Home to one of the most biodiverse reefs in the world, Ataúro Island in Timor-Leste is now focusing on nature protection and biodiversity conservation to foster growth low-impact sustainable tourism. Continue reading
The pandemic exposed the dangers of ‘tourism monocultures’ – dependence on one product only – versus a more holistic approach to tourism fare. Gayathri Hegde has been researching the differing tourism experiences of Dandeli and Joida, neighboring towns in Karnataka, … Continue reading
Prompted by a restive citizenry and a responsive city council, the DMO for the city of Sedona, in Arizona’s popular Red Rock country, now acts in effect as a destination stewardship council. That’s unusual. For part of our ongoing project to profile places with effective, holistic management, Sarah-Jane Johnson takes a deep dive into Sedona’s story. This is the sixth in the Destination Stewardship Center’s profiles of exemplary places with collaborative destination management in the spirit of GSTC’s Destination Criterion A1. Continue reading
How can destinations plan better for a post-Covid recovery? What have we learned about tourism during the ongoing crisis? The Autumn edition of the GSTC/DSC-sponsored Destination Stewardship Report addresses both those questions with examples and practical guidance: Continue reading
This border-straddling North American destination council relies on three strengths – a robust local network, core sustainability principles, and a global brand affiliation. See the third of our profiles on destinations with innovative approaches to holistic management as prescribed by GSTC-D Criterion A1 and the National Geographic Geotourism Principles. Continue reading
As tourism moves forward and begins to recover from the Covid-19 global pandemic, a new nonprofit coalition urges the world to re-center around a strong set of principles, vital for long term sustainable and equitable growth. Decades of unfettered growth in travel have put the world’s treasured places at risk – environmentally, culturally, socially, and financially. “Now is the chance to rebalance,” say Coalition leaders. Continue reading
Herewith the second of our profiles of destination organizations that at least partially meet the GSTC-D criterion for holistic destination management. In this post: Tequila, Jalisco, Mexico, which is adopting a multisector, high-tech “Intelligent Destination” approach. Continue reading
Jake Pearring of Milllion Mile Secrets provides a traveler’s guide to voluntouring opportunities worldwide. Destinations, take notice: A resource you can tap. Continue reading
A trip into a popular wild paradise raises a question: What happens when public opinion fails to protect a destination? The only answer: Don’t give up. Continue reading
Featuring Sierra Gorda, Querétaro, Mexico. We chose this UNESCO Biosphere Reserve as the international pilot for the World’s Inspiring Places series. Here’s why. Continue reading