Countries

The United Nations Declared 2017 as the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development

Below is a breakdown introducing the five basic principles of sustainability that you can use to evaluate a company, hotel, or any business. Be sure to browse the countries with sustainable travel as well.

Environmentally Friendly
Practices

Recycling as much as possible, and reduction in the use of plastics (especially plastic water bottles)
Use of green, renewable energy to provide power for facilities
Working to reduce impacts on climate change (for example: using fuel efficient and/or electric, hybrid vehicles, using sustainable biofuels, engaging in reforestation efforts)

Support for Cross Cultural Understanding

Supporting tourism as a vehicle for peace and a platform against violence, empowering post-conflict collaboration
Educating visitors on positive interactions with the place and its people, and how to avoid negative impacts
Embracing gender equality and opportunities through sustainable tourism

Support for Cultural
Heritage

Support and promotion of living cultural heritage – art, crafts, music, theater
Support for the protection of historic buildings, archeological sites, World Heritage sites, cultural traditions
Promoting “Sense of Place” and authentic engagement with the local culture

Support for protection of nature and biodiversity

Working to restore, rehabilitate, maintain and protect natural habitat, whether land or water-based
Establishing private conservancies in partnership with local-communities for the benefit of all
Protection of endangered species, support for research and on-going understanding of biodiversity and ecosystems

Support for the Well Being of
Local People

Providing local employment, including fair wages and benefits, training and capacity building, and encouraging career opportunities for women, youth, and other locally disadvantaged groups
Support for community development initiatives in health, education, or social benefit, such as scholarships for local youth, provision of health care facilities, or ensuring clean drinking water
Supporting local businesses, including sourcing locally, and providing support for the development of local supply chains

Sustainable Travel Tours

For more about sustainability in individual destinations, click on the country below.

Botswana

Egypt

Ethiopia

Jordan

Kenya

Malawi

Morocco

Namibia

Oman

Rwanda

South Africa

Tanzania including Zanzibar

Uganda

United Arab Emirates

Zambia

Zimbabwe

Countries

The United Nations Declared 2017 as the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development

Environmentally Friendly Practices

Support for Cross Cultural Understanding

Support for Cultural Heritage

Support for protection of nature and biodiversity

Support for the Well Being of Local People

Sustainable Travel Tours

Start planning your adventure

Environmentally Friendly
Practices

Support for Cultural
Heritage

Support for the Well Being of
Local People