Collaborating with Neighboring Destinations

Connecting and collaborating with neighboring destinations is a powerful way to promote energy-efficient travel while managing visitor flows effectively. By creating partnerships that highlight eco-friendly routes and trails, destinations can reduce carbon emissions, ease overcrowding, and offer travelers unique, interconnected adventures. The Stockholm Archipelago Trail serves as an inspiring example of how to achieve this.

DMOs could collaborate with nearby towns, parks, or islands to design linked travel routes. The Stockholm Archipelago Trail connects Sweden’s capital city to idyllic car-free islands, inviting travelers to explore by ferry, bike, or foot. This network of trails and public transportation makes it easy for visitors to leave their cars behind and embrace more sustainable travel options.

This may be an opportunity for DMOs to identify nearby destinations with complementary attractions and develop collaborative travel itineraries, such as biking or hiking routes that run across destinations to highlight attractions across regions. DMOs could also promote partnerships through joint marketing campaigns, emphasizing shared goals of sustainable and responsible tourism.

Beyond focusing solely on major attractions, DMOs could encourage visitors to explore lesser-known areas at a slower pace. The Stockholm Archipelago Trail invites travelers to experience local food, culture, and natural beauty on smaller islands, distributing tourism benefits and reducing pressure on popular hotspots. This could mean promoting “of the beaten path” locations and neighboring areas. This could be an opportunity to showcase local traditions, artisans, and eco-friendly accommodations.