01 Communities and local economies Tourism can support local employment and businesses when local participation is part of planning. We consider how a partner works with the surrounding community and where visitor spending is likely to go.
02 Culture and community involvement Cultural experiences require the involvement of people whose history and traditions are being presented. We look for local leadership, consent, and interpretation from people with direct ties to the culture.
03 Environmental management Accommodations and operators make decisions that affect water, energy, waste, habitat, and visitor pressure. We include those practices in partner conversations and reviews.
04 Animal welfare and wildlife Wildlife encounters are reviewed for animal welfare, guide practices, viewing distance, and impact on habitat. For captive wildlife, we look for a documented conservation, rescue, or rehabilitation purpose.
