19 June, 2013

Mr. Randy Durband Senior Partner, Robin Tauck & Partners Chair, Global Sustainable Tourism Council Mr. Randy Durband Senior Partner, Robin Tauck & Partners Chair, Global Sustainable Tourism Council

Global Standards for Sustainability in Travel & Tourism GSTC

PATA’s 2013 Sustainable Tourism Series 1 st Session – today, June 19: “The Need for Green and Sustainable Standards” 2 nd Session - July 9: “Standards and Certifications at Work in Travel Businesses” 3 rd Session – August 14: “How to Sell ‘Responsible Travel’ Products”

Today’s Outline: ① The need for sustainable practices in travel & tourism ② The market for sustainable travel products ③ Separating the “real” from “green-washing” -- the need for standards and certification ④ The GSTC’s vital role

”Sustainable Tourism” defined “Sustainable tourism is a level of tourism activity that can be maintained over the long-term because it results in a net benefit for the socio-cultural, economic and natural environments of the area in which it takes place.”

Maximizing financial benefits for local economy Preservation of local culture and customs Heritage conservation Communities Minimizing impact on destinations’ environments (waste reduction, re-use, recycling) Social Cultural Economic Climate Change SUSTAINABLE TOURISM Environmental Minimizing negative climate impacts (carbon emissions, etc.) Source: *PhocusWright-Market Research 2008

Today’s Outline: ① The need for sustainable practices in travel & tourism ② The market for sustainable travel products ③ Separating the “real” from “green-washing” -- the need for standards and certification ④ The GSTC’s vital role

Demand is growing for sustainability 1 in 2 consumers would be willing to book a more sustainable holiday if available (TUI Travel global research 2010) 2 in 3 consumers would change their behavior on holiday to help the environment (TUI Travel global research 2010)

Demand is growing for sustainability 78% of U.K. travelers say they will choose holidays designed to be responsible” (Concerned Consumer Index, Populus Jan 2008) 44% of U.S. travelers consider environmental impact when planning travel (Phocus Wright 2009, “Going Green”)

Demand is growing for sustainability Since the 1990’s, ecotourists have been growing at an average annual rate of 20%, making ecotourism the fastest growing tourism niche More than two-thirds of U.S. and Australian travelers, and 90% of British tourists, consider active protection of the environment and support of local communities to be part of a hotel’s responsibility The International Ecotourism Society -

TUI Travel: 250+ brands in 180 countries, more than 30 million customers  Fully committed to sustainability  Gives preference to hotels and other suppliers that are certified sustainable  Actively supports the GSTC and GSTC-Recognized certification bodies Demand for sustainable product

Today’s Outline: ① The need for sustainable practices in travel & tourism ② The market for sustainable travel products ③ Separating the “real” from “green-washing” -- the need for standards and certification ④ The GSTC’s vital role

Have you shopped for a product and wondered about the claims made on the label? Or about a seal of quality displayed on the product or its website? What does the seal mean? The role of standards

If we learn that the seal isn’t valid or current, or that it was purchased and not deserved on merit, how do we feel? Standards matter to us — otherwise none of us would notice the seal. We want them to truly mean something. The role of standards

Why are standards and the GSTC necessary? To avoid ‘greenwashing’, a marketing ploy in which businesses attempt to capitalize on rising consumer demand for sustainable and environmentally friendly goods and services.

There are 130+ organizations throughout the world certifying travel products as “green” or “sustainable” The vast majority of them are reputable Who sets the standards?

But standards must be set and maintained for certification, verification, awards, etc. Who can do it? A global, inclusive, non-profit effort created the solution…..the GSTC Who sets the standards?

Today’s Outline: ① The need for sustainable practices in travel & tourism ② The market for sustainable travel products ③ Separating the “real” from “green-washing” -- the need for standards and certification ④ The GSTC’s vital role

What is the GSTC? It is the leading global authority in setting standards for what can be called “sustainable” in travel & tourism

Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC ) Originally developed by a coalition of more than 50 organizations: – UNEP, UN Foundation, UNWTO – IUCN, Rainforest Alliance, Conservation International – Expedia, Travelocity, Sabre, Fairmont, Marriott – IH&RA, ASTA, Travelife, Travel Weekly

The GSTC has the full support of the United Nations – Board of Directors include UNWTO and UNEP leaders – Secretariat is housed at UNWTO (while remaining a separate organization) – A unique organization, without competitors Non-Profit Organization, supported mostly by volunteers and sponsors Certification Bodies recognized by GSTC – GSTC is the “certifier of the certifiers” The final authority in avoidance of “green- washing” The Global Sustainable Tourism Council

2 Sets of Criteria – for hotels & tour operators, for destinations, and more to come Created with the input of experts, groups and companies from around the planet Define sustainable tourism in a way that is actionable, measurable and credible A minimum standard of sustainability for tourism organizations The Global Sustainable Tourism Council

What are Criteria? Answer: Criteria are standards, rules, or tests on which a judgment or decision can be based The GSTC’s criteria are the culmination of cross-disciplinary and cross-industry efforts to “standardize the standards”

GSTC criteria are available now in Japanese, Chinese, and Vietnamese We seek translators in other Asian languages GSTC Criteria

GSTC-Recognized and GSTC-Approved Sustainable/Green Travel Certifiers There are more than 130 Certification Bodies in the world for green or sustainable travel 18 of them have completed the new process of becoming GSTC Recognized The Global Sustainable Tourism Council

GSTC-Recognized certifiers serving the Asia- Pacific region: EarthCheck EcoTourism Australia Japan Environmentally Sustainable Accommodations International Standards (ESAIS) Qualmark Enviro Award Sustainable Travel International (STI) Travelife The Global Sustainable Tourism Council

How can you benefit from the GSTC’s activities? Certify your business or destination through a GSTC-Recognized or Approved certification scheme Use the criteria in your processes, and promote the fact that you use them Join the GSTC – go to and click on “Participate” The Global Sustainable Tourism Council

GSTC and PATA – partners in managing a sustainable visitor economy For more information: click on “Footprints” or and Thank you for your attention!

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