Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) signs MOU with Meghalaya Tourism Department
The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Meghalaya Tourism Department on the 18th of January 2023, to help build Meghalaya as a leading Sustainable Destination in India.
GSTC was represented by CB Ramkumar, GSTC Vice-Chair and South Asia Director.
Meghalaya’s Tourism Department aspires to adopt sustainable tourism principles, practices and processes for the tourism industry in general and for destinations, hotels, resorts & tour operators specifically. To facilitate this aspiration, GSTC will act as a Technical Partner to support and strengthen the sustainable tourism thrust of the Government of Meghalaya.
The vision statement of the Tourism Policy of Meghalaya is the following “To position Meghalaya as a preferred tourism destination and harness the tourism potential of the state, thus driving growth, generating employment and entrepreneurship opportunities for individuals and communities while keeping sustainability at the core”
Read more about their Tourism Policy for 2023 here.
On the 18-19th of January 2023, GSTC organized the “Sustainable Destination Masterclass” a two-day class that was a success with the Department of Tourism, Government of Meghalaya. The sessions were attended by 35 participants from the District Tourism Officers, Tourism Industry personnel, and NGOs.
The GSTC Sustainable Tourism Masterclasses is the first step for 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 Meghalaya Tourism Department
The Tourism Department Govt. of Meghalaya is the administrative Department. It is responsible for overseeing and coordinating the function of the Directorate of Tourism and the Meghalaya Tourism Dev. Corporation Ltd., so as to ensure uniform implementation of Governmental procedures.
For more information about the Meghalaya Tourism Department visit: https://meghalaya.gov.in/tourism-department-meghalaya or https://www.meghalayatourism.in/
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/
