Arctic Program: Linking Tourism and Conservation in the
Arctic
http://www.ngo.grida.no/wwfap/core/about/linking_tourism_conservati.html
Arctic
Awards, certification systems, publications, updates,
workshops, and news from this World Wildlife Fund project that
collaborates with local Arctic businesses to implement WWF
Codes of Conduct (in several languages).
Big Volcano
www.bigvolcano.com.au/ercentre/ercpage.htm
This
Australian site provides a collection of ecotourism and
sustainable tourism research papers, website links, codes of
practice, and a bookstore.
Business Enterprises for Sustainable Travel (BEST)
http://www.sustainabletravel.org/
An
initiative of the Conference Board in cooperation with WTTC,
BEST encourages sustainable practices travel companies. The
site presents best practices and relevant publications; a mailing list updates the best-practices
series on individual companies.
Caribbean Alliance for Sustainable Tourism
(CAST)
http://www.cha-cast.net/
A subsidiary of
the Caribbean Hotel Association, with members from private,
government, scientific, and conservation organizations. Helps
Caribbean travel businesses manage environmental resources in
a sustainable way. The site lists programs, publications, and
assistance available through CAST. The Island Resource
Foundation runs an online discussion group for CAST. Public
archive.
Cooperative Research Centre: Sustainable
Tourism
http://www.crctourism.com.au/
Funded by
the Australian government, this useful site contains research
reports, publications, and information on projects and
policies regarding sustainable tourism in Australia.
Cultures on the Edge
http://www.culturesontheedge.org/
A
quarterly online magazine discusses issues of cultural
diversity, including in its “Learn” section articles on
impacts of tourism development.
Ecoportal
Panamerica Ecotravel Center
http://ecoportal.panamerica.com
The
first and unique Ecoportal in Latinamerica for ecotourism trips to the
world’s biodiversity hotspots.
Ecoportal Venezuela Ecotravel Center
http://ecoportal.venezuela.com
The
first and unique Ecoportal in Venezuela for ecotourism trips to the
world’s biodiversity hotspots-more than 120 sections
widest in Latinamerica.
ECOTRANS—European Network for Sustainable
Development
www.eco-tip.org/default.htm
This
German-based site presents sustainable-tourism issues,
certification progams, and lists of award-winning
accommodations, tour operators, and others. Forum on seeking a
common standard for European ecolabels.
Greentour
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Greentour
Forum
for networking and discussing sustainable ecotourism and
adventure travel. Run by the UK-based nonprofit organization
Conserve Africa International (CAI). Subscribers post
information on forthcoming events, conferences, new
publications, websites, training sources, job announcements,
fundraising opportunities. Members-only archives.
Green Travel
http://www.green-travel.com/
Marcus
Endicott’s directory of green-travel resources on the Internet
organized by region and topic. It also provides one of the oldest online forums for discussion of
sustainable tourism.
Hawaii Ecotourism Association
www.hawaiiecotourism.org/index.htm
Dedicated
to responsible tourism in Hawaii, this site provides
information and a resource network for professionals.
International Centre for Responsible Tourism
www.zoo.co.uk/~z0007842/icrtlibrarylinks.htm
Harold
Goodwin's site has links to reports, working papers, training
programs, conferences, international initiatives, tour
operator initiatives, and pertinent destinations.
International Hotels Environment Initiative
http://www.ihei.org/
This network of
hotel companies demonstrates the business benefits of
environmentally responsible decisions. The site provides
environmental resources, guidelines, publications, and a hotel
benchmarking tool.
International Institute for Peace through Tourism
(IIPT)
http://www.iipt.org/
IIPT organizes
conferences and initiatives for peace through tourism. The
site gives links to past and future conference programs, which
discuss social and environmental aspects of tourism.
Island Resources Foundation
http://www.irf.org/
Based in St. Thomas,
U.S. Virgin Islands, this research, education, and
conservation organization provides publications,
bibliographies, and papers on island tourism issues.
NativeWeb
www.nativeweb.org/resources/travel_tourism
This
international organization disseminates information from and
about indigenous peoples. The site’s tourism section links to
appropriate organizations and resources.
Planeta.com
www2.planeta.com/mader
Ron Mader’s
extensive, complex site centers on ecotourism in Latin America
with news articles, book reviews, and scholarly reports, but
it also contains much pertaining to sustainable tourism
worldwide with Internet sources and various online forums and
conferences. The large public mailing list updates 6-8 times a
month. Online conferences include Ecotourism Certification and the International Year of Ecotourism.
Task Force on Tourism and Protected Areas
wcpa.iucn.org/theme/tourism/tourism.html
This
program of the World Commission on Protected Areas presents
management guidelines, best practice models, and tourism
management theory.
Tearfund: Tourism Campaign
http://www.tearfund.org/
This U.K.
Christian nonprofit coordinates a Right to Know campaign,
helping travelers make informed choices when purchasing tour
packages.
Tourism Concern
http://www.tourismconcern.org.uk/
This
UK-based group supplies news, articles, statistics, codes, and
hyperlinks about tourism impacts on communities and the
environment. You can buy a bibliography of materials through
the site. Rich but roughly organized.
Travel Mole
www.travelmole.com/news/index.html
A site
for travel industry news with a section on sustainable travel.
Free access, short registration form.
Tourism Watch
www.tourism-watch.de/home_gb/
[In German]
Established by the German Protestant Church, this nonprofit
offers training programs and solidarity initiatives pertaining
to Third World tourism. Quarterly magazines, seminars,
research, and reports.
World Heritage Information Network
www.wcmc.org.uk/whin/index.html
Information
on the natural and cultural sites on UNESCO’s World Heritage
list.
World Parks Congress
wcpa.iucn.org/wpc/staging/about.html
The
World Commission on Protected Areas (its formal name) provides
information regarding the global forum held once in a decade,
this time in Durban, South Africa, on 8-17 September 2003,
including the agenda, past congresses, and news bulletins.
Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF): Tourism
Program
www.wwf.org.uk/researcher/programmethemes/Tourism/index.asp
This
international conservation group facilitates responsible
tourism programs worldwide. The site provides publications,
news, reports (such as "Holiday Footprinting"), and tourism
principles/certification links.
Sustainable-tourism Assistance—General
How-to
Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf
www.audubonintl.org/programs/acss/golf.htm
Assistance
in making golf courses eco-friendly, through case studies, a
managed lands database, golf and environment research
database, special projects, and events
Blue Flag
http://www.blueflag.org/
A certification
program for environmentally clean beaches and marinas in
Europe.
Certification in Sustainable Tourism program
http://www.turismo-sostenible.co.cr/
The
Costa Rican Tourism Institute presents a certification program
for the lodging industry, with inquisitive online
self-evaluations for lodgings. Also provides a directory of
hotels, allowing visitors to search by certification level,
province, and hotel type.
Green Globe 21
http://www.greenglobe21.com/
Green Globe
21, an initiative of WTTC, provides corporate and destination
management systems, with certification, that promote
sustainable tourism. The site’s ECoNETT tool provides
extensive information on tourism and environmental issues.
Green Hotels Association
http://www.greenhotels.com/
The
organization promotes and supports the “greening” of the
lodging industry. It has members from the U.S, Europe, the
Caribbean and Latin America. Managers of hotels from all types
and categories can benefit from the association’s services by
obtaining suggestions and ideas on how to reduce their impact
on the environment.
Green Seal
http://www.greenseal.org/
An independent
nonprofit organization promoting the manufacturing and sale of
environmentally responsible consumer products. It has
partnered with the American Hotel & Motel Association in
the development of a lodging certification program and a
publication called Greening Your Property.
Hotel Benchmarking Tool
http://www.benchmarkhotel.com/
Helps
hotels improve environmental performance and reduce costs.
Institute for Policy Studies: Ecotourism
Project
www.ips-dc.org/ecotourism/index.htm
Its
name notwithstanding, this program of the Washington, DC,
think tank is developing guidelines for accrediting
sustainable-tourism certifiers of all types. The site links to
related reports.
National Geographic Conservation Trust
www.nationalgeographic.com/research/grant/rg1.html
Application
procedures for research and project grants that include
conservation-related tourism.
Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA)—Office of the
Environment and Culture
www.pata.org/frame3.cfm?pageid=55
Provides
a code of sustainable tourism and certification information
for its members.
Partners in Responsible Tourism
www.pirt.org/about.html
This San
Francisco-based network of tourism professionals and
organizations lists events, panel discussions, articles,
symposiums, and other responsible-tourism information.
Rainforest Alliance
www.rainforest-alliance.org/programs/sv/index.html
This
conservation group based in New York is coordinating research
on an international mechanism for accrediting certifiers.
Together with an Ecuadorian environmental group, the Alliance
also runs a certification program for tour boats in the
Galapagos Islands.
Sustainable Architecture Building and Culture
http://www.sustainableabc.com/
A
clearinghouse of sustainable building resources. Gives
information on eco-friendly building materials, recycling,
renewable energy and more. General information, not specific
to the lodging industry.
Sustainable Sources
http://www.greenbuilder.com/
A
clearinghouse of sustainable building resources provides a
directory of professionals, a sourcebook to help industry
professionals find employees for specialized positions, and
lists of conferences, online discussions, articles, case
studies, and related sites.
Tour Operators’ Initiative for Sustainable Tourism
Development
http://www.toinitiative.org/
Helps tour
operators respond to international policies and conduct tours
that minimize negative impacts and optimize benefits.
Tourism Information Network
www.webhome.idirect.com/~tourism
Compiled
by Michelle Di Rocco, this directory, which lists links useful
to tourism consultants, academics, and researchers, includes
sites for aboriginal, responsible, and cultural tourism.
Tourism Research Links
www.waksberg.com/research.htm
René
Waksberg’s site for tourism researchers, consultants, and
managers lists several links to sustainable development
websites and other sources of assistance.
U.S. Green Building Council
http://www.usgbc.org/
A clearinghouse of
green building information featuring links to members, green
building case studies, guidelines, a monthly newsletter, and
more. General information, not specific to the lodging
industry
Sustainable-tourism Assistance—Ecotourism
How-to
Brazilian Biodiversity Fund
www.mpefunbio.org.br/default.asp
Ecotourism
programs and projects in Brazil (in Portuguese).
Certification for Sustainable Tourism, Costa
Rica
www.turismo-sostenible.co.cr/EN/home.shtml
A
certification program for tourism companies in Costa Rica.
Available in English and Spanish.
Conservation International (CI)
www.conservation.org/xp/CIWEB/programs/ecotourism/ecotourism.xml
This
conservation nonprofit works in biodiversity hot spots
worldwide, including community ecotourism projects and
initiatives for fostering partnerships between hot-spot
communities and travel businesses. For the criteria and the
procedures of CI’s Ecotourism Excellence Award program, see www.ecotour.org/award/award.htm.
Conserve Africa: Ecotourism Development
Program
www.conserveafrica.org/html/goals_f.html
This
U.K. organization lists ecotourism workshops and seminars, and
provides an interactive online discussion forum called "Green
Tour."
Ecoclub
http://www.ecoclub.com/
A multilingual
Athens-based website that posts news on ecotourism, events,
and jobs; also provides a publications archive and experts
that offer free consultations
Ecotourism Association of Australia
http://www.ecotourism.org.au/
The site
for Australia’s ecotourism industry group gives general
information and links to its certification program for ecotour
guides and its Nature and Ecotourism Accreditation Program.
The International Ecotourism Society
www.ecotourism.org/ecopro.html
This
U.S.-based group provides networking and operational
guidelines for ecotourism operators and ecolodges, as well as
information services to researchers and conservationists.
International Year of Ecotourism-2002 (IYE)
www.unepie.org/pc/tourism/ecotourism/iye.htm
This
United Nations site explains the IYE. Other useful sites on it
include www.world-tourism.org/sustainable/IYE-Main-Menu.htm,
which presents events, news, and other information. You can
find reports presented at the World Ecotourism Summit (held in
Quebec City, May 2002) and the resulting Quebec Declaration on
Ecotourism, at http://www.ecotourism2002.org/.
The Nature Conservancy (TNC)
nature.org/international/specialinitiatives/ecotourism
The
ecotourism program of this U.S.-based conservation
organization includes market research, guide training,
enterprise development, and business partnerships. TNC works
with communities both in the U.S. and abroad.
RARE Center for Tropical Conservation
www.rarecenter.org/content/ecdp.htm
The
site gives details on RARE’s ecotourism and community
development programs, including nature-guide training for
local residents. Formerly concentrating on Meso-America, RARE
is broadening its focus to natural World Heritage Sites in all
tropical regions.
World Legacy Awards
www.wlaward.org/
Information and
application forms for the awards presented by Conservation
International and National Geographic Traveler magazine,
including one for Nature Travel.
Sustainable-tourism Assistance—Culture and Heritage
How-to
Alliance for Tribal Tourism Advocates
http://www.atta.indian.com/
A U.S.
association of individuals and organizations concerned about
responsible tourism development in Indian communities. Created
by tribal governments in the South Dakota area. Links to
websites of U.S. tribes and various indigenous organizations.
International Council on Monuments and Sites
(ICOMOS)
http://www.icomos.org/
This
nongovernmental organization for conservation of historic
monuments and sites collects and disseminates information on
conservation principles, techniques, and policies. Follow the
link of a specific national committee for technical assistance
services and ICOMOS publications available in your country.
The ICOMOS Committee on Cultural Tourism
presents general information and principles.
National Endowment for the Arts
www.arts.endow.gov/partner/Tourism.html
NEA’s
grant program for cultural tourism projects
National Trust for Historic Preservation
http://www.nthp.org/
This U.S.-based
nonprofit offers various services. Hotels occupying buildings
more than 50 years old can apply for membership in the
marketing program Historic Hotels of America, which publishes
a directory and provides a central reservation service. The members-only forum offers a jobs board, a
calendar of conferences, announcements about grants, awards,
and other opportunities, and a database of preservation
success stories. For information on other Trust programs—Main
Street, Heritage Tourism, and Rural Heritage, refer to the Residents
page.
National Trust for Historic Preservation Library,
University of Maryland
www.lib.umd.edu/NTL/ntl.html
The
university lists preservation sites worldwide (under "links")
organized geographically and alphabetically. Catalogs and
databases offer articles, journals, books, architectural
records, theaters, and performance halls.
Partners in Tourism: Culture and Commerce
www.arts.endow.gov/partner/Tourism.html
Background
information on this National Endowment for the Arts
initiative, a U.S. alliance of Federal agencies and nonprofit
cultural service organizations.
Slow Food
http://www.slowfood.com/
This Italian
publisher is the founder of the international “Slow Food”
movement to combat fast-food globalization by promoting
traditional cuisines and ways of life. The site’s “Slow Food
Editore” section specializes in tourism, food, and wine. In
English, Italian, and French.
World Legacy Awards
www.wlaward.org/
Information and
application forms for the awards presented by Conservation
International and National Geographic Traveler magazine,
including one for Heritage Tourism.
World Monuments Fund (WMF)
http://www.wmf.org/
This private
nonprofit organization preserves culturally and historically
significant works of art and architecture worldwide. The site
gives information on grant programs with potential for
cultural-heritage tourism.
Academic Sites—Universities, Research Groups,
etc.
Earth Print
http://www.earthprint.com/
Purchase from
a large store of ecotourism magazines, books, and more,
provided by the United Nations Environmental Program and
others.
Earthwatch
http://www.earthwatch.org/
Scientific
research trips supported by paying volunteers, with many
educational and conservation projects geared toward
sustainability issues, and a few specifically on tourism
impacts.
The George Washington University, Washington,
DC:
Dept. of Tourism and Hospitality Management
http://www.gwutourism.org/
The site gives
links to its undergraduate, graduate, and distance-learning
programs, which cover sustainability issues and offer
concentrations in ecotourism. There is also a link to the
International Institute for Tourism Studies associated with
the department.
Journal of Sustainable Tourism
www.greenglobe21.com/econett/journal/jrnl0018.htm
Descriptions
of this journal, topics covered, and ordering information.
Griffith University, Australia: International Center for
Ecotourism Research
http://www.gu.edu.au/centre/icer
The
center runs one of the world’s most in-depth research programs
on ecotourism—its environmental and cultural impacts, economic
policies, and green behavior guidelines. You’ll find progress
reports, experts, and publications on the site, but not
findings and report texts.
International Geographical Union (IGU)
www.geog.nau.edu/igust/index.html
The
study group on the Geography of Tourism, Leisure, and Global
Change comprises academic professionals worldwide. The site is
a rich source for research, publications, and events; it
offers a discussion mailing list. For useful online
publications, and links to the Geography Online
Journal, check www.geog.nau.edu/igust/resources/.
The Studienkreis für Tourismus und Entwicklung
(Institute for Tourism and Development)
www.studienkreis.org/engl/wer/main_wer.html
Germany-based
think tank dealing with research, development, and education
in tourism, including an annual “dialogue” on particularly
sensitive issues with top management and media. Available in
German and English.
International Policy Organizations
Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)
http://www.biodiv.org/
The site for the
multilateral agreement on biodiversity protection includes a
program on Sustainable Use and Tourism. You can search for
experts, meetings, and activities related to it. As part of
CBD, the Germany-based Ecological Tourism in Europe (ETE) runs
an online forum discussing tourism guidelines
related to the convention. Members-only archive.
International Porter Protection Group
http://www.ippg.net/
Based in Nepal, this
grassroots network advocates for better conditions for porters
around the world. See the guidelines for recommendations on
protecting porters.
International Union for Conservation of Nature
http://www.iucn.org/
This global
coalition of experts distributes extensive information on
conservation-related matters around the world. Tourism
specialists might find IUCN’s Sustainable Use group helpful,
at www.iucn.org/themes/ssc/susg/index.html
United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development
(CSD), Tourism Caucus
www.igc.org/csdngo/tourism/tour_index.htm
The
Caucus advises the CSD on tourism policy. Its site gives links
to U.N. dialogues on tourism, concept papers, and a discussion
mailing list. Open to the public, but mainly for members of
pertinent organizations.
U.N. Environmental Program (UNEP) Sustainable Tourism
Site
www.uneptie.org/pc/tourism/sust-tourism/home.htm
Well-organized
information includes definitions of sustainable tourism and
ecotourism, description of tourism impacts, and steps being
taken internationally toward sustainable tourism development.
U.N. International Year of Ecotourism-2002
(IYE)
www.unepie.org/pc/tourism/ecotourism/iye.htm
This
United Nations site explains the IYE. Other useful sites on it
include www.world-tourism.org/sustainable/IYE-Main-Menu.htm,
which presents events, news, and other information. You can
find reports presented at the World Ecotourism Summit (held in
Quebec City, May 2002) and the resulting Quebec Declaration on
Ecotourism, at http://www.ecotourism2002.org/.
UNESCO World Heritage Center
www.unesco.org/whc/nwhc/pages/sites/s_f9.htm
Provides
a list of UNESCO cultural and natural World Heritage Sites and
describes services that the center offers to member states.
Discusses management of protected areas and sustainable
tourism in general.
World Tourism Organization (WTO)
www.world-tourism.org/frameset/frame_sustainable.html
This
intergovernmental body works for promotion and development of
tourism. The site provides recent tourism statistics and
includes a sustainable tourism section with definitions,
information on relevant events, and lists of WTO’s activities
and publications.
World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC)
www.wttc.org/stratdev
WTTC represents the
travel industry. Members are mainly larger companies. The site
includes information on sustainable tourism and various WTTC
initiatives and services.
The World Bank Group: International Finance Corporation
(IFC)
www.ifc.org/enviro/EPU/STourism/stourism.htm
Part
of the World Bank, IFC finances private-sector projects in the
developing world, including those in sustainable tourism.
Through the Global Environment Facility, IFC also funds
some small ecotourism projects as part of the biodiversity
protection initiative.
Academic
sites - universities, research groups, institutes.
Tourism Research Links
www.waksberg.com/research.htm
René
Waksberg’s site for tourism researchers, consultants, and
managers lists links to tourism schools, journals, and
research institutes.
University of Colorado, Boulder: Leeds School of
Business, Sustainable Tourism
leeds.colorado.edu/tourism
General
information on faculty research projects, publications, and
services to the industry.
University of Otago, New Zealand, Department of
Tourism
divcom.otago.ac.nz/tourism/index.html
Publication
listings, ongoing research by students and professors,
international collaborations, events, links, conferences, and
affiliated organizations.
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