I recently returned from Advancing Sustainable Tourism at Cultural and Natural Heritage Sites held at the request of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee in the remote area of Dun Huang, China, which I attended by special invitation. It was an honor to be asked to attend such an event with the leaders of global conservation organizations — UNESCO, national governments and others — at a critical time in world tourism history.

These leaders participated in constructive dialogues about key topics as managing the tourist experience and maximizing community benefits for 890 sites around the world. Hosted by UNESCO, its Sustainable Tourism Initiative provides the principles and frameworks that are being endorsed by dozens of governments, many of which were in attendance: government officials engaged in the environment & economic development from China, Australia, Vietnam, India, Malaysia, and others.

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