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 GSTC recognized sustainable tourism products and services. Each of these companies has committed to using the GSTC Criteria – the first and only global framework for defining a sustainable travel benchmark – as the reference for sustainable travel.
The objective of the program is to recognize and reward genuine practitioners of sustainable tourism. As a result, it builds confidence and credibility with consumers. The commitment from these organizations demonstrates the relevance of the widespread adoption of sustainable tourism standards.
GSTC announces the first GSTC-Recognized Standards
The standards of 11 travel entities are now considered equivalent to the GSTC Criteria. Each standard went through a rigorous review and authorization procedure. The GSTC Criteria is the global baseline standard for tourism businesses of all sizes to approach sustainability.
This marks a significant milestone in the development of credible sustainable travel and tourism products. The GSTC-Recognized Standards are the cornerstone and first step of a three-stage GSTC Process.
Stage 1 recognizes that a standard, which is a written statement that can be verified, is compatible with the GSTC Criteria.
Stage 2 is the evaluation of the processes for certification to ensure they are transparent, impartial and conducted by people with technical competence. The 2nd stage is called GSTC Approval of a certification program that uses a GSTC-Recognized Standard.
Stage 3 is full accreditation (GSTC-Accredited) and will begin implementation in December of 2014.
Adventure Travel Trade Association Supports GSTC Criteria
According to Erika Harms, Executive Director of the GSTC, in an interview with ATTA:
“The adventure tourism community is a natural stakeholder for the goals of the GSTC. Sustainable Tourism, including not only environmental conservation but cultural and socio-economic benefits for local communities, is at the heart of adventure travel. Promoting clear principles that define sustainable tourism clearly differentiates between green washers and the real deal. ATTA has the ability, but promoting the GSTC criteria and enabling access to its members to its implementation, can help those that are truly seeking sustainability make a difference. ATTA members can implement the GSTC criteria to help guide them in achieving their sustainability goals. GSTC can help ATTA and its members be recognized as global leaders for their efforts.”
“We are excited about the partnership with ATTA and feel we are only scratching the surface on what we can jointly accomplish”
Clarification from the GSTC
GSTC Recognition of standards refers to, as the name suggests, to standards only. GSTC has NOT analyzed the quality of the process of certification of these standards except those that have been accredited by GSTC.
