The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) and The Hotel Association of India (HAI) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the 4th of October, 2024, at the Sustainability Conclave event, aiming to improve and strengthen cooperation and collaboration between the two parties to generate respective synergies and promote the application of sustainability practices and the GSTC Criteria in the hospitality industry in India.
GSTC will support HAI through its GSTC India Working Group and host a series of webinars tailored for HAI members. These webinars will focus on educating hotel operators about the importance of sustainability and sharing best practices for implementing sustainable business operations. Additionally, they will discuss the benefits of sustainability verification and certifications in enhancing brand reputation and attracting conscious travelers.
“The Hotel Association of India, being the leading hotel trade association in India, is well poised to be a thought leader on sustainable tourism. I am confident that this MoU will go a long way in promoting sustainable tourism practices, processes and practices as described in the GSTC criteria for Hotels. The framework of the GSTC standards will now help the India hotel industry compete with global hotels on an equal footing and this is an exciting prospect for India,” said GSTC Vice Chair, Mr. CB Ramkumar.
“We in HAI believe in the LiFE objective that every little step in doing business sustainably by billions takes us billion steps forward every day. HAI members are fully committed to the Planet, the People and Prosperity and have led the way with innovative practices. This collaboration with GSTC will enable us to align with the global best practices and standards. We hope the certification process will spread wide to cover all segments of the Industry,” said M.P.Bezbaruah, Secretary General HAI.
About HAI
Established in 1996, Hotel Association of India (HAI) has evolved as an integrated hospitality industry platform to keep pace with the growing buoyancy ushered in by the liberalization of Indian economy in the mid-90s. With its membership extending from major hotel groups; boutique, heritage and small hotels, HAI represents the entire spectrum of the industry. Its Executive Committee is a potent combination of the commitment of hotel owners on one hand and hard-core professionalism of hotel managers on the other. As the apex Industry Body, HAI works in the areas of Promotion of Regional Cooperation and Hospitality Research & Education in addition to taking Industry centric initiatives. By launching unprecedented ‘Social Inclusion’ initiatives, HAI also projects the ‘Social Face’ of the Indian hospitality industry.
More information here: https://hotelassociationofindia.com/
About GSTC
The Global Sustainable Tourism Council® (GSTC®) establishes and manages global sustainable standards, known as the GSTC Criteria. There are three sets: Destination Criteria for public policy-makers and destination managers, Industry Criteria for Hotels and Tour Operators, and MICE Criteria for Venues, Event Organizers, and Events & Exhibitions. 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.
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. The GSTC is an ISEAL Community Member, a global membership organization for ambitious, collaborative, and transparent sustainability systems.
Information for media and the press: www.gstcouncil.org/about/for-the-press/
