UN Tourism has launched a pioneering digital self-assessment tool called “STAR” (Self-assessment Tool to Assist Rural Destinations) aimed at advancing sustainable tourism development in rural areas.
The tool allows local authorities within such rural destinations to self-evaluate their level of tourism development and receive tailored recommendations aligned with UN Tourism standards.
"The UN Tourism Self-assessment Tool is a game-changer for rural destinations. It empowers local authorities with a tool that allows them to self-evaluate their policies and actions, providing actionable insights fostering sustainable tourism development, and contributing to the overall growth of rural communities," said Zurab Pololikashvili, UN Tourism Secretary-General.
It empowers local authorities with a tool that allows them to self-evaluate their policies and actions, providing actionable insights fostering sustainable tourism development, and contributing to the overall growth of rural communities.
Available to all rural destinations in UN Tourism Member States, STAR enables stakeholders to assess their policies and initiatives across five areas: governance, economic/social/cultural sustainability, environmental sustainability, tourism development and infrastructure.
Based on the self-assessment, STAR then generates a customized recommendation guide and benchmarks excellence that allows the stakeholders to focus on marketing, promotion, training/education, policy-making, diversification of product, environmental and cultural preservation, measurement of results, strategic planning and more. The digital tool also provides destinations with in-depth analysis on the strengths and weaknesses of the local government in terms of tourism policies and strategies.
The tool also provides in-depth analytics and data insights for member states on local tourism policies, strategies, and interventions in rural areas, informing potential enhancements. STAR is part of UN Tourism's Tourism for Rural Development program, promoting tourism as a driver of rural development while safeguarding local communities and aligning with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Editor’s Note: This article was generated by AI, based on a press release distributed by UN Tourism. It was reviewed by a TravelAge West editor.
