We’re proud to share that we were recently featured by UN Tourism as one of the first DMOs globally to publish a tourism-focused Climate Action Plan — prioritizing areas where the organization has the most influence, including food systems, waste, and transportation.
Guided by scientific input and local context, our plan balances mitigation, adaptation, and resilience. It emphasizes actionable projects, place-based solutions, and ongoing measurement of progress, demonstrating how small DMOs can drive meaningful climate initiatives without waiting for “perfect” data.
“You don’t need a perfect plan to start,” says Deputy Director Arica Sears. “Some of our projects — waste, transport, local food — started before our plan was written. If your strength is marketing, start by promoting sustainable businesses. If you can’t talk about “climate change” politically, frame it as destination management. Many of the solutions are the same.
Above all, perfection can be a barrier — so just start. Attend a conference. Run a pilot. Find your peers — the network around the Glasgow Declaration has been invaluable for connection and learning. This work can feel lonely at first, but there’s a growing community to support you.”
Our approach aims to strengthen partnerships with local businesses, government agencies, and the broader tourism community, showing that strategic planning can align sustainability with destination management and visitor experience.