The National Geographic ’ s Center for Sustainable Destinations

2. The National Geographic’sCenter for Sustainable Destinations CSD Mission: To protect and enhance the world’s distinctive places through wisely managed tourism and enlightened destination stewardship. Core concept for achieving the mission:geotourism

3. GEOTOURISM: Now, celebrate the place • UNSUSTAINABLE TOURISM: • • Overcrowding • • Lower quality of experience • • Loss of distinctiveness • • Erosion of culture and environment Tourism and sustainability SUSTAINABLE TOURISM:First, do no harm.

4. geotourism Tourism that sustains or enhances the geographical characterof a place— its environment, culture, aesthetics, heritage, and the well-being of its residents.

5. GEOTOURISM Cultural tourism Sightseeing Heritage tourism Local cuisine ECOTOURISM:nature Agri-tourism Indigenous tourism From eco- to geo- Manage tourism so that it pays to protect the place, not destroy it. All place-based types of tourism =the ENTIRE destination

6. FLORA AND FAUNA

7. HISTORY

8. ARCHAEOLOGY

9. GEOLOGY

10. TRADITIONAL ARCHITECTURE

11. LOCAL MUSIC

12. CUISINE

13. LOCAL CRAFTS

14. ARTS

15. Going Beyond Green: Why Geotourism? Geotourism is: • Holistic - because sustainability is about more than just the environment: it incorporates culture and heritage • Place-based - this grassroots strategy works from the bottom up, requiring the participation of the people who know the place best - its residents • Marketable - Geotourism can create financial incentives for good destination stewardship, which in turn generates more interest - and spending - by tourists • Competitive - Geotourism emphasizes, enhances and encourages development of the most unique aspects of a destination, making it a more desirable place

16. And most of all… Geotourism engages tourists, who have a more authentic experience… and residents, who gain a deeper appreciation for what makes their place unique

17. The Geotourists

18. The Geotourism Charter A set of principles to promote sustainable tourism and enlightened destination stewardship

19. 1. Integrity of place 2. International codes 3. Market selectivity 4. Product diversity 5. Tourist satisfaction 6. Community involvement 7. Community benefit 8. Protection and enhancement of destination appeal 9. Use land wisely 10. Conservation of resources 11. Planning 12. Interactive interpretation 13. Evaluation TheGeotourismPrinciples

20. A Geotourism Strategy• Identify• Sustain • Develop • Market geotourism assets

21. Monterey Bay Aquarium, Monterey, CA

22. Bread and Puppet Theater, Glover, VT

23. Restored Farmhouse, Norway

24. Fish Salting Demonstration, Nova Scotia

25. Set up a Geotourism Stewardship Council that includes: Community organizations for. . . • Historic preservation • Nature and ecotourism • Traditional performing arts, artisanry and crafts • Farm/restaurant programs • Beautification/aesthetics • Indigenous and minority groups • Urban renewal • Local government • Tourism and local business expertise • Tourism promotion • Other characteristics of the place

26. Geotourism Stewardship Councils… • Arizona GSC …get involved with a project - Geotourism MapGuide, festival, or other program. • Sonora GSC

27. Celebrate Authenticity Tell great stories. Enhance sense of place through: • Geotourism Charter signing, • Establishment of a Stewardship Council, • Sustainable private enterprise, • Conservation and preservation • Civic participation

28. Vermont Northeast Kingdom Project

29. www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/sustainable/

30. The geotourism test: Are we sustaining or enhancing the character of our place?