The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) has formed a Roundtable for Animal Welfare in Tourism (R4AWT), an initiative aimed at promoting responsible, ethical, and science-based approaches to animal welfare within the global tourism industry.
R4AWT aims to provide a platform for collaboration, knowledge exchange, and the development of practical guidelines tailored to the tourism context.
“As we launch the GSTC Animal Welfare Initiative, we anticipate vibrant and meaningful discussions. The roundtable discussions promise to enrich our collective journey toward better definitions and guidelines for sensitive issues surrounding tourism impacts on animal welfare,” says Randy Durband, CEO of GSTC.
The first meeting of the GSTC Roundtable for Animal Welfare in Tourism (R4AWT) was held on May 20, 2025, focusing on ‘Foundations for Ethical Animal Welfare in Tourism’ and marking the official launch of the initiative and the beginning of collaborative efforts to address animal welfare in the tourism sector.
Main Activities of the R4AWT
The roundtable’s work will include:
- Review existing frameworks and best practices
- Determine the scope, structure, and purpose of the guidelines
- Develop the essential content of the guidelines and identify supporting materials and evidence for tourism business operations and certification purposes
Application of Results
The insights gained through R4AWT discussions will lead to the development of GSTC’s Animal Welfare Guidelines for Tourism. These guidelines will offer clear, practical, and widely applicable recommendations for tourism businesses and destinations, helping to embed ethical animal welfare practices within the industry.
Through R4AWT, the GSTC reaffirms its commitment to advancing responsible and sustainable tourism practices that respect animal welfare, support conservation, and promote sustainability overall, across the global tourism industry.
Participants of the Roundtable include: Anna Blinkowski (Zoological Manager, Skånes Djurpark / IAAPA EMEA), Jill Nizan (Director, Conservation Operations, Global Humane Society), Guillame Douay (Veterinarian, Mandai Wildlife Group), Kelly Meister (CEO, The Blue Lagoon Island), Nick Cooney (Director, Lever Foundation), Paula Cerdan (Head of Conservation and Animal Welfare, The World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA)), Rick Schuiteman (IAAPA’s Zoos & Aquariums Committee Chair / IAAPA NA), Sara Torres Ortiz (Co-founder and Scientific Director, Animal Wise), Rodolfo Raigoza Figueras (Grupo Xcaret / IAAPA LAC), Ylva Linder (Global Sustainability Director, International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA))
