March 3, 2016 – The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) is pleased to announce that the Foundation for Environmental Education’s Green Key Standard has achieved ‘GSTC-Recognized’ status. The awarded status affirms Foundation for Environmental Education’s commitment to promote sustainable tourism products and services.
The Green Key Standard is a leading standard for excellence in the field of environmental responsibility and sustainable operation within the tourism industry, representing a commitment by businesses that their premises adhere to the strict criteria set by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE). The high environmental standards expected of these hotels are maintained through rigorous documentation and frequent audits. Green Key is available to hotels, hostels, small accommodations, campsites, restaurants and attractions.
GSTC-Recognized means that a sustainable tourism standard has been reviewed by GSTC technical experts and the GSTC Accreditation Panel in order to be deemed equivalent to the GSTC Criteria. Additionally, an organization that meets GSTC requirements must administer the standard. The purpose of the GSTC programs is to recognize and reward genuine practitioners of sustainable tourism, which in turn builds confidence and credibility with consumers.
“FEE’s Green Key Program has long been a leader in certifications based on green, environmental measures, but has expanded the scope of their certifications to include the broader definition of sustainability that includes elements of social responsibility, which opened the door to gaining GSTC-Recognized status,» says GSTC CEO Randy Durband.
“We are pleased to receive recognition from GSTC for FEE’s Green Key Program. Working with GSTC has proved helpful in adopting a solid framework for including social criteria and thereby linking the Green Key Program to the UN Sustainable Development Goals 2015-2030. I am convinced that this achievement will strengthen the brand further for the consumers and enable Green Key to have even better impact with more establishments,” says Daniel Schaffer, CEO of FEE.
To date, 25 standards have achieved GSTC-Recognized status. The completion of these step-wise programs rewards standard owners for their commitment to sustainability while offering the market benefit of proof that these national standards adhere to international norms.
The GSTC will continue to work with organizations around the world to provide GSTC Recognition, Approval & Accreditation of standards for sustainability in travel and tourism. GSTC-Recognized standard owners are encouraged to complete the Approved or Accreditation process in order to showcase excellence in their sustainability frameworks while further distinguishing their standards and processes amongst other certification programs.
Learn more about GSTC Recognition
About the GSTC
The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) is a global initiative dedicated to promoting sustainable tourism efforts around the world. The GSTC is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit that works to expand understanding of and access to sustainable tourism practices; helps identify and generate markets for sustainable tourism; and educates about and advocates for a set of universal principles, as defined by the Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria. The Criteria, a set of voluntary principles that provide a framework for the sustainability of tourism businesses across the globe, is the cornerstone of our initiative. For more information, visit www.gstcouncil.org.
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