Figen Ayan, President of MedCruise and Dr Ioannis Pappas, GSTC Director for Mediterranean Region
Today, the Association of Mediterranean Cruise Ports (MedCruise) and the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), have signed a long-term agreement of collaboration on the contribution of Sustainable Development in Global Cruise Industry, focusing on Ports and Cruise Supply Chain. This agreement will provide platform titled ‘SCALE’ as an Alliance for Sustainable Development, while at the same time it will create the pathway for future additional actions for a net-zero planning of the cruise industry, including awareness programs and training, 360 degrees design on sustainability roadmap and implementation activities for ports, collaboration on environmental impact analysis in cruise ports operations, introduction of sustainability assessment and certification tools for Sustainable Ports, and many more.
Figen Ayan, President of MedCruise said, “We have been in touch for over 20 months with GSTC to shape and structure in an internationally recognised manner MedCruise’s ambitious, holistic and inclusive sustainable approach. We know that one solution for all is not applicable for our cruise ports, as we are composed of large ports, boutique or also islands. Therefore, as discussed in Palermo upon the 1st stakeholders forum of the EU funded BlueMission Med project, we hope that a certification system will be implemented and that the efforts of all our port members to create sustainable, eco-conscious destinations no matter what their volume is will be recognised and accepted accordingly. Thank you to GSTC for being a key partner and Mr. Ioannis Pappas for his dedication and hard work on this instrumental collaboration.”
Randy Durband, CEO of GSTC said, “GSTC is pleased to continue expanding our support to cruise port destinations and the cruise industry’s activities in ports with this collaboration with MedCruise. Applying the GSTC Destination Criteria to these many ports throughout the greater Mediterranean region can certainly enhance good governance for continuous improvement in a holistic approach to sustainable cruise port management.”
“We, in GSTC, are very excited that today, GSTC and MedCruise are announcing an agreement on developing a new initiative for sustainable tourism development in Ports around the globe, based on creation of the Sustainable Cruise Alliance (SCALE). This global platform will facilitate the transition of Ports and Cruise Supply Chain into a more sustainable future for the sake of all’, Dr Ioannis Pappas, GSTC Director for Mediterranean Region said.
This agreement was the outcome of enthusiastic collaboration between the two organizations during the last years, and it was signed at the 62nd edition of the General Assembly of MedCruise, on the 25th of May 2023 in Corfu, Greece, where more than 170 delegates, 17 cruise executives from 15 cruise lines and 12 journalists from the international press have participated.
About MedCruise
The mission of MedCruise is to promote the cruise industry in the Mediterranean and its adjoining seas. The Association assists its members in benefiting from the growth of the cruise industry by providing networking, promotional, as well as professional development opportunities.
Established in Rome on the 11th of June 1996, by a collaborative agreement between 16 ports in seven different countries, the MedCruise membership spreads today in 22 countries, and is located in three different continents, Africa, Asia and Europe. MedCruise represents more than 150 ports and 47 associate members.
More information here: https://www.medcruise.com/about-medcruise
About 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/
