Sustainable Tourism Development Pathway
This pathway helps tourism operators understand and apply practical steps to operate more sustainably, strengthening business resilience, supporting communities, and protecting the natural and cultural assets.
Image: Crookwell WindFarm| Credit – Destination Southern NSW
Sustainable tourism involves balancing the needs of visitors, the industry, the environment, and local communities. It looks at the environmental, social, and economic aspects of tourism to create a positive and lasting effect. At its heart, sustainable tourism means:
- Protecting and preserving the natural environment
- Respecting and valuing local people, cultures, and heritage
- Making sure economic benefits are fair, inclusive, and long-lasting
This approach shows how these three connected areas work together, and how your business can help build a more sustainable visitor economy.
Why it matters for your business
Sustainability is no longer just a trend; it’s an expectation.
Travellers are increasingly seeking experiences that reflect their values, while communities and governments are prioritising practices that protect the environment and cultural integrity.
Operating sustainably can help your business to:
- Reduce costs through efficient energy, water, and waste management
- Strengthen relationships with local suppliers, producers, and communities
- Improve visitor satisfaction and attract environmentally conscious travellers
- Build resilience to environmental and market changes
- Contribute to the shared goal of a vibrant, sustainable Southern NSW visitor economy
Opportunities for Tourism Operators
Sustainability creates opportunities to innovate, collaborate, and lead.
Across Southern NSW, operators are introducing new experiences, partnerships, and technologies that reduce impact while adding value, such as electric vehicle-friendly itineraries, regenerative farming experiences, and inclusive, community-led storytelling. This pathway will guide you through each stage of your sustainability journey, from understanding what sustainability means for your business to integrating it into daily operations and confidently sharing your impact.
Image: Crookwell Alpaca Farm | Credit Destination NSW
Cross-Pathway Links
For continued learning and related resources, explore:
- Start Here Pathway – for business readiness and planning.
- Accessibility & Inclusion Pathway – for inclusive tourism practices.
- Cultural Tourism Pathway – for cultural engagement and storytelling.
- Agritourism Pathway – for local sourcing and land stewardship.
- Meetings and Events Pathway – for sustainable event management.
Destination NSW – Sustainable Tourism Resources
The Development Pathways draw on content from Destination NSW’s Sustainable Tourism Resources and NSW First Program, which provide tools, training, and case studies to help operators integrate sustainability into their business practices.
We acknowledge and credit Destination NSW for the relevant content that underpins the Sustainability Development Pathway.
For more information and to access the full suite of Business Events NSW resources, please visit the Business Events NSW website.
Phase
Understanding Sustainability
Explore Phase →
Environmental Sustainability
Explore Phase →
Socio-Cultural Sustainability
Explore Phase →
Economic Sustainability
Explore Phase →
Communicating Sustainability
Explore Phase →
Tools and Resources
Explore Phase →
