Following WTTC’s foundational report “Towards Destination Stewardship”, we define destination stewardship as an approach to destination governance that seeks to balance and meet the economic, environmental, social and cultural needs of a destination; whilst operating within a legitimate governance model with active participation from the public and private sectors, as well as the local community.
This framework calls for a shared understanding of mutual needs and interests, responsible use of shared resources from natural habitats, to water and energy, as well as infrastructure, and enhanced public-private community collaboration. Amongst the factors that drive the need for a destination stewardship model, we find the increase in sustainability awareness, management for both tourists and residents, and a rising call for social inclusion.
The Destination Stewardship solutions we are driving
Our destination stewardship area fosters effective communication with key stakeholders in sustainable development within tourism destinations. We engage in ongoing dialogue to ensure that the community’s voice is heard and understood by Iberostar Hotels & Resorts, while also conveying Iberostar’s perspective to the community. A major part of our destination stewardship work also includes developing partnerships and pre-competitive collaboration engaging private and public partners.
Materiality Assessments
Pre-competitive collaboration
A materiality assessment is a structured process involving interviews, surveys, and roundtables designed to actively involve external stakeholders in understanding the significance of sustainability issues to them. We have initiated materiality assessments in five of Iberostar Hotels & Resorts’ destinations (Tunisia, Aruba, Quintana Roo in Mexico, the Canary Islands in Spain, and the Dominican Republic) with the expertise provided by the Travel Foundation. This initiative will enable us to gather insights from our stakeholders regarding local sustainability priorities.
Recognizing the complexity of sustainability challenges, we work to facilitate partnerships at the destination level, with a particular focus on hotels working to address the same challenges. Some of the topics we are addressing include beach conservation, which requires involving neighboring entities for an ecosystem-based approach, and compost production, where collaboration becomes essential to send no waste to landfill.
Driving sustainable development in tourism destinations
Recognizing the complexity of sustainability challenges, we work to facilitate partnerships at the destination level, with a particular focus on hotels working to address the same challenges