Certification Program and Sustainable Tourism Value Proposition April 2010 Center for Sustainable...

Certification Program and Sustainable Tourism Value Proposition

April 2010

Center for Sustainable Tourism

Sustainable Travel International

Non-profitNon-profit focused on focused on providing programs that help travelers, businesses and destinations

protect the environment, preserve cultural heritage and contribute to economic

development.

Leave the World a Better Place®

Sustainable Tourism Eco-certification

FACTORS TO CONSIDER• CostCost• Quality & Comprehensiveness of Quality & Comprehensiveness of

ProgramProgram• Educational ValueEducational Value• Credibility of OrganizationCredibility of Organization• TSC / GSTC AlignmentTSC / GSTC Alignment• Brand AffiliationBrand Affiliation• Marketing & Communications SupportMarketing & Communications Support• Complimentary ProgramsComplimentary Programs

Expanded baseline for measuring performance, adding socio-cultural and environmental dimensions to the traditional economic benchmark. A positive triple bottom line (3BL) means a net:

• Improvement in conservation of the natural environment• Social benefit for local communities• Profit for business owners and shareholders• Gain for national and regional economies

Holistic Approach to Sustainable Tourism

TRIPLE BOTTOM LINE


A voluntary procedure that utilizes a set of criteria designed to assist travel providers in mitigating their negative environmental, economic, and socio-cultural impacts and maximizing the benefits they provide to the environment, local and indigenous people and their communities.

TOURISM SUSTAINABILITY COUNCIL


“THE GOLD STANDARD”• Global Focus, Local Application Global Focus, Local Application • TransparencyTransparency• ComprehensiveComprehensive• Educational Orientation Educational Orientation • Systematic ApproachSystematic Approach


SECTOR SPECIFIC• Tour Operators Tour Operators • AccommodationsAccommodations• Attractions Attractions • Transportation Service Transportation Service

ProvidersProviders• DestinationsDestinations


SYSTEMATIC APPROACH• Self-assessment ToolSelf-assessment Tool• Eco-assessedEco-assessed• On-site AuditOn-site Audit• Eco-certifiedEco-certified

Self-assessment Tool


EXCEPTIONAL VALUE• Fees based on total number of Fees based on total number of

roomsrooms• Preferential rates are available Preferential rates are available

for bulk purchasesfor bulk purchases• Third-party auditor fees are Third-party auditor fees are

based on total number of roomsbased on total number of rooms• Advisory support services and Advisory support services and

complimentary educational complimentary educational materials available materials available


EXCEPTIONAL VALUESTEP can be endorsed by or customized for destinations to address their unique social, cultural, environmental and economic attributes, as well as regional goals and priorities.

STEP can also be licensed to ministries of tourism and destination management organizations, so they don’t have to expend significant resources in developing their own tourism standards, verification protocol, and auditor and consultant training programs.


ASSESSMENT & DEVELOPMENT• “STI were very thorough and practical in their approach

to reviewing all elements of the Ecolabel and subsequent Ecolabel course that we offer our clients”

• “We have gained extra exposure thanks to our affiliation with STI as a result of STI press releases and extra website links that have improved our websites Search Engine Optimisation.”

- Mary Mulvey, Greenbox CEO

Luxury Eco Certification Standard

• Addresses luxury hoteliers’ Addresses luxury hoteliers’ unique needsunique needs

• 100 steps to sustainability100 steps to sustainability• All-inclusive pricing All-inclusive pricing

LEADING QUALITY ASSURANCE

Regional DevelopmentRegional Development•Metropolitan areas, states, Metropolitan areas, states, provinces, countriesprovinces, countries

ExamplesExamples•PortlandPortland•STEP ScandinaviaSTEP Scandinavia•STEP IrelandSTEP Ireland

DESTINATION STEWARDSHIPSustainable Tourism Eco-certification


GLOBAL MARKETGlobal Programs* 3303(* 3200 of these are Blue Flag for beaches)

Europe 3253Americas 547

ISO 9001 2924ISO 14001 414

Total 3903(excluding Blue Flag and ISO certified Co’s.)

Source: UNF Commissioned Study, 2007Represents a small fraction of the industry

in a very young certification market!

Why STI?

CREDIBILITY

Why STI?

LEADERSHIP• Carbon Management, Carbon Management,

Quantification & OffsetsQuantification & Offsets• Travelers’ PhilanthropyTravelers’ Philanthropy• 3BL Measurement, Management 3BL Measurement, Management

& Verification& Verification• Resource Conservation (Water, Resource Conservation (Water,

Waste & Energy)Waste & Energy)• Green.travelGreen.travel• Education, Outreach & ConsultingEducation, Outreach & Consulting

Why STI?

COMMUNICATIONS & OUTREACH• 25,000 Media Contacts25,000 Media Contacts• 500,000 average monthly 500,000 average monthly

web visitsweb visits• 25,000 - 35,000 average 25,000 - 35,000 average

monthly web visitorsmonthly web visitors• 30,000 e-Newsletter 30,000 e-Newsletter

subscriberssubscribers• ““Green” listings on Expedia, Green” listings on Expedia,

Travelocity and in AAA Travelocity and in AAA

GREEN.TRAVEL• Designed to become the premier

resource for travelers wanting to engage in responsible travel;

• Designed to increase awareness of sustainable tourism and to be a one-stop-shop for information and resources for consumers;

• Designed to be a social networking site and booking portal for trips, car rentals, airfare and much more.

Why STI?

EXPERIENCE AND EXPERTISE

• Private Sector and Public Private Sector and Public SectorSector

• Sustainable Tourism Sustainable Tourism DevelopmentDevelopment

• International TeamInternational Team• Industry LeadershipIndustry Leadership

For More Information

Contact: Contact: Brian T. MullisBrian T. Mullis

Visit:Visit: www.s www.sustainabletravel.comustainabletravel.com

Email: Email: [email protected]@sustainabletravel.com

Phone: Phone: +503 488 5500 (USA Office)

+720 273 2975 (Direct)

Certification Program and Sustainable Tourism Value Proposition April 2010 Center for Sustainable...

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