waterfall.

The Points Guy:  8 sustainable travel tips from expert green travelers

New York's Climate Museum aims to inspire action on the climate crisis

New York City ’s Climate Museum has won a legion of fans for over 200 innovative public exhibitions and events it has hosted around the city since 2017. Examples include youth spoken-word programs dedicated to themes of climate change;  Climate Signals , a city-wide public art installation by US artist Justin Brice Guariglia, which flashed climate change alerts in five languages; and Beyond Lies , a public art exhibition by British illustrator and journalist Mona Chalabi, that examines climate disinformation from the fossil fuel industry. 

Cape Town's Table Mountain cableway has been carbon-neutral since 2016

Hiking Table Mountain is a quintessential Cape Town experience. But those who prefer to ride the cable car can still feel good about it. The cableway has been carbon-neutral since 2016, and maintains one of the most cohesive responsible tourism policies around, with careful water management and waste reduction practices in place.

Copenhill, Copenhagen's ski slope, is on top of a power plant

Urban ski slopes typically take the form of emissions-emitting indoor centers. But not Copenhill . Opened in 2019, this artificial ski slope sits atop Amager Bakke, a waste-to-power plant central to Copenhagen ’s goal of becoming the world’s first carbon-neutral city . The complex also has a 280ft (85m) climbing wall (the world’s highest) and, like all good ski resorts, an après-ski bar.

Byron Bay, Australia, has the world's first solar-powered train 

Connecting the center of surf town  Byron Bay  to a vibrant arts estate, the world’s first solar-powered train made its maiden journey on a scenic 1.9 mile (3km) stretch of disused rail line in 2017. In lieu of ticket machines, fares are collected by a conductor on the beautifully refurbished heritage train.

Sustainability is central at the Azurmendi restaurant near Bilbao, Spain

Proving it’s haute to be sustainable, Azurmendi , a three-Michelin-star restaurant near Bilbao , has twice won the sustainable restaurant award from World’s 50 Best Restaurants . The hilltop atrium building harnesses solar and geothermal energy, and guests can tour the on-site greenhouses and vegetable gardens that supply the inventive menus.

England's Eden Project recreates major climate systems

Occupying the site of an excavated china clay pit, the Eden Project education charity and visitor’s center in Cornwall , England , features huge biomes housing exhibitions, gardens, and the largest indoor rainforest in the world. It’s also home to the UK’s longest and fastest zip line, and a play tower for kids designed to introduce little ones to the concept of pollination. 

Ocean Atlas in the Bahamas is an artwork and artificial reef

British sculptor and environmental activist Jason deCaires Taylor is famous for his surreal underwater sculptures that double as artificial reefs. Ocean Atlas  – depicting a young girl supporting the ceiling of the water, much like the mythological Greek Titan shouldered the burden of the heavens – is a 60-plus-ton sculpture in Nassau , intended to symbolize the environmental burden we are asking future generations to carry.

A former nuclear reactor is now a theme park at Wunderland Kalkar, Germany

Following the 1986 Chernobyl disaster , German authorities decided not to put its new multi-billion-euro nuclear reactor near the Dutch border into operation. But it wasn’t a complete write-off. In the 1990s, the site was transformed into Wunderland Kalkar , an amusement park, complete with a swing ride inside the reactor’s cooling tower.

Vena Cava winery in Mexico is constructed from recycled materials

Vena Cava calls itself the hippest winery in Mexico , and when you lay eyes on this all-organic Baja winery – which was constructed from reclaimed fishing boats and other recycled materials – it’s difficult to disagree. Better yet, its cellar door is open for tastings every day of the week.

Minimize your impact when bird-watching from Tij Observatory, Netherlands

Taking its form from a tern’s egg, Tij Observatory is a stunning public birdwatching observatory in Scheelhoek Nature Reserve in Stellendam, the Netherlands , designed to rest as lightly on nature as possible. Built with sustainable wood and clad in thatched reeds, the observatory is reached via a tunnel built from recycled bulkheads to minimize disturbance to birds.

Jubileumsparken is a huge park project in Gothenburg , Sweden

The city of Lund might be getting a bicycle-powered museum in 2024, but there’s another great ecofriendly Swedish attraction you can visit now. Jubileumsparken is the ongoing redevelopment of a Gothenburg port area into an ultra-sustainable leisure hub to meet residents' requests for better access to the river and more green areas in the city. Two baths and a sauna were constructed, with ongoing work to introduce new children's play areas. Gothenburg has been ranked number one sustainable destination in the Global Destination Sustainability Index five times.

You might also like: 10 incredible places to learn to scuba dive    8 rewilding projects you can visit in Europe    The world's eco-luxury resorts that are worth the hype   

This article was first published October 2020 and updated April 2022

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17 Sustainable Tourism Examples for this 2017

• 13th May 2015

We collect some of the best examples of sustainable tourism, success stories and good practices worldwide, on the occasion of the celebration of 2017, International Year of Sustainable Tourism

In the path towards sustainable tourism highlight true examples of sustainable tourism , experiences that prove that a sustainable future is possible. They are the new sustainable tourism lighthouses that are appearing across the planet; places that have already proven this to be a feasible option, sustainable tourism case studies and success stories that can become models to be replicated or from which learnings may be extracted towards the development of viable solutions at different scales.

17 sustainable tourism examples

Gijón, example of sustainable destination:.

Certified in 2013 as "Biosphere World Urban Destination", awarded by the Responsible Tourism Institute (ITR) and supported by UNESCO, the city of Gijon remains as one of the best sustainable tourism examples.

After renewing their certificate of sustainability thanks to the strong involvement of the tourism area of ​​Gijon and the development of a marketing plan undertaken to publicize the city's commitment to responsible tourism, Gijon continues to champion the example of a city committed to responsible tourism thanks to the many benefits it offers in terms of sustainability both to visitors and to their own citizens.

A broad culture and cuisine that blend with its green landscapes, a comprehensive care of the environment, a high quality of life and a tourism model that focuses on the satisfaction of its visitors are the strengths that have made Gijón a city certified the Biosphere World Urban Destination.

ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITMENT : more than 85% of the council's rural area. It stresses the Botanic Garden, unique in the Cantabrian coast, with an area of ​​25 hectares where about 30,000 plants are cataloged, emphasizing the Tragamón Carbayera over 400 years old.

CULTURE AND TRADITION : Gijon is a city rooted popular values ​​and with plenty of activities and museums that allow tourists to experience firsthand the history and local customs.

SOCIAL COMMITMENT : Gijon has different programs to boost economic activity, job creation and sustainable development in motion. In addition, the most vulnerable, the care and coverage of basic needs is guaranteed. It highlights the beginning of a "Comprehensive Plan of accessibility and non-discrimination" aimed at achieving an accessible city.

DIFFERENTIAL FOR QUALITY : Awarded as the best destination for tourism quality in 2012 by the Ministry of Industry, Energy and Tourism of Spain and being recognized again for the work done during 2014, Gijón works based on a differentiated tourism model on innovation, quality and environment.

BIOHOTEL COLOMBIA

Leader in applying new technologies and appropriate practices around sustainability.

Designed from beginning to end with the most rigorous standards of sustainable construction, BIOHOTEL is a pioneer for LEED Certification in South America, thanks to a philosophy that not only involves a sustainable infrastructure, but also an exhaustive process of acquiring eco-efficient suppliers and supplies in the international market.

An architectural icon of Bogota, Biohotel Organic Suites is a sustainable construction in the process of becoming LEED certified.

Link Success Story  /  BioHotel website  /  Video

A model community for Gentle Mobility (Austria).

Gentle mobility means being able to enjoy a car-free vacation, while still being completely mobile (known as Sanfte Mobilität or SAMO in German). Sustainable mobility is organized in all stages of the trip: from train connections to local mobility by means of electric vehicles, horse-drawn carriages, ELOIS and eco-friendly cars. From 1995 to 2013, the share of non-car arrival rose from 6% to 25% in Werfenweng. Nature is a priceless commodity, one which we must do everything we can to protect.

Link Success Story  / Welcome to Werfenweng /  STARTER web site  /  Video

FEYNAN ECOLODGE

A model of sustainable hotel in Dana biosphere reserve (Jordan).

Feynan Ecolodge is a first for ecotourism in Jordan. Owned by the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature (RSCN) and operated by EcoHotels (a Jordanian start up), Feynan Ecolodge integrates conservation and socio-economic development whilst having a minimal impact on the environment and offering a unique tourism experience. It is a reference of 100% renewable energy hotel. Feynan Ecolodge has garnered international recognition, receiving a number of awards including being listed as one of National Geographic’s top 25 ecolodges in the world in 2013.

Link Success Story  / Feynan Ecolodge web site /  Video

BOMBOM / PRINCIPE ISLAND

Water & Recycle Project

Reduce the usage of plastic, create awareness for the reduction and waste reuse, make potable water available and contribute in a general manner for the ecological consciousness of all population and tourists of the Island of Principe are the goals of the Water & Recycle Project, launched in December 2013 by the World Biosphere Reserve of the Island of Principe. The concept behind the project is simple and based in the exchange of 50 plastic bottles for a refillable one in stainless steel, designated as the “Biosphere bottle” which can be refilled at potable water dispensers made available for that purpose.

Link Success Story  /  BomBom website  /  Video  /  Unesco Reference

NAUTILUS LANZAROTE

Back in 2004 when we decided to apply for the Biosphere Certification, we understood the importance of becoming a resort for everyone and started rebuilding the aparthotel for people with  reduced mobility  so we would achieve the standards of an accessible aparthotel by 2010.

We changed the irrigation system on the whole resort, we have drip irrigation, double buttoned toilets in order to save water as well as spray shower heads. Also, we follow a strict consumption policy: we use recycled paper, and as partners of the RTI, all of our certified providers companies help us recycle oil, toners and light bulbs and lamps. In terms of energy consumption we installed photovoltaic fields and 60 per cent of the energy we use is clean. We also collaborate with different nongovernmental associations on and off-island because we think together we can improve the quality of life of many.

 Nautilus website  /  Accessible Route in Lanzarote by Nautilus  

ECO-FRIENDLY VILLAS FOR GREEN HOLIDAYS

The Finolhu Villas, Club Méditerranée, Maldives. The Climate Solutions Hub case study.

Innovative and sustainable, these Villas operate mainly on renewable energy with almost 6,000 m² of solar panels self-cleaning, perfectly integrated in the architecture and landscape of the site. Special attention is also paid to water management, biodiversity and reducing and recycling waste. A bottling plant has been installed, to replace remaining plastic bottles (Room service, Restaurant) with glass bottles filled with Finolhu’s fresh water.

A wide range of sensitization activities are offered such as diving under the leadership expertise of Eurodivers; cultural activities based on local culture, history and folklore; lectures on marine life of the Maldives carried out by divers (from Eurodiver); stargazing to the telescope.

Link BP  /  Club Med web  /  ForbesLife

FUERTE HOTELES

For over 50 years Fuerte Hoteles has adopted sustainability as a guiding principle at all of our hotels, which feature new management systems to ensure the promotion of local culture and economies, as well as minimal environmental impact. In the past year, several major actions were taken, including:

- The creation of an interactive environmental microsite to provide more visual explanations of all environmental measures and actions that are being taken (mainly energy saving), as well as social actions and activities to support local culture and cuisine.

- Showing a video about responsible tourism in guest rooms

- Innovative impact control, using ecological and carbon footprint calculations (see item 2.1 of this report).

- Innovation in activities aimed at optimising consumption, and raising awareness of this among guests and different stakeholders.

Fuerte Hoteles website / Innovation and Energy Efficiency Fuerte Hoteles

TWENTYTÚ HI-TECH

A new concept in economic urban accommodation using the new generation hostel model, Twentytú Hi-tech Hostel is the most innovative and sustainable hostel in the city of Barcelona (the first in the world to obtain the BIOSPHERE RESPONSIBLE TOURISM certificate).

A new form of tourist accommodation aimed essentially at families, groups or foreign visitors, or Spanish nationals travelling on their own. It combines several new trends and requirements that are necessary to make us a new, leading reference in the very professional and experienced hotel sector, such as sustainability, management efficiency and the promotion of different tourist environments. The establishment describes itself as a friendly, eco-hostel, where maximum priority is given to creating a sociable environment, as you can enjoy the unique experience of sharing rooms with other travellers.

Link Success Story  /  Twentytú website  /  Video

IMPACT TOURISM

We are aware that tourism will never be completely green or entirely socially responsible, as each tourist, to some degree, negatively affects the environment. For that reason sustainable and responsible programs are necessary more than ever before, if we wish to keep this natural, cultural and social environment of people and places. We are offering a possibility to realize your social responsibility also as a tourist. In the form of experiences through a tourist product, you will co-create your social imprint and measurable social impact in addressing social challenges in a local environment. Impact tourism enables us to co-create a better and more beautiful world in a pleasant way.

Impact Tourism website

L'AVENC DE TAVERTET

Model of working for the Development of the Local Economy

We're a family-run apart-hotel focused on the development and inclusion of the Local Economy. We not only employ a local team of workers, we also involve over 80% of local stakeholders. In addition we are tackling Seasonality - one of the biggest issues of our rural destination - by working all year round and basing our marketing efforts on this objective. We take product-selection criteria very seriously and, and as far as is possible, only use those products that are of local-produce (km0), ecological or fair-trade and animal-welfare-friendly products. With these measures we are not only contributing to the local economy but are also encouraging a partnership based tourism model through a sustainable outlook.

Success Story Link  / L'Avenc De Tavertet website

CHÃO DO RIO

Turismo de aldeia

Located  in Travancinha, 12 km from the Natural Park of Serra da Estrela (Portugal), Chão do Rio contributes for the enrichment of local biodiversity and offers a sustainable lodgment experience. In its 19 acres farm, nature is cared and enjoyed. Its confortable stone cottages, with thatched roofs, were set around around a biological pool. Breakfast is served in baskets and includes local specialities. Its guests are encouraged to explore its trails on foot or in the available bikes. Children play with wheelbarrows, catch eggs in the movable coop, or just play freely. Through local partners,  meals are delivered and entertainment services are provided without fees.

Chão do Rio website

Sustainable tourist transport on the water

Sustainable tourism has seen a lot of green initiatives, however water bound transport has so far always been neglected, although it carries one of the biggest CO2 footprints. Even the worlds leading eco-resorts rely on fossil fuel powered boats when it comes to picking up their guests from the airport or taking them on lagoon excursions. Naval DC and Soel Yachts have developed a range of carbon neutral solar electric vessels in order to provide a viable and better alternative to nowadays fossil fuel powered boats. Our latest vessel, the SoelCat 12, a solar electric coastal water passenger transport catamaran especially aimed at water bound municipalities, resorts and nature reserves.

Naval DC / Soel Yachts website  / Link Success Story  / SoelCat 12 video

GOOD THINKING OUTDOORS

Community Mentorship and Outdoor Leader Resiliency

Good Thinking Outdoors is a collaborative network for the nature based tourism and ecotourism community. Bringing aspects of professional experience, personal adventures, projects within several communities and the science between nature and the brain, Good Thinking Outdoors is a place to discover and share. Its is not about what we think, it's consciously knowing when good thinking emerges.

Good Thinking Outdoors website  / Link Success Story  

PARADORES DE TURISMO DE ESPAÑA

A model of Sustainable Management

Paradores de Turismo de España, S.A. is a 100% state-owned enterprise. We are committed to restoring our cultural heritage for use by the tourism industry, making it possible to preserve and maintain this heritage for over 85 years. Since its creation in 1928, it has built an organizational model associated with quality and sustainable tourism, modernity and personalized customer service and care. It also acts as a social, cultural and economic leader in its areas of influence and the image of a modern, high quality Spanish tourism industry abroad. Paradores is looking to the future with a stronger focus on creating experiences that showcase the cultural and natural heritage of destinations and achieving the objectives intended to reinforce its commitment to sustainability.

Paradores de Turismo website  / Link Success Story  / Vídeo

NOMAD LODGES

Sustainable tourism as a commitment

Nomad Lodges is based on the spirit of the nomadic people of South America and invites travellers to discover places “picked by the heart” through a network of lodges built in total harmony with their environment. The first lodge will be built in the Amazon We based the Nomad Lodges concept on three pillars of sustainability: Environmental, socio-cultural, economic. The first step is to improve environmental conditions in the region where the projects will be implemented. The next step is to ensure healthy living conditions for the local population. The final step is to provide the local communities with additional revenues to contribute to the preservation of their environment and culture.

Nomad Lodges website  / Link Success Story  / YouTube Channel

ELGUERO BRASIL

ECO-LUXURY RESORT ELGUERO

This is a project to develop an Eco-Luxury Resort in the heart of Mata Atlantica (Brazil). The Mata Atlantica has been devastated in the past Century, so today there is only a 10% left of the original size, that use to run all along the brazlian coast. The owner of this Land wants to return part of this nature to the Mata Atlantica and for that, he did create two years ago the Instituto Manacá for the Mata Atlantica recovery, where some scientist work permanently already. The Eco-Luxury resort will be a way to let the World know, visit and participate to this recovery. National Geographic has been informed about the project and they are so far, positives to support it.

Website  / Link Success Story

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5 Examples of Sustainable Tourism around the World

Tourism is one of the fastest growing sectors in the world and can provide an essential economic boost for countries pitching themselves as holiday destinations. Tourism, however, has historically had devastating effects on the environment, people and their cultural identities.

Enter the concept of sustainable tourism, which according to the United Nations World Tourism Organisation must:

• Conserve environmental resources and protect biodiversity
• Respect and preserve the cultures of host communities whilst benefiting them
• Address the needs of the visitors and industry whilst providing socio-economic benefit to all

In order for tourism to continue and for us to live within our planetary bounds and respect all people, the only option is for the world to move away from unconscious, mass tourism and learn from the existing examples of thriving sustainable tourism models.

What are some examples of sustainable tourism?

• 1. Controlled tourism in Bhutan

Bhutan, located in the East of the Himalayas, is known as one of the happiest countries in the world. The country remains relatively untouched by colonialism which has ensured that the people’s sustainable way of life has remained in tact. Bhutan’s tourism operates on the principle of “high value, low impact”. This has been achieved by enforcing strict entry requirements and a daily visitor tariff. The daily tariff includes necessary expenses for the visit such as accommodation, a licensed tour guide, meals and hiking equipment. A large portion of the tariff, however, is used to maintain and develop the country’s infrastructure, as well as contribute towards Bhutan’s free health care and education.

• 2. A solar powered resort in Fiji

Six Senses Fiji , located on the tropical Malolo Island, is a five star resort with sustainable luxury and cultural awareness at its core. The resort runs on 100% solar power, equipped with rainwater capture and its own onsite water-filtration site to eliminate the use of single-use plastic bottles. The resort aims to be as low-waste as possible, encouraging the principles of reuse whilst also practicing recycling and composting with a “worm-based septic system” and growing as much of its own herbs and vegetables as possible. All handiwork and artwork at the hotel has been produced by local villagers and the hotel supports the Rise Beyond the Reef Charity which aims to bridge “the divide between remote communities, government and the private sector in the South Pacific, sustainably creating a better world for women and children.”

• 3. A community run backpacker in South Africa

Mdumbi , a backpackers on the Wild Coast of South Africa, aims to promote “community involvement and sustainable eco-tourism”. The backpacker prides itself in being fused with the amaXhosa culture of the Eastern Cape, situated deep in the heart of a traditional village. With a number of sustainability interventions onsite such as energy efficiency, solar power and waste management, Mdumbi has a unique ownership model, with the local employees, the amaxhosa community association, and TransCape (Mdumbi’s affiliated NPO) all holding shares in the business. Mdumbi’s NPO, TransCape, aims “ to provide access to the resources, support, and knowledge necessary for communities to initiate the process of change towards a better quality of life.” In 2017, the Backpacker was also awarded a silver prize by the World Responsible Tourism Awards for best in poverty reduction.

• 4. Conservation ‘Voluntouring’ in Belize

• 5. A sustainable tour operator come foundation in Switzerland

The Swiss Foundation for Solidarity in Tourism (SST) is a non-profit foundation that grew out of one of the leading tour operators in Switzerland. The foundation, founded in 2001, supports projects and organisations in Switzerland and worldwide which look to improve the livelihoods of people in tourist destinations, contribute to sustainable tourism development and contribute to “intercultural understandings” between travellers and locals. By providing grants to deserving projects, the foundation hopes to further develop sustainable tourism online and on the ground.

These are but a few of many varying examples of models for sustainable tourism development. As the world moves towards sustainability in every facet and every industry, there is no doubt that the tourism industry will need an unprecedented overhaul in order to move towards low-impact and meaningful travel experiences that do not detriment people or the world on which we rely.

Interested in doing your bit for sustainable tourism? Why not look at studying a sustainable tourism degree or look into sustainable tourism master programs? Here at SUMAS we offer a master of international sustainable tourism management and other courses fit to prepare you for a career in sustainable tourism anywhere in the world.

• Reference Links

http://sdt.unwto.org/content/faq-climate-change-and-tourism http://sdt.unwto.org/content/about-us-5 https://inhabitat.com/100-solar-powered-fiji-resort-combines-5-star-luxury-with-sustainability/ https://epicureandculture.com/bhutan-tourism-model/ https://www.sixsenses.com/resorts/fiji/sustainability https://www.mdumbi.co.za/about_us https://www.sstfoundation.org/ https://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/green-science/sustainable-tourism.htm