The GSTC Board of Directors plays an integral role in the leadership of the organization. Most seats on the board are filled via annual elections of and by current members of the Council. The GSTC Election Committee has validated the votes and has released the results.

Three current board members were re-elected to 3-year terms: Jane Ashton (TUI Group), Beatriz Barreal Danel (Sustainable Riviera Maya), and Jorge Moller (ONG Regenera). The election brings to the board for 3-year terms also Ingunn Sørnes (Innovation Norway), as well Dr. Anna Spenceley (Spenceley Tourism & Development) who has already served on the board from 2010 to 2012. Melinda Watt (EarthCheck) was also re-elected to a special board seat designated for a Certification Body.

Commenting on the election, Board Chair Luigi Cabrini stated “Once again the GSTC Board will benefit of the experience of leaders in sustainable tourism from a variety of countries and continents. A warm welcome to the newly elected Directors and thank you to those who will continue to serve for a new term.”

“I look forward to take part in the very experienced and competent Board,” says Ingunn Sørnes. “I do hope I am able to pass on some of the development work we have undertaken in Norway, especially in integrating sustainable tourism into the local development planning.”

“I’m thrilled to be back as part of the GSTC Board,” says Dr. Spenceley. “I’m looking forward to working with distinguished Board members, working groups, and members, to promote the positive impact that the GSTC has on sustainable tourism globally.”

“One of my first tasks is a Seychelles conference on ‘Sustainable Tourism in Small Island Developing States’ in November. This is being organised in partnership with the Seychelles Sustainable Tourism Foundation (SSTF), the University of Seychelles (Department of Tourism and Cultural Heritage), the IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas Tourism and Protected Areas Specialist Group (TAPAS Group), and the GSTC is a core partner. ” Adds Dr. Spenceley.

The new terms commence on September 1st.