Global top 100 destinations to be unveiled

The annual Sustainable Destination Report, to be released shortly, will reveal the global top 100 sustainable destinations and the latest keys to sustainable destination success.

In December, Green Destinations and Totem Tourism will publish the Sustainable Destinations Global Top 100, exactly 5 years after National Geographic’s global rating of 133 destinations.

The list will partly consist of destinations that have already been fully assessed through the Global Sustainable Tourism Review (GSTR), making use of the Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria for Destinations (GSTC-D).

This new initiative has been taken by Valere Tjolle (TravelMole, VISION for Sustainable Tourism, Totem Tourism) and Albert Salman (Green Destinations), to encourage public and private stakeholders around the globe to adopt more sustainable tourism practices; and to take their responsibility for green, clean, authentic, and social tourism destinations, together with a responsible business sector.

The 2014 list will be compiled in consultation with a selection panel of 30 experts representing international programmes and organisations for tourism and sustainability. Randy Durband, CEO of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), has accepted the role as Special Adviser in the creation of the Top 100.

TotemTourism and Green Destinations are also calling upon the global community to nominate destinations that they believe are among the 100 most sustainable destinations.

Nominations can be received until 31 October, 12:00 CET. Please contact [email protected] for the Nomination Form and for a memo on the criteria and methodology.

Why is sustainability (economic, cultural, social and environmental) so important? Because, in the report’s view all the following can come from a successful inbound tourism industry:

Local tourism prosperity & sustainable destination structure & maximum financial revenue from tourism & high level of local pride & quality, well paid local tourism-related employment, & a multitude of opportunities for new businesses, self-employment, SMMEs and SMEs in many diverse business sectors & opportunities to maximize cultural and social initiatives … and a positive economic, cultural, social and environmental legacy for forthcoming generations.

In other words tourism which helps to create a great place to live and a good place to visit.

The Sustainable Destination Report is published to assist destinations of all sorts – small, medium, large, coastal rural or city to achieve sustainable success and all of the benefits that come with it.

Apart from the World’s 100 top sustainable destinations, and their reasons for success, the report will include…

Using video, infographics and other multimedia methods to highlight massive opportunities for destinations, the report will focus on the proven methods that destinations can use, and gain tangible results from immediately

How to create a successful, sustainable and financially strong destination structure

Getting value-added tourism through Quality Sustainable Standards for your tourism providers.

Engaging with the global travel trade to deliver maximum destination benefits

How to be a FoodieDestination, a BookieDestination, a MusicDestination, a WalkingDestination, a SoftAdventureDestination, a SportsDestination, and many more profitable niches

How to maximize the value of internal and external destination marketing

Bringing ultra-high value tourism to any destination and getting maximum benefits from it.

The Sustainable Destination Report 2014 will be published in a few weeks. The report will cost UK£150 €185 US$255 To reserve yours now and get it immediately on publication email: [email protected]

The Sustainable Tourism Report Suite 2014 is supported by: Amstel Botel, Cape Town Tourism, Discover Ltd, Green Tourism, EUCC Quality Coast, GreenGrowth.travel, Innovation Norway and Thomas Cook Ltd.

What they say about the Sustainable Tourism Report Suite:

"The suite of reports is brilliant." Dr Angela M Benson Principal Lecturer  – Sustainable Tourism Development  Adjunct Associate Professor University of Canberra, Australia

"What a great read!" Greenloons USA

"It provides a both comprehensive and detailed approach focussing in particular on destinations." Lorenz Töpperwien @tourBlogging

"A refreshing and no-nonsense guide to understanding sustainable tourism" Cherie McClosker, advocate of Phillipines Fair Trade:

"A must-read for those working in sustainability and for colleagues that you’re seeking to engage."   Simon Pickup Sustainable Tourism Manager – ABTA

"Struck just the right balance between informing on international policy development; the latest trends in sustainable tourism practice and innovative developments in the private sector."  Cape Town Tourism

"The most comprehensive resource of its kind." Chris McHugo Chairman Discover Ltd owners of the Kasbah Du Toubkal, Marrakech, Morocco

"Helps us to share interesting and topical issues with our teams world-wide," Jo Hendricks, Sustainable Destinations Manager Thomas Cook UK & Ireland

"Something for everyone – whatever their size and wherever they are on the sustainability continuum." Eva McDiarmid The Association of Scottish Visitor Attractions