TTG Asia Editor's Pick: Where is sustainability in travel & tourism headed? - by Randy Durband, GSTC CEO What is sustainable tourism? How sustainable is travel and tourism? I’m asked these questions constantly in my leadership role at Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC). To the first, our view at GSTC is that “sustainability is a [...]
"With tourism arrivals tripling over the past two decades, the region has reached a tipping point in terms of its ability to prevent popular destinations from being ruined But wherever tourism is developed, it is critical to preserve both natural resources and local culture, says Mr Randy Durband, GSTC CEO." Read the full article: Loved [...]
"Look for seals of approval from Global Sustainable Tourism Council, The Long Run, and Rainforest Alliance; all of these groups factor energy and water use, as well as sustainability and improving the livelihoods of local people. " Randy Durband, CEO of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council, emphasizes the importance of choosing accredited accommodations and operators. “Certification equals [...]
"Today, tourism is second only to hydropower in terms of revenue. Happily, the demand for guides and drivers creates employment and provides income opportunities via the sale of handicrafts, etc. Moreover, US$65 of the US$250 fee goes to the government who in reinvest it into free education and healthcare for citizens. But some are [...]
Mr. Weerasak Kowsurat, Thailand Minister of Tourism & Sport, and Mr. Randy Durband, GSTC CEO In a recent article in The Nation, Mr. Weerasak Kowsurat, Thailand Minister of Tourism & Sports, said: “We seem to agree that the head counts of foreign tourists or their expenditure are not the top priority. So, targets like 36 [...]
In their article "Why Responsible Travel Matters (and Greenwashing Sucks)", Green Global Traveler share their “Top 10 Responsible Travel Organizations” - which includes the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC).
"Hotel sustainability certification is driving savings and increasing customer satisfaction levels, according to Tui research. But it is a challenge 'to get the message to customers' and awareness is hampered by the inaction of leading online travel agents (OTAs) that fail to identify certified hotels." "Certified hotels also recorded higher customer-satisfaction scores. The hotels [...]
"Planning a responsible trip, however, requires a lot of research – and it remains especially difficult to find information on responsible tourism in remote destinations and developing countries. So why not recruit an operator to do the legwork?" "Sustainable tourism certification is also increasing. For the past two years, the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) [...]
Impact Travel Alliance freshly published thought-leadership study, 'Bringing Sustainable Tourism to the Masses,” contains optimistic news and a strong framework to accomplish the much-needed work ahead to integrate sustainability into all types of travel. Released at Impact Travel Immersion, the study was written in partnership with Mandala Research and Community by Design. “We are on the cusp of seeing [...]
The Five Years In: The One Planet Network 2012-2017 (Mid-term Magazine) presents key outputs and outcomes of the One Planet Network at mid-term (2012-2017), based on the 10YFP Indicators of Success framework and online reporting process, identifying opportunities and challenges to be addressed in the years ahead. This report is one of three elements of the [...]
8.3 million TUI customers stayed in sustainable hotels certified to a GSTC-Recognized standard (80% of the hotels owned by TUI Group) TUI Group's ambition is to increase the number of hotels with sustainability certifications to accommodate 10 million customers a year by 2020. TUI Group encourages their hotels to become certified to GSTC-Recognized Standards, with [...]
The UNTWO Publication on "Tourism for Development" has been released At last, the UNWTO flagship publication on ‘Tourism for Development" has been released. This publication, as a key outcome of the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development 2017 (IY2017), addresses the changes needed in policies, business practices, and consumer behavior for tourism to [...]
Transat promotes sustainable hotels with "certifications that meet the Global Sustainable Tourism Council requirements" "At destinations, many hotels are making significant efforts to protect the environment and provide you with a more responsible product. Their level of commitment is conferment by hotel certifications that meet the Global Sustainable Tourism Council requirements." A new video by [...]
Transat debuts new videos that highlight importance of sustainable tourism GSTC Member Transat A.T. is continuing its efforts in promoting sustainable travel by producing two new videos that highlight eco-friendly measures done by both Transat and hoteliers. “Marketing tourism products that consider the environment and local populations is one way that Transat promotes fair trade and [...]
"Tourism must be a leader in responding to climate change, also considering that its impacts are seriously deteriorating many destinations." Says Luigi Cabrini, GSTC Chair, in an interview for Travel Weekly. Read the full interview: GSTC Chair, Luigi Cabrini "Tourism must be a leader in responding to climate change" - Travel Weekly
"Book hotels and excursions that have passed certain sustainability accreditations... the Global Sustainable Tourism Council is one to look for..." Writes Charley Ross for HuffPost UK. Read the full article on Huffington Post website: 9 Ways To Reduce Your Environmental Footprint While Travelling
Booking.com Sustainable Travel Report: majority of global travelers stating that they want to travel sustainably Green travel trend continues to gain momentum, according to the global Sustainable Travel Report by Booking.com, with a large majority of global travelers (87%) stating that they want to travel sustainably, and nearly four in 10 (39%) confirming that they often [...]
"Think carefully about where to stay. Look for leading eco certification badges, such as the non-profit Global Sustainable Tourism Council. Denmark’s Green Key program now operates in 56 countries (France has the most awarded sites), while Los Angeles-based Green Globe measures businesses in 90 countries against 44 criteria. Beware TripAdvisor’s GreenLeaders program, though; it’s a self-reporting system that gives hotels [...]
But sustainable tourism doesn’t have to be expensive. Not only that, “it should actually be cheaper,” said Kelly Bricker, vice-chair of the board of directors of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council, or G.S.T.C. “There should be cost savings for doing the right thing. If you’re sourcing locally, reinvesting back into the community, it should be [...]
The Global Sustainable Tourism Council - GSTC just completed its annual meeting in Aysen, Patagonia, Chile. The conference included 250 participants from 30 countries from North America, the Caribbean, Central America, South America, Africa, Europe, Asia, and Australia. The conference was a huge success. Roi Ariel, GSTC General Manager stated: “The interest and thirst for knowledge of sustainable [...]
