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global sustainable tourism council

Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Joins the Global Sustainable Tourism Council

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Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Joins the Global Sustainable Tourism Council - TRAVELINDEXIzmir, Turkiye, July 24, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / Situated on the western coast of Türkiye, İzmir serves as a prominent nexus in the Aegean region. Its historical roots, seen in sites like Ephesus and Pergamon, trace back to Greek and Roman times, adding a rich layer of antiquity to the city.

İzmir’s downtown area, characterized by Konak Square and the bustling Kemeraltı Market, offers a blend of old and new, reflecting the city’s evolution through the ages. The coastal town also boasts a notable seafront promenade, the Kordon, providing an expansive outlook onto the Aegean Sea.

Sustainability in İzmir

The City joined EBRD’s Green Cities Framework in early 2019. The Green City Action Plan (GCAP) for Izmir aims to identify, prioritize and address the priority environmental challenges, and establish a vision and projects to enable a green future for the City. With its proposal of 46 actions that include infrastructure investments, policy measures, capacity development and advocacy, the proposal is designed to help achieve its vision for a green İzmir.

In 2020, by joining the Covenant of Mayors (CoM) and preparing and implementing a Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plan (SECAP), İzmir Metropolitan Municipality (IBB), has voluntarily committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving climate resilience.

The CoM signatories’ objectives to be achieved by 2030 are to:
· Reduce CO2 emissions by at least 40% against the baseline year
· Increase climate resilience (i.e. develop a climate action plan)
· Provide secure access to sustainable and affordable energy in a manner that is integrated with the mitigation and adaptation plans İzmir’s SECAP has been aligned with the development of its Green City Action Plan (GCAP) which aims to identify, prioritize and address the most pressing environmental challenges, aligning with IBB Strategic Plan Vision, enabling a future for Izmir that is more compatible with nature.

Also, the Global Climate Community of İzmir was established last May, a collective focused on furthering İzmir’s mission of becoming a Climate Neutral and Smart City to combat the global climate crisis.

Tunç Soyer, Mayor of İzmir said: “With this membership, İzmir took its first important step in the field of sustainable tourism. Works in harmony with nature and the environment will be introduced to the world as tourism elements. The interest in sustainable tourism is increasing in the world and the principles of sustainability in tourism have an important role in the choice of destinations. We acted proactively to become a member of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council.”

GSTC Welcomes İzmir
“We warmly welcome İzmir as a new member of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council. İzmir’s commitment to sustainability reflects its deep respect for its historical richness and symbolizes an approach towards its emerging sustainable future” says Randy Durband, CEO of GSTC.

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 Izmir Metropolitan Municipality
Izmir Metropolitan Municipality serves more than 4 million citizens within the borders of 30 districts. İzmir is a city with high tourism potential with its natural, cultural, and archaeological values. İzmir’s tourism strategy is based on the idea of “transporting many concepts, ideas, and approaches that shape world civilizations from İzmir to the world”. The main axis of İzmir tourism is that the city is located in the Mediterranean basin. It has been determined as historical, cultural, and archeological tourism that provides positive differentiation.

As the local administration of a city that has such a high tourism potential and the number of tourists is constantly increasing, İzmir needed regulation in its organizational structure. Accordingly, the Tourism Department was established in July 2019 to meet the needs of the tourism sector and work on behalf of tourism. The Tourism Department carries out its activities under the direction of the Foreign Relations and Tourism Department.

The Tourism Department continues to work to promote the city’s values, to promote attraction centers around the world, and to make the city a meeting center on a world scale. Different projects such as international fairs, tourism information offices, city tours, and mobile applications are carried out.

Source

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Asia-Pacific Global Sustainable Tourism Council Conference Held Korea

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Asia-Pacific Global Sustainable Tourism Council Conference Held Korea - TRAVELINDEXGunsan, Korea, October 8, 2022 / TRAVELINDEX / After two years without an on-site GSTC Conference due to the pandemic, the 2022 GSTC Asia-Pacific Conference took place in Saemangeum, Gunsan, Jeonbuk, Korea, from September 15-17. The conference brought together Korean and international tourism stakeholders involved in the development and promotion of sustainable travel & tourism, including the public sector, hotels, tour operators, corporates, OTAs, academia, NGOs, consultants, and more. The Conference themes were (A) Attraction & Destination Stewardship, (B) MICE & Hotels, and (C) Ecotourism & Heritage.

“During the last two and a half years, tourism suffered an unprecedented crisis with a drop of three-quarters of its international flows. Never before has tourism made such a loss. As a comparison, the SARS epidemic in 2002 and the economic and financial crisis of 2008 caused a reduction of international tourists of less than 10%. But past esteem shows the tourist rebounds as soon as the conditions return to normal and international tourism is already consolidating a strong recovery despite many challenges. Tourism saw a strong growth in the first half of 2022, reaching almost half the level of the same period in pre-pandemic in 2019. International tourist arrival more than tripled over the same period of 2021, and nearly 250,000,000 international trips were recorded worldwide through May this year,” said GSTC Chair, Mr. Luigi Cabrini. “Our challenge and the GSTC mission is to enhance positive economic and social benefit to the level where they overcome their negative impacts.”

“Our organization is now 15 years old. Starting from the first version of the GSTC Industry Criteria in 2008, we expanded and consolidated a system of standards that is now recognized as the main reference internationally. Though we remain a small organization, our influence is spreading and we are proud of the results achieved in the search for solutions to fill the gaps that prevent an effective pursuit of sustainable tourism. During the pandemic, GSTC grew stronger. Key public and private organizations joined as members. More professionals followed our training course and webinars. More governments through the tourism authorities adopted the global criteria as a reference for future strategies. More leading companies and destinations trust our methodologies. Working at the World Tourism Organization, I’ve seen many initiatives on sustainable tourism, but GSTC is the most successful and resilient,” concluded Mr. Cabrini.

Mr. Caesar Indra, President of Traveloka, delivered a keynote speech on transforming operations to be more adaptable and sustainable, both socially and environmentally. “The pandemic has presented a “reset moment” in the travel industry – to address long-standing challenges while also seizing new opportunities – using technology to ease travel activities, encourage environmentally-friendly behavior, and empower local communities. This complex crisis will need all of us – the governments, the private sector, the investors and the community, to reform and transform the way we collaborate and partner; to create programs, policies, regulations for sustainable tourism to become mainstream.”

“There are many examples that show how a society thrives after a major crisis, becoming more resilient as we learn from our own journey, and to innovate and transform to become better. It is solely up to us, this society, to decide the future that we are going to be in,” concluded Mr. Indra.

Speakers from Asia-Pacific shared insights and discussed the following topics: NTOs & DMOs Partnering with the Private Sector; Managing Visitor Flow; Attraction Criteria Consultation Workshop; Small MICE: Business Retreats and Small Meetings; Sustainable Management Systems for Hotels; MICE Criteria Consultation Workshop; Wonders in Tourism & Heritage; Ecotourism Businesses Benefiting Communities. During the conference, two workshops were carried out for the development of MICE Criteria and Attraction Criteria.

As with previous GSTC Conferences, sustainable event practices were carried out. This included minimal printing, badges made of recyclable paper, and reusable bottles were given out for refill at various water stations. Backdrops were made from paper material instead of plastic. Vegetarian meal was the default meal option, with no lamb and beef, which have the highest carbon footprint.

After the 2-day conference, participants joined a complimentary tour of Jeonju Hanok Village. Jeonju is a historical spot, known for its traditional housing structures. After a walking tour of Gyeonggijeon shrine, there was an opportunity to experience traditional clothing known as hanbok.

Upcoming GSTC2022 Global Conference in Sevilla, Spain (12-15 Dec 2022)

The GSTC2022 Global Sustainable Tourism Conference (#GSTC2022) will be hosted in the beautiful historic city of Sevilla, Spain, from 12-15 December 2022. Superb thought-leading speakers from around the world will share their insights on topics such as ‘Sustainable Hospitality’, ‘Adaptation to Climate Change’, ‘Mainstreaming Sustainability Standards’, and ‘Destination Stewardship’ in an interactive program. An onsite GSTC Sustainable Tourism Course will take place prior to the Conference (Dec 11th-12th). Learn more and register.

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 Accreditation of 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 it accredits 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, NGO’s, individuals and communities – all striving to achieve best practices in sustainable tourism.

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Traveloka Joins Global Sustainable Tourism Council

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Traveloka Joins Global Sustainable Tourism Council - HOTELWORLDS.com - TRAVELINDEXSingapore, Singapore, June 14, 2022 / TRAVELINDEX / Traveloka announced that it officially joins the Global Sustainable Tourism Council’s global network as a member. This membership is a part of Traveloka’s strategic effort in preserving the environment, which underlines the company’s commitment in realizing sustainable tourism, by participating in and contributing to the efforts to advance sustainability in various sectors of the global travel and tourism industry.

Traveloka started its humble beginnings as a one-stop travel tech solution platform catering to the needs of Indonesians, and has since evolved to be Southeast Asia’s lifestyle superapp, bringing its services to six other markets in the region. This includes transport booking services such as flight tickets, buses, trains, car rental, and airport transfer, as well as access to a large accommodation inventory across the region, not limited to hotels, apartments, guest houses, homestays, resorts and villas, making Traveloka an all-encompassing platform with the widest selection of accommodation and packages.

With a strong local customer base in Southeast Asia, the Traveloka superapp has been downloaded more than 100 million times and boasts more than 40 million monthly active users as of January 2022. As a technology company with a strong presence in the tourism sector, Traveloka realizes the importance in educating stakeholders in the industry, including its partners and users, on the significance of environmental sustainability and social responsibility. One of its most recent initiatives includes lending assistance to the Indonesian government’s plans to develop domestic tourism sustainably by planting 40,000 seedlings along the shoreline of Buleleng Regency, North Bali.

As a member of the GSTC, Traveloka plans to support the GSTC mission to promote sustainable tourism standards in the hospitality sector in Southeast Asia.

“With borders reopened and restrictions eased, tourism will resume its role as a key economic driver after a hiatus for two years. The traveler of 2022 will be much more refined, caring more about sustainability, local communities, people and brands that align with their own personal principles; and it is important that businesses prioritize sustainable tourism with the commitment to preserve nature and utilize natural resources responsibly,” said Alfan Hendro, Chief Operating Officer at Traveloka. “Traveloka will continue to play a strategic role in supporting the environmental agenda anywhere we operate, and we hope that our membership with the GSTC will help open up more doors for us to initiate sustainable tourism in the region.”
GSTC Welcomes Traveloka

“As travel within Asia is rebounding, both businesses and governments push for greater adoption of the GSTC criteria by hotels and other types of accommodations,” says Roi Ariel, General Manager of GSTC. “We welcome Traveloka to utilize the GSTC framework, which can bring about a positive impact in the region.”

“GSTC is very pleased to welcome Traveloka into our network of businesses and policy-makers striving to make sustainability an integral part of the tourism industry,” says Randy Durband, Chief Executive Officer of GSTC. “We applaud their plans to seek more and better ways to inform travelers of sustainable product options.”

About Traveloka
Traveloka, Southeast Asia’s lifestyle superapp, provides users access to discover and purchase a wide range of travel, local services, and financial services products. Traveloka’s comprehensive product portfolio includes transport booking services such as flight tickets, buses, trains, car rental, airport transfer, as well as access to the largest accommodation inventory in Southeast Asia, including hotels, apartments, guest houses, homestays, resorts, and villas, making Traveloka a booking platform with the widest selection of accommodation and packages.

Traveloka is also a key player in the local services category (currently specific to certain markets), offering reservations for a wide range of local attractions, activities, wellness and beauty clinics, culinary directories as well as food delivery. Traveloka also offers financing, payment, and insurance products to help Southeast Asian consumers fulfill their lifestyle aspirations. Traveloka provides 24/7 customer service in local languages as well as more than 40 different local payment methods. Traveloka lifestyle superapp has been downloaded more than 100 million times, making it the most popular travel and lifestyle booking application in the Southeast Asian region.

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. They are arranged in four pillars: (A) Sustainable management; (B) Socioeconomic impacts; (C) Cultural impacts; and (D) Environmental impacts (including consumption of resources, reducing pollution, and conserving biodiversity and landscapes). Since tourism destinations each have their own culture, environment, customs, and laws, the Criteria are designed to be adapted to local conditions and supplemented by additional criteria for the specific location and activity.

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.

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Centara EarthCare Announced as GSTC-Recognized Standard

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Centara EarthCare Announced as GSTC-Recognized Standard

Bangkok, Thailand, August 31, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) is pleased to announce that the Centara EarthCare has achieved the ‘GSTC-Recognized Standard’ status. Centara Hotels & Resorts is a Thai leading hotel operator with 48 properties throughout the Kingdom of Thailand, and 36 properties overseas including the Maldives, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar, China, Japan, Oman, Qatar, Cambodia, Turkey, Indonesia and the UAE. There are six different brands within Centara.

The Centara EarthCare is Centara’s internal sustainability standard, used by the group’s hotels and resorts for adherence to sustainable practices based on the GSTC Criteria. For tracking, measuring and improving in areas of environmental sustainability and social responsibility at property or multi-site level, Centara is using the Greenview Portal, which is a GSTC-Recognized System. The platform allows Centara to track, benchmark, report and improve on various aspects of environmental and social performance.

By 2025, Centara aims to have 100% of its properties certified as sustainable by accredited certification bodies, further demonstrating the organisation’s commitment to long-term sustainability.

“By adopting sustainable, green practices, we are actively choosing to be more aware of our environmental impact. This not only protects the natural surroundings that enhance the guest experience in so many of the locations where we operate, it also creates long-term benefits for the company, our customers and our employees. Setting long-term sustainability goals allows us to incorporate green practices into our identity and ensures that all our stakeholders are aligned with Centara’s values and vision for a more mindful, ecologically conscious future,” said Thirayuth Chirathivat, CEO of Centara Hotels & Resorts.

The GSTC-Recognized status refers to the standard itself and means that a sustainable tourism standard or system has been reviewed by GSTC technical experts and the GSTC Assurance Panel and deemed the standard or system equivalent to the GSTC Criteria for sustainable tourism. It shows that the set of standards are based on the 4 pillars of the GSTC Criteria: Environment, Social, Cultural, and Management principles. This does not relate to the process of certification, nor to accreditation.

“Centara is the first Asian hospitality group to formally incorporate the GSTC Criteria in its internal sustainability system, along with long-term sustainability plans and goals, applying meaningful sustainability practices into their management approaches. We are proud to formally confirm Centara EarthCare’s compliance with the GSTC Criteria by undergoing the process of GSTC Recognition,” says Randy Durband, CEO of GSTC. “By using GSTC-Recognized systems, hotel and tourism companies are able to embed the GSTC Criteria, which includes the full range of environmental and social considerations specifically developed for the tourism sector, throughout their management processes and set them on the path of continuous improvement and towards third-party external certification.”

Currently, 11 destination standards, 34 hotel standards, and 15 tour operator standards have achieved GSTC-Recognized status. The status offers the market a proof that these standards adhere to international norms. GSTC Recognition does not ensure that a certification process is reliable, only that the set of standards used to certify are equivalent to the GSTC Criteria. GSTC-Recognized standard owners are encouraged to complete the accreditation process, which assures that the certification process used to apply the standard meets international best practice, transparent, and rigor. List of GSTC-Accredited certification bodies is available here.

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 Accreditation of 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 it accredits 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 UN agencies, NGO’s, national and provincial governments, leading travel companies, hotels, tour operators, individuals and communities – all striving to achieve best practices in sustainable tourism.

About Centara Hotels & Resorts
Centara Hotels & Resorts is Thailand’s leading hotel operator. Its 84 properties span all major Thai destinations plus the Maldives, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar, China, Japan, Oman, Qatar, Cambodia, Turkey, Indonesia and the UAE. Centara’s portfolio comprises six brands – Centara Reserve, Centara Grand Hotels & Resorts, Centara Hotels & Resorts, Centara Boutique Collection, Centra by Centara and COSI Hotels – ranging from luxury island retreats and upscale family resorts to affordable lifestyle concepts supported by innovative technology. The group’s newest Centara Reserve brand was unveiled in 2020 as an experiential luxury collection, inviting guests to discover a new era of story-driven hospitality starting with Centara Reserve Samui.

Centara also operates state-of-the-art convention centres and has its own award-winning spa brand, Cenvaree. Throughout the collection, Centara delivers and celebrates the hospitality and values Thailand is famous for including gracious service, exceptional food, pampering spas and the importance of families. Centara’s distinctive culture and diversity of formats allow it to serve and satisfy travellers of nearly every age and lifestyle.

Over the next five years Centara aims to become a top 100 global hotel group, while spreading its footprint into new continents and market niches. As Centara continues to expand, a growing base of loyal customers will find the company’s unique style of hospitality in more locations. Centara’s global loyalty programme, Centara The1, reinforces their loyalty with rewards, privileges and special member pricing.

 

 

First published at TravelCommunication.net

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News