Sustainable Travel
Tourism that takes full account of its current and future economic, social and environmental impacts, addressing the needs of visitors, the industry, the environment and host communities.
World Trade Organization
ETC has contributed to the advancement of sustainable travel for over two decades. Our Responsible Tourism Showcase and associated monetary awards focused on community-based tourism initiatives. We have included sustainable tourism programming at the annual Conferences and recently, we have expanded sustainable tourism programming tracks and online resources.
The Community-Based Tourism Showcase (formerly Responsible Tourism Showcase)
- Recognized the efforts of ETC members and their partners to develop and implement community-based tourism initiatives
- Was featured as part of ETC’s annual conference.
Building Awareness Through Conference Programming
- Innovative sustainable tourism programming throughout the years – from responsible tourism forums to Destinations Deep Dive sessions
- Dynamic and inspiring speakers/leaders in conservation and sustainability
- Relevant case studies and storytelling illustrating why it is important to offer programs sensitive to sustainable practices
- Resources for travel planners for best practices in their programs and with their travel operators. See the Sustainable Tourism Practices Questionnaire.
The Future of Travel: A United Effort to Make Travel More Sustainable
April 19, 2020, 4-5 p.m. ET
Presenter: Samantha Bray
Panelists: Beth Ray-Schroeder, Michel LaRiviere, Kate Sanders, Andrea Holbrook
Moderator: Andrew Lockwood
Watch Recorded Webinar
Resource List
ETC's Sustainability Committee Toolkit
Duke Travels Sample Marketing
The Sustainability Committee is comprised of ETC members who suggest, review and implement the sustainable tourism track at the annual conferences as well as regional venues.
Committee Members: Beth Ray-Schroeder, Duke University (Chair); Jared Dial, National Parks Conservation Association; Andrew Lockwood, Pacific Islands Institute; Karen Kuttner-Dimitry, Lindblad Expeditions; Kate Sanders, Oregon State University; Karl Egloff, World Wildlife Fund; Andrea Holbrook, Holbrook Travel
ETC has compiled, with industry colleagues and associations, a repository of resources including:
- Options for offsetting the carbon released into the atmosphere by your travel and attendance at ETC’s annual conference: Offsetting Your Carbon Footprint
- Organization managing global standards for sustainable travel and tourism, and acting as the international accreditation body for sustainable tourism certification: Global Sustainable Tourism Council Criteria Overview for sustainable corporate practices (GSTC)
- Marriott CSR overview of Marriott Corporations sustainability protocols
- For policy-based, unbiased academic research: Center for Responsible Travel (CREST)
The Case for Responsible Travel: Trends & Statistics 2018
The Case for Responsible Travel: Trends & Statistics 2017
The Case for Responsible Travel: Trends & Statistics 2016
- ASTA presentation introducing the marketing advantage of sustainable travel, their Green Guide and additional links to industry research: American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA)
- A global community and knowledge hub for tourism professionals interested in the latest trends, strategies and success stories in sustainable tourism: Sustainability Leaders Project
- A series of questions curated specifically for travel planners to ask of their operators and suppliers. The questions are grouped into the key areas of sustainable travel; economic, environmental, and socio-cultural.
- The very useful Guide to Sustainable Travel – 25 tips to support sustainable travel created by Holbrook Travel
ETC has compiled, with industry colleagues and associations, a repository of resources including:
- Options for offsetting the carbon released into the atmosphere by your travel and attendance at ETC’s annual conference: Offsetting Your Carbon Footprint
- Organization managing global standards for sustainable travel and tourism, and acting as the international accreditation body for sustainable tourism certification: Global Sustainable Tourism Council Criteria Overview for sustainable corporate practices (GSTC)
- Marriott CSR overview of Marriott Corporations sustainability protocols
- For policy-based, unbiased academic research: Center for Responsible Travel (CREST)
The Case for Responsible Travel: Trends & Statistics 2018
The Case for Responsible Travel: Trends & Statistics 2017
The Case for Responsible Travel: Trends & Statistics 2016
- ASTA presentation introducing the marketing advantage of sustainable travel, their Green Guide and additional links to industry research: American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA)
- A global community and knowledge hub for tourism professionals interested in the latest trends, strategies and success stories in sustainable tourism: Sustainability Leaders Project
- A series of questions curated specifically for travel planners to ask of their operators and suppliers. The questions are grouped into the key areas of sustainable travel; economic, environmental, and socio-cultural.
- The very useful Guide to Sustainable Travel – 25 tips to support sustainable travel created by Holbrook Travel
