2024 May - August
Volume 5, Issue 1
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 The Los Angeles DMO Adopts Destination Stewardship
When a major city DMO starts getting hints that the old style of simply marketing major attractions isn’t quite satisfactory, some soul-searching ensues. Los Angeles Tourism CEO Adam Burke explains why they had to change, and how they did it. A key step: Change the bylaws.
To build an equitable, sustainable future, Los Angeles Tourism recasts itself a “destination stewardship organization”
When the team at the Destination Stewardship Center asked if I could share some of the work we’re doing in Los Angeles around equity and sustainability, I was somewhat reluctant since there is exceptional work being done by numerous DMOs around the world. There is no shortage of good ideas and best practices...
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The Encouraging if Uneven Rise of Destination Stewardship
 COMMENTARY BY THE EXECUTIVE EDITOR
Jonathan Tourtellot first began promoting the idea of destination stewardship around 2002 during his days at National Geographic Traveler magazine. He’s been at it ever since. Here’s what he likes – and doesn’t like – about the new rise in popularity of the approach.
The concept is gaining traction, at least in part
Quite a few years ago, I remember being shown photos of a new beachfront resort development in Mexico. Doesn’t matter where. The developer and government participants proudly pointed out that the buildings were all LEED certified. Energy efficient. Very nice, but…
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 Nepal’s Community Homestay Network
Popular hiking trails around the world are prone to developing knots of overtourism at access points. With their multi-decade experience in trekking tourism, it’s no surprise that that the Nepalese have developed some innovative responses. Yvonne Montoya describes how one village takes tourism pressure off another.
Homestays can reduce trekking congestion, enrich villagers, and deepen tourist experiences
In central Nepal, the village of Tatopani, known for its natural therapeutic hot springs and amazing views of the Himalayas is located along the Annapurna Circuit, one of the most popular trekking routes in Nepal...
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 Engaging Travelers in Destination Stewardship
The stream of tourists who visit a destination become part of that destination. What they say, what they do, how they spend, how they behave – as guests or invaders? – makes a difference. Increasingly, destination organizations want to brief their visitors on doing no harm, even doing some good. Purdue’s Dr. Jonathon Day explains how the Travel with Care initiative aims to help DMOs accustomed to marketing the place learn how to market good behavior.
How can destinations help clueless visitors become thoughtful guests?
At a time when tourists are being vilified, it is important to remember that travelers can play a key role in destination stewardship.
The Sustainable Tourism and Responsible Travel Lab, together with Miles Partnership, has launched a new program – Travel with Care — designed to support destinations working to encourage better travel behaviors...
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 Pioneering Community-Owned Tourism in the Maldives
The ritzy resorts of the Maldives, each perched on its own atoll, have left most islanders out of the tourism equation. Shannon McCarthy and Chloe King describe how a community-based guesthouse model may change things. Their first problem was how to convince the community.
One resort per atoll did little for Maldive islanders. Was there another way?
For many, the Maldives is the ultimate tropical paradise with clear turquoise waters, white-sand beaches, swaying palm trees, and abundant marine life. In 2023, the Ministry of Tourism reported 1.88 million tourist arrivals, a 12.6% increase from 2022’s 1.67 million. However, while tourism remains the backbone of the Maldives’ economy...
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Two Winners from the Top 100
Every year, Green Destinations organizes the Top 100 Destination Sustainability Stories competition, which invites submissions from around the world – a vetted collection of stories spotlighting local and regional destinations that are making progress toward sustainable management of tourism and its impacts. From the winners, we’ve selected stories from Albania and Jordan. Synopses by Ailin Fei & Yvonne Montoya. |
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Belsh's Hidden Heritage
Top 100 submission by Paolina Rusta, Tourism Specialist / Sustainability Coordinator, Municipality of Belsh.
Embracing Aphrodite’s Shrine to Build a Thriving Tourist Destination
Belsh, Albania, known for its karst lakes, olive-covered hills, and rich heritage, spans just under 200 km² and is home to 33,632 residents, mainly farmers and fishers known for their hospitality. During the dictatorial rule in Albania, the people of Belsh were...
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The Birds of Aqaba
Top 100 submission by Feras Rahahleh, Aqaba Bird Observatory Director.
How the observatory created a flourishing artificial bird sanctuary in the desert
The Aqaba Bird Observatory is an eco-friendly oasis for birds migrating between Eurasia and Africa and for bird watchers hoping to see the over 270 different species of birds it attracts. The artificial wetlands offer shallow and deep waters, herbal plants and a variety...
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The GSTC2024 Global Sustainable Tourism Conference will take place in Sentosa, Singapore, from November 13th to 16th, 2024. It will consist of panel discussions and interactive workshops, including a 'Roadmap for Destination Sustainability' workshop where participants will gain practical insights and tools.
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September 17, 2024 | Webinar: Innovative Tools for Measuring and Managing Ecotourism Impacts in Marine Protected Areas | Hosted by OCTO (Open Communication for the Ocean), learn how IUCN-Med’s tools and indicators support protected area managers in assessing and managing environmental and social impacts.
September 18 - 20, 2024 | Travel Unity 2024 Summit Southeast | Jackson, MS, USA. Come together to tackle how to go beyond words and ideas and move forward on the real work of incorporating diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) into strategic planning and implementation.
September 24 - 25, 2024 | CREST World Tourism Day Forum: Tourism, Justice, and Peace | Atlanta, GA, USA. This year’s theme places tourism at the nexus of justice and peace, urging a deep and reflective examination of tourism’s influence on migration, social equity, climate justice, diplomacy, and cultural preservation.
Sept 30 - Oct 2, 2024 | Tourism Cares North American Meaningful Travel Summit | Eugene, OR, USA. Grow partnerships, build relationships, and share best practices in sustainable travel to better equip companies and local communities.
October 22 - 24 , 2024 | Destinations International Advocacy Summit | Río Grande, Puerto Rico. Transform your passion for the work of destination organizations into powerful advocacy that makes an impact.
Dates TBC | Green Destinations Conference | Magallanes Region, Chile. Hear from thought leaders about the areas that stand out in our industry. Engage in in-depth discussions on strategies and solutions.
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DSC's Destination Monitor offers continuing selections of news stories.
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Note: Descriptions are taken from publisher blurbs.
Report: Travel Foundation (2024). Climate Justice in Tourism (pdf). Highlights the role the travel industry must play in delivering a just climate transition. Explores why to look at tourism through a climate justice lens and the risks of not doing so.
McLeod, M., Dodds, R., & Butler, R. (2024). Island Tourism Sustainability and Resiliency. Routledge. Challenges faced by island tourism destinations and theoretical and practical paths for building in sustainability and resiliency.
Isaac, R.K., Nawijn, J., Farkić, J., & Klijs, J. (2024). Tourism Interventions, Making or Breaking Places. Routledge. Pros and cons of various types of tourism interventions, with discussions on community resilience, creative placemaking, and participatory approaches.
Pechlaner, H., Innerhofer, E., & Philipp, J. (2024). From Overtourism to Sustainability Governance. Routledge. How destinations can be managed for long-term resilience and sustainability.
Selected Destination Stewardship Plans
Destination Door County [Wisconsin, USA] (2024). Destination Stewardship Plan.
Stewardship Tahoe (2023). Lake Tahoe Destination Stewardship Plan.
Visit California (2022). Destination Stewardship Smart and Sustainable Recovery. A How-To Planning Guide.
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Managing editor needed! Experienced (retired?) volunteer editor for this Report; 15-20 hours/month. Please contact us if interested. Other volunteer opportunities at the Destination Stewardship Center: tech-savvy gap-year graduate or apprentice (WordPress, Google Suite, social media), as well as sharp interns with good editorial skills. Send us your cv and writing samples.
Artículos en Español: The Destination Stewardship Center has begun to offer DS Report articles in Spanish, courtesy of Chile-based Cuidadores de Destinos.
Tip for Gmail users:
If Google files your DSReport under "Promotions," just drag it to "Primary" and future issues should appear there instead. Also, look for "Message clipped" at the bottom and click it to see the entire Report e-mail.
Submission requests:
The Destination Stewardship Report relies entirely on submitted articles and notices. Submissions must pertain to some aspect of destination stewardship, be shorter than 1,000 words, and avoid self-promotion. Photos welcome. What story can you tell that would help others? Contact us with your ideas.
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The Destination Stewardship Report is a collaboration between the Destination Stewardship Center, Global Sustainable Tourism Council, and Center for Responsible Travel. It seeks to provide practical information and insights useful to anyone whose work or interests involve improving destination stewardship. Its success will depend on your interest, feedback, and content contributions. Join us, and help each other. Subscribe for free.
Sponsored by:
  
Executive Editor – Jonathan B. Tourtellot
Scheduling, design & distribution – Tiffany Chan
Photo Editor – Gabe Gerson
Contributing editors – Alix Collins, Michele Archie, Devika McWalters
Editorial assistance – Ailin Fei, Yvonne Montoya,
Cindy Linnell, Frank Biasi, Paula Lewis
DSC Webmaster – Tim Greenleaf
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