OHTO Commits to Sustainability by Signing 2030 Sustainability Pledge

We are excited to announce that the Ontario’s Highlands Tourism Organization (OHTO) has signed the Sustainable Tourism 2030 Pledge, to demonstrate our commitment to improving the sustainability performance of our organization, and as a destination, between now and 2030.

“Sustainability is not just a catchphrase for us here at OHTO, managing our tourism destinations is a priority that will support not only our current visitors and residents, it will ensure our beautiful natural spaces and tourism assets are here for generations to come,” said Nicole Whiting, Executive Director.

The UN World Tourism Organization defines sustainable tourism as “tourism that takes full account of its current and future economic, social and environmental impacts, addressing the needs of visitors, the industry, the environment and host communities.” For OHTO, it’s about harmonizing prosperity and preservation, and working collaboratively with and within our communities to build a thriving destination.

Each year, OHTO commits to measuring and improving our sustainability performance by executing our Responsible Tourism Approach, “Wander Sustainably”, to deliver initiatives such as:

• Monitoring and supporting Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions and reduction strategies by tourism operators and communities. 
• Developing sustainably focused policies for operations such as sustainable purchasing and procurement, waste management and event planning. 
• Providing information to visitors on how to travel responsibly in our communities. 
• Fostering Indigenous allyship and environmental stewardship across the region by acting as a leader to inspire and empower the tourism industry in these areas. 
• Establishing a Responsible Tourism Collective to ensure accountability and transparency of OHTO’s sustainable tourism activities and guide the growth of responsible tourism within the region. 
 

To learn more about OHTO’s “Wander Sustainably” approach, click here. To find out how you can sign the Sustainable Tourism Pledge 2030, click here.