For more information about sustainable tourism, check out the following links:

United Nations Tourism Publications
Siting and Design Guidelines
Desinet Sustainable Tourism Portal
United Nations Environment Program
National Geographic Society
Centre for Environmentally Responsible Tourism
Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)
United Nation's World Tourism Organisation
World Travel and Tourism Council
Tour Operator Initiative for Sustainable Development (TOI)
International Hotel Environmental Initiative (a program of the International Tourism Partnership)
Rene Waksberg Tourism Research Site
Tourism Site - Network for the sustainable development of tourism destinations in Europe
Local Agenda 21 examples of sustainable tourism
Australian Research Centre for Tourism (crctourism)
Pacific Asia Tourism Association (PATA)- code for PATA and for travellers

SUSTAINABLE TOURISM CHARTERS, DECLARATIONS & CODES

See also ecotourism certification

Certification is popular subject in tourism and sustainability. Some in the industry say it doesn't address the critical mass while others say it is the only way to stop greenwashing. For an interesting article and assessment on tourism certification, check out the recent article by Amos Bien in EcoCurrents .

For an overview of certification, codes of conduct etc., you can read a publication done by Rachel on CSR in the Tourism Industry.

Some certification schemes which are well known in the industry include:

VISIT initiative - initiative to link up european ecolabels
ECEAT - European program for green farm holidays
Green Tourism Business Scheme - Scotlands certification program
Green Globe 21 - global implementation program for all forms of tourism. Check out New Zealand's Green Globe product guidelines
Brazil Sustainable Tourism Certification Program (PCTS)
Florida Green Lodging
Green Hotels Association (Canada) -information on how hotels are reducing their impact on the environment
Nature and Ecotourism Accreditation Program (Australia) - Also check out The International Ecotourism Standard has been developed by the Ecotourism Association of Australia in conjunction with the Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) for Sustainable Tourism of Australia.
International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) - certified mainly larger hotels and tour operators for environmental or quality assurance - ISO 9001 and ISO 14001
Rainforest Alliance
SmartVoyager certification program is an Ecuadorian nonprofit group -- and the Rainforest Alliance, SmartVoyager minimizes the impact of tour boats in the Galapagos Islands by improving social and environmental conditions of boat operations.
Nordic Swan
Viabono - Germany
Pan Parks
Fair Trade in South Africa - one of the newest initiatives dealing with fairtrade tourism
Milieubarometer - (Environmental Barometer) is the Dutch ecolabel for companies in the leisure sector.
Blue Flag Campaign - certification for beaches
Green Key - Accommodation certification in Lithuania, France, Denmark, Greenland, Sweden
Green Flag - for parks and green spaces in the UK
An analysis of certification schemes done by the WWF
Agenda 21 for the Travel and Tourism Industry - a practical guide of indicators

Certification in tourism has always been a tumultous affair and there is continuous debate especially about ecotourism. For information on certification and the tourism industry, click here to read a report by the World Bank/IFC. For information about ecotourism and tourism certification programs, check out:

Mohonk Agreement - The framework and principles for the certification of ecotourism and sustainable tourism which was agreed upon by multiple parties within the tourism sector
Ecotourism Association of Ecuador (ASEC)
Certification for Sustainable Tourism (Costa Rica) CST was designed to differentiate tourism sector businesses based on the degree to which they comply with a sustainable model of natural, cultural and social resource management.
Ecotourism Society of Saskatchewan Canada - An ecotour accreditation program for operators
Nature and Ecotourism Accreditation Program (Australia) - Also check out The International Ecotourism Standard has been developed by the Ecotourism Association of Australia in conjunction with the Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) for Sustainable Tourism of Australia.
Rainforest Alliance
SmartVoyager certification program is an Ecuadorian nonprofit group -- and the Rainforest Alliance, SmartVoyager minimizes the impact of tour boats in the Galapagos Islands by improving social and environmental conditions of boat operations.
Ecotourism Certification Workshop - held by Planeta.com
the Sustainable Tourism Stewardship Council (STSC) feasibility study, coordinated by the Rainforest Alliance is available at http://www.rainforestalliance.org/programs/sv/stsc.html , which presented its final conclusions in early 2003. An 18-month worldwide consultation process concluded that there is a need to create regional platforms to disseminate information about certification and to address key issues such as the participation of small and medium-sized and community based certification operations, financial sustainability, marketing, monitoring and evaluation and accreditation.

Ecotourism can offer a viable combination of ecological and cultural protection, increase local awareness of the value of preserving the natural and cultural environments, and aid in economic development. However many sources suggest that most ecotourism efforts have focused towards advancing the economic objectives rather than protecting the very resources that attract visitors.

There has been much deliberation about the term 'ecotourism' but it is important to realize that it is the principals of ecotourism that are important - any form of tourism could become more sustainable but not all forms of tourism can be ecotourism. In addition, there is often controversy about whether ecotourism exists only in 'relatively undisturbed natural areas '. While undisturbed natural areas may be a focal point for most research and writing of ecotourism, the majority of ecotourism occurs in area that have been 'disturbed' and are often very close to activity or urban areas.

Principals of ecotourism often include:

• Natural areas
• Contains educational and interpretive features
• Generally for small groups
• Minimizes negative impacts
• Supports the protection of natural areas by generating economic benefits for host communities, organizations and authorities managing natural areas with conservation purposes
  (Source: World Tourism Organization)

For more information about ecotourism, check out the following resources:

Ecoclub.com
Touring Nature - ecotourism routes around Europe
The International Ecotourism Society
World Tourism Organization
Conservation International
The Nature Conservancy (in both English & Spanish)
Planeta.com
Australia's Ecotourism centre
World Declaration on Ecotourism, 2002
EcoTour Directory - a directory of operators worldwide offering eco tours
International Year of Ecotourism 2002

For information about associations/sites which offer ecotourism products, check out:

Ecotourism Laos
NNETA - Regional Ecotourism Body of NSW region
Nova Scotia Adventure Tourism Association
Ecotourism Association of Australia
Tourism Industry Association of New Zealand
Planeta's guide to Central America
EcoBrazil
Ecotourism Association of Pakistan
Association Française d'Ecotourisme
Ecotourism Association of Kenya
Africa Ecotourism Business Center
The Swedish Ecotourism Society
Indonesia Ecotourism Network(INDECON)
Australian Ecotourism Association
Socotra Ecotourism Society Email: ECOSOCOTRA@SOCOTRAISLAND.ORG

Seven reports prepared for the International Year of Ecotourism (2002) All available in English, French, and Spanish):
The British Ecotourism Market
The Canadian Ecotourism Market
The French Ecotourism Market
The German Ecotourism Market
The Italian Ecotourism Market
The Spanish Ecotourism Market
The U.S. Ecotourism Market

Urban ecotourism is often seen as a contradiction in terms however, the principals of ecotourism should be applied to all areas of tourism - especially for urban sustainability to develop (urban areas have culturally and environmentally sensitive areas too).

Urban sustainability is often talked about without looking at tourism as an integral part of development and promotion of a city. As 50% of the world's population live in cities, there is clearly a need to address issues of sustainable tourism as well as general sustainability and good governance.

Urban ecotourism can also be looked at as urban sustainability and exists in many forms. For more information about urban sustainability, check out the following resources:

Green Tourism Association (currently under review)
Calvia Local Agenda 21 approach
Sustainable Cities Project
Green Map - green maps worldwide
Urban Secretariat of UN-Habitat
European Cities
Sustainable Urban Tourism
**Europe concluded its Sustainable Urban Tourism Project in June, 2003. A result was to promote governance for sustainable urban tourism - reports can be found at sut.itas.fzk.de/
Smart Communities Network
Cambridge Sustainable City
Minnesota Green Routes - a statewide green tourism initiative directs people to places where they can get locally grown foods, green attractions, events and places to stay

Click here to read research papers about urban ecotourism . (Click here to see Rachel's research papers about urban ecotourism)

Responsible tourism has been brought about as an awareness tool. Following similar principles as ecotourism and sustainable tourism, it is aimed more specifically at the customer or end user of tourism services. For more information, check out:

Kerala Declaration for Responsible Tourism
International Centre for Responsible Tourism
Responsible Tourism Partnership - information on destination and business partnerships for responsible tourism, the Association for Independant Tour Operators and educational links
Responsibletravel.com - a site offering worldwide tours that abide by responsible tourism policies
Pro Poor Tourism - wolrd-wide case studies on pro-poor tourism, information on implications for stakeholders and a bulletin board for the latest communication
Cape Town Declaration - the responsible tourism meeting held before the Johannesburg World Summit
Harold Goodwin's site - information and past work done for DFID, the UN, etc. Very comprehensive
Tourism Concern - Campaigns for Ethical and Fairly Traded Tourism
Fair Trade in Tourism South Africa (FTTSA)
Development crossing - postings, videos and other info on development, corporate responsibility, etc.

The more recognition more sustainable forms of tourism recieve in the international marketplace, so come the awards. Awards to recognize efforts in sustainble tourism should include all factors of triple bottom line sustainability which include environmental, social and economic factors. Some sustainable tourism awards include:

ASTA (American Society of Travel Agents) – Environmental Award
Annual international award for individuals and organisations for contributions to preservation and protection of the environment.

WTTC - Tourism for Tomorrow Award

Responsible Tourism Awards - Uk based

ASTA (American Society of Travel Agents) – Environmental Award
individuals, corporations, governments and governmental entities are entitled to this award. Annual international award for individuals and organisations for contributions to preservation and protection of the environment.
http://www.astanet.com/about/environmentalawards.asp?
r=/about/environmentalawards.asp

The American Express Caribbean Environmental Awards
Open to all Caribbean hotel Association members for community initiatives
Email: cast@cha-cast.com

Conde NasteTraveler - Ecotourism Award
Worldwide award for ecotourism including conserving the natural environmental and helping locals

Conservation International World Legacy Awards
International award where applicants are judged on environmental commitment, sensitivity to environmental issues, cultural sensitivity and cultural benefits and leadership and innovation Includes a general category of general purpose hotels and resorts

European Sustainable Tourism Prize
This EU award is divided into public and private iniatives for sustainable tourism. The general objective of the Project is to foster the integration between tourism and environmental strategies.

The Federated Hospitality Association of South Africa FEDHASA Imvelo Awards 2003 The Imvelo Awards enable hospitality and tourism businesses to illustrate their commitment to responsible tourism and to showcase their economic, social and environmental achievements.

Federation of Hotel and Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI)
Environmental Champion of the year award for large hotels and also small hotels and restaurants
Email: fhrai@vsnl.com

HotelSpec European Hotel Design Award
Recognizes design excellence in the European hospitality sector.
Email: clare.martin@nexusmedia.com

ITB Sustainable Tourism Best Paper Award

IH&RA (International Hotel and Restaurant Association) – Green Hotelier of the Year
Promotes environmental awareness among hotels and recognise the efforts being made to "green" the industry from within

IMEX Environmentally Responsible Meetings Award
Recognizes environmental excellence within the international meetings industry
Email: carina@imex-frankfurt.com

Green Meeting industry Council
Three green awards for greening and community efforts within the hospitality industry.

Orange National Business Awards
Environmental Awareness Award that recognizes UK businesses who demonstrate outstanding environmental performance and innovation

Queens Award for Enterprise in Sustainable Development
The Queen's award for for sustainable development recognises business units which have made outstanding advances or have a high level of continuous achievemen, in the environmental and social impacts included in sustainable development.

PATA (Pacific Asia Travel Association) Gold Award
For PATA member organizations and chapters the awards are presented in four categories: Environment, Marketing, Education and Training and Heritage and Culture. The Environment award has the following categories: ecotourism/travel-related project, corporate environmental programmes and environmental education programme
Email: paveena@pata.th.com

Royal Destination Award
A European award in collaboration with Destilink to recognise'state of the art' destinations which contribute to sustainable tourism development.

Skål International Ecotourism Awards
Skål is a professional organisation of tourism leaders around the world, promoting global tourism and friendship. Skål International today has approximately 25,000 members in more than 525 Clubs throughout 80 nations. The first Club was founded in 1932 in Paris by travel managers, following an educational tour of Scandinavia.

Smithsonian Magazine/TCF Sustainable Tourism Award
Consisting of two awards , the Award for Preservation is given annually to a person, company or institution that supports preservation or restoration of historic or culturally significant entities. The recipient must demonstrate a clear connection between their endeavors and tourism. The Award for Conservation is given annually to a person, company or institution in honor of work that enhances or conserves the physical environment. The recipient must demonstrate a clear connection between their endeavors and tourism.

Stockholm Industry Water Award
Recognizes companies internationally that have shown excellence in freshwater consumption reduction, pollution elimination or innovative programmes, polices or products

The Federated Hospitality Association of South Africa FEDHASA Imvelo Awards 2003
For hospitality and tourism businesses to illustrate their commitment to responsible tourism and to showcase their economic, social and environmental achievements.

TO!DO
International contest on socially responsible tourism. This worldwide award recognizes tourism projects which take into consideration the needs and interests of the local population

More about island issues and tourism

International Network for the Sustainable Development of Coastal Tourism Destinations
This is a web-based mechanism aimed at facilitating the transfer of knowledge and the exchange of experiences generated by organizations in the different sectors. Currently the International Knowledge Resources Guide is functional, containing about 100 initial files with information on selected organizations, destinations and documents that can be accessed through different ways of search.
Awards for Improving the Coastal Environment: The Example of the Blue Flag (1997)
[PDF] Coastal tourism, environment, and sustainable local development
ICLEI Local Agenda 21 - coastal tourism
Coastal resorts and Sustainable Tourism Project - Bournemouth and Torquay
Small Island Developing States Network (SIDS)
UN Philippines Project
Australian Government - Manual for Sustainable Coastal Development
Baltic Sea Declaration

To read about some consulting projects that relate to sustainable tourism click here

The Icarus Foundation is a not-for-profit environmental, policy, research and education organization focused on sustaining a climate friendly tourism industry. Learn more and get involved.

Flying is the most carbon intensive way to travel. 'Aviation at present accounts for 2-3 % of greenhouse gases and generates nearly as much carbon dioxide in one year as the total population of Africa.' (source: IIPC, 2004). It is estimated that air emissions are 2-4x that of air emissions and air travel is expected to become 8% of the total contribution to greenhouse gas emissions by 2020.

Read about the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change tourism case studies here and the Trouble with Air Travel and Trees (IIED, 2007)
The aviation industry is a small - although fast-growing - contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, but per kilometre its impact outstrips that of any other form of transport. This paper examines whether carbon offsetting a viable green solution to the problem.

The best way to reduce emissions is to adopt more sustainable practices in energy, water and waste - reduce, reuse, recycle - however, whatever cannot be reduced can be offset. Projects vary from tree planting to investment in renewable energy sources and offset companies offer different tonne calculations and projects. Some organisations to consider include::
Friends of the Earth Carbon Calculator
My Climate
Climate Care
Carbon Neutral
Carbon-Offsets Ltd.
Offsetters

A number of companies are offsetting their emissions. Silverjet airlines is the first airline to go carbon neutral. Westjet in Canada has partnered with Offsetters and Expedia and Travelocity also offer offsetting through their website in partnership with Terrapass. As an individual or business, you can offset your travel and reduce your ecological footprint.