Success Stories in Sustainable Tourism: Best Practices That Transform Destinations
Today, sustainability has become a fundamental pillar across all industries, and the tourism sector is no exception. This sector is seizing the opportunity to adapt to new trends and consumer demands, as well as to the objectives set out in the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), promoting a green economy.
Within this green economy framework, sustainable tourism emerges as a key strategy that goes beyond the environmentally conscious traveler. It is a model where the destination, acting as the host, aims to meet the needs of visitors and industries while preserving natural and cultural resources without compromising future generations.
The United Nations (UN) outlines three core principles for sustainable tourism:
- Make optimal use of environmental resources.
- Respect the sociocultural authenticity of communities, including architecture and traditions, among others.
- Ensure long-term economic activities that help reduce poverty.
In recent years, sustainable tourism has experienced significant growth. According to Statista, the ecotourism market, an integral part of sustainable tourism, reached over $196 billion in 2023. A report by Booking also revealed that 76% of travelers are interested in traveling more sustainably, showing a trend toward more conscious travel. In fact, the same report highlighted that 43% of travelers are willing to pay more for travel options with sustainable certification, emphasizing the importance for businesses and hotel chains to invest in certifications that validate their sustainable practices as a value proposition.
Destinations that adopt sustainable practices not only receive certifications validating their compliance but also gain international recognition as responsible places that value sustainability.
A standout success story in this context is Garden Hotels, a clear example of circular economy and responsible tourism. Their strategy is based on three core pillars: social, economic, and environmental sustainability, all aligned with the 2030 Agenda. According to a 2021 report by Hosteltur, Garden Hotels became the first hotel chain certified for its circular strategy. Among their most notable initiatives is supporting the local economy by sourcing zero-kilometer products and producing compost from organic waste generated at their hotels. This compost is used as fertilizer for agriculture, and the resulting products are then used in the hotel menus, achieving a zero-waste model.
I firmly believe that the tourism sector offers multiple opportunities in each of its areas that can be leveraged by key players to create a win-win scenario for everyone involved.