Programs for Places
The Center for Sustainable Destinations (CSD) seeks to help individual places to use the geotourism approach to improve stewardship and attract the most beneficial and least disruptive forms of tourism.
What We Do
Networking
In this Resource Directory for Communities CSD provides links that could help you build alliances for better destination stewardship.
Geotourism Charter
Governments and partner organizations can sign this statement of principles (PDF) as a first step in adopting a geotourism strategy.
Geotourism Strategy
CSD can provide information to help destination stakeholders develop a strategy (PDF) that 1) identifies, 2) sustains, 3) develops, and 4) markets the geotourism assets unique to the locale.
Geotourism MapGuides
CSD affiliates and National Geographic representatives will work with a community-based local geotourism alliance to create a co-branded National Geographic map that highlights the natural, historic, and cultural assets unique to a destination. Read "How to develop a Geotourism MapGuide (PDF)."
Where We Do It
Lakes to Locks Passage
Lakes to Locks Passage is a public-private partnership designed to establish New York's interconnected waterway of Lake Champlain, Lake George, the Champlain Canal and Hudson River as a premiere destination for national and international travelers. Designated as an All-American Road by the Federal Highway Administration, this geotourism project, launched in 2011, is designed to foster community pride and a commitment to stewardship of the region's historic, natural, cultural and recreational resources. Through an authentic, place-based tourism experience, travelers experience "The Great Northeast Journey, Guided by Locals." The partnership has developed a plan for implementation that has three strategic goals:
- establish a unified regional identity along the waterway,
- deliver an authentic, place-based, multi-modal visitor experience, and
- market the co-branded regional destination to national and international audiences
Visit:
www.lakestolocks.com
Four Corners Region
This collaborative partnership of four states, tribes, the Forest Service, BLM (U.S. Bureau of Land Management), Scenic Byways, Preserve America, individuals, and state and local tourism offices launched in July 2010. The first of four phases for this area of the American Southwest involves public meetings in local communities. In these geotourism forums, people can nominate historical events, traditions, distinctive businesses, and natural sites. A project advocate, Susan Thomas, coordinator of the Colorado portion of the Trail of the Ancients Scenic Byway, says that having a local resident's perspective will give visitors a unique experience.
California’s Redwood Coast
A community-based nomination process captured the highlights in coastal living and the rugged beauty of the North California Coast to create a National Geographic Geotourism MapGuide for the region. Stretching from West Marin to Del Norte counties, the area includes both private and public lands. Read the press release for the March 11, 2010 for the project rollout (PDF).
Visit:
www.visitredwoodcoast.com
Portugal’s Douro Valley
building a strategic business plan for the region to strengthen sustainable tourism practices. The highlights of the many tourist attractions in the region are UNESCO World Heritage sites. The project will enhance economic vitality, develop local geotourism-based businesses and opportunities, and preserve the natural and cultural heritage of this unique area, noted for its terraced port wine vineyards. The region is a Geotourism Charter signatory since December 2009
Sierra Nevada
National Geographic Society has partnered with the Sierra Nevada Conservancy and Sierra Business Council to capture the history and nature of the Sierra Nevada Region in order to create an interactive Web site and print map. Lassen National Park, Lake Tahoe, Yosemite National Park, and Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks are jewels in this 400-mile-long region. The project Web site collects worthy nominations by locals to be included in the mapguide.
Read the Press Release (PDF).
Central Cascades
The Central Cascades Stewardship Council partnered with CSD to create a MapGuide capturing the spectacular beauty and abundant recreational opportunities of the Central Cascades. These world-class natural attractions span Oregon and Washington states. Read the Press Release (PDF).
Visit:
thecentralcascades.com
Appalachian Geotourism MapGuide
CSD partnered with the Appalachian Regional Commission and the people of Appalachia to create the first Geotourism MapGuide, published in the April 2005 National Geographic Traveler magazine. NGS also produced an online version.
Arizona/Sonora
In an alliance with the Sonoran Institute, CSD has helped the region's communities to create the first transborder Geotourism MapGuide, for southern Arizona, U.S.A., and northern Sonora, Mexico.
View MapGuide in English (PDF)
View MapGuide in Spanish (PDF)
Visit:
www.sonorandesertgeotourism.org
www.sonoraturismo.gob.mx/natgeo/
www.arizonaguide.com
Baja California
Partnering with Lindblad Expeditions, Fondo Mexicano Para la Conservacion de la Naturaleza, and local communities, CSD has completed a MapGuide for the Mexican states of Baja California and Baja California Sur.
Crown of the Continent
Alberta and British Columbia, Canada, have teamed up with Montana, U.S.A., to launch a transboundary geotourism program for the region centered on the Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park. Read the Press Release (PDF)
Visit:
www.crownofthecontinent.net
Greater Yellowstone
National Geographic and the Greater Yellowstone community have created a new Geotourism MapGuide on which local citizens and experts showcase the region's natural, historic, and cultural assets.
Guatemala
In a ceremony presided by President Oscar Berger, Guatemala signed the Geotourism Charter in April 2007, launching a program to create a community-based national Geotourism Stewardship Council, a Geotourism MapGuide, and other elements. Read the Press Release (PDF).
Honduras
In the world's first country to sign the Geotourism Charter (PDF), CSD is supplying a Geotourism for Communities booklet in Spanish (PDF). Read News.
Read Traveler Magazine's Geotourism Opportunities in Honduras
Montreal
The first city in the world to sign the Geotourism Charter, this urban center adheres to the 13 principles of geotourism.
Read the Press Release in English (PDF)
Read the Press Release in French (PDF)
Montreal unveiled the first urban MapGuide in June 2009. Residents chose the places, attractions, activities, events, local businesses and experiences that best represent Montreal's distinctive character for a National Geographic MapGuide.
Montreal MapGuide Press Release in English (PDF)
Montreal MapGuide Press Release in French (PDF)
Visit:
www.montrealgeo.com
Norway
Innovation Norway signed the Geotourism Charter (PDF) on August 31, 2005, making Norway the first European country to adopt a national geotourism platform. Read the Press Release (PDF).
Read Traveler Magazine's Geotourism Opportunities in Norway
Peru
CSD is working with Peruvian authorities and the World Bank on tourism aspects of a project for rehabilitating the valley of the Rio Vilcanota from Machu Picchu almost to Cuzco, an area that includes the "Sacred Valley." A MapGuide for the region is in the works.
Rhode Island
Governor Donald Carcieri signed the Geotourism Charter in May 2007, demonstrating the state's commitment to exemplary destination stewardship. The Rhode Island Geotourism Collaborative, a new multi-sector task force, will hold a statewide series of workshops. Read the Press Release.
Visit:
www.visitrhodeisland.com
Romania
Romania signed the Geotourism Charter in 2005. Transylvania's beautiful Brasov County will be the first to launch geotourism project.
Visit:
www.brasovtourism.com
Read Traveler Magazine's Geotourism Opportunities in Romania
Vermont
CSD and the Northeast Kingdom Geotourism Alliance have completed a MapGuide of the most rural and, some say, authentic corner of Vermont. View "Geotourism Grows in Vermont" (PDF).