March 29, 2016 – The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) is pleased to announce that the Green Tourism Active (GT-Active) standard has achieved ‘GSTC-Recognized’ status. The awarded status affirms Green Tourism Active’s commitment to promote sustainable tourism products and services.
The GT-Active standard offers a complete and forward thinking, in-depth assessment of business operations, including sustainability management factors as well as environmental, socio-economic, cultural and conservation efforts. Objectives of GT-Active focus on changing behavior through informed consumer choice, education, cost reduction, and public and conservation benefit programmes.
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.
“We congratulate Green Tourism Active for taking this step to spotlight that their sustainability standard includes the wide breadth of sustainability components that is proven by gaining GSTC-Recognized status” says GSTC CEO Randy Durband.
“We are exceptionally proud of obtaining GSTC-Recognized status. This achievement both highlights and confirms GT-Active’s commitment to sustainability,” says GT-Active Programme Director Sophie Nortje.
To date, 27 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.
