The Ministry of Economic Development and Tourism Government of Montenegro has joined as a Member of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC)
The Ministry of Economic Development and Tourism of Montenegro carries out activities aimed at improving competitiveness, the investment environment and cooperation with the business community.
Sustainability in Montenegro
In 2016, the government of Montenegro adopted the National Strategy for Sustainable Development (NSSD) until 2030. The Strategy structured the strategic objectives into five priority themes, including the preservation of natural capital, the introduction of a green economy, governance, and finance for sustainable development.
In 2019, Montenegro adopted a law on protection from the negative impacts of climate change, thus regulating the implementation of measures necessary to establish a comprehensive system for the reduction of GHG emissions. The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) has helped the Government of Montenegro to prepare legal and guidance documents for monitoring GHG emissions to address climate change and promote sustainable mobility.
Sustainability is also addressed in the field of tourism and represents a central point in the new Montenegro tourism development strategy 2022-2025.
Their strategic mission is: “Montenegro manages the destination in a sustainable way, creating an innovative, green, responsible and inclusive tourism product, influencing the increase in tourist consumption, reducing seasonality and regional disparities, with the aim of raising the level of living standards of the local population and the satisfaction of tourists”. The mission represents a ‘road map’ in order to achieve the strategic vision: “Montenegro is a globally recognized tourist destination in 2025”.
Goran Djurovic, Minister of Economic Development and Tourism of MNE says: “Dear GSTC friends and partners, I am glad that we are all on board! Therefore, let’s draw a sustainable future together. Let’s make Montenegro a happier, more responsible and resilient place to live, work and visit. Sustainability became a new normal and whoever is not aware of it, is not onboard. We in Montenegro know exactly what our goal is – green, clean, happy and sustainable destination. Let’s make the world more sustainable. Each of us can contribute greatly.”
GSTC Welcomes Montenegro
Randy Durband, GSTC CEO, expressed his satisfaction that the Montenegrin Ministry responsible for tourism has become part of a large, responsible and sustainable family at the global level, which is committed, both at work and on a private level, to implementing the principles and determinants of sustainability, as well as promoting the importance of the sustainability segment in tourism, and thus also in the wider economy. “We at GSTC wish the Ministry great success in their journey toward more sustainable management approaches and in fulfilling their intended impacts,” he said. “We are honored to play a part in their journey.”
GSTC encourages destinations pursuing sustainability practices in tourism development and management to join as GSTC members and apply the GSTC Destination Criteria, which eventually can help achieve certification by a GSTC-Accredited Certification Body.
About The Ministry of Economic Development and Tourism Government of Montenegro
The Ministry of Economic Development and Tourism carries out activities aimed at improving competitiveness, the investment environment and cooperation with the business community. It also affects the improvement of the business environment, the simplification of operations of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises while strengthening entrepreneurship. The goal is to create a favorable business climate and to create conditions that will ensure the business of the modern Montenegrin industry. The development of tourism in Montenegro is being strategically planned – with the intensified cooperation of the private and public sectors, a sustainable, green, smart, responsible and inclusive, year-round tourism product is being developed in accordance with modern trends.
More information: https://www.gov.me/en/mek
About the GSTC
The Global Sustainable Tourism Council® (GSTC®) establishes and manages global sustainable standards, known as the GSTC Criteria. There are two sets: Destination Criteria for public policy-makers and destination managers, and Industry Criteria for hotels and tour operators. 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 Criteria 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. The 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.
Information for media and the press: www.gstcouncil.org/about/for-the-press/
