Sustainable Tourism
"Sustainable tourism is the tourism that takes full account of its current and future economic, social and environmental impacts, addressing the needs of visitors, the industry, the environment and host communities."
World Tourism Organization - UNWTO
For many of us, the concept of sustainable tourism is rather difficult to understand or define. Indeed, what is sustainable tourism?
For us, sustainable tourism does not have to be complicated: above all, it is about maximizing the positive impacts and minimizing the negative impacts of the travel activities. Most importantly, sustainable tourism should place local communities and their well-being at the center of its concerns. Moreover, the preservation of their environment rather than the environment, should be a priority.
Sustainable travel experiences are co-created: on the one hand, a growing number of travelers want to make more responsible choices. On the other hand, tourism professionals committed to sustainability have a vested interest in attracting these travelers.
For us, sustainable tourism does not have to be complicated: above all, it is about maximizing the positive impacts and minimizing the negative impacts of the travel activities. Most importantly, sustainable tourism should place local communities and their well-being at the center of its concerns. Moreover, the preservation of their environment rather than the environment, should be a priority.
Sustainable travel experiences are co-created: on the one hand, a growing number of travelers want to make more responsible choices. On the other hand, tourism professionals committed to sustainability have a vested interest in attracting these travelers.
Community-Based Tourism
"Hospitality is the art of making people feel welcome. Our mission is to value the key role of host communities as 'hospitality artisans'."
The term Community-Based Tourism (CBT) describes a tourism operation that is owned, managed, and coordinated by a community and contributes to its well-being while supporting sustainable livelihoods for its members, protecting its natural and cultural heritage and promoting authentic exchanges with visitors.
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For Millennium Destinations, local host communities are the foundation of any travel experience.
They should therefore be highlighted not only as key stakeholders but also as main right holders.
We believe the principles and practices of CBT can and should be promoted to all destinations, whether they are rural or urban, emerging or developed.
We are willing to promote CBT as a social impact solution to decrease inequalities between and among countries.
They should therefore be highlighted not only as key stakeholders but also as main right holders.
We believe the principles and practices of CBT can and should be promoted to all destinations, whether they are rural or urban, emerging or developed.
We are willing to promote CBT as a social impact solution to decrease inequalities between and among countries.
Through our global network of NGOs, institutions, businesses and professionals, we offer consulting and training solutions to destinations and organizations involved in local development through community-based tourism for product development and diversification, branding, marketing and promotion, design and implementation of sustainability strategies, impact measurement and monitoring, certification, etc.
Why Community-Based Tourism?
- In spite of several global crises challenges, the number of international tourist arrivals has increased steadily over the past years to reach 1.4 billion in 2018 (+6%).
- 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 leading to the phenomenon of overtourism: it appears necessary to divert tourist flows to less visited areas.
71% of global travellers think travel companies should offer more sustainable travel choices |
68% of people said that it was important that the money they spent on travel went back into the local community |
78% of travellers actively seek authentic experiences that are representative of local culture |
(booking.com, 2019 Sustainable Travel Report)
Sustainable, community-driven travel platform
Countrystyle Community Tourism Network (CCTN) - Jamaica
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Experiences and solutions in sustainable development and movement
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Phnom-Penh based travel agency dedicated to community-based tourism initiatives
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Conflict management, decision-making, & social impact measurement, monitoring, and management
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Community-based membership organization - Jamaica
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