A Positive Impact Tourism Framework

There’s no right or wrong way of “doing” positive impact tourism. There’s also not yet an internationally agreed standard, certification, or even an agreed definition.

What we do know is that it starts with having the right intentions. But what really matters is action.

As cliche as it might sound, it's also more about the journey than the destination. Gawd, what on earth does that mean?! It means having a positive impact through your business is ongoing. You set some goals - achieve them. Then build on them. Set new goals...achieve them. Rinse and repeat!

The Six Dimensions

I won't bore you with theory, but suffice to say that frameworks can be useful as "mental models" to organise information. They guide thinking and, most importantly, they guide action. 

What positive impact looks like in practice will be different depending on what type of operator you are and your scale.

That’s why The Travel Better Project’s “Six Dimensions of Positive Impact Tourism” framework is intended to guide, rather than prescribe, what doing good could look like in your business.

Here's a snapshot of what each of the six dimensions mean.

Strengthen & Empower Communities

Tourism has the power to uplift communities and help people become financially + socially independent. This could be through supporting social enterprises, sharing skills + resources, respecting community priorities, or amplifying the work of local changemakers. Strength within the community also comes from being inclusive of diversity in the workforce, supply chain and even in the stories that have a chance to be told. All places have their issues and a business that’s proactively playing a part in addressing local challenges will get noticed for the right reasons. Communities are at the heart of tourism – any opportunity to strengthen them provides compounding benefits.

Safeguard Culture & Heritage

Tourism can play a role in helping to protect + celebrate cultural identity, forge new connections, and expand peoples’ world views. This may include supporting Indigenous people and the issues they care about or helping to protect traditional ways of life in small farming communities. Many visitors are interested in built heritage values, artefacts and other expressions of heritage. Accordingly, there may be opportunities to help conserve historical sites and to keep history and culture alive through storytelling.

Conserve Nature & Biodiversity

Landscapes, seascapes, ecosystems and species are declining and degrading all over the world. A lot of tourism depends on nature. This is especially true in regional areas and places where the wilderness values or unique natural places are the heroes (like Tasmania). But while it depends on nature, tourism also impacts nature. Finding ways to protect wild spaces, restore damaged ecosystems or reduce threats to wildlife helps conserve the natural capital base underpinning tourism in nature-based destinations like Tasmania (and many parts of Australia).

Operate Sustainably

Tourism businesses can make sustainable choices across all areas of their operating footprint for net positive impact. This includes energy use, fuel, water, waste, and materials. Decarbonisation, in particular, is a challenge for most businesses due to the growing impacts of climate change. Sustainability is fast becoming the minimum standard for operation and with increasingly savvy consumers, the bar is inching ever higher.

Give Back To Aligned Causes

Purpose-driven businesses can have a positive impact in many ways. A common one is giving back to causes that matter most to your community or that are aligned with your purpose. Giving back doesn't have to be only money - it can also be sharing skills, volunteering your time, providing access to resources, making introductions, and so many more. You undoubtedly have many assets that are of value to others in the community - this dimension is about finding ways to share those things to give others a leg up.   

Educate, Inspire & Involve Visitors

Weaving in opportunities to educate visitors about social, cultural and environmental issues that are important to local people and places helps to inspire and spark change. Involving guests in a hands-on capacity to do good things or give back by supporting local initiatives is a great way to do that. Inspiring visitors by communicating your impact and showcasing all the amazing work you're doing is important as well.

Download the Six Dimensions framework.