Over the decades, tourism has experienced continued growth and deepening ‎diversification to become one of the fastest growing economic sectors in the world. ‎Modern tourism is closely linked to development and encompasses a growing number ‎of new destinations, representing a key economic sector, according to the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). Today, tourism represents 10% of the global GDP and represents 1 in 11 jobs. Since the UN declared 2017 as the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development, CICOPA has decided to dedicate the first Work Together special dossier issue to the analysis of how cooperatives, thanks to their enterprise model, represent an important opportunity for developing local economies through a sustainable approach, as well as a source of inspiration for a more responsible and people-centred tourism. Through the concrete experiences of cooperatives in the tourism sector in Costa Rica, France, Lesotho, Argentina, the UK and Italy, you will discover how they contribute to the three pillars of sustainability: economic, social and environmental.