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Unlock This CourseNot all the organisations that shape tourism are run by governments or businesses trying to make a profit. Some of the most important players in destination development are Non-Government Organisations better known as NGOs. These are independent groups that work for a cause, not for profit. In tourism, they often focus on protecting the environment, supporting local communities and making sure tourism doesn't do more harm than good.
Key Definitions:
Tourism can bring money and jobs, but it can also damage ecosystems, push out local communities and destroy the very things that made a destination special in the first place. NGOs step in to make sure that doesn't happen or to fix things when it does. They act as a watchdog, a campaigner and sometimes a practical helper on the ground.
NGOs are not funded by governments (though some receive grants). They typically get money from donations, membership fees, fundraising and sometimes partnerships with businesses. Because they don't rely on government money, they can speak freely and challenge decisions they disagree with including government tourism policies.
NGOs wear many hats in the world of tourism. They might be lobbying governments to protect a rainforest, certifying eco-friendly hotels, training local guides, or running campaigns to stop child exploitation in tourist areas. Here's a breakdown of their main roles:
NGOs campaign to protect natural habitats, wildlife and landscapes from overdevelopment. They may lobby for national park status or restrictions on tourist numbers in fragile areas.
Some NGOs work directly with local communities to make sure they benefit from tourism through fair wages, local ownership of businesses and cultural preservation.
Organisations like the Rainforest Alliance certify businesses that meet environmental and social standards, helping tourists choose responsible options.
The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) is one of the world's most well-known NGOs. In tourism, WWF has worked to develop guidelines for responsible wildlife tourism for example, setting rules around whale watching, safari behaviour and coral reef diving. In the Arctic, WWF partnered with cruise operators to create codes of conduct that protect polar bears and fragile tundra ecosystems. WWF doesn't run tours itself it influences how tourism is done and holds businesses to account.
NGOs don't just campaign from the sidelines they often work directly with governments, tour operators and local communities to shape how a destination is managed. This can include writing tourism strategies, training local staff and funding conservation projects that tourism depends on.
NGOs can influence tourism policy in several important ways. They may lobby governments to introduce laws protecting natural or cultural sites. They may publish research showing the damage overtourism is causing. They may work with the UNWTO (United Nations World Tourism Organisation) to set international standards. And they may name and shame businesses or governments that are acting irresponsibly.
In some destinations, NGOs are so well-established that they are formally included in destination management planning sitting at the table alongside government officials and tourism businesses.
Tourism Concern was a UK-based NGO that campaigned for ethical and fair tourism from 1989 until it closed in 2018. It highlighted issues like water theft from local communities to fill hotel swimming pools, exploitation of porters on trekking routes in Nepal and child labour in tourism. Tourism Concern published reports, ran awareness campaigns and worked with tour operators to improve their practices. Although it no longer operates, its legacy lives on in the policies many tour operators now follow. This shows how NGOs can create lasting change even when they are small organisations with limited budgets.
This NGO works in Central Asia to protect snow leopards. It does this partly by developing community-based tourism giving local herders an income from tourism so they have less reason to poach. This is a great example of an NGO using tourism as a conservation tool.
Fairtrade Tourism is a South Africa-based NGO that certifies tourism businesses which pay fair wages, respect workers' rights and support local communities. It gives tourists a way to identify genuinely ethical businesses when they travel.
In the exam, you need to be clear about the difference between NGOs and government bodies. NGOs are independent they are not controlled by governments and do not aim to make a profit. Government organisations (like NTOs or tourism ministries) are funded and controlled by the state. NGOs can sometimes be more effective at challenging bad practice precisely because they are independent. A good exam answer will explain why NGOs are independent and what difference that makes.
Now let's look at a very different type of organisation one you might have actually visited on a day trip or holiday. Tourist Information Centres (TICs) are physical locations (and increasingly online services) where visitors can get help, advice, maps and information about a destination. They are usually run by local authorities or regional tourism organisations, though some are managed by private companies or partnerships.
Key Definitions:
TICs do a lot more than hand out leaflets! They are a key part of how destinations manage and improve the visitor experience. Here are their main functions:
Providing maps, guides, timetables and local knowledge to help visitors find their way around and make the most of their trip.
Many TICs can book local hotels, B&Bs and guesthouses on behalf of visitors especially useful for walk-in tourists who haven't pre-booked.
TICs promote local events, festivals, tours and attractions helping spread visitor spending across the local economy.
TICs also play an important role in visitor management. By directing tourists to less-visited attractions or quieter areas, they can help reduce pressure on the most popular spots. This is especially important in destinations that suffer from overtourism.
York is one of England's most visited historic cities, attracting over 8 million visitors a year. The Visit York Information Centre, located in the heart of the city, provides maps, walking tour information, accommodation booking and advice on attractions ranging from the Jorvik Viking Centre to the York Minster. Staff are trained to spread visitors across the city recommending lesser-known streets and attractions to reduce crowding in the most popular areas. Visit York also has a strong online presence, showing how TICs have adapted to the digital age.
TICs are not just helpful for tourists they are genuinely important for local businesses. By recommending local restaurants, independent shops and smaller attractions, TICs help spread tourist spending more widely. This is called the tourism multiplier effect money spent by tourists circulates through the local economy, supporting jobs and businesses beyond just the big hotels and attractions.
TICs promote local businesses, encourage longer stays and help tourists discover things they wouldn't have found on their own. A tourist who visits a TIC is more likely to spend money on local experiences, local food and local accommodation rather than just sticking to the big chain hotels and tourist traps.
By directing visitors away from overcrowded hotspots and towards quieter areas, TICs can help manage the environmental and social impacts of tourism. They may also promote responsible behaviour for example, reminding visitors to stick to footpaths in national parks or respect local customs.
TICs face some real challenges in the modern world. The rise of the internet, smartphones and apps like Google Maps and TripAdvisor means that many tourists no longer feel they need to visit a physical information centre. As a result, many TICs have closed or reduced their hours due to budget cuts especially in the UK, where local authority funding has been squeezed.
To survive, TICs have had to adapt. Many now offer:
Some TICs have also moved into libraries, museums, or transport hubs to cut costs while remaining accessible. The challenge is to remain relevant and useful in a world where tourists can find information instantly on their phones.
VisitScotland operates a network of iCentres across Scotland a modern rebranding of the traditional TIC. These centres are located in key tourist areas like Edinburgh, Inverness and Fort William. They offer multilingual staff, digital information screens and booking services for accommodation and tours. VisitScotland has also invested heavily in its website and app, recognising that many visitors research their trip online before arriving. The iCentre model shows how TICs can modernise while keeping the personal, human touch that digital tools can't fully replace.
NGOs and TICs might seem like very different types of organisation, but they can work together effectively. For example, an NGO focused on wildlife conservation might provide TICs with educational materials about how to behave around local wildlife. A TIC might promote NGO-certified eco-tours to visitors. Both organisations share a common goal: making sure tourism benefits the destination rather than damaging it.
The Galapagos Islands in Ecuador are one of the world's most ecologically sensitive destinations. NGOs like the Charles Darwin Foundation work alongside the Galapagos National Park and local TIC-style visitor centres to manage tourism carefully. Visitor numbers are strictly controlled and all tourists must be accompanied by a licensed naturalist guide. The Charles Darwin Foundation provides scientific research that informs tourism policy, while visitor centres educate tourists about the fragile ecosystem before they set foot on the islands. This joined-up approach involving NGOs, government and visitor information services is seen as a global model for sustainable destination management.
Both NGOs and TICs play vital but very different roles in destination development and management. NGOs act as guardians of the environment and local communities, challenging bad practice and promoting responsible tourism. TICs act as the friendly face of a destination, helping visitors get the most from their trip while supporting local businesses and managing visitor flows. Together, they contribute to tourism that is not just enjoyable for visitors, but genuinely beneficial and sustainable for the destinations themselves.