The Long Run

The Long Run is the flagship initiative of the Zeitz Foundation for Intercultural Ecosphere Safety. It is a platform for change to encourage and inspire people and places to adopt a way of living that transforms all that we do into a ways and means to move this world sustainably onwards.

A Long Run Destination is a privately managed natural area of conservation value with identified and valued ecodiversity that have committed themselves to the Global Ecosphere Retreats (G.E.R.) certification system. Long Run Destinations are run commercially and earn their income from tourism or other commercial activities that adhere to the highest standards in promoting social, cultural, and environmental sustainability. Long Run Destinations are dedicated to developing and promoting best practices in their location and all of their endeavors.

Ecosphere Safety refers to safeguarding the Earth’s ecosphere as an interdependent and global collective. In the context of a Long Run Destination, ecosphere safety refers to achieving and securing a sustainable balance of conservation, community, culture and commerce.

The G.E.R. certification system ensures that certified Long Run Destinations serve as “best sustainable practice” models when it comes to addressing the dimensions of conservation, community, culture, and commerce. Certification assures consumers, partners, governments, donors, and others that the Destination has been credibly tested and has achieved a variety of benchmarks. The system requires compliance with national and international laws and regulations.

Sustainable tourism refers to responsible and sustainable practices that meet the needs of tourists and host regions without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Such practices must also protect the environment and improve the welfare of an ecosystem’s people and wildlife, without compromising future generations from meeting their own needs. The standards by which we define sustainable tourism have been widely agreed upon by the Global Partnership for Sustainable Tourism Criteria (GSTC Partnership) and can be found at http://www.sustainabletourismcriteria.org/.

The Long Run is supported by the Zeitz Foundation I.E.S. and Long Runners like you. We rely on the generosity of donors, the resources of individuals, and the vision and practical successes of our Long Run Destinations.

Long Run Destinations are for the tourist and non-tourist. Through The Long Run initiative, the Zeitz Foundation hopes to encourage and mobilise individuals, organisations, corporations, and governments to support change in favour of sustainability. Whether through conservation or community development, cultural exchange or their responsible commercial approach, Long Run Destinations represent operations around the world who are tirelessly working towards making a positive contribution.