Visit California has joined as a member of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC)
Visit California is a nonprofit organization with a mission to develop and maintain marketing programs – in partnership with the state’s travel industry – that inspire travel to, and within, California. The organization promotes California as a premier travel destination and aims to inspire travelers to explore the Golden State, one visitor at a time.
Located in the western United States, California is known for its golden sunsets over the Pacific Ocean, but there is an abundance of equally awe-inspiring scenes across the ‘Ultimate Playground’. The 155,000-square-mile land mass of the Golden State encompasses a mind-bending array of landscapes. Northern California has dense groves of towering redwoods that thrive in a cool, temperate rainforest. The Sierra Nevada mountains are a 400-mile-long string of saw-toothed peaks and thousands of alpine lakes, including the iconic blue of Lake Tahoe. Just north of San Francisco, are the vineyards of Napa and Sonoma counties. To the east, in the Central Valley, fertile agricultural land can be found. Southern California is home to beaches, high desert and sunshine. Farther inland and to the southeast lies the wild desert terrain of salt flats, creosote and sand dunes in Joshua Tree, Mojave, and Death Valley.
California’s Sustainability Commitment
For Visit California, sustainability in tourism is about respect, for the natural environment as well as the people. California is a place of wide-open spaces that champions open-mindedness and celebrates diversity. The California Responsible Travel Code encourages visitors to explore the state with care and respect for the environment, local communities and fellow travelers. “Responsible travel” means being informed about local guidelines, minimizing environmental impact, supporting local businesses and appreciating the diverse cultural heritage found across the state. Visit California supports the Visit Native California platform, which is a resource hub designed to showcase the state’s Native American communities and the ways visitors can engage with their history and dynamic modern presence across the state.
Beyond tourism promotion, California’s government officials have elevated sustainability as a policy priority for decades – putting the state at the forefront of innovation in the space. Just a few of state’s ambitious goals to address climate change are:
- Carbon neutral economy by 2045
- 100% of new vehicle sales are zero-emission by 2035
- 1 million electric vehicle chargers by 2030
- 100% of single-use packaging and food ware are recyclable or compostable by 2032
- 30% of California lands and coastal waters are conserved by 2030
GSTC Welcomes Visit California
“We are delighted to welcome Visit California as a member of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council. Their commitment to fostering responsible travel across the Golden State aligns strongly with our mission. We look forward to collaborating with them to further sustainable tourism efforts throughout California and beyond,” said Randy Durband, CEO of GSTC.
About Visit California
Visit California is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to develop and maintain marketing programs — in partnership with the state’s travel industry — that inspire travel to, and within, California.
For more information about Visit California, go to: https://www.visitcalifornia.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.
Information for media and the press: www.gstc.org/about/for-the-press/
Statements expressed in this announcement are presented for informational purposes only and should not be taken as an endorsement or recommendation by GSTC, unless clearly stated.
Photos © Visit California
