Sustainable Tourism: Going Beyond Green...Unity through Geotourism Geotourism Principles Taking...

Center for Sustainable Destinations

Sustainable Tourism: Sustainable Tourism:

Going Beyond GreenGoing Beyond Green

Center for Sustainable Destinations

Being greener is a start. Being greener is a start.

Center for Sustainable Destinations

…… but green is not enough.but green is not enough.

Increasingly, Increasingly, leisure travelersleisure travelerswant authenticity, want authenticity, experiencesexperiences——i.e., to visit i.e., to visit PLACESPLACES..Quality of place Quality of place is a selling is a selling point.point.

DestinationsDestinations that that think of the WHOLE think of the WHOLE place as the tourism place as the tourism

product will rally support product will rally support for good stewardship.for good stewardship.

Center for Sustainable Destinations

Destination Stewardship ScoresDestination Stewardship Scores

How Tourism Relates to Place, or DoesnHow Tourism Relates to Place, or Doesn’’tt

Unity through Unity through GeotourismGeotourism

GeotourismGeotourism Principles Principles

Taking ActionTaking Action

KEY TOPICSKEY TOPICS

Center for Sustainable Destinations

Center for Sustainable Destinations

Index of Destination Stewardship

SIX CRITERIA• Environment• Cultural/social

impact• Aesthetics • Built heritage• Tourism

management• General outlook

RATING SCALE0-2 Catastrophic3-4 In serious trouble5-6 In moderate trouble7-8 Minor difficulties9 Authentic, unspoiled,

and likely to remain so10 Enhanced

Center for Sustainable Destinations

2007 Destination stewardship survey

Center for Sustainable Destinations

Best rated(top fourth of scoring range)

•• 87 87 FaroesFaroes (right)(right)

•• 84 Azores84 Azores

•• 80 Mackinac80 Mackinac

•• 79 Molokai79 Molokai

Center for Sustainable Destinations

Still Doing Well

•• 75 Corsica (right)75 Corsica (right)

•• 72 Block Island72 Block Island

•• 70 Seychelles70 Seychelles

•• 69 Mt Desert, ME69 Mt Desert, ME

•• 66 Out Islands66 Out Islands

Center for Sustainable Destinations

In the Balance

•• 64 St Lucia (right)64 St Lucia (right)

•• 63 Nantucket63 Nantucket

•• 62 Barbados62 Barbados

•• 57 Bali57 Bali

•• 52 Canary Is52 Canary Is

Center for Sustainable Destinations

In Trouble(bottom fourth of scoring range)

•• 49 Hatteras49 Hatteras

•• 46 Key West; 46 Key West; PhuketPhuket

•• 45 Hilton Head45 Hilton Head

•• 44 Provo44 Provo•• 37 Ibiza;37 Ibiza;

St Thomas (right)St Thomas (right)

Center for Sustainable Destinations

Destination Stewardship ScoresDestination Stewardship Scores

How Tourism Relates to Place, or DoesnHow Tourism Relates to Place, or Doesn’’tt

Unity through Unity through GeotourismGeotourism

GeotourismGeotourism Principles Principles

Taking ActionTaking Action

Center for Sustainable Destinations

DESTINATION TOURISM STYLES DIFFER IN RELATION TO PLACE

Touring R & R Entertainment

Center for Sustainable Destinations

Touring-style tourismRelies on human andphysical character of place.

ACTIVITIES• sightseeing• history• nature• scenery• hiking / Nordic skiing• local shopping• typical cuisine• photography• culture & festivals

Center for Sustainable Destinations

Touring-style tourismRelies on human and physical character of place.

ACTIVITIES• sightseeing• history• nature• scenery• hiking / Nordic skiing• local shopping• typical cuisine• photography• culture & festivals

CHARACTERISTICS

• Diffuse impact

• Supports small businesses

• Requires protecting nature and heritage

• Needs architecture, landscapes, culture unique to the locale.