Flori-Anne Dela Cruz, youth representative to Guam Visitors Bureau (GVB) Board of Directors, was awarded as 2019 PATA Face of Future. Hop on the conversation with Flori-Anne a year after the nomination to know about her experience and visions for future.

“President John F. Kennedy once said about economic development that ‘a rising tide lifts all boats’. Kennedy was, of course, right, but he missed something really, really important: A rising tide only lifts all boats when everyone has a boat.” - The Daily Take Team, 2014. In Palau, tourism brings the “rising tide of economic development” but land is the boat few Palauans have.

To manage tourism security, there are some more tips to take action according to Tourism & More. Since tourism security and wellbeing are fundamental factors in sustainability, it is important to invest in them thoroughly from a long-term perspective. Natural disasters, health crises, and other risks should be prepared for because dangers are always around us. Check this article to get some ideas on making good tourism security.

In terms of tourism security, it is part of the overall local environment. Crisis can happen at any time and any place; therefore, risk management should be dealt with in the tourism industry as well. Regarding Tourism Tidbits, an organization Tourism & More introduces some ideas that can enhance tourism security in this article.

Religion is one of the major businesses that greatly impact the tourism industry. With the increasing number of events, missionary works, humanitarian interest, faith based travel took place in this growing travel trend, which is not surprising at all. This article provides some insights into why religious travel develops.

S&P 500 companies that build sustainability into their core strategies are outperforming other companies that fail to show leadership on the index. The report by nonprofit CDP proved the long-debated industry question that sustainability improves financial results. As well as companies investing in carbon reductions achieve a strong financial performance, companies failing to respond to the climate changes are getting higher risks.

Destinations don’t noticeably move from one phase to another but rather move fluidly between planning and implementation. Implementing sustainable tourism outcomes is a delicate balance of developing without overdeveloping, marketing without over-promoting and managing without stifling the natural and dynamic social and cultural attributes of unique and vibrant destinations.

Tourism can and will evolve with or without planning, however the sustainability of a destination depends on whether the type and scale of tourism is best suited to the destination. Effective destination management relies on an iterative and continual planning process that integrates tourism into a community’s social, economic and environmental aspirations.

The sustainability of a destination is significantly influenced by its ability to adapt to changing market conditions, use resources efficiently and deliver innovative planning and development strategies. That requires an objective review of past performance as part of an ongoing and cyclical process to monitor and evaluate a destination’s progress in achieving its goals and vision.

Tourism is regarded as one of the top five employers world-wide and plays a significant role in the economic and social development of many destinations and communities around the world. Destinations seeking to find a balance between their economic, social and environmental aspirations are engaged in ‘destination management’.

Since the creation of Yellowstone National Park, the very first national park, almost 140 years ago, national parks have provided opportunities to recreate in natural areas enjoy the majesty of nature and contemplate our very being. They provide opportunities to relax, reinvigorate and energise and for many, to make spiritual and emotional connections with the earth.

Tourism businesses, no matter what size, face a wide range of challenges in developing, operating, managing and growing their business in what is a highly competitive, rapidly changing and volatile environment.