Destination Silver Star joins global tourism sustainability alliance

By AI, Created 9:38 AM UTC, May 20, 2026, /AGP/ – Destination Silver Star has joined the Destination Think Collective, a global network of destinations focused on using tourism to support climate action, community wellbeing, and economic resilience. The move gives the British Columbia resort community access to shared learning as it works to protect the natural assets behind its Nordic skiing and year-round visitor economy.

Why it matters: - Destination Silver Star is linking its local tourism strategy to a global sustainability network at a time when destinations face climate and community pressures. - The partnership is meant to help the Silver Star resort community protect the natural assets that support its Nordic skiing product and broader visitor economy. - The move also gives Destination Silver Star access to peers, ideas, and resources that could speed up destination stewardship efforts.

What happened: - Destination Silver Star joined the Destination Think Collective on April 29, 2026. - The Silver Star, British Columbia, destination marketing and management organization entered a peer group of destinations focused on using travel to create positive change. - The Collective includes destinations such as Auckland, Banff, Copenhagen, Queenstown, Hawai’i, and Whistler. - Michael Benedek, executive director of Destination Silver Star, said the membership reflects a shared responsibility to safeguard the region, its ecosystems, and its communities.

The details: - The Destination Think Collective is a global alliance of destinations working to build a tourism industry that supports local communities, protects the planet, and strengthens economic resilience. - The group says travel can expose visitors to sustainability solutions firsthand and inspire action after they return home. - Destination Silver Star said its recent Biosphere Certification aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and reflects responsible tourism practices. - Destination Silver Star has used green and shoulder season growth as a climate adaptation strategy. - Destination Silver Star is a not-for-profit, membership-based organization founded in 2020. - The organization represents about 1,000 members across accommodations, attractions, dining, retail, and homeowners. - Destination Silver Star manages marketing, media relations, events, research, and destination development for Silver Star, a mid-mountain village in the Monashee Mountain Range of British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley. - The destination is known for its village charm and world-class trails. - Learn more at Destination Silver Star.

Between the lines: - The membership gives Destination Silver Star a platform to position itself as a sustainability leader rather than just a ski and resort destination. - For a mountain community, climate adaptation is not abstract; winter conditions, season length, and visitor demand directly shape local business performance. - Rodney Payne, CEO of Destination Think, said tourism is vulnerable to climate and social disruption but also uniquely able to help solve those problems. - The Collective is using destination-to-destination collaboration as its main tool, which suggests the group values practical implementation over broad messaging.

What’s next: - Destination Silver Star is expected to share its stewardship approach with other Collective members and bring back ideas that can be used locally. - The organization is likely to keep building programs that strengthen the green and shoulder seasons while protecting ecosystem health. - Destination Silver Star will also aim to attract travelers looking for meaningful, responsible experiences.

The bottom line: - Destination Silver Star is betting that collaboration on sustainability can help protect its natural assets, support local businesses, and keep the destination competitive over time.