www.gstcouncil.org

Leading Sustainable Tourism Destinations: STTP Case Studies

Dr. Ioannis Pappas Ayako Ezaki GSTC Trainer / Co-Founder and CEO, Green Evolution SA

Training Director, GSTC Sustainable Tourism Training Program (STTP)

www.gstcouncil.org

1. Introduction: About the GSTC Sustainable Tourism Training Program 2. Overview: What and where are sustainable destinations? 3. Examples: Sustainable destination examples from Greece, Slovenia, Ecuador, Brazil, Norway and more. 4. Q&A

OUTLINE

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•  Online and face-to-face training classes throughout the year.

•  Expert trainers and training partners in over 20 countries.

•  GSTC Certificate in Sustainable Tourism.

Upcoming online courses: •  2017Q3: June 19 – July 14 (SOLD OUT) •  2017Q4: Oct 30 – Nov 24 (EARLY-BIRD) http://www.gstcouncil.org/en/sustainable-tourism-training/upcoming.html

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What is a sustainable destination?

SustainabilityManagement

Social&Economic

Culture&Heritage

Environmental

Industry Criteria for Hotels and Tour Operators (2008, revised 2012, 2017)

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GSTC CRITRIA Criteria for Destinations (Nov 2013)

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How can a destination use the GSTC Criteria?

1) Guidance for policy makers. 2) Tool for measuring and monitoring progress. 3) Tool for educating tourism industry stakeholders. 4) All of the above (and more)!

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Where to find sustainable destination examples…

Norwegian Fjords

Okavango Delta, Botswana

Teton County, Wyoming, USA St. Kitts & Nevis Lake District, Chile

GSTC Destination Criteria: Early Adopters

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http://www.gstcouncil.org/en/gstc-impacts/gstc-destinations/gstc-certified-destinations.html

Certified Destinations Certified By:

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GSTC-Approved Certifying Bodies

For Destinations

For Hotels and Tour Operators

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http://greendestinations.info/top100-2016/ https://ethicaltraveler.org/galleries/in-pictures-ethical-destinations-2016/

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Sustainable Destination Examples

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Dr. Ioannis Pappas GSTC Trainer / Greece Country Representative Co-Founder and CEO, Green Evolution SA

Sustainable Destination Examples from South and Central Europe

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Case of Slovenia Green

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60% površine prekriva gozd. 36% površine je vključene v omrežje Natura 2000. 4 x več vode na prebivalca kot EU povprečje.

ZGODBA O LOVENSKI ZELENI je vpeta v znamko I FEEL SLOVENIA.

DEVELOPING GREEN TOURISM FOR GREEN SLOVENIA.

Strategic Orientation

1.   Slovenia is green.

2. Slovenia goes green.

3. Slovenia promotes green.

KEY COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE OF SLOVENIA

REPOSITIONING SLOVENIAN TOURISM

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GREEN SCHEME OF SLOVENIAN TOURISM (GSST) – SLOVENIA GREEN Slovenia Green is a structured national programme for

development of sustainable tourism on all levels. Slovenia Green is a label and certification programme for

destinations and providers. Slovenia Green provides positioning on global market,

motivates destionations to continous monitoring and improvement, benchmark, promotion.

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NATURE

CULTURAL HERITAGE

GASTRONOMY GREEN PRODUCTS

GREEN INNOVATION

S

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CRETE,GREECE

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HISTORY GASTRONOMY BIODIVERSITY

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112BLUEFLAGSFOR2017!!

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h)ps://www.incrediblecrete.gr

Norway Sustainable Destination Certification

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https://www.visitnorway.com/about/sustainability/

Innovation Norway works with local and regional DMOs to implement a destination certification program that helps strengthen local competence and encourage public-private partnerships. 44 criteria and 108 indicators A: Political commitment B: Industry commitment C: Environment, nature and culture D: Social values and viability E: Economic viability

The destination has a system to promote sustainability standards for enterprises consistent with the GSTC Criteria. The destination makes publicly available a list of sustainability certified or verified enterprises.

GTSC DESTINATIONS A11. Sustainability Standards

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GSTC Destination Criteria in Action…

Bonito, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil One of Brazil’s top ecotourism destinations, Bonito, MS implements an effective carrying capacity strategy through a unique voucher system. Local attractions must be accredited by undergoing environmental impact studies to determine appropriate carrying capacities, and only accredited sites can be part of the voucher system. To book a trip to these attractions, visitors must purchase a voucher locally from an accredited travel agents, which ensures the carrying capacity limits are strictly followed.

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The livelihood of Bonito's tourism relies on maintaining our clear waters.”

-  Clayton Castilho Gomes, Diretor de Turismo na Prefeitura Municipal de Bonito/MS “

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GSTC Destination Criteria in Action…

GSTC-DESTINATIONS C2. Visitor Management

The destination has a visitor management system for attraction sites that includes measures to preserve, protect, and enhance natural and cultural assets.

The destination has an effective organization, department, group, or committee responsible for a coordinated approach to sustainable tourism, with involvement by the private sector and public sector. This group is suited to the size and scale of the destination, and has defined responsibilities, oversight, and implementation capability for the management of environmental, economic, social, and cultural issues. This group’s activities are appropriately funded.

GSTC-DESTINATIONS A2. Tourism Management Organization

The organization is involved with sustainable tourism planning and management in the destination, where such opportunities exist.

GSTC-INDUSTRY A10. Destination Engagement

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Relevant to Destination Management Organizations…

ü  Support and work closely with the local Destination Management Organization. ü  Seek partnership opportunities with local community organizations and NGOs. ü  Participate in activities concerning sustainable tourism in the destination.

Bonito Eco-Experience on the Go

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© Bonito Convention & Visitors Bureau

© Bonito Convention & Visitors Bureau

Also a Good Example of…

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Promotion is accurate with regard to the destination and its products, services, and sustainability claims. The promotional messages treat local communities and tourists authentically and respectfully.

GSTC-DESTINATION A14. Promotion

ü  Reflect the destination’s unique sense of place. ü  Be creative & don’t just rely on “sustainability”. ü  Be honest.

Ecuador: Slow, Local, and Authentic Food Experiences

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Finding uniqueness in its diverse culinary traditions, Ecuador’s Ministry of Tourism has developed: •  Culinary tourism programs supporting sustainable economic development (e.g. local markets,

agritourism experiences in rural areas, culinary routes promoting local products and traditional recipes).

•  Initiatives to preserve nutritional integrity and agricultural diversity (e.g. networks that safeguard seeds, campaigns for responsible consumption and food sovereignty).

•  Projects focused on preserving cultural diversity and traditional knowledge through the promotion of the culinary heritage of indigenous communities.

The destination has a system that supports local and small- and medium-sized enterprises, and promotes and develops local sustainable products and fair trade principles that are based on the area’s nature and culture. These may include food and beverages, crafts, performance arts, agricultural products, etc.

GSTC-DESTINATIONS B9. Supporting Local Entrepreneurs and Fair Trade

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GSTC Destination Criteria in Action…

QUESTIONS, COMMENTS?

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GSTC Sustainable Tourism Training Program (STTP) Web: http://www.gstcouncil.org/en/sustainable-tourism-training.html Social: #GSTCtraining Email: training@gstcouncil.org