Sustainable tourism does not have to be complicated: above all, it is about maximizing the positive impacts and minimizing the negative impacts of travel activities.
UN Tourism defines sustainable tourism as “tourism that takes full account of its current and future economic, social and environmental impacts, addressing the needs of visitors, the industry, the environment and host communities.”
For us, the understanding of sustainable tourism may vary depending on the perspectives of different stakeholders. It can be a grassroots vision, a practical framework, a consistent business model, and a mindset and lifestyle that guide how we travel and host.
Most importantly, sustainable tourism is about advancing local development and empowerment, and supporting the well-being of all, people and the planet, today and tomorrow.
What sustainable tourism means
Sustainable tourism looks at all impacts of travel: economic, social, cultural, and environmental. It aims to create good jobs and fair income, protect cultures and traditions, and reduce pollution and waste, by maximizing positive effects and minimizing negative ones. It is not a special niche, because all types and forms of tourism can and should become more sustainable.
Harmony between people, places and planet
Local communities and their well-being are at the center of sustainable tourism. Their environment, culture and heritage must come first and be respected and cared for, not just used as a backdrop for visitors.
Tourism should help people feel proud of their home, not pushed aside by it, through the alignment of visions, values, needs, concerns, priorities and interests for everyone involved.
Co‑created positive experiences
Sustainable travel experiences are co‑created by hosts and travelers. A growing number of travelers want to “travel good, feel good, do good” and make more responsible choices, while tourism professionals committed to sustainability have a strong interest in welcoming these conscious guests.
When hosts commit to and invest in sustainability, they attract the right travelers, build trust and loyalty, and help tourism move from volume to value and from extractive to regenerative practices.
Herost: your positive travel guide
Herost is an online travel platform and toolkit that highlights eco‑friendly travel experiences and matches conscious travelers with responsible hosts who share similar visions and values.
It showcases stays, activities, tours and campaigns with positive impact on people and the planet, often in off‑the‑beaten‑path destinations to help disperse and balance visitor flows. Herost supports the Sustainable Development Goals, with a particular focus on SDGs 8, 10, 11 and 12.
A trusted model against greenwashing
Herost has been part of the One Planet Sustainable Tourism Programme, a multi‑stakeholder partnership that promotes knowledge sharing and networking to advance sustainable consumption and production in tourism.
Herost drives social innovation in the travel and tourism sector through:
- Online travel platform highlighting eco-friendly travel experiences and matching hosts and travelers who share the same visions and values.
- 10-commitment Charter (see below) and a Scoring System featuring 20 criteria aligned with the standards of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) in order to prevent greenwashing and give our Hosts a unique access to a growing market.
- Consulting and training services provided by a global network of professionals actively involved in the co-creation and promotion of sustainable tourism destinations, practices and experiences.
- Selection of off-the-beaten-path destinations and attractions to disperse and balance the flow of tourists.
Herost Charter: 10 clear commitments
- Quality hospitality: The Host commits to offer high‑quality, safe, and welcoming hospitality, based on all applicable standards, rule,s and regulations in the destination.
- Sustainability engagement: The Host commits to adopting sustainability practices and to encouraging responsible behavior from staff and guests.
- Cultural authenticity: The Host commits to incorporating elements of local culture and traditions in architecture, design, food, and activities, with respect and sensitivity.
- Responsible purchasing: The Host commits to purchase fair, loca,l and/or domestic products and services as a priority.
- Support to local community: The Host commits to offering job and income opportunities first to local community members and to support community initiatives.
- Water and energy saving: The Host commits to monitor and control water and energy consumption and to help keep these resources accessible to the local community.
- Biodiversity and wildlife preservation and restoration: The Host commits to support efforts to preserve and, where possible, restore biodiversity and wildlife at global, regional, and local levels.
- Waste management and reduction: The Host commits to sort, reduce, reuse, recycle, and upcycle waste, in cooperation with the local community.
- Pollution minimization: The Host commits to identifying and minimizing existing and potential sources of pollution linked to the accommodation and activities.
- Climate change mitigation: The Host commits to contributing to climate change mitigation by reducing the direct greenhouse gas emissions of the accommodation and activities.
Join the Herost community
Herost is a “positive travel playground” where travelers, hosts, and destinations can learn, share, and act together.
Join as a host to gain visibility, credibility, and access to conscious travelers, or explore the guide to plan your next meaningful trip. To know more or get involved, contact Herost and start co‑creating more positive places, experiences, and practices.