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| Center for Sustainable Tourism | |
|---|---|
| Name | Center for Sustainable Tourism |
| Established | 1990s |
| Location | Asheville, North Carolina |
| Type | Research center |
| Focus | Sustainable tourism, ecotourism, cultural heritage, community-based tourism |
| Parent organization | University of North Carolina system |
Center for Sustainable Tourism
The Center for Sustainable Tourism is a research and advocacy organization focused on sustainable tourism, ecotourism, cultural heritage preservation, and community-based development. It engages with policymakers, nonprofit organizations, indigenous communities, and the private sector to integrate conservation goals with tourism planning and economic development. The Center operates at the intersection of environmental conservation, cultural resource management, and regional planning, collaborating with universities, intergovernmental agencies, and international NGOs.
The Center for Sustainable Tourism conducts applied research, policy analysis, and program implementation that connect Convention on Biological Diversity goals, United Nations World Tourism Organization guidelines, and regional planning frameworks such as the Appalachian Regional Commission. Its work spans protected areas like Great Smoky Mountains National Park, marine sites comparable to Great Barrier Reef, and cultural landscapes similar to Historic Districts Council targets. The Center produces reports aligned with standards from International Union for Conservation of Nature, World Wide Fund for Nature, and The Nature Conservancy while informing stakeholders including National Park Service, United States Fish and Wildlife Service, and local tribal governments such as Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.
The Center traces origins to collaborations among faculty from University of North Carolina at Asheville, planners from North Carolina State University, and practitioners from Conservation International during the 1990s. Initial projects referenced frameworks from the Rio Earth Summit and the Brundtland Report and were shaped by case studies in regions like Costa Rica, Galápagos Islands, and Machu Picchu. Over time the Center expanded partnerships with entities such as World Bank, Inter-American Development Bank, United Nations Development Programme, and regional organizations including Sierra Club chapters and The Trust for Public Land.
Research programs analyze indicators used by Global Sustainable Tourism Council, examine certification schemes akin to Green Globe, and evaluate community-based models showcased by Society for Ecotourism. The Center runs programs addressing climate resilience in destinations like Bermuda, small-island states similar to Maldives, and mountain corridors resembling Himalayan Transboundary Landscape. Projects include impact assessments comparable to those by Environmental Protection Agency, visitor management strategies inspired by Yellowstone National Park plans, and cultural heritage initiatives with methodologies used in ICOMOS charters. The Center publishes datasets paralleling those of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and collaborates on pilot projects with Smithsonian Institution, American Alliance of Museums, and National Trust for Historic Preservation.
The Center offers curricula modeled on programs at Cornell University and Arizona State University, delivering workshops, certificate programs, and field schools similar to those run by Wilderness Education Association and Center for Responsible Travel. Training modules address sustainable business practices adopted by firms like REI and concepts used by B Corporation certification. The Center hosts internships and fellowships connected to academic programs at Duke University, University of Georgia, Michigan State University, and professional associations such as Society of American Travel Writers.
Key collaborations include research consortia with Rutgers University, policy networks such as ICLEI, and conservation partnerships with Audubon Society and Pew Charitable Trusts. The Center has engaged with international NGOs like World Wildlife Fund, Conservation International, and Rainforest Alliance, and with multilateral institutions including United Nations Environment Programme and Asian Development Bank projects. Regional partnerships have included municipal tourism bureaus, chambers of commerce similar to Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce, and indigenous-led organizations like Native American Rights Fund.
Funding sources have included grants from foundations like Ford Foundation, Rockefeller Foundation, and Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation; contracts with development banks such as World Bank and Inter-American Development Bank; and program support from federal agencies including National Endowment for the Humanities, National Science Foundation, and U.S. Department of Agriculture rural development initiatives. Governance structures reflect typical university-affiliated centers with advisory boards featuring representatives from National Park Service, The Nature Conservancy, Smithsonian Institution, and private-sector partners akin to Expedia Group and Airbnb.
Notable case studies include destination management interventions inspired by Blue Flag criteria in coastal communities, community tourism development modeled on Tambopata National Reserve initiatives, and heritage tourism revitalization comparable to projects in Charleston, South Carolina and Savannah, Georgia. Impact assessments reference tools used in Millennium Ecosystem Assessment and Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change guidance for vulnerability. Outcomes reported include increased local income reflecting patterns from Costa Rica ecotourism, enhanced biodiversity protection similar to Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve results, and stronger cultural preservation paralleling World Heritage Sites management.
Category:Sustainable tourism organizations