This presentation was presented at the Ecotourism and Sustainable Tourism Conference 2011 (ESTC 2011), held in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, USA, from September 19th-21st. Organized by The International Ecotourism Society (TIES), the

ESTC is a unique annual conference providing practical solutions to advance sustainability goals for the tourism industry.

Learn more about the ESTC: http://www.ecotourismconference.org ESTC on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ESTC_Tourism

ESTC on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ESTC.Tourism

The International Ecotourism Society | web www.ecotourism.org email info@ecotourism.org | tel +1 202 506 5033

Sustainable Travel InternationalLeave the World a Better Place®

Shore Excursions Standard:A multi-stakeholder approach to sustainable tourism

Robert Chappell, Director of Standards Development & Eco-certification

Global organization which provides cutting-edge market-driven programs to help travelers, tourism enterprises and

destinations protect the environment, preserve cultural heritage and contribute to economic development.

Leave the World a Better Place®Sustainable Travel International

• Sustainable Travel Leadership Network

• Tour Guide Training and Environmental Walkthroughs

• Sustainability Solutions for Cruise Lines

• Ocean Conservation and Tourism Alliance

STI and Cruise IndustryExperience and Expertise

A graduated rating system that is specifically designed to recognize marine shore operator’s commitments to sustainability and to helping them improve their environmental, social-cultural and fiscal performance.

STI and Cruise IndustryShore Excursions Standard

• Global Themes, Local Application

• Specific to Marine Environments and Operations

• Comprehensive, Educational & Practical

• Coral Reef Alliance

Sustainable Tourism Eco-certification Program™Shore Excursions Standard Characteristics

Sustainable Tourism Eco-certification Program™Shore Excursions Framework

Sustainable Tourism Eco-certification Program™Shore Excursions Framework

Sustainable Tourism Eco-certification Program™Incremental STEPs to Sustainability

Step 1 – Access & Self Assessment Sustainability Management Framework

Step 2 – Application & Desk Assessment “Required” Policy & Documentation

Step 3 – On-site Assessment of Operations 3rd Party verification of sustainability

Cruise Line IndustryDestination Stewardship

• Enhanced visitor experiences• Establishing community relations• Increased safety and security

Cruise Line IndustryDestination Stewardship

• Economic development and poverty alleviation

• Environmental conservation• Cultural-heritage preservation

Destination Stewardship

A multi-stakeholder approach to tourism development to maintaining the cultural, environmental, economic, and

aesthetic integrity of their country, region, state, or town through sustainable policy and management frameworks.

Destination Stewardship

When done well, destination stewardship leads to sustainable destinations that are profitable for businesses, beneficial to local

communities and leave intact eco-systems that ensure the destination remains iconic for generations.

Destination StewardshipWhat it is:• Business oriented solutions that are socially and environmentally responsible • A way to engage local communities in a way that also improves the destination’s appeal to travelers • A managed approach to build relationships in destinations

What it’s not:• A traditional approach to development• A complex project design methodology• A paternalistic delivery of traditional development services and infrastructure

Destination Stewardship

• Facilitating initiatives that help locals • Framework for measuring social and economic impacts – and tools to improve each • Experience helping locals take responsibility for their role in development and economic

growth• Ability to join economic development with social and environmental indicators (help

make economic growth equal community well-being, which is not a given in less developed countries)

Expertise in community engagement & development

Toolkit for environmental, social, and economic impacts• A framework for helping destinations become more environmentally sustainable• Understanding of how economic, social and environmental indicators relate to each

other

Destination Stewardship

• Sustainability Planning• Standards & Eco-certification• Carbon Neutral Tourism Programs• Travelers’ Philanthropy• Education and Training• Market Access Mechanisms

Destination Stewardship

Who STI Works WithDestination Managers

Who STI Works WithMultinational Organizations

Who STI Works WithTravel Trade Associations

Bobby Chappell or Brian MullisVisit:

www.destinationstewardship.orgwww.ecocertification.org

Email: bobbyc@sustainabletravel.com or

brianm@sustainabletravel.com Phone:

503-488-5500 (US and Canada)

For More InformationContact STI