How destinations can take the lead when it comes to sustainability

From supporting local stakeholders to raising eco-awareness among delegates to integrating sustainable development at a corporate level, destinations can make their mark.

Destination management organisations have a vital role to play in implementing a sustainable tourism strategy. This was the topic of a recent webinar, hosted by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), exploring how a destination can engage with its ecosystem towards sustainability - within the organisation itself, with its stakeholders, with its clients and with its visitors.

The discussion was led by Fanny Beaulieu Cormier, sustainable development consultant at Tourisme Montréal, who outlined how the organisation has set out a ‘sustainable decision strategy’ to encourage the development of such policies by 2030, in line with United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Engage and question.

Tourisme Montréal has carried out a number of surveys and interviews with key partners, members and its own employees to ensure that it can address their needs and priorities when it comes to sustainability.

Close the knowledge gap.

As Beaulieu Cormier pointed out, Tourisme Montréal’s partners and stakeholders need to have a better understanding of how they can implement sustainable tourism within their industry and their company. Sustainability is now a mandatory requirement for every new employee at the DMO. The main issues of sustainable development are addressed, including circular economy, responsible sourcing, carbon footprint and offsetting, greenwashing and the key concepts of responsible communication and marketing.

“We really want to make sure that these topics are well understood by all the employees to make sure that when they are working, they keep that in mind in their daily tasks,” said Beaulieu Cormier.

Establish an internal committee.

This ensures that in every department there is someone else who has the responsibility as well as the power to make sure that actions and projects are addressed. Tourisme Montréal’s internal committee meets about four times a year to share current projects and to help others achieve project goals. According to Beaulieu Cormier, it is a very cross-functional approach to make sure everyone is working together to reach the same vision and goal and to achieve priorities.

Share an event toolkit.

Tourisme Montréal has a number of tools that it shares with event organisers, ranging from a best practice guide to getting the most out of sporting events and it also has a list of suppliers that event organisers can choose from to help them in areas such as waste management, food selection and transportation choices.

There is also a tool that measures volunteer activities. The destination has developed a directory of social and environmental organisations to enable congress participants and event organisers to take part in volunteer activities. They can choose a theme that interests them, with the tool displaying volunteer activities available during their stay, to maximise event delegates’ social impact at the destination.

Set up a sustainable procurement policy.

To encourage sustainable practices within the local economy, Tourisme Montréal has a sustainable procurement policy in place. This involves giving local products to journalists, influencers and potential clients who come to Montréal. The DMO says that 100% of its promotional product purchases were designed by local Quebec artisans, with 90% made in the province.