Destination Stewardship Report

January – April 2024 (Volume 4, Issue 3)

The Destination Stewardship Report is a collaboration between the Destination Stewardship Center, Center for Responsible Travel, and Global Sustainable Tourism Council. Our goal is to provide practical information and insights useful to anyone whose work or interests involve improving destination stewardship in a post-pandemic world. Subscribe HERE.

Djurgården Shows How To Collaborate

When it came to planning for destination sustainability, the 60-plus businesses of Stockholm’s centuries-old Djurgården park posed a cooperation challenge. Camilla Zedendahl and Karin Sallander of the Royal Djurgården Society explain what it takes to help their park’s independent tourism enterprises think long-term together and act accordingly..

At Sweden’s Royal Djurgården, Destination Stewardship Began by Identifying Shared Values

Djurgården, one of the 14 islands that Stockholm is built upon, has served as Stockholmers’ entertainment oasis for hundreds of years. As far back as the 15th century, it was a royal playground, housing the Queen’s lions and royal… READ MORE →

Rapa Nui: Memories of the Futures

Children see the world from an even fresher standpoint than first-time tourists. Can that wide-open perspective be helpful in destination planning and generational future-proofing? Karen Luz Córdova, Co-Founder of Chile-based Cuidadores de Destinos, answers with a resounding yes. Here’s how it worked on remote, heavily touristed Rapa Nui (Easter Island).

In Chile, a New Approach: Children as Stakeholders

In life, particularly in adulthood, human beings tend to overlook that which collectively benefits them. For instance, something as essential as breathing air places them in a community of ‘breathers’ yet they often fail to recognize it. It’s this very omission that excludes them from the most beautiful actions, where collectivity with others… READ MORE →

Durango: Destination Stewardship in Action

Spurred on by the post-pandemic era of travel, tourism organizations are moving away from a singular function of marketing destinations. Some have begun to incorporate “destination stewardship” into plans, functions, and even job titles. Sarah-Jane Johnson reports on how one of Colorado’s renowned recreational destinations has gone about doing it.

A Colorado Community Shows How To Get Started

In southwestern Colorado, the community of Durango voted to secure funds that will forever be dedicated to sustainable tourism. Now Visit Durango, the local tourism organization for La Plata County and the city… READ MORE →

Indigenous Tourism eLibrary Offers Guidance for Destinations

A remarkable, easy-to-use online resource provides a wealth of information that goes well beyond its topic to present an ethical approach for all. Ellen Rugh-Estrada reviews the Indigenous Tourism eLibrary, including tips on how to use it.

Working Out a Responsible Destination Strategy for Indigenous Tourism Just Got Easier

For tourism leaders of diverse backgrounds, the task of accurately and ethically representing Indigenous tourism in a destination requires tact and thoughtful strategy. Luckily for them, understanding a responsible destination… READ MORE →

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 announced this year, we’ve selected two stories from Japan and France. Synopses by Ailin Fei.

Yoron Island Reaches for the Stars

Top 100 submission by Maki Yanagita, General Manager, Yoron Tourist Association.

How Dark-Sky Tourism Mitigates Seasonality

Yoron Island, part of the Amami Islands, 600 km off the coast between Kagoshima and Okinawa, is a popular destination known for its “Yoron Blue” waters and about 60 white sandy beaches. However, the island faced economic challenges due to over-reliance on summer tourism and marine activities. A focus on year-round tourism and sustainability led tourism… READ MORE →

50 Years of Cycling and Conservation

Top 100 submission by François Goudeau, Baie de Somme Communications Director.

In Northern France, the Baie de Somme combines Bicycle Tourism with a Long-term Mindset

For half a century the Baie de Somme – a popular tourist spot in northern France less than three hours from major urban areas, close to Paris, London, and Brussels – has faced challenges from overtourism and environmental degradation. A cycling-centric approach has helped combat these issues… READ MORE →

Bookshelf

Day, J. (2023). A Practical Guide to Destination Stewardship and Sustainable Tourism. Developed for Maine Office of Tourism in partnership with Coraggio, this guide provides background information, practical tips for destination stewards, and tangible examples on how to implement sustainable tourism practices in Maine.

Kepher Gona, J., Atieno, L. (2023). Sustainable Tourism Dialogues in Africa. De Gruyter. Explores the future of tourism by engaging experienced and emerging researchers with local stakeholders. Edited by frontline sustainable tourism advocates in Africa, chapters are derived from seminars involving 17 universities in Kenya including practitioners and students. Outlines actionable steps.

McClanahan, P. (2024). The New Tourist. Scribner. From Hawaii to Saudi Arabia, Amsterdam to Angkor Wat. The book unveils the tourism industry’s influence. The transformative power of tourism, its impact on cities, and the potential for positive change. Emphasizes responsible tourism as a force for good. Releases June 2024. Pre-order available now.

Walker, T., Demir, E., Machnik-Kekesi, G., Kelly, V. (2024) Sustainable Tourism: Frameworks, Practices, and Innovative Solutions. Springer International Publishing. Fosters discussions on sustainable tourism, covering topics like COVID-19 recovery, pollution, climate change, and vulnerable populations. International experts share research on current and future trends, case studies, and impacts on the economy, environment, culture, and society.

Report: European Committee of the Regions (2024), “Tourism and Rural Development” (pdf, 64pp). European Union. Dispassionate look at tourism benefits and problems in the EU, with notes on funding.