Good practices
The New Frontier of Sustainable Tourism in Tuscany
Tuscany has long been a global tourism icon, known for its Renaissance art, rolling hills, and vibrant culture. Yet, it has also faced overtourism in spots like Florence and Pisa. In response, Toscana Promozione is leading “a new frontier of...
Promoting Green Tourism in Slovenia: A National Blueprint
Slovenia has emerged as a global leader in sustainable tourism through its pioneering Green Scheme of Slovenian Tourism, launched in 2012 under the national brand Slovenia Green. This certification programme unites destinations, accommodations, attractions, restaurants, agencies, parks, and beaches in...
Sustainable Tourism Destinations Management
Effective management of sustainable tourism destinations requires shifting from short-term economic gain to long-term environmental protection, community well-being, and cultural preservation. A Shift Toward Long-Term Sustainability Historically, the focus was largely on maximizing tourist numbers and economic benefits - often...
GSTC Criteria: Setting Global Standards for Sustainable Tourism
The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), founded in 2010 by UN agencies, WWF, UNEP, and others, leads the way in establishing global standards for sustainable travel and tourism. These standards—called the GSTC Criteria—define the minimum expectations for environmental, social, cultural,...
Charter for Sustainable Tourism in Bulgaria
On 2 April 2024, Bulgaria’s Ministry of Environment and Water (MoEW) and Ministry of Tourism, alongside leaders from the Bulgarian Tourist Chamber, BlueLink Information Network, the Association of Parks in Bulgaria, Bulgarian Association for Alternative Tourism, and other key stakeholders,...
Gran Canaria – A Sustainable Biosphere Destination
In January 2024, the island of Gran Canaria officially received the prestigious Biosphere Destination certification - recognizing its commitment to sustainable tourism and its alignment with the UN 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. It ranks among the top 15 European destinations...
Eco‑tourism – a Sustainable Chain in Northern Sweden
In January 2022, the Interreg Europe platform presented the “Eco‑tourism – a sustainable chain” as a success story from Övre Norrland, Sweden. Faced with growing interest from eco-conscious travelers, local tourism businesses discovered a critical challenge: a lack of locally...
Cruise Tourism Industry & City of Dubrovnik
On 24 July 2019, the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) and the City of Dubrovnik signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding to foster sustainable tourism and effective visitor management in one of Croatia’s most iconic destinations. Key Commitments under the...
Äksyt Ämmät Oy: Responsible Travel in North Karelia
Äksyt Ämmät Oy, also known internationally as Green Finn Tour Operator, is a fully licensed tour agency and DMC based in Nurmes, North Karelia, Finland, offering eco-conscious, responsible travel experiences since the mid‑1990s. Äksyt Ämmät focuses on experiences that tread lightly...
North Downs Way Trail: Embracing Modern Pilgrimage
The North Downs Way National Trail is a 246 km route following a medieval pilgrim path from Canterbury to Winchester (later extended to Dover). Officially recognised as a National Trail in 1978, it traces ancient pilgrim routes to Canterbury Cathedral and...