The 2nd Annual Edition
Curated into one document, the Destination Stewardship Yearbook is a compilation of articles from the 2021–2022 Destination Stewardship Report (DSR), quarterly issues co-produced by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), Center for Responsible Travel (CREST), and Destination Stewardship Center (DSC).
What’s Inside
- Featured certified destinations — Examples of certified destinations that are embedding long-term stewardship into planning and management, including Wagrain‑Kleinarl, Sentosa, Resorts World Sentosa (Singapore), and Thredbo Resort. These profiles highlight how certification supports strategic decision-making and stakeholder engagement.
- Holistic destination management — Case studies illustrating integrated governance and community involvement, such as stewardship councils in Sedona, collaborative planning in Snæfellsnes Peninsula, and regeneration efforts in the Pennsylvania Wilds.
- Preserving nature & cultural heritage — Destinations prioritizing conservation and cultural integrity, including natural protection in Palau and Indigenous tourism models like those of the Nisga’a.
- Building resilience through collaboration & governance — Stories on strengthening governance partnerships, such as cooperative efforts on Jeju Island and community leadership in Himalayan villages.
- Building back better — Examples of how destinations are responding to overtourism and disruption, including sustainable planning in Dubrovnik and recovery initiatives in Vanuatu.
What experience, lesson, or innovation can you share that might inspire or guide others? We’d love to hear your story — reach out to us with your ideas!
About the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC)
The Global Sustainable Tourism Council® (GSTC) establishes and manages global standards for sustainable travel and tourism, known as the GSTC Standards. There are five sets: The GSTC Destination Standard for public policy-makers and destination managers, the GSTC Hotel Standard for hotels and accommodations, the GSTC Tour Operator Standard, the GSTC MICE Standard for Venues, Event Organizers, and Events & Exhibitions, and the GSTC Attraction Standard for tourist attractions such as theme parks, museums, and national parks. They are the result of a worldwide effort to develop a common language about sustainability in tourism.
The GSTC Standards form the foundation Accreditation for Certification Bodies that certify hotels/accommodations, tour operators/transport providers, and destinations as having sustainable policies and practices in place. GSTC does not directly certify any products or services; but provides an accreditation program to accredit Certification Bodies.
The GSTC is an independent and neutral organization, legally registered in the USA as a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that represents a diverse and global membership, including national and provincial governments, leading travel companies, hotels, tour operators, NGO’s, individuals and communities – all striving to achieve best practices in sustainable tourism. It is a virtual organization without a main office, with staff and volunteers working from all six populated continents. Financial support from donations, sponsorship, and membership fees allows us to provide services at low costs and to create, revise, and make available the GSTC Standards. The GSTC is an ISEAL Community Member, a global membership organization for ambitious, collaborative, and transparent sustainability systems; as well as an Association Member of The International Accreditation Forum (IAF) and an Associate Member with the InterAmerican Accreditation Cooperation (IAAC).
About the Center for Responsible Travel (CREST)
The Center for Responsible Travel (CREST)is a global nonprofit organization based in Washington, DC dedicated to increasing the positive global impact of responsible tourism. CREST provides evidence-based research and analysis to governments, policymakers, tourism businesses, nonprofit organizations, and international agencies to solve the most pressing problems confronting tourism, the world’s largest service industry. CREST initially focused on the role of small-scale ecotourism in empowering communities and conserving precious resources. Over time, our work has evolved to consider how all tourism can be more responsibly planned, developed, and managed across all sectors and geographies. Through innovative field projects, research, consultancies, and advocacy, CREST is taking action to address our world’s key threats to securing a sustainable future.
About the Destination Stewardship Center (DSC)
The Destination Stewardship Center (DSC) is a volunteer nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting the world’s distinctive places by supporting wisely managed tourism and enlightened destination stewardship. Founded as a program at the National Geographic Society, the DSC gathers and provides information on how tourism can help and not harm the natural, cultural, and social quality of destinations around the world. We seek to build a global community and knowledge network for advancing this goal.
