ISTM Destinations Communities Support Interest Group (DCSIG)
Leadership Council
- Chair: Garth Brink, South Africa
- Immediate Past Chair: Assunta Marcolongo, Canada
- Vice-Chair: Sheila Hall, United Kingdom
- Irmgard Bauer, Australia
- Santanu Chatterjee, India
- Martin Haditsch, Austria
Welcome to the Destinations Communities Support Interest Group (DCSIG) page on the ISTM website. The DCSIG is open to suggestions and invites all ISTM members who feel strongly about the specific issues affecting destination communities to join our group. There is no cost to join, and it's easy. Click here to join or for more information.
The focus of the DCSIG is to address specific issues pertaining to destination communities particularly in developing countries.
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The Destination Communities Support Interest Group Charter
- The Destinations Communities Support Group (DCSIG) has responsibility for promoting the development of travel medicine and the ISTM among countries traditionally considered host countries
- The DCSIG is charged with identifying and raising awareness of social, environmental, cultural and health issues caused by travel and tourism within destination communities and with the responsibility to encourage and conduct research and develop strategies to protect local destination communities from negative impacts through tourism
- The DCSIG will work with other ISTM committees and groups in areas of mutual interest especially membership, research, health of migrants and refugees, the travel industry and public education committees
If you have suggestions regarding the activities listed below or new ideas for the DCSIG to consider, please direct your comments to Chair, Garth Brink. We look forward to hearing from you!
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DCSIG 2011 Survey Results
In June of 2011 the DCSIG Leadership Council distributed a survey to its members. Thank you to those who took the time to reply. You can find the results posted here. The survey was helpful to the Council as we move forward on projects to serve our members.
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Destination Communities Support Interest Group Future Activities
- Distributing information regarding awareness about sex and tourism.
- Encourage ISTM participation of health care professionals from developing countries, especially in areas where ISTM has no members.
- Encourage the distribution and promotion of The Responsible Traveler.
- Participation in the RCISTM5 in Singapore
- A symposium on medical, sex and eco tourism has been arranged
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Destination Communities Support Interest Group Recent Activities
A primary focus has been on raising awareness of host country issues and encouraging networking among interested members at ISTM Regional Meetings and International Congresses.
For more details about recent activities click here.
This document provides thoughts on the responsibility of the traveler when visiting a country with a different culture and customs. It serves as a guide for responsible behavior while traveling around the world. It is currently available in two languages, English and German, with more translations to be posted soon.
For more information or to order copies for distribution, click here.
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Minutes
ISTM Members: Click here to go to manage my membership and join this group.