Virgin Voyages has joined as a member of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC).
Virgin Voyages is a premium, exclusively adult cruise line focused on creating memorable travel experiences. Commencing its first revenue sailings in August 2021, the company quickly expanded its fleet to four ships, operating from home ports in Miami, San Juan, Barcelona, Athens and Portsmouth. Each ship offers a boutique-style cruising experience featuring modern, high-tech cabins, 20+ Michelin-inspired dining options, and engaging entertainment.
Sustainability Commitments
Striving to be the ship communities love to see in port, Virgin Voyages (VV) prioritizes sustainable and responsible tourism practices in the 100+ destinations they sail.
With a brand ethos focused on “Creating an Epic Sea Change for All,” every tour operator must adhere to Virgin Voyages’ Code of Conduct, which outlines standards for environmental, labor and safety practices, including animal welfare standards. Virgin doesn’t promote experiences featuring captive whales or dolphins including ‘swim with’ programs. While in port, Virgin encourages Sailors to immerse themselves in the culture, cuisine, history and environment authentic to each destination.
Since the brand’s launch in 2021, Virgin Voyages has partnered with several operators that have received third-party certification for meeting the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) standard. In 2023, more than 420 tours were with an operator who met a GSTC recognized standard. To continue to promote the highest standards in responsible tourism, VV also launched a complementary training program on the GSTC Criteria in 2024, allowing every operator to gain practical advice on how to incorporate GSTC Criteria into everyday business practices.
As Virgin Voyages continues to sail around the world, expand into new destinations and launch its fourth vessel (Brilliant Lady), VV will advance its Sustainable Tourism Program by working directly with tour operators to uphold best practices and seek certification within the next few years.
Virgin Voyages is committed to reaching net zero carbon emissions by 2050. Its Lady Ships have been designed with energy-saving technology including an efficient hull, LED lighting, and room sensors to reduce energy consumption. Additionally, Virgin Voyages has tested the use of waste-based biofuels, which will account for a significant part of their energy transition plan in the coming years.
Striving to “Create an Epic Sea Change for All,” the company banned unnecessary single-use plastics across its fleet including straws, water bottles, condiment packets, shopping bags, food packages, stirrers, cups and more. Instead, Virgin Voyages emphasizes the use of recyclable and reusable materials across its vessels. Across its 20 eateries, Virgin Voyages serves sustainably sourced fish and seafood and in its retail shops, offers reef-safe sunscreen and environmentally friendly products for sale. Among those are Virgin Voyages’ signature red hammocks created by Yellow Leaf, hand-woven by women in rural Thailand as a way to create jobs and ignite positive community transformation.
Virgin Voyages is committed to creating positive change for both people and the planet. Core aspects of this commitment include a focus on decarbonization, building positive relationships in the destinations where they sail, and creating an inclusive company culture. Key accomplishments in 2023 include donating more than 1,600 volunteer hours to communities, launching a sustainable tourism training program with GSTC for all tour operators, and equipping crew with leadership skills to promote a sense of belonging.
“Responsible and ethical operations serve as the foundation of our brand. In alignment with the shared value of doing business for good, We are thrilled to become a GSTC member and work closely with the Team to continue to catalyze social and environmental benefits in the communities where we operate.” – Juan Trescastro, Vice President, Global Destinations.
GSTC Welcomes Virgin Voyages
“We’ve enjoyed working with Virgin Voyages these past months and warmly welcome them as GSTC members, looking forward to building upon their energy and commitment to operating ever more sustainably,” says GSTC CEO Randy Durband.
About Virgin Voyages
Promising to Create an Epic Sea Change for All, Virgin Voyages is the award-winning, exclusively adult cruise line founded by Sir Richard Branson. Delivering unforgettable, relaxing vacations at sea, Virgin Voyages launched at the end of 2021. Inspired by superyacht design, its fleet of Lady Ships exemplify an elevated, boutique hotel at sea with contemporary spaces that strike the perfect balance of nautical chic and glamour. Currently departing from the sun-soaked cities of Miami, Barcelona, Athens and San Juan, the fleet offers more than 60 unique itineraries, sailing to 100 incredible ports of call. On-board, 20+ eateries feature culinary experiences from Michelin-star chefs, stylish workout spaces and group fitness classes are offered daily, and a festival-like line-up of intimate and larger-than-life shows are on the agenda. Paired with modern, tech-savvy cabins, designer suites fit for a rockstar and a mermaid-inspired spa and thermal suite, the brand is taking the industry by storm. In 2023, Virgin Voyages won Condé Nast Traveler’s top honors in its highly coveted Readers’ Choice Award for the best large ocean cruise line and swept the Cruise Critic Cruisers’ Choice Awards – the first time a brand has won in all five categories.
More information here: https://www.virginvoyages.com/
About the GSTC
The Global Sustainable Tourism Council® (GSTC®) establishes and manages global sustainable standards, known as the GSTC Criteria. There are three sets: Destination Criteria for public policy-makers and destination managers, Industry Criteria for hotels and tour operators, and MICE Criteria for Venues, Event Organizers, and Events & Exhibitions. 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/
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.
[© Picture credits: Virgin Voyages]
