Central Coast NSW Australia sustainable tourism showcase

Spotlight

Central Coast, Australia

In just three years, the Central Coast of New South Wales has transformed its tourism approach, embracing eco-conscious experiences that honor nature, culture, and community. Spearheaded by Destination Central Coast, the Central Coast Council’s tourism team since 2020, this shift has led to a vibrant, sustainable tourism scene where local businesses, known as “Eco Advocates,” lead the way.

Read along as we explore Central Coast’s sustainability objectives, destination strategies, and accomplishments.

Impact Story Collection

Below our selection of destinations championing sustainability. Join us as we explore how they do it – their success strategies and coping with challenges.

Central Coast, Australia
Central Coast, Australia

Explore Destination Central Coast in Australia in this sustainable tourism spotlight: how they promote sustainable development and engage business communities.

Explore
Bhutan
Bhutan

Explore how Bhutan champions sustainable tourism development through its High Value, Low Volume policy, among other initiatives.

Explore
West Sweden
West Sweden

Explore how West Sweden leads in sustainability, from Gothenburg's global acclaim to regional efforts.

Explore
Flanders
Flanders

Learn how Flanders blends heritage with sustainability: from green events to eco-friendly cruise strategies.

Explore
Barbados
Barbados

Discover Barbados, the up-and-coming sustainable destination with its deep-rooted culture.

Explore
Finland
Finland

How destination Finland is taking concrete actions dedicated to preserving its natural resources and landscapes.

Explore
Werfenweng
Werfenweng

Join us on a tour through the Austrian village of Werfenweng, famed for its soft mobility concept.

Explore
Parc Ela
Parc Ela

Learn about the sustainable tourism strategy of Parc Ela, one of Switzerland’s most pristine regional nature parks.

Explore
Basque Country
Basque Country

Meet the pioneers behind the sustainable tourism success story of the Basque Country in Northern Spain.

Explore
Slovenia
Slovenia

Learn about Slovenia's award-winning destination strategy and its sustainable tourism changemakers.

Explore
Barcelona
Barcelona

Barcelona is on a mission towards a more sustainable development as a tourist destination. Here's how they do it.

Explore
Príncipe Island
Príncipe Island

The small African country São Tomé & Príncipe is a destination firmly committed to sustainable tourism. Read their story.

Explore
Switzerland
Switzerland

Switzerland is a popular destination. But is its tourism sustainable? We took a closer look.

Explore

Destination Changemakers

Behind every innovative, sustainable destination are individuals who have put a lot of time and effort into developing their city, region or country in line with sustainability. Here we present you some of the destination makers and shapers whom we have interviewed over the years:

Fredrik Lindén and Marie Linde on the Sustainable Tourism Strategy of Destination West Sweden
Fredrik Lindén and Marie Linde on the Sustainable Tourism Strategy of Destination West Sweden

Meet Fredrik Lindén and Marie Linde, who in this interview share their thoughts on Destination West Sweden's journey towards sustainable tourism development.

View More
Dr. Jens Thraenhart
Dr. Jens Thraenhart

Meet sustainable tourism visionary Dr. Jens Thraenhart. Explore his innovative approach to responsible travel development and destination brand storytelling, most recently as the CEO of Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc.

View More
Ché Greenidge on Advancing Environmental Conservation in Barbados
Ché Greenidge on Advancing Environmental Conservation in Barbados

In this interview with Che Greenidge, CEO of the Barbados Environmental Conservation Trust, learn about the organization's sustainability initiatives and the challenges facing Barbados in terms of sustainability.

View More
Eduardo Santander on Destination Europe, Sustainable Tourism and Post-Pandemic Travel
Eduardo Santander on Destination Europe, Sustainable Tourism and Post-Pandemic Travel

Eduardo Santander, Executive Director of ETC, the European Travel Commission, on Destination Europe, sustainable tourism and travel after the pandemic.

View More
Peter De Wilde of VISITFLANDERS on the Future of Tourism, Purposeful Marketing and Sustainable Destinations
Peter De Wilde of VISITFLANDERS on the Future of Tourism, Purposeful Marketing and Sustainable Destinations

Peter De Wilde of VISITFLANDERS on destination sustainability strategies, purposeful marketing and the way ahead for sustainable tourism in Europe.

View More
Kai Collins: Championing Community-Driven Conservation Economy and Sustainable Tourism in the Okavango River Basin
Kai Collins: Championing Community-Driven Conservation Economy and Sustainable Tourism in the Okavango River Basin

Kai Collins on sustainable tourism and the need for a community-driven conservation approach to protecting the ecosystem of the Okavango Delta in Botswana.

View More
Jos Vranken on COVID-19, Overtourism and Holland’s Sustainable Destination Strategy
Jos Vranken on COVID-19, Overtourism and Holland’s Sustainable Destination Strategy

Jos Vranken on Holland's sustainable destination strategy, how COVID19 has impacted tourism in the Netherlands and how DMOs are realigning their strategies and priorities.

View More
Sonja Gottlebe on Sustainable Tourism Development in Madagascar and the Long-Term Impacts of COVID-19 Travel Disruptions
Sonja Gottlebe on Sustainable Tourism Development in Madagascar and the Long-Term Impacts of COVID-19 Travel Disruptions

Meet Sonja Gottlebe of Boogie Pilgrim, championing sustainable tourism in Madagascar. Discover how she is supporting the sustainable development of communities on the island through her ecotourism business.

View More
Carla Danelutti on How to Link Ecotourism and Conservation in the Mediterranean
Carla Danelutti on How to Link Ecotourism and Conservation in the Mediterranean

Carla Danelutti illustrates how the IUCN promotes ecotourism and conservation for sustainable regional development in the Mediterranean.

View More
Goverdhan Rathore on the Challenges of Tiger Conservation and the State of Sustainable Tourism in India
Goverdhan Rathore on the Challenges of Tiger Conservation and the State of Sustainable Tourism in India

Goverdhan Rathore shares how, together with his father and friends he has been protecting the tiger population in Ranthambore National Park, and why India urgently needs a sustainability strategy for its tourism development.

View More
Jens Thraenhart on Responsible Tourism Marketing and Sustainable Destination Development in the Mekong Region
Jens Thraenhart on Responsible Tourism Marketing and Sustainable Destination Development in the Mekong Region

Jens Thraenhart of the Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office in this interview shares his destination marketing experience and his thoughts on responsible tourism development in the Mekong region in Asia.

View More
Muna Haddad on Strengthening Local Economies in Jordan through Community-Based Tourism
Muna Haddad on Strengthening Local Economies in Jordan through Community-Based Tourism

How Muna Haddad works towards helping local communities benefit from the visitor economy of a booming Jordan tourism, by setting up rural businesses.

View More
Kaspar Howald on How 100% Valposchiavo Connects Agriculture, Local Trade and Tourism
Kaspar Howald on How 100% Valposchiavo Connects Agriculture, Local Trade and Tourism

Kaspar Howald, Director of Valposchiavo Turismo, in this interview shares the story of "100% Valposchiavo" - how it started and what's next for this popular alpine destination in the very south east of Switzerland.

View More
Dieter Mueller on How Swiss Alpine Destination Parc Ela is Moving Towards Tourism Sustainability
Dieter Mueller on How Swiss Alpine Destination Parc Ela is Moving Towards Tourism Sustainability

Dieter Mueller, managing director of Parc Ela in Eastern Switzerland, on how the destination promotes sustainable tourism, connects with stakeholders and prepares for the growing interest in sustainability among travelers.

View More
Dereck Joubert on the Future of Responsible Tourism in Africa and Wildlife Conservation Strategies
Dereck Joubert on the Future of Responsible Tourism in Africa and Wildlife Conservation Strategies

Dereck Joubert, award-winning filmmaker, founder and CEO of Great Plains Conservation, shares his experience of running a responsible tour business based on wildlife conservation in Africa.

View More
Janko Humar on Soča Valley Destination Strengths, Tourism Trends and Sustainability Challenges
Janko Humar on Soča Valley Destination Strengths, Tourism Trends and Sustainability Challenges

Soča Valley in Slovenia is a destination well known among adventure travelers. Janko Humar in this interview shares the destination's story, its challenges and opportunities. The interview is part of a special series with Slovenian sustainable tourism pioneers and changemakers.

View More
Boštjan Misja on Tourism Sustainability Challenges and Successes at the Slovenian-Croatian Border: Destination Podčetrtek
Boštjan Misja on Tourism Sustainability Challenges and Successes at the Slovenian-Croatian Border: Destination Podčetrtek

Podčetrtek in Slovenia: a destination leading in sustainability. Boštjan Misja in this interview shares the story and illustrates how they do it - the challenges and achievements.

View More
José Koechlin von Stein, Founder of Inkaterra Hotels in Peru on Biodiversity Conservation and Community Wellbeing
José Koechlin von Stein, Founder of Inkaterra Hotels in Peru on Biodiversity Conservation and Community Wellbeing

José Koechlin von Stein in this interview takes us on a journey through history, explaining how Inkaterra hotels in Peru have been working over many years to combine responsible entrepreneurship with biodiversity conservation and community well-being.

View More
Joao Ministro on Tourism Sustainability and Regional Development in the Algarve, Portugal
Joao Ministro on Tourism Sustainability and Regional Development in the Algarve, Portugal

Joao Ministro in this interview shares his experience of working in rural development and responsible tourism in the Algarve region of Portugal.

View More
Peter Brandauer on Soft Mobility Tourism in Werfenweng, Austria
Peter Brandauer on Soft Mobility Tourism in Werfenweng, Austria

Dr Peter Brandauer in this interview illustrates how the small alpine community of Werfenweng in Austria uses soft mobility accross the tourism destination.

View More
Reto Fry on the Greenstyle Approach to Sustainability at Weisse Arena Group in Laax, Switzerland
Reto Fry on the Greenstyle Approach to Sustainability at Weisse Arena Group in Laax, Switzerland

Reto Fry in this interview introduces us to the "Greenstyle" sustainability strategy of Weisse Arena Group in Laax, Switzerland.

View More
Urs Wohler on Destination Management, Leadership and Sustainability
Urs Wohler on Destination Management, Leadership and Sustainability

Urs Wohler, former director of destination Scuol Sammaun Val Müstair in Switzerland, on why political leadership is key for destination sustainability.

View More
Theo Schnider, Director of UNESCO Biosphere Entlebuch in Switzerland
Theo Schnider, Director of UNESCO Biosphere Entlebuch in Switzerland

Theo Schnider of UNESCO Biosphere Entlebuch near Lucerne, Switzerland, shares his experience of developing, managing and promoting a sustainable destination.

View More
Martin Nydegger on Tourism Sustainability Strategies and Trends in Switzerland
Martin Nydegger on Tourism Sustainability Strategies and Trends in Switzerland

Martin Nydegger, Director of Switzerland Tourism, shares how the country markets its destinations and how Switzerland approaches tourism sustainability.

View More
Vincent Fonvieille of French Tour Operator La Balaguère on Responsible Tourism Challenges and Trends in the Pyrenees
Vincent Fonvieille of French Tour Operator La Balaguère on Responsible Tourism Challenges and Trends in the Pyrenees

Vincent Fonvieille of the French tour operator La Balaguère reflects on his entrepreneurial journey so far, and discusses the business challenges and trends impacting his destination, the Pyrenees.

View More
Rachel Vaughan on Destination Sustainability Strategies in Kaikoura, New Zealand
Rachel Vaughan on Destination Sustainability Strategies in Kaikoura, New Zealand

Rachel Vaughan in this interview shares how the small coastal town of Kaikoura in New Zealand approaches destination sustainability.

View More
Michael Dodds on Destination Sustainability Strategies in France
Michael Dodds on Destination Sustainability Strategies in France

Michael Dodds shares his thoughts on destination sustainability strategies, challenges and opportunities in Normandy and Brittany (France).

View More
Martha (Pati) Ruiz Corzo on Tourism and Conservation at Sierra Gorda in Mexico
Martha (Pati) Ruiz Corzo on Tourism and Conservation at Sierra Gorda in Mexico

Martha (Pati) Ruiz Corzo's story is that of a women who does not tire to reconnect her people with the land they depend on. In this interview she tells us how she uses conservation and tourism as tools for a sustainable development of the Sierra Gorda in Mexico.

View More
Karmen Mentil on Sustainable Mobility and Responsible Tourism in the European Alps
Karmen Mentil on Sustainable Mobility and Responsible Tourism in the European Alps

Karmen Mentil, Director of Alpine Pearls, in this interview shares her experience of developing, managing and marketing sustainable tourist destinations in the European Alps.

View More
Maja Pak on Slovenia, Destination Marketing and Sustainable Tourism Strategies
Maja Pak on Slovenia, Destination Marketing and Sustainable Tourism Strategies

Maja Pak in this interview shares the impressive story of Slovenia, a destination firmly committed to sustainability and which, over the years, has built a strong track record in promoting responsible tourism through its destination marketing organization.

View More
Carol Gleeson on the Sustainable Destination Strategy of Burren Geopark in Ireland
Carol Gleeson on the Sustainable Destination Strategy of Burren Geopark in Ireland

Carol Gleeson, manager of the Burren and Cliffs of Moher Geopark in Ireland, discusses sustainable destination strategies, successes and challenges.

View More
Amine Ahlafi on Tourism and Sustainable Development in Morocco
Amine Ahlafi on Tourism and Sustainable Development in Morocco

Amine Ahlafi on his sustainable architecture firm 2d Dama and how the Mohammed VI Foundation works to enhance the sustainability of tourism in Morocco.

View More
Ary Suhandi on Ecotourism Development in Indonesia
Ary Suhandi on Ecotourism Development in Indonesia

Ary Suhandi, Executive Director of the Indonesian Ecotourism Network (INDECON), shares his insights on tourism development in Indonesia.

View More
Beatriz Barreal on the Sustainable Destination Strategy of Riviera Maya in Mexico
Beatriz Barreal on the Sustainable Destination Strategy of Riviera Maya in Mexico

Meet Beatriz Barreal of Sustainable Riviera Maya: sustainability visionary from Mexico, renowned for her advocacy in sustainable tourism and Mayan communities.

View More
Mayra Nieto on Sustainability Strategies at Park Güell, Barcelona
Mayra Nieto on Sustainability Strategies at Park Güell, Barcelona

Park Güell is a tourist attraction wandering and struggling between the benefits and issues brought by mass tourism in Barcelona. Mayra Nieto Magaldi, in this interview tells us about the sustainability strategies implemented at this popular tourist attraction.

View More
Xavier Suñol Ferrer of Barcelona City Council on Tourism and Sustainability
Xavier Suñol Ferrer of Barcelona City Council on Tourism and Sustainability

Xavier Suñol Ferrer, Head of Strategic Projects at Barcelona City Council’s Tourism Department, in this interview explains the city’s vision and strategic plan for tourism development.

View More
Philippe Moreau, Tourism Lead at Destination Príncipe
Philippe Moreau, Tourism Lead at Destination Príncipe

Interview with Philippe Moreau on developing Príncipe island in Western Africa as sustainable destination: His vision, challenges and achievements so far.

View More
Estrela Matilde, Project Manager Príncipe Island Biosphere Reserve
Estrela Matilde, Project Manager Príncipe Island Biosphere Reserve

While visiting a destination and exploring new places is fun, what really intrigues us are the stories of a place’s residents, entrepreneurs and, since we are covering sustainable tourism leadership, those shakers and doers who make things happen: who put policy and words into practice. On Príncipe Island, West Africa’s UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Estrela Matilde, is one of those people. Learn more about her life on Príncipe and her professional experiences in this interview.

View More
Peter Gash of Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort, Queensland, Australia
Peter Gash of Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort, Queensland, Australia

Few sustainable tourism leadership stories are as inspiring as the one of Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort in Queensland, Australia. Intrigued by how much is possible if one man has a vision and follows it through, we were curious to learn more about the person “in charge” on that tiny island located at the southernmost end of Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. Meet Peter Gash, managing director and leaseholder of Lady Elliot Island, chief pilot and aviation engineer.

View More

You represent a destination committed to sustainability and would like to share your strategy and story with the sustainability leaders community? Get in touch!