Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria with support for local entrepreneurs and fair trade

      Although it may not always appear to be the case, tourism is able to contribute to global sustainability while also being socially and economically sustainable. Another important factor is supporting local entrepreneurs and bringing fair trade to the community, allowing locals to have jobs and income without having to relocate to work in the big city. These factors necessitate multifaceted and multi-sectoral collaboration to push local tourism in Thailand toward promoting the management of tourist attractions in accordance with the world's sustainable tourism guidelines.

Criteria for supporting local entrepreneurs and fair trade are as follows:

1. Attractions must have systems in place to ensure that tourism revenue flows into the local economy, by encouraging local entrepreneurship, supply chains, and long-term investment;
2. Tourism sites encourage the development and purchase of sustainable local products that are based on fair trade principles and reflect the area's natural and cultural identity, which may include food and beverages, arts and crafts, performances, and agricultural products.

Indicators for supporting local entrepreneurs and fair trade include the following:

1. Tourism SMEs receive consultation, financial assistance, and other forms of assistance;
2. Tourism SMEs are able to receive marketing assistance;
3. Local tourism entrepreneurs are encouraged and assisted to purchase goods and services locally;
4. There is a program in place to assist farmers, artists, and local food producers in entering the tourism supply chain;
5. Local arts and crafts are also identified, encouraged, and made available for sale to tourists in tourist destinations.

Source : Global Sustainable Tourism Council

Information as of 28 February 2023