Travelife Achieves ‘Recognized’ Global Sustainable Tourism Council Status for its Tour Operator and Travel Agents Standard

4 02, 2013

Travelife Achieves ‘Recognized’ Global Sustainable Tourism Council Status for its Tour Operator and Travel Agents Standard

Claudia Bustinza2020-01-29T11:44:26+08:00February 4th, 2013|

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) recently announced that the Travelife Standard for Tour Operators and Travel Agents has achieved ‘recognized’ certification status. This is the first standard for tour operators and travel agents to receive certification from the GSTC. The awarded status benchmarks its commitment to promote sustainable tourism products and [...]

2 01, 2013

Fair Trade in Tourism South Africa (FTTSA) Achieves ‘Recognized’ Global Sustainable Tourism Council Status

Claudia Bustinza2022-01-09T08:33:56+08:00January 2nd, 2013|

The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) recently announced that the Standard of Fair Trade Tourism (FTT) in South Africa, has attained the organization’s ‘recognized’ status. The awarded status benchmarks its public commitment to promote sustainable tourism products and services recognized by the GSTC. FTT has committed to using the GSTC Criteria – the first [...]

19 12, 2012

Japan Ecolodge Association Achieves ‘Recognized’ Global Sustainable Tourism Council Status for Hotel and Tour Operators

Claudia Bustinza2020-01-29T11:46:32+08:00December 19th, 2012|

The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) recently announced that Japan Ecolodge Association (ECOLA) has attained the organization’s ‘recognized’ certification status for its Japan Environmentally Sustainable Accommodations International Standard (ESAIS). The awarded status benchmarks its public commitment to promote sustainable tourism products and services recognized by the GSTC. ECOLA has committed to using the GSTC Criteria [...]

19 12, 2012

Travelife Sustainability System Achieves ‘Recognized’ Global Sustainable Tourism Council Status for its Hotels and Accommodations Standard

Claudia Bustinza2020-01-29T11:46:32+08:00December 19th, 2012|

The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) recently announced that the Travelife Sustainability System for Hotels and Accommodations has achieved ‘recognized’ certification status. The awarded status benchmarks its commitment to promote sustainable tourism products and services recognized by the GSTC. Travelife has committed to using the GSTC Criteria – the first and only global framework for [...]

7 12, 2012

New Sustainability Critera for Destinations

Claudia Bustinza2021-12-15T00:28:39+08:00December 7th, 2012|

Update – The deadline for applications has been extended to March 15, 2013. New Sustainability Criteria for Destinations: Public Consultation Phase 2 The Global Sustainable Tourism Council’s Criteria for Destinations are designed to direct destination managers, communities, and businesses toward necessary steps to sustain their natural and cultural assets, while [...]

30 09, 2012

GSTC Third Annual Meeting (2012)

rariel2021-10-02T05:27:13+08:00September 30th, 2012|

GSTC Third Annual Meeting Open Forum: Morning Overview From left: Gwen Migita, Charles Arden-Clarke, Leilani Latimer, Erika Harms, Kelly Bricker, Shannon Stowell, Jane Ashton, Mila Dahle The third annual Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) meeting was held in Washington D.C. from September 26-29th, 2012. The GSTC has tripled its membership in the [...]

19 09, 2012

GSTC Training Courses: 28-29 September, 2012

GSTC Admin2017-06-10T17:30:20+08:00September 19th, 2012|

As part of GSTC’s Annual Meeting, we are hosting training courses for our members and guests to share best practices, tools and latest trends in the realm of sustainable tourism on September 28-29. We’re bringing together experts in the field so that you’ll have an opportunity to learn from them about destination criteria and the GSTC [...]

19 09, 2012

GSTC Hands-On Workshops: September 27, 2012

GSTC Admin2017-06-10T17:30:20+08:00September 19th, 2012|

As part of GSTC’s Annual Meeting, we are hosting a series of hands-on workshops for sustainable tourism practitioners and destinations on the morning of September 27, 2012. We’re bringing together experts in the field so that you’ll have an opportunity to learn practical tips on how to best manage, measure and market your sustainability in [...]

19 09, 2012

GSTC’s Open Forum: September 26, 2012

GSTC Admin2017-06-10T17:30:20+08:00September 19th, 2012|

We’re excited for GSTC’s Annual Meeting and Open Forum, coming up soon on September 26-29, 2012 in Washington, DC! Not only will you have an opportunity to meet experts, learn first hand about the destination sustainability criteria, and take away practical tips to better measure and market your sustainability, but you’ll be able to do [...]

16 08, 2012

Early-Adopter Spotlight: Lanzarote, Canary Islands

Amos Bien2020-09-05T10:25:36+08:00August 16th, 2012|

Lanzarote is the easternmost of the Spanish Canary Islands, known for its biological wealth (nearly 100 species found nowhere else but this single island), quaint fishing villages, volcanic landscape, year-round sun and lovely beaches. Lanzarote’s role as an Early Adopter of the GSTC’s Destination Criteria is a natural next step for a place that’s been [...]

16 08, 2012

Lanzarote, Canary Islands

Amos Bien2020-09-05T10:25:35+08:00August 16th, 2012|

Lanzarote is the easternmost of the Spanish Canary Islands, known for its biological wealth (nearly 100 species found nowhere else but this single island), quaint fishing villages, volcanic landscape, year-round sun and lovely beaches. Lanzarote’s role as an Early Adopter of the GSTC’s Destination Criteria is a natural next step for a place that’s been [...]

16 08, 2012

St. Kitts and Nevis, Caribbean

Amos Bien2020-09-05T10:25:35+08:00August 16th, 2012|

In a veritable sea of white-sand beaches and turquoise waters, St. Kitts & Nevis stand out from the Caribbean crowd: Their big draw for travelers is a rich cultural history. People come to see the capital’s Georgian architecture; to explore Brimstone Hill Fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage Site; and to ride the “sugar train,” a [...]

16 08, 2012

Huangshan Scenic Area, China

Amos Bien2020-09-05T10:25:36+08:00August 16th, 2012|

The granite peaks and spindly pine trees gamely clinging to sheer cliffs that make up the Huangshan landscape are famous to every China citizen; it is one of the country’s most popular tourist destinations—seeing two-and-a-half million visitors every year—and has long been a famous source of inspiration for artists and writers (indeed, it was the [...]

16 08, 2012

Fjord, Norway

Amos Bien2020-09-05T10:25:36+08:00August 16th, 2012|

The Norwegian fjords have a tourism history dating back to 1850. The area is known for its pristine natural beauty and its stunning fjords and has won many accolades. In 2006, two of its fjords were named among the world’s best-cared-for UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and in 2009 the region was rated the world’s most iconic [...]

16 08, 2012

Okavango Delta Ramsar Site, Botswana

Amos Bien2020-09-05T10:25:36+08:00August 16th, 2012|

As far as African safaris go, there are a few destinations that rise above the rest, famous for their abundant wildlife and magical settings. The Okavango Delta is one of those destinations. The region’s admittance to the GSTC’s Early-Adopter program is a further step on the path to sustainability, seeking to minimize impacts while maximizing [...]

7 08, 2012

Early-Adopter Spotlight: Lanzarote, Canary Islands

GSTC Admin2020-09-05T10:25:36+08:00August 7th, 2012|

Lanzarote's Jardin de Cactus Part of Spain but geographically closest to Africa, the Canary Islands are a popular vacation destination for Europeans. Lanazrote is the easternmost of the Canaries, known for its biological wealth (nearly 100 species found nowhere else but this single island), quaint fishing villages, volcanic landscape, year-round sun and [...]

3 08, 2012

Zeitz Foundation and the Chimirol Biojardineras: An Example of Community Involvement

GSTC Admin2017-06-26T08:26:32+08:00August 3rd, 2012|

GSTC member Zeitz Foundation shares with us the story of community involvement, environmental protection, education and promoting the local agricultural economy by building biojardineras (artificial wetlands) to manage waste water in Chimirol, Costa Rica. This was the first project of its kind in Costa Rica involving the partnership of a private company (Hotel Monte Azul) with [...]

1 08, 2012

Board of Directors Election Results 2012

Amos Bien2012-08-01T09:12:09+08:00August 1st, 2012|

GSTC is pleased to announce the results of its recent elections for five open positions on the Board of Directors. The elected members of the board are: Dr. Jiwei Xu, Chair of the Mt. Huangshan Administrative Committee; Heidi van der Watt, Director of the International Centre for Responsible Tourism-South Africa; Gwen Migita, Vice President of Sustainability for [...]

30 07, 2012

Early-Adopter Spotlight: Botswana’s Okavango Delta Ramsar Site

Brook Wilkinson2020-09-05T10:25:36+08:00July 30th, 2012|

As far as African safaris go, there are a few destinations that rise above the rest, famous for their abundant wildlife and magical settings. The Okavango Delta is one of those destinations. An oasis within the Kalahari Desert, the Okavango attracts lion, elephant, buffalo, magnificent bird species, and a dazzling array of other [...]

25 07, 2012

Accessible Tourism and its Importance in the Sustainable Tourism Discussion

GSTC Admin2017-06-26T08:26:32+08:00July 25th, 2012|

We are excited to welcome Allison Kleinman of Volunteers for Economic Growth Alliance (VEGA), a GSTC member, as our guest author today. VEGA works with volunteers and organizations in over 30 countries to promote its goal of reducing poverty and promoting sustainable economic growth in emerging markets. Today, Allison shares the importance of accessible tourism [...]