A Year in Review | Sustainability Leaders Insider December 2023
Sustainability Leaders United
We celebrate & connect sustainability leaders and tourism changemakers – since 2014
Hello, sustainable tourism makers and shapers,
We're thrilled to present the tenth edition of the Sustainability Leaders Insider. As we bid farewell to a transformative year and welcome the promises of the new year, we take pride in reflecting on the content we have crafted during this period.
Join us as we take you through the sustainability initiatives of destinations, executive leadership tips, exclusive interviews, and expert insights from this year.
🇧🇪 Destination Spotlight: Flanders, Belgium
Toerisme Vlaanderen - VISITFLANDERS is spearheading a visionary approach to tourism where sustainability is the cornerstone of every venture intertwining historical richness with forward-thinking sustainability initiatives. The ‘Travel to Tomorrow’ vision encompasses diverse strategies to preserve historical gems like Saint Godeliva Abbey, address cruise tourism’s ecological impact, and transform the business meetings and events industry to be eco-conscious.
Check out how Flanders is ensuring that its tourism offerings are enriching and responsible with its sustainability initiatives and impact stories here.
🏆 Destination Leadership: Executive Briefing
How do Destination Management Organization (DMO) leaders navigate the intricate landscape of destination management, while managing stakeholder expectations and building the resilience of the destination on a day-to-day basis?
Our exclusive Executive Briefing, developed in collaboration with UN Tourism affiliate member Chameleon Strategies , delves into insights and strategies to help new and upcoming DMO leaders successfully steer their destinations toward sustainable destination management.
The Executive Briefing features renowned experts and CEOs who have steered their organizations toward sustainable and regenerative practices like:
⭐ Claim your free copy of the Executive Briefing here
Expert Interviews
Meet Natalia Bayona , the Executive Director of the UN Tourism , reshaping the tourism landscape through innovation and education. Find out how Natalia is diversifying tourism curricula and making education accessible in our latest interview here.
Robin N Boustead ’s passion for adventure and sustainability led him to create the Great Himalaya Trail to promote sustainability and responsible tourism. This initiative is helping protect the environment and the local culture while providing a unique experience for tourists and creating value for all stakeholders involved. Find out how in this interview.
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Nina Boys, Vice President of Sustainability for Beyond Green Travel & PTG Consulting talks about the challenges she faced in promoting sustainability and responsible tourism practices in the industry, how to incorporate sustainability and responsible tourism principles into your travel writing, and the role young entrepreneurs can play in driving positive change in the industry.
🇧🇧 Destination Spotlight: Barbados
Barbados is looking to develop a regenerative tourism model that can provide a sustainable income to the locals while safeguarding its natural and cultural assets from events like climate disasters. On our Barbados Sustainable Tourism Showcase page, we feature interviews with five changemakers who use conservation, regenerative agriculture, sustainable management and marketing, and photography to make a positive impact in the Caribbean island nation.
Changemaker stories
🔹 Dr. Jens Thraenhart , the former CEO of Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc., shares his experience of sustainable tourism management and marketing and presents the Be Bajan concept, a smart combination of place brand development and community-centered, authentic travel promotion.
🔹 Ché Greenidge , Executive Director of the Barbados Environmental Conservation Trust , talks about the challenges facing small island nations like Barbados and how her organization measures the success of its sustainability initiatives.
🔹 Mahmood Patel, founder of Coco Hill Forest, shares his agrotourism journey, sustainability challenges facing Barbados, and ways to strengthen the local economy by working directly with local farmers and community members.
🔹 Ronnie Carrington , Managing Director of Carrington PhotoAdventures, discusses how he incorporates sustainability practices into his photography and video productions and shares the necessary steps toward a more sustainable future.
🔹 Lastly, Ian McNeel, Founder of Walkers Reserve and The Local Barbados restaurant, talks about his passion for regenerative practices and Barbados as a destination firmly committed to sustainable development.
Expert Insights
At the beginning of 2023, we asked our panel of sustainable tourism experts which tourism businesses and destinations inspired them with innovative regenerative tourism and sustainability practices. Find out which destinations made it to the list here.
As we look back on another eventful year, we're curious to know your perspective. Which destination, in your opinion, is an inspiration in championing sustainable tourism? We would love to hear of other destinations from you in the comments below!
We also asked our panel of sustainable tourism experts which trends will dominate the field of sustainable tourism in 2023, and we received many interesting responses.
Which hot topics or trends, do you think, will dominate the sustainable tourism agenda in 2024?
📚 Further reading
Visit our updated website at sustainability-leaders.com for more destination showcases, sustainable tourism insights, and best practices on sustainability in the tourism and hospitality industry.
Thank you for reading, and see you next year!
Publisher, Sustainability Leaders United