Mapping a sustainable tourism journey using the UNSDGs.

In a world overflowing with frameworks and certifications, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs) stand out as a universally respected framework for navigating strategies with environmental, social, and economic impact. These goals provide a holistic approach, but the challenge lies in how a tour operator can translate this broad framework into practical, actionable tools for their business.

The adventure travel sector is often considered 'the' sustainable tourism sector, but that doesn't mean adventure is innately sustainable. Operators have made responsible tourism a core business value and have created itineraries that protect the environment and benefit the local community. 

Over recent years, many adventure tour operators have transitioned from broad policy

statements to concrete action plans. Stating being responsible and sustainable as business values is no longer sufficient; in some cases, this has led to less emphasis on establishing actual sustainability plans. But where do you start documenting your strategy when it is a core business value? 

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals offer a framework for reducing overwhelm, finding focus and starting your journey to sustainability. The seventeen goals are a respected cross-industry framework incorporating sustainability's environmental, social, and economic tenets. The goals provide a holistic view of sustainability, expanding tourism's focus on environmental impacts. 

Incorporating the UNSDGs into sustainability planning can help tour operators define clear goals, measure their impact, and enhance transparency. However, due to their broad scope, they can be overwhelming. Despite their relevance, only a small percentage of adventure tour operators currently reference these goals on sustainability pages or impact reports. Anyone on the BCorp journey will know that the SDGs are part of that pathway.

How can tourism businesses incorporate the UNSDGs in sustainability planning?

• Identify goals that are relevant to your business values 

Trying to achieve all seventeen goals can be overwhelming, and tour operators will not be able to target all of them directly.

• Create a sustainability team to choose which goals to aim for

You will get different viewpoints from different team members, depending on their demographics and what they value

• Discuss your selected UNSDGs with your suppliers 

The UNSDGs are more widely known outside the UK/USA, so you may be surprised that your suppliers already use them.

• Identify products that align with your goals 

Working through your product range will take time, so start small and better understand what you offer. Collaborate with your suppliers on this. 

• Consider how to use the goals in marketing.

Most customers will not be aware of the UNSDGs. However, creative storytelling about the positive impact of itineraries and experiences is encouraged. 

Adventure tourism businesses can significantly contribute to sustainable tourism due to their product dimensions, nature and wildlife tourism and community all have a place in this sector. By using the UNSDGs as a framework for sustainable tourism strategies, operators can create nuanced objectives that suit their business and set clear goals to work towards.

Do you need help reducing overwhelm and setting out your sustainability journey? Join my Impact Compass workshop and start setting goals that align with the UNSDGs.

https://www.justtourism.co.uk/theimpactcompass

This blog was originally written for Adventure Travel Networking https://www.adventuretravelnetworking.com/