Center for Sustainable Destinations
The National Geographic’s
Center for Sustainable Destinations
CSD 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
GEOTOURISM:
Now, celebrate
the place
UNSUSTAINABLE TOURISM:
• Overcrowding
• Lower quality of experience
• Loss of distinctiveness
• Erosion of culture and
environment
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.
Center for
Sustainable Destinations
From eco- to geoManage
tourism so that
it pays to
protect the
place, not
destroy it.
GEOTOURISM
Sightseeing
Cultural
tourism
ECOTOURISM:
nature
Heritage
tourism
Indigenou
s tourism
Local
cuisine
Agritourism
All place-based
types of tourism =
the ENTIRE destination
Center for
Sustainable Destinations
FLORA AND FAUNA
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Sustainable Destinations
HISTORY
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Sustainable Destinations
ARCHAEOLOGY
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Sustainable Destinations
GEOLOGY
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Sustainable Destinations
TRADITIONAL
ARCHITECTURE
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Sustainable Destinations
LOCAL MUSIC
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Sustainable Destinations
CUISINE
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Sustainable Destinations
LOCAL
CRAFTS
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Sustainable Destinations
ARTS
Center for
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
Center for
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
Center for
Sustainable Destinations
The Geotourists
Center for
Sustainable Destinations
The Geotourism Charter
A set of principles to
promote sustainable
tourism and enlightened
destination stewardship
Center for
Sustainable Destinations
The Geotourism Principles
1. Integrity of place
2. International codes
8. Protection and enhancement
of destination appeal
3. Market selectivity
9. Use land wisely
4. Product diversity
10. Conservation of resources
5. Tourist satisfaction
11. Planning
6. Community involvement
12. Interactive interpretation
7. Community benefit
13. Evaluation
Center for
Sustainable Destinations
A Geotourism Strategy
• Identify
• Sustain
• Develop
• Market
geotourism assets
Center for
Sustainable Destinations
Monterey Bay Aquarium,
Monterey, CA
Center for
Sustainable Destinations
Bread and Puppet
Center for
Theater,
Glover,
VT
Sustainable
Destinations
Restored Farmhouse,
Norway
Center for
Sustainable Destinations
Fish Salting Demonstration,
Center for
Nova ScotiaSustainable 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
Center for
Sustainable Destinations
Geotourism
Stewardship
Councils…
• Arizona GSC
• Sonora GSC
…get involved with a
project - Geotourism
MapGuide, festival,
or other program.
Center for
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
Center for
Sustainable Destinations
www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/sustainable/
Center for
Sustainable Destinations
The geotourism test:
Are we sustaining or
enhancing the character
of our place?
Center for
Sustainable Destinations