Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) signs MOU with Madhya Pradesh
The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Madhya Pradesh Ecotourism Development Board on the 24th of January 2023, to help build Madhya Pradesh as a leading Sustainable Ecotourism Destination in India.
GSTC was represented by CB Ramkumar, GSTC Vice-Chair and South Asia Director.
Madhya Pradesh aspires to adopt sustainable tourism principles, practices, and processes for the ecotourism industry, in general, and for destinations, hotels, resorts, and tour operators. To facilitate this aspiration, GSTC will act as a Technical Partner to support and strengthen the sustainable ecotourism thrust of the Forest Department Government of Madhya Pradesh.
Madhya Pradesh’s vision includes:
- Promote adventure and eco-tourism.
- In addition to promoting adventure and eco-tourism around protected forest areas, develop such activities on major and satellite tourist circuits.
- Promote the use of renewable energy at all tourist destinations.
- Engage local communities to adopt and promote responsible tourism.
Read more about their vision here.
During the 23-24th of January 2023, GSTC organized the first « Sustainable Destination Masterclass » a two-day class that was a success. The GSTC Sustainable Tourism Masterclasses is the first step for the Industry Professionals and Destination Managers. It gives a good overview and knowledge of the concepts of Sustainable Tourism. This is seen as an entry-level program for anyone aspiring to first understand and become aware of Sustainable Tourism.
About Madhya Pradesh
Madhya Pradesh Ecotourism Development Board is an autonomous organization in the forest department of the Government of Madhya Pradesh. The Board was constituted in July 2005 for the promotion and development of ecotourism as a mainstream program of the Forest Department. The Board, apart from complimenting the Forest Department with the necessary knowledge, skills and policy initiatives, will act as a center of coordination between the Madhya Pradesh Tourism, the Forest Department and other stakeholders.
For more about Madhya Pradesh visit: https://mpforest.gov.in/ecotourism/index.html
About the GSTC
The Global Sustainable Tourism Council® (GSTC®) establishes and manages global sustainable standards, known as the GSTC Criteria. There are two sets: Destination Criteria for public policy-makers and destination managers, and Industry Criteria for hotels and tour operators. These are the guiding principles and minimum requirements that any tourism business or destination should aspire to reach in order to protect and sustain the world’s natural and cultural resources while ensuring tourism meets its potential as a tool for conservation and poverty alleviation.
The GSTC Criteria form the foundation for GSTC’s assurance role for Certification Bodies that certify hotels/accommodations, tour operators, and destinations as having sustainable policies and practices in place. GSTC does not directly certify any products or services, but provides accreditation to those that do. The GSTC is an independent and neutral USA-registered 501(c)3 non-profit organization that represents a diverse and global membership, including national and provincial governments, leading travel companies, hotels, tour operators, NGOs, individuals and communities – all striving to achieve best practices in sustainable tourism.
Information for media and the press: www.gstcouncil.org/about/for-the-press/
