This initiative is committed to ongoing research, education, demonstration, and capacity building within the tourism industry to promote sustainable tourism that will: 1. Build on the foundation of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council criteria 2. Build capacity for sustainable social structures 3. Utilize the 12 Blue Community Strategies for research, education and demonstration http://www.bluecommunity.info/topics/view/51cbfc99f702fc2ba812ed8f/ 4. Work towards a safe and just space for humanity 5 Work toward just and sustainable economic development 6. Work within the limitation of the 9 Planetary Boundaries.

The initiative is carried out in many ways including: 1. Experiential Learning Opportunities for students and consortium members 2. Capacity building such as the offering of project management for sustainable development 3. Conferences and educational programs 4. Continual data collection, analysis and reporting by faculty and graduate students 5. Sustainable tourism demonstration projects focusing on mitigating the challenges of the 9 Planetary Boundaries 6. Demonstration projects such as a new low cost low tech biodigester that can be utilized in developing countries.

Key Capacity Development initiatives underway include: 1. Sustainable Certification program for hotels and resorts. 2 PM4SD training (Project Management For Sustainable Development) 3. Development of new Sustainable Tourism Metrics that better correlate with the SDGS 4 New block chain software to develop stronger collaboration with the other 17 Sustainable Tourism Observatories around the world 5 Sharing of work at a number of conferences such as UNWTO, GSTC, PM4SD Summer School etc.

The initiative is governed through the WHALE Center, a 501 (c) 3 Not for Profit Organization and the USF Patel College of Global Sustainability The WHALE Center is a UNTWO Affiliate and has formed a consortium of 30 members to implement this project. See: http://www.bluecommunity.info/topics/view/55a922bd0cf20feb892c987e/ The WHALE Center is governed by a Board of Directors who operate according to its by-laws. The USF Patel College of Global Sustainability leads the Blue Community UNWTO Sustainable Tourism Observatory and is administered by the Dean of the College who reports to the Provost and President of the University which has its own governing board.

Blue Community Consortium. Thirty Members See: http://www.bluecommunity.info/topics/view/55a922bd0cf20feb892c987e/