Destination Think’s Post

Madison, Wisconsin is leading the way in encouraging sustainable transportation with innovative programs that leverage technology, business partnerships, and gamification. These initiatives encourage cycling, ridesharing, and public transit, offering rewards for logging non-car miles, matching commuters with transportation options, and providing discounts on bike rentals and at local businesses. Learn how these programs are making an impact: https://lnkd.in/ggcH4ms6 Destination Madison #100TravelInnovations #SustainableTransportation

As we heard in this week's podcast, the travel industry has the potential to create more equitable outcomes for local communities, including marginalized groups. The WORTH Association is also working on equity, specifically relating to women in tourism and hospitality. Through networking, skills building, mentorship, and other events and resources, WORTH challenges the gender pay gap, lack of advancement opportunities, retention challenges, and more to empower women and women-identifying individuals to build a tourism industry career. Learn more about the organization: https://lnkd.in/gNhchxTT Which organizations in your community are doing a great job at empowering marginalized groups? What can they teach other destinations?

How can travel help create more equitable communities? An exciting new report, set to be published next week by the The Travel Foundation, with Destination Think as the lead sponsor and contributing partner, and the NBTC Netherlands Board of Tourism & Conventions as the destination sponsor, delves into strategies that advance equity in tourism. Ben Lynam, Head of Communications at the Travel Foundation and Bernadett Papp, Senior Researcher at the European Tourism Futures Institute joined us on the Travel Beyond podcast this week to share early insights on the report and discuss how destinations can use tourism as a catalyst for local equity solutions. Tune in to Travel Beyond to learn more. https://lnkd.in/gbGhxe-j

We've learned how The Travel Corporation is accelerating decarbonization through insetting. Much Better Adventures is another great example of a travel business that's committed to lowering their carbon footprint with a goal to reduce emissions to 17 kg/customer/night by 2030. While they use offsets as part of their Climate Action Plan, the company acknowledges the limitations of an individual approach and the need for systemic changes by contributing to wider tourism industry campaigns. Their business model is also impressive, with 76% of revenue staying local, thanks to partnerships with local businesses that help reduce economic leakage. https://lnkd.in/gT9Ujv7f

Incorporating community values into destination development. In Inuvik, Nunavut, an old ice rink turned greenhouse is more than just a creative solution—it’s a powerful blend of innovation and traditional knowledge aimed at maintaining food security and self-sufficiency in one of the world’s most challenging environments. Be inspired by food solutions (and culinary tourism) in the north. https://lnkd.in/gbHYT4VZ

How can travel businesses accelerate real decarbonization through insetting? The Travel Corporation's Carbon Fund provides an innovative, results-driven model for implementing decarbonization strategies. Led by Shannon Guihan, Chief Sustainability Officer, the company's sustainability efforts have pushed its entire portfolio beyond traditional carbon offsetting to achieve measurable decarbonization. Curious about the difference between offsetting and insetting? Tune into Travel Beyond to learn more, along with tips for getting your C-suite on board with meaningful climate action. https://lnkd.in/gzga33AU

A few weeks ago on the Travel Beyond podcast, we learned about the unique challenges Banff & Lake Louise Tourism faces alongside the tourism industry operating within Banff National Park, which is mandated to conserve the environment while inviting the world to visit. Similarly, Kruger National Park in South Africa grapples with competing demands. Research from 2014 concluded that mass tourism to the park would need to be rethought if it was to have a sustainable future. A key takeaway resonates globally: “If the quality of the experience is below that expected by tourists, their consequent unfavourable word-of-mouth reports will adversely affect future earnings from the park.” https://lnkd.in/g_gktCnv

Again, Copenhagen leads the way in meaningful destination strategy You might have missed it amid all the World Tourism Day excitement, but Wonderful Copenhagen has just launched a new strategy called "Copenhagen, All Inclusive." In doing so, they've sent a clear message that travel needs to be good for society and the planet to succeed. And they've outlined what that means. For Denmark's capital city, "all inclusive" means openly addressing both the negative and positive impacts of tourism. The new strategy focuses on three primary goals: ✅ Accelerating the green transition locally and globally ✅ Creating enriching encounters and lasting value ✅ Creating larger socioeconomic value for more people "Copenhagen, All Inclusive" charts a course to not only make the city a global leader in sustainable tourism, but also to urge other destinations to follow suit in transforming the industry for the better. Our team is proud to have contributed to this project, and we send congratulations to Mikkel Aarø-Hansen, Rikke Holm Petersen, and the rest of the Wonderful Copenhagen team for their accomplishment. https://lnkd.in/d4jR65qi

100 innovations building a better travel future. Many of the solutions to the tourism industry’s biggest challenges already exist. That’s why the Destination Think team has spent months researching and gathering the best of them. 100 Travel Innovations brings together tangible solutions from travel destinations and organizations across 35 countries and six continents, inspiring travellers and industry leaders to shape a more sustainable future for travel. Tune in to Travel Beyond to learn about how the innovations were curated and the impact that is possible when solutions are shared. Featuring @Sara Raymond de Booy from Destination Think and @Todd Montgomery, Director of the OSU Sustainable Tourism Lab. #100TravelInnovations

24 Hours of Travel Innovation is still on for a few more days, but in case you missed the launch: On World Tourism Day, Destination Think and travel industry leaders came together to celebrate how tourism can shape a brighter future. Destinations from around the globe shared solutions already in place to tackle some of the world's toughest challenges, showcasing how the industry is uniquely positioned to drive positive change. We also launched 100 Travel Innovations – stories focused on responsible tourism, climate action, and cultural preservation. Attendees also enjoyed an exclusive preview of Travel Beyond, a short film that highlights some of the world’s most inspiring travel solutions. The short film and The 24 Hours of Travel Innovation event will be available until October 3. Register below for instant access. https://lnkd.in/gNQZkTZx #WorldTourismDay #100TravelInnovations