The Toolkit for Tourism Destination Management, developed by Etifor (a University of Padova spin-off), adapts the European Tourism Indicator System (ETIS) to offer a practical, stakeholder-driven guide for sustainable destination management. It equips local leaders with hands-on tools to monitor, evaluate, and improve sustainability in tourism destinations.
What’s Inside the Toolkit?
- Step-by-Step Guide
The toolkit begins with a seven-step roadmap: from raising awareness and forming stakeholder groups, to implementing and communicating monitoring results. It helps destinations build ownership and capacity around sustainability. - Core & Optional Indicators
It outlines 27 core and 40 supplementary indicators covering environmental, socio-cultural, economic, and governance metrics. Destinations decide which metrics to prioritize based on local needs. - Support Resources
The toolkit includes templates like data sheets, stakeholder surveys, profile forms, and communication plans—all designed to ease implementation. - Stakeholder Engagement
A local “destination champion” coordinates the process by mobilizing DMOs, tourism boards, municipality officials, businesses, and NGOs to collaborate.
Why It Matters
- Local Control & Buy-In
The toolkit encourages shared decision-making, ensuring that sustainability efforts reflect community values and priorities. - Adaptability & Relevance
Destinations choose indicators that address their unique challenges: overtourism, resource management, or cultural impact. - Continuous Improvement
Regular monitoring enables data-driven actions. By sharing outcomes publicly, destinations can refine strategies and build trust.
How It Works?
- Raise Awareness: Local stakeholders and communities are first informed about the toolkit and invited to participate.
- Define Destination Scope: Boundaries and baseline conditions are established using destination profiles to align goals.
- Form Stakeholder Group: A multi-sector working group forms, with roles assigned to ensure collaboration.
- Collect Data & Monitor: Indicator data is gathered and analyzed using provided tools to track sustainability performance.
- Communicate Results: Findings are shared through public communication plans to garner support and drive continual improvement.
Broader Benefits
Adopting the ETIS-based Toolkit helps destinations:
- Balance tourism growth with environmental stewardship and cultural protection
- Improve visitor experiences through well-informed management
- Strengthen trust among residents by integrating their input into planning
- Benchmark performance and connect with wider EU sustainability initiatives
As more European destinations implement ETIS, the toolkit supports a unified approach to sustainable tourism across the region.
In Conclusion
Etifor’s Tourism Destination Management Toolkit turns the ETIS framework into a ready-to-use resource that empowers local leaders and stakeholders to reach sustainable destination management. With clear indicators, practical tools, and stakeholder engagement, it aligns tourism with long-term social, environmental, and economic objectives.