GSTC Issues Call for Individuals and Industry to Commit to Sustainability; Announces New Global Board of Directors
New York and Washington (September 27, 2010)—The Global Sustainable Tourism Council celebrates World Tourism Day announcing its new Board of Directors and inviting individuals to commit to sustainable tourism. The Global Sustainable Tourism Council leverages the power and influence of the travel and tourism industries to help raise awareness of the ability of sustainable tourism to advance conservation and poverty alleviation. The GSTC—with founding members such as Rainforest Alliance, UN Foundation, UN Environmental Programme, World Tourism Organization, Sabre Holdings, TIES and others —will work together to promote the GSTC, its criteria and sustainable tourism.
“Tourism is the fastest growing industry in the world and generates hundreds of millions of jobs each year,” said Dr. Kelly S. Bricker, chairwoman of the GSTC. “There is real power in the travel and tourism industry to make change in local communities and around the globe. Through our unique membership of UN agencies, travel and tourism companies, and others in the industry, we can recruit more committed members and help promote sustainable tourism in a way that it is clear to consumers and the industry.”
“We in the tourism industry have the responsibility and the expertise to help preserve and protect our most valuable destinations, as well as give the traveler what they want – a unique and memorable experience,” said Intercontinental Hotels & Resorts Regional Director and GSTC member Hervé Houdré. “What could be better for the travel business than making sure people can continue to travel to amazing places and support local communities.”
“We at GSTC know that without sustainable tourism, our children and grandchildren may have no destinations left worth visiting or living in,” said Erika Harms, Executive Director of the GSTC. “We can help the industry ensure that these places stay authentic, extraordinary and flourish forever.”
The GSTC is made up of members of the tourism and travel industry, including UN agencies, tour operators, travel companies, individual hotels and government tourism councils. Members include: Adventure Travel and Trade Association; American Society of Travel Agents; Audubon International; Belize Tourism Board; Big Five Tours and Expeditions, Inc.; Blackstone Valley Tourism Council; Center for Responsible Travel; Certificaciones de Centroamerica; S.A. Sustainable Tourism; Consorcio Cooperativa Red Eco turística Nacional; Destination Ventures; Earthcheck; European Centre for Ecological and Agricultural Tourism; Eco and Sustainable Tourism Israel; Ecosustainability; Ecotourism Australia; ECOTRANS; Enclave Rising, LLC; Fairmont Hotels and Resorts; Federación Colombiana De Ecoparques; Fundacion Plan 21; GAP Adventures/Planeterra; Global Center of Excellence for Destination; Green Globe Certification; Green Seal; HM Design; Hostelling International; Instituto de Turismo Responsable; InterContinental Barclay New York; Mexico Tourism Board; Nordic World Heritage Foundation; Our Native Village; Pacific Asia Tourism Pty Ltd; Pronatura Sur, A.C.; Rainforest Alliance; Rara Avis Rainforest Lodge & Reserve; Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd; and Sabre Holdings.
Over the next three years, the GSTC will work with the members in each region to promote sustainable tourism principles, as well as encourage the adoption of the Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria. As part of the initiative, each member is committing to promote the GSTC to its customers, vendors and peers. Sustainability principles refer to the environmental, economic and socio-cultural aspects of tourism development, and a suitable balance must be established between these three dimensions to guarantee long-term sustainability.
“We are also pleased to announce that we have a newly elected Board of Directors. Made up a diverse group, including representatives from each region of the world, this new leadership will help drive this campaign forward and ensure that we can all travel forever,” said Dr. Bricker.
The members of the Board of Directors are:
Dr. Anna Spenceley, Author; Charles Arden-Clarke, United Nations Environment Programme; Fabian Roman, Fundacion Plan 21; Herbert Hamele, ECOTRANS; Herve Houdre, InterContinental New York Barclay; Janice Lichtenwaldt, Consultant; Dr. Kelly S. Briker, University of Utah; Leilani Latimer, Sabre Holdings; Luigi Cabrini, United Nations World Tourism Organization; Mei Zhang, Wild China; Richard Edwards, GAP Adventures and Planterra Foundation; Rick Parnell, United Nations Foundation; Ronald Sanabria, Rainforest Alliance; Seleni Matus, Belize Tourism Board; and Shannon Stowell, Adventure Travel Trade Association.
For more information about the Board of Directors, click here.
