MakeMyTrip has joined as a Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) member.
New Delhi, June 24, 2022— MakeMyTrip, India’s leading online travel company, today announced becoming a member of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC). With this step, MakeMyTrip joins a select band of travel companies across the world that are taking the lead in driving sustainable tourism practices.
GSTC, a non-profit organization that works towards achieving best practices in sustainable tourism – represents a diverse and global membership including national and provincial governments, leading travel companies, hotels, tour operators, NGOs, and communities at large. The Global Sustainable Tourism Council was created jointly by UN agencies and prominent international conservation NGOs to develop global baseline standards for sustainable tourism- the GSTC Criteria. The Criteria are used for raising awareness around sustainable practices, helping shape best-suited policies for businesses, government agencies and other organizations; creating standard measurement and evaluation guidelines; and as a basis for certifications. They are the result of a worldwide effort to develop a common language around sustainability in tourism.
Speaking on the development, Vipul Prakash, COO, MakeMyTrip, said, “We believe that travel can be a force for good for people, destinations, and the overall environment. Our endeavor is to empower travellers with solutions that can help them make more responsible and mindful travel choices. We look forward to working closely with GSTC to help accelerate understanding and adoption of sustainable tourism practices in the country.”
GSTC Welcomes MakeMyTrip
“All industry leaders have responsibilities. MakeMyTrip, as an industry leader, is demonstrating this responsibility by joining forces with GSTC to help promote sustainable tourism practices across the Indian travel & tourism ecosystem,” said CB Ramkumar, Board Member and South-Asia Director of GSTC.
“We are delighted to welcome MakeMyTrip into our network of businesses striving to make sustainability an integral part of the tourism industry,” says Randy Durband, Chief Executive Officer of GSTC. “We look forward to working with MakeMyTrip with a view to increase adoption of sustainable practices across the travel & tourism ecosystem in the country.”
About MakeMyTrip
MakeMyTrip Limited is India’s leading online travel company. We own and operate well recognized online brands, including MakeMyTrip, Goibibo and redBus. Through our primary websites, www.makemytrip.com, www.goibibo.com, www.redbus.in, and mobile platforms, travellers can research, plan and book a wide range of travel services and products in India as well as overseas. Our services and products include air ticketing, hotel and alternative accommodations bookings, holiday planning and packaging, rail ticketing, bus ticketing, car hire and ancillary travel requirements such as facilitating access to third-party travel insurance and visa processing.
We provide our customers with access to all major domestic full-service and low-cost airlines operating in India and all major airlines operating to and from India, a comprehensive set of domestic accommodation properties in India and a wide selection of properties outside India, Indian Railways and all major Indian bus operators.
About the Global Sustainable Tourism Council
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. They are arranged in four pillars: (A) Sustainable management; (B) Socioeconomic impacts; (C) Cultural impacts; and (D) Environmental impacts (including consumption of resources, reducing pollution, and conserving biodiversity and landscapes). Since tourism destinations each have their own culture, environment, customs, and laws, the Criteria are designed to be adapted to local conditions and supplemented by additional criteria for the specific location and activity.
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: https://www.gstcouncil.org/about/for-the-press/
