Towards sustainable places, experiences and practices
- Travel and tourism, not only international but also domestic, have become an increasing part of people’s lifestyles and aspirations.
- Global tourism has experienced continued growth and deepening diversification to become one of the fastest growing economic sectors in the world. The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) estimates that over 1.8 billion international travels should be recorded annually by 2030.
- As a leading export industry and a major diver for global development, tourism is significantly contributing to the global economy.
- However, this growth has not benefited the local communities living in tourist areas. Due to economic leakages, hosts receiving visitors usually get a minor portion of the revenues generated through travel and tourism activities.
- Furthermore, local host communities are the first to suffer from the negative environmental and cultural impacts of tourism that are directly affecting their well-being, identity and cultural integrity.
- Finally, many destinations have been exceeding their carrying capacities and it appears necessary to divert tourist flows to less visited areas.
Millennium Destinations was established as a change agent aimed at supporting the design, development, management, and marketing of sustainable tourism destinations, businesses that are both attractive and competitive. Our purpose is to contribute to the generating job and income opportunities for the local communities and raising funds to support community projects, while adhering to their development needs and specific conditions.
Our vision: fair, responsible, sustainable tourism & hospitality as the most desirable choice for all
Our mission: to assist and empower tourism businesses and organizations in their efforts to stand out and thrive in their markets while playing an active role
Our mission: to assist and empower tourism businesses and organizations in their efforts to stand out and thrive in their markets while playing an active role
Our story
Millennium Destinations (MD) was first launched in 2010 by Catherine GERMIER-HAMEL as a blog aimed at promoting sustainable tourism initiatives and destinations around the world, particularly in developing countries.
The main purpose was to give more exposure to less-known destinations so that they can actually attract visitors, while sharing practical solutions and insights on the contribution of tourism to global sustainable development and the achievement of the UN Millennium Development Goals.
In 2014, Millennium Destinations became an international expert network engaged in the development and promotion of tourism destinations, businesses and products / experiences.
Early 2016, Millennium Destinations was incorporated as Millennium Destinations Ltd., a Seoul-based boutique agency offering creative business services and solutions for global marketing, communications, PR, event planning, sustainable business development, and capacity-building and training to its clients and partners, mainly in the field of travel, tourism, hospitality, F&B, and MICE, towards the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Since 2019, Millennium Destinations has been co-developing Herost, as a global online platform and expert network for co-creating, sharing and promoting sustainable, community-centered travel experiences, including eco-friendly accommodations and activities, that are focused on the socio-economic development of local communities at the destination.
Millennium Destinations (MD) was first launched in 2010 by Catherine GERMIER-HAMEL as a blog aimed at promoting sustainable tourism initiatives and destinations around the world, particularly in developing countries.
The main purpose was to give more exposure to less-known destinations so that they can actually attract visitors, while sharing practical solutions and insights on the contribution of tourism to global sustainable development and the achievement of the UN Millennium Development Goals.
In 2014, Millennium Destinations became an international expert network engaged in the development and promotion of tourism destinations, businesses and products / experiences.
Early 2016, Millennium Destinations was incorporated as Millennium Destinations Ltd., a Seoul-based boutique agency offering creative business services and solutions for global marketing, communications, PR, event planning, sustainable business development, and capacity-building and training to its clients and partners, mainly in the field of travel, tourism, hospitality, F&B, and MICE, towards the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Since 2019, Millennium Destinations has been co-developing Herost, as a global online platform and expert network for co-creating, sharing and promoting sustainable, community-centered travel experiences, including eco-friendly accommodations and activities, that are focused on the socio-economic development of local communities at the destination.