Through this case study, you'll be able to understand how, by becoming a member of the INSTO network, destinations commit to continuous measurement efforts at the destination level, embracing the context-sensitive and dynamic nature of the concept of "sustainability" itself.
The case study will introduce you to what the INSTO is, the objectives of this network of destinations, and the framework that the INSTO has built in order to aid the achievement of sustainability in destinations across the world.
The case study will introduce you to what the INSTO is, the objectives of this network of destinations, and the framework that the INSTO has built in order to aid the achievement of sustainability in destinations across the world.
The case study will introduce you to what the INSTO is, the objectives of this network of destinations, and the framework that the INSTO has built in order to aid the achievement of sustainability in destinations across the world.
The UNWTO International Network of Sustainable Tourism Observatories (INSTO) is a network of 31 tourism observatories monitoring the economic, environmental and social impact of tourism at the destination level. The observatories are located across China, Greece, Mexico, Brazil, Indonesia, Croatia, United States, Italy, Panama, Guatemala, Argentina, Australia, Canada, Portugal and Spain. The initiative is based on UNWTO’s long-standing commitment to the sustainable and resilient growth of the sector through measurement and monitoring, supporting the evidence-based management of tourism.
INSTO's mission is to support and connect destinations that are committed to regular monitoring of economic, environmental and social impacts of tourism, to unlock the power of evidence-based decision making at the destination level, fostering sustainable tourism practices locally and globally. At the same time, its vision is to foster a dynamic network of partners that strives towards creating healthy places for both visitors and the host communities while leaving resilient destinations to future generations.
While traditional data sources play a crucial role in the measurement activities, partners in the network are increasingly applying, and are encouraged to use, new and innovative data sources that allow for stronger evidence helping to create more resilient destinations.
The INSTO has established six objectives:
INSTO recognises the importance of building participatory approaches, as they understand these to be fundamental for successful sustainability initiatives which are continuously strengthened during all phases of development. When establishing an observatory, destinations are asked to put special emphasis on 3 key elements:
Another vital element for INSTO observatories is the regular stakeholders’ workshops that strengthen the participatory approach even further. These workshops are important because members:
Destinations are required to monitor at least to some extent the eleven mandatory issue areas and are encouraged to go even beyond. For these common issue areas, respective indicators can then be specified according to the local needs. Therefore, as long as they are linked to these issue areas, indicators can be developed by each destination individually. Through the regular exchange of knowledge and experience with other destinations, they can be defined, adapted and compared as needed.
Over the past decade, many indicator systems have been developed in and outside of the tourism sector in an attempt to support destinations in measuring and managing their tourism development. While the ability to benchmark performances with other destinations is often a driving factor behind these initiatives, each destination is a complex eco-system with its own individual characteristics. With this in mind and knowing that sustainability is a continuous journey, INSTO was established, focusing particularly on the underlying processes and structures in order to ensure long-term viability and holistic, destination-specific approaches that are based on participatory processes.
INSTO members are committed to:
When it comes to reporting, INSTO destinations have to commit to three types of reporting:
INSTO members also commit to actively sharing information about their efforts in a transparent manner to support the scalability of effective measures and processes at all levels and to therefore accelerate sustainable production patterns.
This is aimed to be achieved through a publicly accessible and up-to-date website, through the collection of success stories, and through actively sharing the lessons learned.
The case study will introduce you to what the INSTO is, the objectives of this network of destinations, and the framework that the INSTO has built in order to aid the achievement of sustainability in destinations across the world.
The case study will introduce you to what the INSTO is, the objectives of this network of destinations, and the framework that the INSTO has built in order to aid the achievement of sustainability in destinations across the world.
The UNWTO International Network of Sustainable Tourism Observatories (INSTO) is a network of 31 tourism observatories monitoring the economic, environmental and social impact of tourism at the destination level. The observatories are located across China, Greece, Mexico, Brazil, Indonesia, Croatia, United States, Italy, Panama, Guatemala, Argentina, Australia, Canada, Portugal and Spain. The initiative is based on UNWTO’s long-standing commitment to the sustainable and resilient growth of the sector through measurement and monitoring, supporting the evidence-based management of tourism.
INSTO's mission is to support and connect destinations that are committed to regular monitoring of economic, environmental and social impacts of tourism, to unlock the power of evidence-based decision making at the destination level, fostering sustainable tourism practices locally and globally. At the same time, its vision is to foster a dynamic network of partners that strives towards creating healthy places for both visitors and the host communities while leaving resilient destinations to future generations.
While traditional data sources play a crucial role in the measurement activities, partners in the network are increasingly applying, and are encouraged to use, new and innovative data sources that allow for stronger evidence helping to create more resilient destinations.
The INSTO has established six objectives:
INSTO recognises the importance of building participatory approaches, as they understand these to be fundamental for successful sustainability initiatives which are continuously strengthened during all phases of development. When establishing an observatory, destinations are asked to put special emphasis on 3 key elements:
Another vital element for INSTO observatories is the regular stakeholders’ workshops that strengthen the participatory approach even further. These workshops are important because members:
Destinations are required to monitor at least to some extent the eleven mandatory issue areas and are encouraged to go even beyond. For these common issue areas, respective indicators can then be specified according to the local needs. Therefore, as long as they are linked to these issue areas, indicators can be developed by each destination individually. Through the regular exchange of knowledge and experience with other destinations, they can be defined, adapted and compared as needed.
Over the past decade, many indicator systems have been developed in and outside of the tourism sector in an attempt to support destinations in measuring and managing their tourism development. While the ability to benchmark performances with other destinations is often a driving factor behind these initiatives, each destination is a complex eco-system with its own individual characteristics. With this in mind and knowing that sustainability is a continuous journey, INSTO was established, focusing particularly on the underlying processes and structures in order to ensure long-term viability and holistic, destination-specific approaches that are based on participatory processes.
INSTO members are committed to:
When it comes to reporting, INSTO destinations have to commit to three types of reporting:
INSTO members also commit to actively sharing information about their efforts in a transparent manner to support the scalability of effective measures and processes at all levels and to therefore accelerate sustainable production patterns.
This is aimed to be achieved through a publicly accessible and up-to-date website, through the collection of success stories, and through actively sharing the lessons learned.
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