https://ced.travel 

The World Centre for Excellence in Destinations (CED) was established in 2007 with the support of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). The CED's mission is to guide destinations worldwide toward excellence by supporting their efforts to promote sustainable development and increase their capacity to generate economic, social, and cultural benefits.

CED has developed a System of Measures for Excellence in Destinations, or SMED, which focuses on both short and long-term objectives of sustainable tourism. Destinations evaluated using SMED receive concrete and achievable recommendations for strategic interventions and continuous improvement.

CED also offers a SMED Lab, a tool designed to help new and emerging destinations establish tourism governance and utilize new technologies.

CED possesses a global network of experts and strategic alliances (https://ced.travel/experts-en-ced/ ). The organization is involved in projects in China and has established a partnership with Tsinghua University's CGDHCR (Center for Global Development and Health Communication Research). This partnership aims to develop joint publications and projects focused on youth and professionals in thematic areas of global interest.

Research themes include:

• Global ecological civilization
• Henry Norman Bethune's spirit of internationalism on global health
• Regional development and poverty reduction in urban-rural areas
• Youth exchanges 
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CED's research interests also include sustainable community development, ecological civilization and regenerative tourism.

Sustainable community development involves gathering information and developing practical tools based on local knowledge and experience to support the development of sustainable communities. Community resilience concepts include:

Refers to the ability of societies to deal with many types of challenges that impact well-being. It is an essential characteristic of what we call "success stories." Specifically, it is an equitable and inclusive society that provides its members with the necessary resources to live a healthy, safe, and fulfilling life.

Refers to the ability of communities and individuals to respond to shocks that may impact economic stability and well-being at the individual, household, business, or market level. The focus is on ingenuity and initiative during and after an event (shock) with specific reference to actions that increase resistance and recovery.

Refers to the extent of environmental transformation that can be absorbed by communities using key infrastructure and planning policies before critical thresholds are exceeded. Particular emphasis is placed on a community's ability to persist in the face of acute or long-term challenges resulting from environmental changes.

Refers to a community's long-term strategies, plans, and policies: the formal and informal mechanisms adopted by government institutions that emphasize the importance of good governance, maintain long-term perspectives, and advance community development, stability, and diversity using an inclusive and transparent approach.

In addition to these approaches, the concept of regenerative tourism could be integrated. Regenerative tourism goes beyond mere sustainability by actively seeking to restore and enhance ecosystems and local communities. It is a holistic approach that aims to create a net positive impact on the environment, society, and economy.

Regenerative tourism could translate into the following actions:

• Ecosystem Restoration: Supporting reforestation projects, biodiversity conservation, and restoration of natural habitats.
• Community Engagement: Actively involving local communities in tourism planning and management, ensuring they directly benefit from economic and social returns.
• Education and Awareness: Raising awareness among tourists and residents about environmental and cultural issues, encouraging responsible and respectful behaviors.
• Support for Sustainable Local Businesses: Favoring accommodations, restaurants, and tourist activities that adopt sustainable practices and contribute to the local economy.
• Community Resilience: Strengthening communities' capacity to cope with economic, social, and environmental shocks by diversifying income sources and developing local skills.

Integrating regenerative tourism into CED's mission would strengthen its commitment to tourism that not only minimizes its negative impact but actively contributes to the health and well-being of destinations and their communities.

CED's focus on sustainable tourism development recognizes the intrinsic connection between tourism, sustainable development, and community well-being. Sustainable tourism practices contribute to:

• Economic vitality through job creation and diverse income opportunities
• Cultural preservation and celebration of local heritage
• Environmental conservation and protection of natural resources
• Social cohesion and community empowerment

By implementing the SMED and promoting regenerative tourism approaches, CED helps destinations achieve a balance that enhances visitor experiences while improving quality of life for residents and preserving resources for future generations.

World Centre of Excellence for Destinations
UQAM Campus, Pavillon JE, 3e Floor
P.O. Box 8888, centre-ville branch
1564 Saint-Denis Street, Montréal, Qc, Canada H2X 3K2
1 (514) 871-1115

info@ced.travel