* Pictured Above: GSTC Chair, Luigi Cabrini, GSTC Member Jonathan Tourtellet, and tourism authorities of the Government of Gujarat, participate in the » lighting of the lamp » a ceremony performed to open and to bless the event.
Washington, D.C. (October 1, 2014) On September 27th, the state of Gujarat, India hosted the International Conference on Sustainable Tourism. This 1-day conference had over 200 participants, ranging from hoteliers and professionals of sustainable tourism and ecotourism in India, government representatives, and natural reserve managers. GSTC Chair, Mr. Luigi Cabrini, presented on the concepts of sustainable tourism and participated in a panel discussion on « Drivers of success in implementing sustainable tourism. » GSTC Member, Jonathan Tourtellot (National Geographic), also participated in the panel discussion.
India’s Ministry of Tourism recently made bold strides towards increasing sustainable tourism practices within its borders. Inspired by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council’s Criteria for Hotel and Tour Operator, the Government of India unveiled its own « Sustainable Tourism Criteria and Indicators ».
Mr. Luigi Cabrini stated, « Under the national umbrella of the newly-adopted sustainable tourism criteria for India, the State of Gujarat is driving a tourism strategy founded on sustainability principles. Cultural and natural heritage are the main attractions in this large territory of India, and many voices at the conference called for a tourism model that respect their integrity and authenticity. »
About the Global Sustainable Tourism Council
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.
