Destination News in Sustainability
Why destinations are developing sustainable tourism
All tourism destinations in the world are constantly striving towards sustainable tourism development and the achievement of the SDGs, for several reasons:
Tourist behavior is changing and today’s tourists want to travel more environmentally and sustainably. That is, a destination that does more than others in achieving the SDGs automatically gains a competitive advantage over other destinations.
The governments of many countries, including those managing tourism, have taken on various obligations related to the protection of the environment and the SDGs, and therefore are simply obliged to follow this trend.
Only the preservation of the environment can ensure the long-term prosperity of the tourism industry, taking into account environmental, social and economic aspects.
What destinations are doing for sustainable tourism development
Destinations are trying and implementing various approaches and innovations to achieve the SDGs, such as:
The distribution of tourists in different time and geographical regions in order to avoid overtourism in some regions.
Creation of new products and services based on local culture and history to increase the duration, cost of travel and improve the tourist experience.
Reducing the impact of tourism on the environment and conserving natural resources with the help of modern algorithms and new materials.
Involving the local community in tourism development and bringing tangible benefits from tourism to local communities.
Training of local tourism companies in sustainable tourism methods.
Implementation of various smart tourism technologies to raise awareness of all participants in the tourism process.
Here we collect various cases and examples of the application of various sustainable development tools by destinations from around the world.
Monaco
The Principality is doing many things to promote sustainability in tourism. This is an online CO2 emission calculator, biofuel buses, a new area for tourism: Link.
Palau
The island of Palau has unique natural resources that may suffer due to the development of mass tourism and non-compliance with certain rules by tourists. Therefore, a summary of the rules and laws that the tourist must comply with is printed in the passports of tourists: Link.
Sharjah
The local tourism authority SCTDA has developed a special training program “Rehlati” for guides, which will contribute to the implementation of sustainable practices in the conduct of excursions: Link.
Thailand
Promoting the link between education and tourism management, and developing human resource skills for the sustainable development of tourism: Link.
Okinawa
Promoting sustainable tourism development through local cultures and characteristics, as well as creating new tourism products based on local specifics: Link.