top of page

OUR GUIDING PRINCIPLES

Blurry Blue

Whereas tourism done well can benefit destination communities, incentivize protection of nature and history, and enrich the traveling public,

 

​Whereas irresponsible practices have eroded the value of the true tourism product, the destination,

 

​Whereas poorly managed tourism, driven by short-term, unguided market forces, has disrupted communities and ecosystems, worn away cultural and historic sites, added to environmental stress, and degraded the travel experience itself,

 

​Whereas this trend has been aggravated by undue policy emphasis on quantity of tourists over quality of experience and benefits to destination communities,

 

​Whereas, widespread degradation has persisted despite earnest attempts to counteract the trend by many responsible parties,

 

​Whereas recovery from the COVID-19 crisis has presented an opportunity to choose a more sustainable future,

We therefore urge worldwide commitment to these principles:

Guiding Principle 1: See the whole picture

See the whole picture

Recognize that most tourism by its nature involves the destination as a whole, not only industry businesses, but also its ecosystems, natural resources, cultural assets and traditions, communities, aesthetics, and built infrastructure.

LEARN MORE >

Guiding Principle 4. Choose quality over quantity

Choose quality over quantity

Manage tourism development based on quality of visitation, not quantity of visitors, so as to enhance the travel experience while sustaining the character of the destination and benefiting local communities.

LEARN MORE >

Guiding Principle 7. Redefine economic success

Redefine economic success

Rather than raw contribution to growth in GDP, favor metrics that specify destination benefits such as small business development, distribution of incomes, and enhancement of sustainable local supply chains.

LEARN MORE >

Guiding Principle 10. Contain tourism's land use

Contain tourism's land use

Limit high-occupancy resort tourism to concentrated areas. Discourage resort sprawl from taking over coasts, islands, and mountain areas, so as to retain geographical character, a diverse economy, local access, and critical ecosystems.

LEARN MORE >

Guiding Principle 13. Operate business responsibly

Operate business responsibly

Incentivize and reward tourism businesses and associated enterprises that support these principles through their actions and develop strong local supply chains that allow for higher quality products and experiences.

LEARN MORE >

Guiding Principle 2:  Use sustainability standards

Use sustainability standards

Respect the publicly available, internationally approved minimum criteria for sustainable tourism practices maintained by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) for both industry and destinations.

LEARN MORE >

Guiding Principle 5. Demand fair income distribution

Demand fair income distribution

Set policies that counter unequal tourism benefits within destination communities that maximize retention of tourism revenues within those communities.

LEARN MORE >

Guiding Principle 8. Mitigate climate impacts

Mitigate climate impacts

Strive to follow accepted scientific consensus on needed reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. Invest in green infrastructure and a fast reduction in transport emissions involved in tourism - air, sea, and ground.

LEARN MORE >

Guiding Principle 11. Diversify source markets

Diversify source markets

In addition to international visitation, encourage robust domestic tourism, which may be more resilient in the face of crises and raise citizens' perceived value of their own natural and cultural heritage.

LEARN MORE >

Guiding Principle 3. Collaborate in destination management

Collaborate in destination management

Seek to develop all tourism through a collaborative management structure with equal participation by government, the private sector, and civil society organizations that represent diversity in communities.

LEARN MORE >

Guiding Principle 6. Reduce tourism's burden

Reduce tourism's burden

Account for all tourism costs in terms of local tax burdens, environmental and social impacts, and objectively verifiable disruption. Ensure investments are linked to optimizing net-positive impacts for communities and the environment.

LEARN MORE >

Guiding Principle 9. Close the loop on resources

Close the loop on resources

When post-pandemic safety allows, turn away from use of disposable plastics by tourism businesses, and transition to circular resource use.

LEARN MORE >

Guiding Principle 12. Protect sense of place

Protect sense of place

Encourage tourism policies and business practices that protect and benefit natural, scenic, and cultural assets. Retain and enhance destination identity and distinctiveness. Diversity of place is the reason for travel.

LEARN MORE >

10

STAY CONNECTED


Get the latest updates, news and ways to engage by subscribing to our email list below: 

bottom of page