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Málaga Selected Global Headquarters for the Future of Tourism Coalition

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Málaga Selected Global Headquarters for the Future of Tourism Coalition - TOURISMSPAIN.org - TRAVELINDEXMalaga, Spain, January 24, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / Málaga will become the seat of the first ever Future of Tourism Coalition (FoTC) global headquarters and will act as the FoTC’s European hub, following a multi-year agreement announced today.

The Coalition of six global tourism NGOs, which formed in 2020 during the COVID pandemic, has not, until now, had a physical office or dedicated staff resources. The Málaga HQ will enable the Coalition to form strong partnerships with businesses, governments, academic institutions and NGOs, and work with these stakeholders to advance a more sustainable tourism system in the Andalucía region. The headquarters will be hosted by the City Council of Málaga, the Chamber of Commerce of Málaga, the Provincial Government of Málaga through Turismo Costa del Sol, and the Regional Government of Andalucía. This headquarters will also provide a hub for broader project activity in Spain, Europe and the Mediterranean basin.

Málaga will be supported by the Coalition’s six global NGOs (the Center for Responsible Travel, Destination Stewardship Center, Green Destinations, Sustainable Travel International, Tourism Cares, and the Travel Foundation), each with specialist knowledge and tools, to shape a workplan for 2023-24 and beyond. This is an opportunity to put into practice the 13 guiding principles of the Coalition, which put destination needs at the centre of tourism decision-making. It is also an opportunity to demonstrate the potential of destination-level activity to deliver on the Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism, as Málaga also announces its intention to join this initiative.

Jeremy Sampson, Chair of the Future of Tourism Coalition, commented:
“This is a hugely exciting and logical next step for the Future of Tourism Coalition. Málaga and the Andalucía region will become our hub for innovation, a testbed for new and existing ideas that demonstrate the Coalition’s guiding principles in action. Together we will show the benefits of a balanced, collaborative, big picture approach to tourism management, drawing on the considerable expertise across the partnership and building on the significant range of initiatives already in place in Málaga. We believe in Málaga’s commitment to sustainable change, demonstrated by their strong candidacy to host the Expo2027 on sustainable cities of the future.”

Arturo Bernal, Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport at the Autonomous Government of Andalusia, said:
“One of the variables that makes Andalusia and the Costa del Sol a worldwide reference is its capacity for innovation and its ability to adapt. At this time, when the industry is immersed in a change of cycle, the fact that Malaga has been chosen as the headquarters for this initiative is great news that ratifies our leadership.”

Jacobo Florido, Deputy Mayor and Tourism Counselor said:
“By providing the Coalition’s headquarters, we support its mission to build the case for a better kind of tourism, while also accelerating Málaga into a global sustainable leading position. We have come a long way on our sustainability journey, and now look forward to working with the global leaders and other worldwide forward-thinking organisations that are part of the Future of Tourism community, to develop tourism that brings real added value to Málaga, as a place to live, work, study, play and, of course, to visit.”

Sergio Cuberos, President of the Málaga Chamber of Commerce said:
“The present and future of tourism depends on destinations which incorporate the Sustainable Development Goals into their management and business strategy. For this reason, it is extremely interesting and appropriate that Málaga hosts the Future of Tourism Coalition initiative, as it will represent a magnificent opportunity to inspire markets that are looking for sustainable travel, and thus demonstrate our responsibility and the social role of our companies in tourism activity.”

Further information on the full programme of work that will be undertaken in Málaga and Andalucía will be announced early next year. The experiences and lessons learned from the partnership will be shared widely through the Coalition’s global networks, including its community of more than 700 like-minded organisations that have so far aligned with the guiding principles. There are also plans for a Future of Tourism Summit event to be held in Málaga in 2024.

The Future of Tourism Coalition is a collaborative effort to chart a new, more sustainable direction for tourism and shift the status quo. The Coalition is comprised of six non governmental organisations, the Center for Responsible Travel (CREST), Destination Stewardship Center, Green Destinations, Sustainable Travel International, Tourism Cares, and the Travel Foundation. The Coalition is pursuing a shared global mission to place destination needs at the centre of tourism’s new future. Through commitment to their 13 Guiding Principles, the greater travel industry and destination agencies can align around a path forward for a more sustainable future for tourism.

Málaga Tourism Board is the institution in charge of developing sustainable tourism in the vibrant city of Málaga, being considered by the industry experts as the most rising destination in Europe for cosmopolitan and cultural travellers due to its unique mix of experiences. Málaga Tourism Board deploys its policies and strategies based on the principles of sustainable tourism and UNSDGs, improving the tourism offer of the city, and focused on the authentic roots, heritage, and lifestyle of an international city with more than 3000 years of history.

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Thailand Maintains Fully-Reopen Entry Rules

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Thailand Maintains Fully-Reopen Entry Rules - VISITTHAILAND.net - TRAVELINDEXBangkok, Thailand, January 10, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) would like to clarify that Thailand continues to welcome all international tourists under the fully-reopen-to-tourism policy that was introduced on 1 October, 2022. Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Health, H.E. Mr. Anutin Charnvirakul, said “International travellers arriving in Thailand are not required to show proof of vaccination.”

Only visitors coming from or going to countries which require a RT-PCR test need to have health insurance covering treatment of COVID-19 in Thailand.

In addition, foreign tourists are not required to show ATK or RT-PCR test results.

As part of the full reopening to tourism, Thailand is also offering a longer period of stay for visitors. Effective through to 31 March, 2023, the period of stay is extended to 45 days (from 30 days) for tourists from countries/territories entitled for visa exemption, and to 30 days (from 15 days) for those eligible for a Visa on Arrival (VOA).

However, while Thailand is welcoming all visitors, a visitor source market may require incoming visitors including their own nationals returning home to have a negative PCR result.

Thus, Thailand is aiming to correspond with rules of these countries – among them are China and India. Therefore, passengers from a country that has requirements for RT-PCR test must have health insurance covering treatment of COVID-19 in Thailand.

With the ‘Visit Thailand Year 2023: Amazing New Chapters‘ campaign, tourists the world over are invited to experience the kingdom’s myriad of wonderful existing and new tourism experiences, products and services.

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Europe Ministerial Conference Closes with Commitment for Sustainable Infrastructure

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Europe Ministerial Conference Closes with Commitment for Sustainable Infrastructure - TRAVELINDEX - SUSTAINABLE FIRSTNicosia, Cyprus, December 21, 2022 / TRAVELINDEX / The 9th Environment for Europe Ministerial Conference closed today in Nicosia, Cyprus, with the adoption of a ministerial declaration affirming countries’ commitment to transition to a green economy with sustainable infrastructure at its core.

The declaration also calls on countries to join and commit actions under the Global Tourism Plastics Initiative, and underlines the need for more and stronger education for sustainable development.

Fostering sustainable infrastructure and tourism

Sustainable and resilient infrastructure investment should be at the core of green economy policies and commitments, playing a central role in COVID-19 pandemic recovery plans, according to the declaration issued following the conference. New sustainable infrastructure should promote resource efficiency to reduce long-term environmental impacts, as a result of fostering innovation, nature-based solutions and cooperation with the private sector, countries agreed in the Cypriot capital.

Particular attention was given to the importance of infrastructure development and tourism as major sectors concerned in transitioning to a green economy and how therefore it is critical to consider the environmental, social and health concerns of these industries. In the light of this, the declaration also calls on countries to join and commit actions to our partners, the Global Tourism Plastics Initiative that unites the tourism sector behind a common vision of circular economy of plastics, and the Glasgow Declaration: a commitment to a Decade of Tourism Climate Action.

Countries pledged to support efforts to reduce water and energy use and greenhouse gas emissions from tourism, particularly in high-impact sub-sectors (including cruise liners, aviation and accommodation), as well as to improve efficiency in the use of other resources, such as water. They further committed to improve sanitation, wastewater treatment and waste management.

Supporting Ukraine 

The Declaration also “strongly condemns the unprovoked and unjustified aggression against Ukraine by the armed forces of the Russian Federation” and recalls the related General Assembly resolutions.

It “recognizes the need to assess the environmental consequences of the military aggression against Ukraine for both the country and the surrounding region”, and “affirms ministers’ support to Ukraine in its reconstruction, including for providing subsequent assistance for restoration”. It goes on to invite the UNECE secretariat, in cooperation with UNEP, OECD and others, to “prioritize assessing the most urgent environmental needs in Ukraine based upon the methodology of the UNECE Environmental Performance Review Programme and on the results of ongoing and planned impacts assessments”. The Declaration further invites the international organizations to make recommendations to advance Ukraine’s sustainable recovery, in line with the Lugano Declaration adopted at the Ukraine Recovery Conference of last July.

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Addressing Plastic Pollution in Tourism Through Sustainable Procurement

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Addressing Plastic Pollution in Tourism Through Sustainable Procurement - TRAVELINDEXParis, France, December 20, 2022 / TRAVELINDEX / This guidance, developed within the framework of the Global Tourism Plastics Initiative, focuses on the procurement of plastic items and packaging (and its alternatives) in the tourism sector and aims to provide practical support for procurement practitioners within the range and global reach of tourism businesses that need to address the impact of single-use plastics and packaging within broader sustainable procurement practice.

This tool draws from existing sustainable procurement good practices that, when implemented systematically throughout the whole procurement cycle, will help increase the circularity in the use of plastics. It provides practical support in identifying the potential for eliminating plastic packaging and plastic items where possible (as well as introducing reuse models as alternatives to single-use items and packaging), in addition to reducing the consumption of plastics where avoidance is not possible (including measures for purchasing recyclable and compostable plastics and plastics with recycled content).

This guidance follows the procurement stages from pre-tender actions around planning procurement approaches including the consideration of elimination, reduction in consumption and adoption of reuse models within the operation of the tourism business. The guidance includes practical examples for tendering, including actions relating to supplier engagement and setting tender specifications. It recognizes that procurement is a continuous cycle of action and therefore also covers contract management and performance improvement within the tourism businesses and their supply chains. A key aspect of the guidance is providing practical tools for procurers in tourism businesses. These include model wording for tender criteria; a hierarchical decision tree for informing actions to eliminate and reduce the dependency on plastics within tenders; and a summary of procurement tools such as life-cycle costing and using standards and labels to help verify claims.

This guidance is also relevant to policymakers, as it recognizes that procurement actions play an important role in providing evidence for how to improve the implementation of plastic reduction strategies. Recommendations are therefore provided for key decision-makers in the tourism business to ensure that sustainable and circular procurement fulfils its potential to support the fourth UN Environment Assembly Resolution 6 on Marine litter and microplastics and deliver the Global Tourism Plastics Initiative vision.

The Global Tourism Plastics Initiative launches Plastic Measurement Methodology tools for Accommodation Providers

The GTPI launched two tools for Plastics Measurement Methodology for Accommodation Providers, these are two Excel Tools which can be used at either individual property or whole portfolio level to facilitate the plastic calculation process, and a Reporting Template for GTPI signatories to submit their performance to GTPI for each reporting cycle.
The Tools help to generate the following GTPI performance metrics: (i) annual total weight of plastics (metric tonnes), (ii) weight of plastics (kg) per guest night, and (iii) percentage of plastics which are compostable (%). The tools are the following ones:

• The Property Tool is used by the property to identify plastic items used and consolidate relevant data (e.g. quantity, weight and compostability) to output its GTPI performance metrics.
• The Portfolio Tool consolidates the data inputted within the Property Tools by its properties to output GTPI performance metrics for the entire portfolio. Step-by-step instructions can be found in the respective tools.

You can download calculation tools below:
– https://www.oneplanetnetwork.org/knowledge-centre/resources/addressing-plastic-pollution-tourism-through-sustainable-procurement
– https://www.oneplanetnetwork.org/knowledge-centre/resources/gtpi-plastic-measurement-methodology-tools-accommodation-providers

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

TAT to Revitalise Thai Tourism Towards Sustainable Growth

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TAT to Revitalise Thai Tourism Towards Sustainable Growth - TRAVELINDEXBangkok, Thailand, July 21, 2022 / TRAVELINDEX The Tourism Authority of Thailand has announced the marketing plan for 2023 that will continue this year’s goal to revitalise and transform Thai tourism, while placing greater emphasis on the recovery of the tourism sector towards stronger and sustainable, more responsible, more digital and more inclusive tourism growth.

Staged in a hybrid meeting format, the annual TAT Action Plan for 2023 conference was presided over by H.E. Mr. Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, Thailand’s Minister of Tourism and Sports. Also present at the event were Dr. Thosaporn Sirisumphand, TAT’s Chairman of the Board, and officials and figures from the Thai public and private tourism sectors, as well as members of the media.

Mr. Yuthasak Supasorn, TAT Governor, said, “TAT sees 2023 as a year of a new beginning for Thai tourism. Hence, we have outlined our marketing strategy for next year adhering to the TAT’s Corporate Plan 2023-2027, which aims to heighten the TAT’s position as the strategic leader in driving Thailand towards experience-based and sustainable tourism.

“TAT is committed to help revitalise and transform Thai tourism under our three strategic objectives, which are: to ‘drive demand’ for meaningful travel, to ‘shape supply’ by developing a new tourism ecosystem, and to ‘thrive for excellence’ by making the TAT a data-driven organisation. We believe this will heighten our goal for Thailand to achieve high value and sustainable tourism growth,” Mr. Yuthasak added.

TAT will continue to use the “Visit Thailand Year 2022-2023: Amazing New Chapters” as the communication strategies for the international market. Thailand will continue to be promoted as a world-class destination that offers something for everyone under the ‘From A-Z: Amazing Thailand Has It All’ concept. This will be showcased alongside the kingdom’s 5F, 4M soft-power foundations; namely, Food, Film, Fashion, Festival, Fight, Music, Museum, Master, and Meta.

Particularly for long-haul international market, TAT recognises 2023 as the ‘time is the new currency’ era. Therefore, emphasis will be placed on promoting Thailand as a year-round destination for health and wellness aficionados, families with kids, active seniors, and remote workers / teleworkers through co-promotions with leading brands. Strategic marketing activities will be launched in new source markets, including Saudi Arabia and the USA’s large secondary cities through partnerships with the airlines.

For the short-haul international market, TAT has outlined ‘The Great Resumption’ under the ‘2Qs, 5News’ strategy. The ‘2Qs’ are ‘Quick Win’ to drive back the demands of tourists and ‘Quality’ to achieve more numbers of revisits and higher trip expenditure. The ‘5News’ include ‘New Segments’ with growth potential, ‘New Areas’ for source tourist markets, ‘New Partners’ in existing markets, ‘New Infrastructure’ relating to travel and tourism, and ‘New Way’ of travel experiences that will focus on responsible tourism. TAT will also promote all points of entry into Thailand, via land, water, and air with an aim to reinstate more than 80% of the regional air capacity in 2019.

In addition, more collaborative partnerships will be formed between TAT and the airlines to help boost the international tourism business by increasing the seating capacity to Thailand. Initially, this will focus on key source markets with no travel restrictions to drive the travel demand of high-disposable income groups (Millennials, Gen-X, and Silver-Age People), hyper-personalisation groups (health and wellness, sports tourism, and responsible tourism), and new segments (digital nomads and remote workers / teleworkers).

For the domestic market, TAT will focus on increasing the travel frequency of domestic tourists by promoting Thailand as a year-round destination under the ‘REAL’ strategy: Responsible Tourism, Extra-ordinary Experience, Avantgarde Marketing and Less for more Economy. Highlights of each of the five regions of Thailand will be promoted, including nostalgic experiences in the North for Multi-Gen Families, ‘Trend C2’ innovative routes in the Central Region for Gen-Y and Gen-Z, culinary and luxury tourism offers in the Each for high-income Gen-Y and Millennial Families, Dharma – Nature – Culture routes in the Northeast for Gen-Y and employed people, and inclusive responsible tourism in the South. Moreover, TAT will promote secondary cities up and down Thailand.

TAT has formulated the marketing plan for 2023 adhering to the Thai government’s Bio-Circular-Green or BCG Economy Model, which is conforming to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The BCG model is being used to revive the tourism industry with the aim of safe, inclusive, and sustainable travel.

Moreover, to ‘thrive for excellence’ by making TAT a data-driven organisation, TAT will use the Thailand Tourism Virtual Mart (TTVM) as the key online B2B platform for Thai tourism business and international tourism operators.

“For 2023, TAT expects Thailand to generate a total tourism revenue of 1.73 trillion Baht with 970 billion Baht from the international market and 760 billion Baht from the domestic market (for base case scenario) and 2.38 trillion Baht with 1.50 trillion Baht from the international market and 880 billion Baht from the domestic market (for best case scenario). This represents about 80% of Thailand’s tourism performance in 2019,” Mr. Yuthasak concluded.

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Sakura Quality Announced as GSTC-Recognized Standard

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Sakura Quality Announced as GSTC-Recognized Standard - DISCOVERJAPAN.org - TRAVELINDEXKyoto, Japan, April 15, 2022 / TRAVELINDEX / The Global Sustainable Tourism Council is pleased to announce that ‘Sakura Quality An ESG Practice Standard’ for hotels and ryokans in Japan has achieved ‘GSTC-Recognized Standard’ status.

In Japan, particular qualities are associated with different flowers, and the quality associated with Sakura, the cherry blossom, is “spiritual beauty.” Sakura Quality began research in April 2011 and is currently working with 26 DMOs across Japan as a quality certification system that certifies quality together with DMOs across Japan (as of April 2022) and has adopted over 2,000 criteria for lodging facilities.

The ‘Sakura Quality An ESG Practice Standard’ for hotels and ryokans in Japan consists of 172 items: 117 environment-related items, 17 social-related items, and 38 business-related items.

The GSTC-Recognized status refers to the standard itself, indicating 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 is based on the four pillars of the GSTC Criteria: Sustainable Management, Socioeconomic, Cultural, and Environmental principles. GSTC Recognition does not relate to the process of certification or accreditation.

“Sakura Quality has been conducting quality inspections of lodging facilities based on the Sakura Quality Standards that consist of items related to providing safe, secure, and honest services. In addition to providing safe, secure, and honest services, the ‘ESG Practice Standard’ consists of 172 criteria, including measures to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. This is an attempt to certify and disseminate information on SDG initiatives in Japan,” said Mr. Takeshi Kitamura, Sakura Quality CEO.

“The use of the GSTC Criteria and framework is increasing in Japan, and we are pleased to see that Sakura Quality is joining and supporting those efforts with a GSTC-compliant approach and gaining GSTC Recognition of their standard,” said Randy Durband, GSTC CEO.

Currently, 11 destination standards, 34 hotel standards, and 15 tour operator standards have achieved GSTC-Recognized status. The status offers the market 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 follow and complete the accreditation process, which assures that the certification process used to apply the standard meets international best practice, transparency, and rigor. A 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; GSTC provides an accreditation program through its partner Assurance Services International to accredit Certification Bodies. 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.

About Sakura Quality
Sakura Quality is a joint quality certification system between Tourism Quality Assurance Association (TQAA), tourism regions, and DMOs in partnership with TQAA. It is a quality certification system that defines “safety, security, and sincerity” as “quality” that is required of accommodation facilities and reflects customer needs. TQAA manages the standards, manages the logo mark, conducts surveys and research on customer needs, trains surveyors, is the certification body, and operates “third-party committees” consisting of members who are neutral, objective, and highly knowledgeable, to support quality certification systems by DMOs and other organizations.

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Indonesia to Relocate Capital to Borneo Jungle

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Indonesia to Relocate Capital to Borneo Jungle - VISITINDONESIA.net - TRAVELINDEXJakarta, Indonesia, April 4, 2022 / TRAVELINDEX / Parliament in Jakarta approved a bill to relocate Indonesia’s capital from Jakarta to a site deep within the jungle of Kalimantan on Borneo island, the most significant advancement of an idea the country’s leaders have been toying with for years. The new state capital law, which provides a legal framework for President Joko Widodo’s ambitious $32 billion mega project, stipulates how development of the capital will be funded and governed.

Indonesia has announced that its new capital will be called Nusantara, meaning “archipelago” in Javanese. It came as parliament approved a bill to relocate the capital from Jakarta, which is rapidly sinking. The idea of building a new capital 1,300km (800 miles) away on the island of Borneo was first proposed in 2019.

But critics have said the new name could be confusing and that the move itself fails to take environmental factors into consideration.

Plans to relocate the government from Jakarta – a bustling metropolis of 10 million people that suffers from chronic congestion, floods, pollution, and is sinking because of over-extraction of groundwater – have been floated by multiple presidents, but none have made it this far.

“The new capital has a central function and is a symbol of the identity of the nation, as well as a new centre of economic gravity,” Planning Minister Suharso Monoarfa told parliament after the bill was passed into law.

Borneo is known for its jungles and orangutan population, mineral-rich East Kalimantan is home to only 3.7 million people, according to the most recent census.

The initial relocation will start from between 2022 and 2024, with roads and ports prioritised to enable access, with some projects operating as public private partnerships, the finance ministry said.

Plans to move the government away from Jakarta, a megacity of 10 million people that suffers from chronic congestion, floods and air pollution, have been floated by multiple presidents, but none have made it this far.

Jokowi, as the president is known, first announced his plan in 2019, but progress was delayed by COVID-19.

The new city has a name chosen by him – Nusantara, a Javanese term for the Indonesian archipelago – but no timeframe has yet been set for finalisation of the project, and Jakarta will remain the capital until a presidential decree is issued to formalise the change.

Nusantara would follow in the footsteps of new capitals in other countries, notably Brazil and Myanmar.

It will strengthen supply chains and place Indonesia “in a more strategic position in world trade routes, investment flows, and technological innovation,” the government said in a statement.

Southeast Asia’s largest economy has envisioned the new capital as a low-carbon “super hub” that will support pharmaceutical, health and technology sectors and promote sustainable growth beyond Java island.

The move will cost an estimated 466 trillion rupiah ($32.4bn; £23.8bn) and will be one of the biggest infrastructure projects the Indonesian government has ever undertaken.

Nusantara will be led by a chief authority whose position is equivalent to a minister, deputy chair of the bill’s special committee, Saan Mustofa.

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

JTB Signs MOU with GSTC for Sustainable Tourism Strategy

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JTB Signs MOU with GSTC for Sustainable Tourism Strategy - TRAVELINDEXTokyo, Japan, March 12, 2022 / TRAVELINDEX / On the occasion of its 110th anniversary, JTB Corp., one of the travel and tourism industry leaders, signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) and became a member of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC). By signing an MOU with the GSTC, JTB further accelerates its sustainability initiatives in its business domain, promoting sustainability strategies based on more global standards and refine JTB’s management and business to a level that can continue to coexist with the social and natural environment.

In collaboration with the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), JTB announces sustainable tourism strategy on its 110th anniversary. JTB plans to bring positive enhancement of sustainability through its extensive market reach, stretching over 215 offices in 87 cities located in 37 countries/regions.

Improving JTB Business and Supply Chain Using the GSTC Criteria

JTB will expand its social, economic, cultural and environmental information, products and solutions based on the GSTC Criteria, and expand its customers’ sustainability options. In addition, JTB will deepen its customers’ understanding, such as addressing sustainability at the places we visit, recognizing issues, and raising awareness.

JTB will strengthen cooperation with hotels and destination management companies (DMCs) that are certified by GSTC-Accredited Certification Bodies, along with formulating a new policy related to supply chains.

Next Generation of Sustainability Practitioners

In cooperation with the GSTC, JTB plans to provide training to enable employees, suppliers and related stakeholders who are tourism operators to gain knowledge of the GSTC Criteria and to apply it in their operations.

JTB will also put emphasis on inspiring the next generation of JTB’s workforce to offer increasingly sustainable products and services.

Commenting on the JTB-GSTC MOU

“A growing number of businesses around the world are expanding their sustainability initiatives in alignment with GSTC global criteria. It is clear to JTB that the time is ripe to step up the pace of the industry’s journey towards sustainability in the domestic Japan market and beyond. Through an exhaustive materiality assessment, JTB has identified the following three sustainability priorities: (1) Enriching the Human Experience, (2) Nurturing our Surroundings, and (3) Engaged Partnering. Our MOU with GSTC establishes the framework for a powerful, far-reaching sustainability partnership that will guide JTB’s sustainability efforts in the months and years to come. Working closely with GSTC, JTB is committed to bringing its management and operations into alignment with GSTC’s global standards in order to ensure the long-term sustainability of its business and the markets and communities in which it operates,” says Eijiro Yamakita, CEO and President of JTB Corp.

“GSTC well recognizes the importance of JTB in the marketplace and we are delighted to support their continued enhancement of sustainable approaches to their business practices,” says Randy Durband, GSTC CEO. “We look forward to a productive collaboration.”

“JTB’s sustainability strategy is expected to bring significant changes to the Asia-based tourism businesses. I have no doubt that the capacity building of their human resources and cooperation with suppliers and partners will in the near future present a model for the tourism industry in Asia and will further promote sustainability in all tourism industries globally” says Dr. Mihee Kang, GSTC Director Asia-Pacific.

About 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.

About JTB Corp.
Today’s JTB traces its roots back to Japan Tourist Bureau, an agency formed in 1912 for the purpose of servicing the ticketing needs of foreign tourists in Japan. Over the span of its first 100 years, JTB steadily evolved into a travel and tourism industry leader. JTB Corp. and JTB Group, hereafter referred to as “JTB”, is an entity in the field of tourism, providing the service of travel agents, tour operators, land operators, consultation services and providing tourism educational service, legally registered in Japan and headquartered in Tokyo, Japan with branch offices all over Japan, Asia Pacific, Europe, North America and South America. Through vision, integrity, innovation, and unsurpassed know-how, the JTB Group consistently creates unparalleled value for its stakeholders.

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

China’s Tourism Sector Could Reach CNY 11 trillion in 2022

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China’s Tourism Sector Could Reach CNY 11 trillion in 2022 - TRAVELINDEXBeijing, China, February 21, 2022 / TRAVELINDEX / New research from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has revealed China’s Travel & Tourism sector’s contribution to GDP could reach CNY 11 trillion this year, just 5.2% short of pre-pandemic levels. In 2019, before the pandemic struck, China’s Travel & Tourism sector’s contributed CNY 11.5 trillion to GDP (11.6% of the country’s economy).

However, in 2020 the pandemic had a major impact on the sector and Travel & Tourism’s contribution to the Chinese economy fell by a staggering 59.9%, to CNY 4.6 trillion.

Latest research from the global tourism body shows that as the national economy begins to recover, the contribution of the sector to the country’s economy and jobs could reach almost pre-pandemic levels this year.

WTTC research shows that if China, with more than 87% of its population already fully inoculated, begins to ease restrictions throughout the year, the sector’s contribution to GDP could reach CNY 11 trillion in 2022, just 5.2% behind pre-pandemic levels.

After a loss of more than 16 million jobs in 2020, when Travel & Tourism businesses in China suffered serious losses due to severe travel restrictions and complete border closures, most of these could be recovered if the country continues to focus on its Travel & Tourism sector and particularly reopening its borders to international visitors.

The sector could recover more than 14 million jobs to reach nearly 81 million jobs in 2022 – just 1.7% below 2019 levels.

Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO, said: “China is a critical player in the global Travel & Tourism sector. It has done well to drive domestic tourism during the pandemic, but international travel has come to a halt. The benefits to opening borders represent a boost in both economic wealth and jobs.

“Our latest research shows 2022 could bring a strong recovery for Travel & Tourism globally, with pent-up demand and vaccination rates driving the recovery of this economically boosting sector.

“Millions of livelihoods depend on a thriving Travel & Tourism sector, but there is still work ahead if we want to achieve a full economic recovery and bring back all the jobs that were lost.”

A look at the Asia Pacific region

WTTC’s research shows the forecast for the Asia Pacific region could be equally positive, with the region’s Travel & Tourism sector also approaching pre-pandemic levels this year.

According to the research, the sector’s contribution to the region’s GDP could reach CNY 20 trillion (USD 2.9 trillion), near pre-pandemic levels, while employment could reach over 190 million jobs, surpassing 2019 figures and providing an additional five million jobs to the sector.

To reach close to pre-pandemic levels this year, WTTC says the Chinese government and governments around the world must continue focussing on the vaccine and booster rollout – allowing fully vaccinated travellers to move freely without the need for testing.

The global tourism body also urges governments to ditch the patchwork of restrictions and enable international travel using digital solutions that allow travellers to prove their status in a fast, simple, and secure way.

First published at TravelCommunication.net – Global Travel News

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Singapore Tourism Board Joins PATA as Newest National Government Member

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Singapore Tourism Board Joins PATA as Newest National Government Member - VisitSinagpore.org - TRAVELINDEXSingapore, Singapore, February 21, 2022 / TRAVELINDEX / The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) is pleased to welcome the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) as its newest government member. STB’s mission is to shape a dynamic tourism landscape for Singapore in partnership with industry and community.

• Discover Singapore with VisitSingapore.org, a travel guide to Singapore

PATA CEO Liz Ortiguera said, “I am truly honoured to welcome the Singapore Tourism Board to the PATA family. Their focus on wellness, innovation and sustainability in the post pandemic landscape is in line with PATA’s mission in acting as a catalyst for the responsible development of travel and tourism to, from and within the Asia Pacific region. STB understands that as we look towards recovery, constructive and coordinated cooperation across the region and between all industry stakeholders is critical. I look forward to working with them to support their strategic initiatives and welcome them into the PATA global community.”

Keith Tan, Chief Executive, STB said, “STB looks forward to working with PATA and its members to drive sustainable tourism development and to support the recovery of travel and tourism in the Asia-Pacific. PATA also plays a leadership role in bridging knowledge gaps, fostering cross-cutting cooperation and bringing strategic partners together. We look forward to sharing our experiences and contributing to these efforts.”

The STB is a statutory board under the Ministry of Trade and Industry of Singapore. It champions the development of Singapore’s tourism sector, one of the country’s key service sectors and economic pillars, and undertakes the marketing and promotion of Singapore as a tourism destination.

STB is working towards COVID-resilience and recovery for Singapore, as tourism remains an important economic pillar for the country. The Board has focused its efforts to transform the industry by driving innovation, building digital and marketing capabilities and forging partnerships beyond the tourism industry. Together with tourism stakeholders, STB is also reimagining Singapore’s products and experiences with a focus on areas such as health and safety, technology, as well as sustainability.

STB continues to market Singapore’s multi-faceted appeal as a premier business and leisure destination, and offer empowering and customised experiences. The organisation brings the “Passion Made Possible” brand to life by differentiating Singapore as a vibrant destination that inspires people to share and deepen their passions. This is a unified brand between STB and Economic Development Board (EDB) which will allow the international marketing of Singapore for tourism and business purposes. STB also regularly reviews and updates the tourism regulatory framework to ensure its relevance in the current business environment, while providing support and incentives to catalyse the private sector to take the lead in investing for growth.

• Discover Singapore with VisitSingapore.org, a travel guide to Singapore

About PATA
Founded in 1951, the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) is a not-for-profit membership association that acts as a catalyst for the responsible development of travel and tourism to, from and within the Asia Pacific region. The Association provides aligned advocacy, insightful research and innovative events to its member organisations, which including government, state and city tourism bodies; international airlines and airports; hospitality organisations, and educational institutions, as well as thousands of young tourism professional (YTP) members across the world. The PATA network also embraces the grassroots activism the PATA Chapters and Student Chapters, who organise numerous travel industry training programmes and business development events across the world. Thousands of travel professionals belong to the 32 local PATA Chapters worldwide, while hundreds of students are members of the 28 PATA Student Chapters globally. The PATAmPOWER platform delivers unrivalled data, forecasts and insights from the PATA Strategic Intelligence Centre to members’ desktops and mobile devices anywhere in the world. PATA’s Head Office has been in Bangkok since 1998. The Association also has official offices or representation in Beijing and London.

First published at TravelCommunication.net – Global Travel News

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News