The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has introduced a new framework aimed at helping destinations manage tourism growth more responsibly, ensuring long-term benefits for residents, businesses, and visitors.

Presented in Madrid, the policy brief, "Destination Stewardship: Creating Value for All," outlines seven key principles designed to help governments and the private sector build more resilient and sustainable tourism destinations.

WTTC President & CEO Gloria Guevara Manzo emphasized that tourism should be measured not only by visitor numbers but by the value it creates for local communities.

"When destinations are managed well, tourism creates jobs, strengthens communities, protects cultural and natural heritage, and delivers lasting prosperity," she said.

The seven principles encourage destinations to plan collaboratively, prioritize resident satisfaction, use data-driven decision-making, diversify tourism across seasons and regions, reinvest tourism revenues into local communities, and prepare for future challenges.

According to WTTC, Travel & Tourism contributed US$11.6 trillion to the global economy in 2025 and supported 366 million jobs worldwide, reinforcing its role as one of the world's most important economic sectors.

The report also highlights successful destination management strategies in Madrid, New York, Dubrovnik, Bogotá, Colorado, the Balearic Islands, Copenhagen, Japan, Ljubljana, and South Korea, demonstrating how responsible tourism policies can generate sustainable growth while improving residents' quality of life.