The future of tourism is green, or it has no future – Travalyst calls for climate action, I-DEST responds

Call to Action: Prioritising support for areas most vulnerable to climate change (islands, mountain regions), nature-based solutions, and community-level interventions.

I-DEST Response:
I-DEST's community-driven model enables small settlements, protected areas, and sensitive ecosystems to proactively manage their own risks. The system supports the development of nature-based tourism products and the tracking and communication of resilience indicators.

Call to Action: Tourism must be integrated into national climate strategies, with a stable and predictable regulatory framework to support the path to net zero.

I-DEST Response:
The I-DEST system is fully aligned with GSTC standards, making it directly applicable to national and regional strategies. Through monitoring platforms and benchmarking systems, real-time planning and evaluation data is available for decision-makers.

Call to Action: Tourism must recognise and address physical, financial, and social risks, particularly to protect SMEs and communities.

I-DEST Response:
I-DEST provides self-assessment and risk data collection modules for providers. Destinations can use the system to integrate these risks into their emergency, climate adaptation, and investment plans.

Call to Action: Accelerated decarbonisation is needed in travel, accommodation, food, and infrastructure, complemented by circular models and nature conservation.

The I-DEST:

• introduces energy awareness indicators for providers,

• supports the transition to local supply chains.

This reduces emissions while creating a competitive advantage.

Call to Action: Consistent, interoperable, and usable data systems are needed to measure impacts, support decision-making, and guide investment decisions.

I-DEST Response:
The system is based on structured, GSTC-based data collection:

• at destination and provider levels,

• involving visitors,

• ensuring benchmarking and temporal comparability.

The data is integrated into a single platform, providing a solid foundation for strategic decisions and funding applications.

Call to Action: Expanding access to climate finance tools for all stakeholders in the tourism sector.

I-DEST Response:
I-DEST supports:

• preparation for certification (e.g., Good Travel Seal, Green Destinations, GreenKey, Bioscore, etc.),

• generating measurable, quantifiable results,

• strengthening investor confidence and transparency.

This paves the way for joining green financing programmes.

Call to Action: Tourism must act as a systemic connector – between communities, sectors, and value chains – and operate in the spirit of the Glasgow Declaration.

I-DEST Response:
I-DEST:

• connects provider and destination levels,

• encourages community involvement and education (e.g., gamification),

• enables the development of cross-border, SDG-based tourism routes (e.g., cultural routes).

The result: shared knowledge, shared values, and shared action – both locally and globally.