The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) is pleased to announce a new partnership with Aquila Center for Cruise Excellence aimed at strengthening sustainability in the cruise tourism sector. Through this collaboration, both organizations will promote the development and delivery of sustainable tourism experiences with a particular focus on tour operators and tour guides in cruise destinations.
As part of their partnership, GSTC and Aquila will highlight each other’s training programs, providing special rates and shared knowledge to improve access to practical training. This initiative aims to help operators and guides strengthen the visitor experience while fostering sustainable growth for destinations in the long term.
“We’re excited to work with GSTC to bring global sustainability principles into practical application for shore excursions operators,” said Beth Hatt, Founder at Aquila. “Our team knows these challenges well — we’re not just trainers, we’re operators too. That’s why this partnership feels so natural.”
GSTC’s collaboration with Aquila builds on a mutual focus on responsible tourism. In 2024, Aquila launched the Excellence in Sustainable Destination Experiences program, aligned with the GSTC Framework. Created by cruise operators for the industry, the program equips professionals with practical resources to improve the sustainability and quality of shore experiences, addressing a key challenge commonly faced at the destination level.
Beth Hatt, Founder of Aquila Center For Cruise Excellence, and Randy Durband, CEO of the GSTC, at Seatrade Cruise Global in Miami, USA.
“Our partnership with Aquila connects GSTC Standards with the practical realities of cruise tourism. Together, we can equip operators and guides with the tools to empower cruise tourism professionals with the knowledge, tools, and confidence to deliver sustainable experiences that benefit destinations, communities, and guests.” Said Randy Durband, CEO of GSTC.
In addition to training GSTC and Aquila are exploring co-branded training journeys to further support continuous improvement across the tourism value chain.
For more information about GSTC’s Sustainable Tourism Training Program (STTP), click here.
About Aquila Center for Cruise Excellence
Aquila Center for Cruise Excellence is a cruise tourism training and a long-standing tour operator in Saint John, New Brunswick. Through certification programs and industry partnerships, Aquila helps destinations and operators elevate guest experiences while advancing sustainability, quality, and service. Read more about Aquila Center for Cruise Excellence here: www.cruiseexcellence.com
About GSTC
The Global Sustainable Tourism Council® (GSTC®) establishes and manages global sustainable standards, the GSTC Standards, also known as the GSTC Criteria. The GSTC Destination Standard for public policy-makers and destination managers, GSTC Hotel Standard & GSTC Tour Operator Standard, GSTC MICE Standard for Venues, Event Organizers, and Events & Exhibitions, and the GSTC Attraction Standard for tourist attractions such as theme parks, museums, and national parks. 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 Standards 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, as well as an Association Member of The International Accreditation Forum (IAF) and an Associate Member with the InterAmerican Accreditation Cooperation (IAAC).
Information for media and the press: www.gstc.org/about/for-the-press/
