Center for Sustainable Destinations
Dec 22, 2015
Center for Sustainable Destinations
Center for
Sustainable Destinations
The National Geographic’sCenter for Sustainable DestinationsCSD Mission: To protect and enhance the world’s distinctive places through
wisely managed tourism and enlightened destination stewardship.
Core concept for achieving the mission: geotourism
Center for
Sustainable Destinations
Tourism and sustainability
UNSUSTAINABLE TOURISM:
• Overcrowding
• Lower quality of experience
• Loss of distinctiveness
• Erosion of culture and environment
GEOTOURISM:
Now, celebrate the place
SUSTAINABLE TOURISM:First, do no harm.
Center for
Sustainable Destinations
geotourism
Tourism that sustains or enhances the geographical character of a place—
its environment, culture, aesthetics, heritage, and the well-being of its residents.
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Sustainable Destinations
Sightseeing
Local cuisine
Cultural
tourism
From eco- to geo-
ECOTOURISM:nature
Heritage tourism
Indigenous
tourism
GEOTOURISM
Agri-tourism
All place-based types of tourism =
the ENTIRE destination
Manage tourism so that it pays to protect the place, not destroy it.
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Sustainable Destinations
FLORA AND FAUNA
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Sustainable Destinations
HISTORYHISTORY
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Sustainable Destinations
ARCHAEOLOGYARCHAEOLOGY
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GEOLOGY
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Sustainable Destinations
TRADITIONAL ARCHITECTURE
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Sustainable Destinations
LOCAL MUSIC
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Sustainable Destinations
CUISINECUISINE
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Sustainable Destinations
LOCAL LOCAL CRAFTSCRAFTS
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Sustainable Destinations
ARTS
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Sustainable Destinations
Going Beyond Green:Why Geotourism?
Geotourism is:• Holistic - because sustainability is about more than just the
environment: it incorporates culture and heritage• Place-based - this grassroots strategy works from the
bottom up, requiring the participation of the people who know the place best - its residents
• Marketable - Geotourism can create financial incentives for good destination stewardship, which in turn generates more interest - and spending - by tourists
• Competitive - Geotourism emphasizes, enhances and encourages development of the most unique aspects of a destination, making it a more desirable place
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Sustainable Destinations
And most of all…
Geotourism engages tourists, who have a more authentic
experience…
and residents,
who gain a deeper appreciation for what makes their place
unique
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Sustainable Destinations
The Geotourists
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Sustainable Destinations
The Geotourism Charter
A set of principles to promote sustainable tourism and enlightened destination stewardship
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Sustainable Destinations
1. Integrity of place
2. International codes
3. Market selectivity
4. Product diversity
5. Tourist satisfaction
6. Community involvement
7. Community benefit
8. Protection and enhancement
of destination appeal
9. Use land wisely
10. Conservation of resources
11. Planning
12. Interactive interpretation
13. Evaluation
The Geotourism Principles
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Sustainable Destinations
A Geotourism Strategy
• Identify• Sustain • Develop • Market
geotourism assets
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Sustainable Destinations
Monterey Bay Aquarium, Monterey, CA
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Sustainable Destinations
Bread and Puppet Theater, Glover, VT
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Sustainable Destinations
Restored Farmhouse, Norway
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Sustainable Destinations
Fish Salting Demonstration, Nova Scotia
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Sustainable Destinations
Set up a Geotourism Stewardship Council that includes:Community organizations for. . .
• Historic preservation• Nature and ecotourism• Traditional performing arts, artisanry and crafts• Farm/restaurant programs• Beautification/aesthetics• Indigenous and minority groups• Urban renewal• Local government• Tourism and local business expertise• Tourism promotion• Other characteristics of the place
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Sustainable Destinations
Geotourism Stewardship Councils…
• Arizona GSC
• Sonora GSC
…get involved with a project -
Geotourism MapGuide,
festival, or other program.
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Sustainable Destinations
Celebrate Authenticity
Tell great stories.
Enhance sense of place through:
• Geotourism Charter signing,
• Establishment of a Stewardship Council,
• Sustainable private enterprise,
• Conservation and preservation
• Civic participation
Center for
Sustainable Destinations
Vermont Northeast Kingdom Project
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Sustainable Destinations
www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/sustainable/
Center for
Sustainable Destinations
The geotourism test: Are we
sustaining or enhancing the
character of our place?