Leading Travel Companies Commit To Sustainable Tourism Through the Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria

01-16-2012

 

 

The Global Sustainable Tourism Council announces the first GSTC-Recognized Standards

 

WASHINGTON, D.C. Jan 16, 2012 - The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) announces that Amadeus, Melia, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd, Sabre Holdings and TUI Travel are among the first group of global Travel and Tourism corporations to publicly commit to promoting sustainable tourism products and services recognized by the GSTC. Each of these companies has committed to using the GSTC Criteria ˆ the first and only global framework for defining a sustainable travel benchmark ˆ as the reference for sustainable travel.

 

The objective of the program is to recognize and reward genuine practitioners of sustainable tourism, which in turn builds confidence and credibility with consumers. The commitment from these organizations demonstrates their belief that sustainable tourism is an important component of their business practice and that the widespread adoption of sustainable tourism standards is relevant.

 

„Amadeus, Melia, Sabre, Royal Caribbean and TUI Travel have shown remarkable leadership in making this public commitment to sustainable travel. Their pledge supports the development of consumer confidence and a credible marketplace for sustainable travel and tourism,‰ said former U.S. Senator Timothy E. Wirth, president of the U.N. Foundation.

 

Today the GSTC also announces the first GSTC-Recognized standards:

·         Bundesministerium für Land - und Forstwirtschaft, Umwelt und Wasserwirtschaft (BMLFUW)Œs Austrian Ecolabel for Tourism (Österreichisches Umweltzeichen)

·         Costa Rica Tourist Board (ICT)'s Certification for Sustainable Tourism (CST)

·         Ecotourism Australia's Advanced EcoCertification

·         Ecotourism Ireland‚s Ecotourism Ireland Label

·         European Ecotourism Knowledge Network‚s European Ecotourism Labelling Standard (EETLS)

·         Fair Trade in Tourism for South Africa (FTTSA)

·         Instituto de Turismo Responsable's Biosphere Hotels

·         Japan Ecolodge Association‚s Environmentally sustainable accommodations standard

·         Rainforest Alliance‚s Standard for Tourism Operations

·         Sustainable Travel International‚s Sustainable Tourism Eco-Certification Program (STEP)

 

Each standard went through a rigorous review and authorization procedure and are considered equivalent to the Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria. The Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria are the worldwide minimum requirements for tourism businesses of all size to approach sustainability.

 

This marks a significant milestone in the development of c
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