The Importance of Professional Guides for a Sustainable Tourism Destination Community, and How to Provide Training and Certification

The “Triple Bottom Line” framework—economic prosperity, social equity, and environmental stewardship—offers a compelling way to assess the impact of tourism practices and policies. One of the most effective yet underutilized strategies for advancing these goals is the professionalization of guiding services. Professionally guided experiences not only enrich the visitor journey but also serve as a foundation for building resilient, well-managed, and economically viable tourism destinations. Equipping guides with the tools to lead responsibly is essential—and now more accessible than ever through the nationally available Guide & Outfitter Recognized Professional (GORP) training program.

Insights on Agritourism Among US Producers: Evidence from the 2024 National Agritourism Producer Survey 

This report, available from the Northeast Regional Center for Rural Development, presents findings from the 2024 National Agritourism Producer Survey. The survey questionnaire was developed by a team of researchers from Penn State, the University of Maine, the University of Vermont, and Oklahoma State University. This survey is part of a larger project aimed at defining and enhancing the agritourism support system in the United States.

Webinar Recording: Findings from 2024 Agritourism Producer Survey

During this webinar Claudia Schmidt (Penn State) and Jason Entsminger (University of Maine) shared findings from the 2024 National Agritourism Producer Survey. The survey questionnaire was developed by researchers from Penn State, the University of Maine, the University of Vermont, and Oklahoma State University.

Extension Disaster Education Network (EDEN)

The Extension Disaster Education Network (EDEN) is a collaborative multi-state effort by Cooperative Extension Services across the country to improve the delivery of services to citizens affected by disasters. EDEN compiles resources related to recovery assistance resources from national partners.

Disaster Aid Resources for States

Compiled by Louisiana Sea Grant, this is a list of federal disaster aid resources that are not state-specific. See the list at: https://www.laseagrant.org/resources/disaster-aid/resources/