Getting around the United States using public transport varies by location, but major cities often have comprehensive systems. In cities like New York, Chicago, and San Francisco, subways, buses, and trams are reliable and extensive. Amtrak provides train services connecting major cities and regions, making it a convenient option for longer distances. Many cities also offer public buses or light rail systems. For intercity travel, Greyhound buses are available.
USA
Sustainable Tourism in the United States invites conscious travellers who seek to minimize the industry’s negative impact on the natural environment, local communities and wildlife. Immersing yourself in protected nature reserves, historic townscapes and outdoor activities. Find out more about responsible options for your next holiday in the USA.
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GOOD PLACES TO VISIT
Explore destinations that were certified for their sustainability efforts
GOOD BUSINESSES
Discover accommodations, restaurants, shops and activities that are committed to sustainability. Their efforts are summarised in a SCORECARD (click on the picture). For the Good Travel Seal, the higher the level, the more things are checked by an independent auditor.
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GOOD PRACTICE STORIES
Get inspired with stories from places and people that are acting for a fair and responsible tourism
Aspen
Aspen has a strong commitment to preserving and celebrating its cultural heritage. Through its various programs and events, the city and nonprofit organizations provide opportunities for locals and visitors alike to learn about and engage with the unique traditions and identities that make Aspen such a special place. With a plethora of arts & culture programming that occurs year-round, there is opportunity to combine sustainability initiatives into events that attract people from all over the world. In recent years, Aspen’s arts & culture organizations have incorporated green initiatives into their programming with zero-waste events, critical dialogue on climate change, scholarship opportunities, and more. By blending world-class events with sustainability programming, we can help reach and spread awareness to a large number of influential people.
Breckenridge
Today, Breckenridge boasts a culturally rich and historically significant town and consistently ranks as one of the m ost visited ski resorts in North America. Centrally located 2-4 hours from major metro areas, Breckenridge experiences increased pressure from traffic and parking demands, truck deliveries, construction services, in-bound workforce commuters, and destination visitors. Combined with wayfinding challenges and lack of last mile connectivity, Transportation and mobility has become a central focus of our Destination Management Plan and our long-range SustainableBreck Plan (2022).
Durango
Visit Durango needed to figure out how to improve the quality of life for residents of La Plata County while responsibly maintaining its competitiveness as a Colorado Destination. We conducted a community engagement project, “Listening to Locals,” in 2022 to initiate a dialog with residents by using parts of the Continual Improvement for Social Responsibility Model. Through fourteen two-hour and five one-hour workshops, we interacted with over 50 organizations from for-profit and non-profit sectors, as well as over 25 residents across La Plata County, to identify more than 30 economic strengths, 30 environmental strengths, and 50 social strengths in addition to 30 financial risks, 30 environmental risks, and 50 social risks, while also highlighting 60 economic opportunities and 50 environmental and social opportunities.
Greater Palm Springs
Greater Palm Springs is a desert region in Southern California and is home to nine distinct cities running west to east along the Coachella Valley. The destination’s geography has resulted in disparities in opportunities and services available to residents and visitors. Tourism has lent commonality to the region as its top economic activity, generating $8.7 billion for the local economy and supporting 1 in 4 jobs. Our nine cities hold a shared goal of sustainably growing tourism in the region; however, the workforce remains fragmented – we needed a way to unite our tourism workforce and create an equitable environment for all to participate in this growth. To address this disparity, Visit Greater Palm Springs devised TEAM GPS, a program to connect these cities and provide the workforce with knowledge and skills needed to excel in their careers, while empowering them to shape and support a sustainable tourism industry.
Park City
Recycle Utah, a Park City-based non-profit focusing on waste diversion, started a ‘Green Business’ program in 2016 to serve Park City and Summit County. This initial program was successful in engaging local businesses to set meaningful waste-reduction goals; however, it was limited in scope and lacked the structure and capacity needed to scale the program. The Green Business Advisory Committee was formed to update the program to be more rigorous, address more sustainability issues, and provide more resources to businesses.
Sonoma County
An unsustainable influx of visitation to Sonoma County’s parks and open spaces during the coronavirus pandemic led to a successful partnership between Sonoma County Tourism, Sonoma County Regional Parks, and the nationally recognized Leave No Trace (LNT) organization. The partnership elevated to new heights in 2022 and 2023 with the development and release of the Sonoma County Leave No Trace Five Year Stewardship Action Framework, the Sonoma County Leave No Trace Coalition Toolkit and Initiative, and the expansion into a three-county “Cleaner California Coast” alliance. By working together to communicate uniform messaging, and getting local businesses to amplify the messaging, we’re empowering visitors to act as good stewards of the land to protect this special corner of the world for generations to come.
Vail
The town of Vail, Colorado developed a stewardship roadmap in response to the challenges of rising visitation, damage to local natural assets, and a sentiment that the town could improve its management of the impacts of tourism on quality of life.
Sustainability
The state of sustainability in the USA can vary widely from one region to another, with some states and cities taking more aggressive actions than others. Public opinion on these issues also varies. While challenges exist, sustainability efforts continue to gain traction in the USA, reflecting a commitment to environmental stewardship and a greener future.
Travel tips from our editors
Getting around
Tourism & People
Tourism in the United States offers a diverse tapestry of experiences, from the bustling streets of New York City to the serene landscapes of national parks like Yellowstone and the Grand Canyon. Visitors can explore a wide range of cultural influences, from historic landmarks such as the Statue of Liberty to vibrant celebrations like Mardi Gras in New Orleans.
The American people, known for their friendly and welcoming nature, provide a warm reception to travellers from around the world. Whether you seek the bright lights of Las Vegas, the historical richness of Washington, D.C., or the natural wonders of the Great Smoky Mountains, the United States has something for every traveller.
Nature & Wildlife
From the rugged mountains of the Rockies to the pristine beaches of Hawaii, the country boasts a stunning array of landscapes. The national parks, such as Yosemite and Yellowstone, provide a sanctuary for diverse wildlife, including bison, bears, eagles, and more. Birdwatchers can enjoy the spectacle of migratory routes across the continent, while marine enthusiasts can spot whales along the coasts.
Conservation efforts play a significant role in protecting these ecosystems, with many organizations dedicated to preserving the country’s natural heritage.
Sustainability Recognitions
Brazil has 9 destinations featured in the Top 100 Sustainable Destinations 2021.
Other sustainability certifications can be seen here (English) and here (Portuguese).
Fernanda Rodak | Page Editor
“Brazil is a worldwide known hotspot for biodiversity as well as home to a multitude of cultural expressions. The natural and cultural heritage and immense variety of tourism experiences in the country are valuable assets for its competitiveness. Yet, as we envision a post Covid-19 era, sustainability in tourism becomes crucial to build resilience and guarantee the long-lasting health of Brazil’s ecosystems and well-being of the hosting communities. This would also ensure an active contribution of the country’s tourism sector to the Sustainable Development Goals.”
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