Promoting Sustainable Tourism
According to the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), the business volume that tourism is generating today equals or even surpasses that of oil exports, food products or automobiles. A primary goal of the sustainable development program is to ensure that tourism protects and sustains the world’s natural and cultural resources and meets its potential as a tool for poverty alleviation.
WORLD HERITAGE ALLIANCE FOR SUSTAINABLE TOURISM & FRIENDS OF WORLD HERITAGE
We created the World Heritage Alliance for Sustainable Tourism with Expedia, Inc. and UNESCO’s World Heritage Centre to change the travel industry.
We work on the industry side to support:
- conservation;
- sustainable tourism; and
- economic growth for communities in and around World Heritage sites.
We do this by educating the traveling public through our Friends of World Heritage campaign and by creating sustainable tourism best practices for investors and vendors.
SUSTAINABLE TOURISM CRITERIA
Best practices don’t go very far unless others take that model and implement it.
We have partnered with a coalition of 32 organizations from the tourism industry, the UN and conservation communities to develop standards for sustainable tourism businesses. These standards will be the minimum that any tourism business can follow, or that certification programs can be based on to preserve and protect travel destinations for the future.
The first-ever global sustainable tourism criteria were announced at the World Conservation Congress on October 6, 2008. Read the press release here.
The Partnership was initiated by the Rainforest Alliance, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the United Nations Foundation, and the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). Click here to see the full list of partners.
For more information go to http://www.sustainabletourismcriteria.org/
SUSTAINABLE TOURISM STEWARDSHIP COUNCIL
If not run properly, tourism can be a damaging industry: Rapid development can overwhelm natural areas with pollution, disturbing wildlife and once-isolated cultures.
However, certification can address the impacts of tourism by ensuring that tourism businesses comply with standards to protect wildlife and indigenous communities.
The Sustainable Tourism Stewardship Council (STSC), an initiative of the UN Foundation, UNEP, the UN World Tourism Organization, the Rainforest Alliance and others, uses the global baseline criteria to develop an accreditation standard for sustainable tourism certification programs. The STSC will be the umbrella under which the certification programs will sit.
SUSTAINABLE INVESTMENT AND FINANCE IN TOURISM NETWORK
Tourism is a top priority for attracting investment in developing countries.
When done correctly, tourism investment can create local jobs, conserve natural resources and infuse long-term wealth, but many conscientious investors and developers are searching for guidance on how to responsibly develop tourist destinations.
The Sustainable Investment and Finance in Tourism Network (SIFT):
- Shares best practices for tourism investments;
- Facilitates coordination between existing funds, donors and investors that are developing country destinations; and
- Connects professionals worldwide through research, workshops and publications.
To get involved, contact sift@unep.fr.
STORIES OF IMPACT
Empowering Women Entrepreneurs in Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula to Preserve World Heritage
Area of Involvement: Sustainable Development
Meet Lizbeth Pool Uc, co-founder of Flor de Tajonal, a women’s cooperative in the small town of Felipe Carrillo Puerto, Mexico that makes and sells honey and honey products. For generations, Lizbeth’s family has been keeping bees, one of the oldest economic activities of the Yucatan’s Mayan people and an important part of their ceremonial life.
Could you survive on 13 liters of water a day?
Area of Involvement: Women & Population;Sustainable Development
(Part seven of Elizabeth Gore's blog series on Ethiopia) Driving to the Mai-Aini UNHCR refugee camp, two things struck me: the beautiful but barren mountains, and the dozens of broken-down tanks left behind from war. A young interpreter from Axum shared with me his theory that water is the reason for war.
RESOURCES
-
UN Foundation Newsletter (Fall 2009)
Issue Area: Children’s Health
Issue Area: Climate & Energy
Issue Area: Sustainable Development
Issue Area: Technology
Issue Area: US-UN Relations
Issue Area: Women & Population
A semi-annual newsletter highlighting the UN Foundation's programs and people.
-
UN Foundation Newsletter (Spring 2009)
Issue Area: Children’s Health
Issue Area: Climate & Energy
Issue Area: Sustainable Development
Issue Area: Technology
Issue Area: US-UN Relations
Issue Area: Women & Population
A semi-annual newsletter highlighting the UN Foundation's programs and people.
