1. Sustainable Tourism Baseline Criteria Initiative Coordinated by: United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) United Nations Foundation (UNF) Rainforest Alliance (RA) IUCN Business and Biodiversity Programme Sustainable Tourism Certification Network of the Americas ECOTRANS Steering committee meeting Washington, DC, USA March 26, 2008

2. Establishing the initial criteria Version 1 (June - September 2007) – 26 criteria; 41 performance indicators Primary documents: UN-WTO 12 Aims for Sustainable Tourism (12 aims that suggest about 30 criteria) UN-WTO 12 Aims for Sustainable Tourism (12 aims that suggest about 30 criteria) Mohonk Agreement (4 categories, 26 criteria) Mohonk Agreement (4 categories, 26 criteria) Baseline Criteria for the Sustainable Tourism Certification Network of the Americas (3 categories, 22 thematic areas, and 88 criteria) Baseline Criteria for the Sustainable Tourism Certification Network of the Americas (3 categories, 22 thematic areas, and 88 criteria) Convention on Biological Diversity tourism guidelines (7 clauses with 68 principles) Convention on Biological Diversity tourism guidelines (7 clauses with 68 principles) World Heritage Alliance Principles (10 aims, with about 40 criteria suggested) World Heritage Alliance Principles (10 aims, with about 40 criteria suggested) UN-WTO Indicators for Sustainable Tourism Certification (3 aims, 18 categories, with 43 criteria) UN-WTO Indicators for Sustainable Tourism Certification (3 aims, 18 categories, with 43 criteria) Tours Operators’ Initiative (TOI) Tours Operators’ Initiative (TOI) VISIT Standard (21 criteria) VISIT Standard (21 criteria) Millennium Development Goals (5 goals were considered applicable) Millennium Development Goals (5 goals were considered applicable) Research from The International Ecotourism Society (TIES) & Rainforest Alliance Research from The International Ecotourism Society (TIES) & Rainforest Alliance 30 sustainable tourism certification standards from 6 continents (40-150 criteria each). 30 sustainable tourism certification standards from 6 continents (40-150 criteria each). More than 500 criteria were compared and evaluated in the framework of three to 12 general objectives. Performance indicators were developed for each criterion.

3. Version 2 (October 2007) 37 criteria distributed without accompanying performance indicators Online survey and phone interviews: Anonymous Anonymous CAST – Caribbean Alliance for Sustainable Tourism CAST – Caribbean Alliance for Sustainable Tourism CED – World Center of Excellence on Tourist Destinations CED – World Center of Excellence on Tourist Destinations GWU – George Washington University GWU – George Washington University ICOMOS – International Scientific Committee on Cultural Tourism Secretariat ICOMOS – International Scientific Committee on Cultural Tourism Secretariat RA – Rainforest Alliance RA – Rainforest Alliance SCBD – Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity SCBD – Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity STI – Sustainable Travel International STI – Sustainable Travel International TC – Tourism Concern TC – Tourism Concern Terry De Lacy former board member of Green Globe and Ecotourism Australia Terry De Lacy former board member of Green Globe and Ecotourism Australia TIES – The International Ecotourism Society TIES – The International Ecotourism Society UNEP – United Nations Environmental Programme UNEP – United Nations Environmental Programme UNF – United Nations Foundation UNF – United Nations Foundation UNWTO – United Nations World Tourism Organization UNWTO – United Nations World Tourism Organization WCPA – IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas WCPA – IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas WWF – World Wildlife Fund Germany WWF – World Wildlife Fund Germany

4. Version 2 (October 2007) Proceedings from Sustainable Tourism Baseline Criteria Workshop, September 21, 2007, United Nations Foundation, Washington, DC, USA (15 organizations participating) Additional documents consulted International Tourism Partnership “Going Green: Minimum standards toward a sustainable hotel” – International Business Leadership Forum (IBLF) International Tourism Partnership “Going Green: Minimum standards toward a sustainable hotel” – International Business Leadership Forum (IBLF) ICOMOS Charter Principles – International Council on Monuments and Sites ICOMOS Charter Principles – International Council on Monuments and Sites World Heritage Alliance principles – Expedia, Inc. and UNF, based on National Geographic’s geotourism principles World Heritage Alliance principles – Expedia, Inc. and UNF, based on National Geographic’s geotourism principles Social Accountability 8000 (SA8000) Standard – Social Accountability International (SAI) Social Accountability 8000 (SA8000) Standard – Social Accountability International (SAI) Tour Operators’ Initiative “Practical Guide to Good Practice Managing Environmental and Social Issues in the Accommodations Sector” – Center for Environmental Leadership in Business (CI) and 25 tour operators Tour Operators’ Initiative “Practical Guide to Good Practice Managing Environmental and Social Issues in the Accommodations Sector” – Center for Environmental Leadership in Business (CI) and 25 tour operators Travelife “Supplier Sustainability Handbook” – Federation of Tour Operators (FTO) Travelife “Supplier Sustainability Handbook” – Federation of Tour Operators (FTO)

5. Version 2 to Version 3 (November 2007 – March 2008) International Task Force on Sustainable Tourism Development of the Marrakesh Process, Paris, December 10-12, 2007. International Task Force on Sustainable Tourism Development of the Marrakesh Process, Paris, December 10-12, 2007. Consultation to the full membership of IUCN, through March 1, 2008 Consultation to the full membership of IUCN, through March 1, 2008 Consultation to the full membership of the Sustainable Tourism Certification Network of the Americas (96 members in 23 countries), through March 1, 2008 Consultation to the full membership of the Sustainable Tourism Certification Network of the Americas (96 members in 23 countries), through March 1, 2008 Consultation by Ecotrans to European sustainable tourism certification programs through January 31, 2008 Consultation by Ecotrans to European sustainable tourism certification programs through January 31, 2008 Comparison with over 4,500 individual criteria from 12 sets of general guidelines and 41 certification standards (out of a worldwide total of 70) from all continents and from a mix of developing and industrialized countries -- to discover omissions and better wording. Comparison with over 4,500 individual criteria from 12 sets of general guidelines and 41 certification standards (out of a worldwide total of 70) from all continents and from a mix of developing and industrialized countries -- to discover omissions and better wording. Online survey at www.sustainabletourismcriteria.org: 832 industry visits from 74 countries. 105 completed the general survey on the criteria. Online survey at www.sustainabletourismcriteria.org: 832 industry visits from 74 countries. 105 completed the general survey on the criteria.www.sustainabletourismcriteria.org 25 organizations and 20 businesses submitted detailed recommendations on the criteria Steering committee meeting March 25, 2008 to review comments and proposed changes – this meeting today

6. Procedures All comments are considered. Those made by more than one organization were given special weight. All comments are considered. Those made by more than one organization were given special weight. The recommendations were accepted completely or partially where technically appropriate and feasible; or they were rejected with a reasoned justification for not accepting them. Among the reasons for rejection are: The recommendations were accepted completely or partially where technically appropriate and feasible; or they were rejected with a reasoned justification for not accepting them. Among the reasons for rejection are: For general recommendations, that they: For general recommendations, that they: are incompatible with the basic goals and premises of this effort and consultation are incompatible with the basic goals and premises of this effort and consultation are not possible are not possible are technically or logistically beyond the scope of this project are technically or logistically beyond the scope of this project For criteria, that they: For criteria, that they: cannot be measured using an objective, cost-effective performance indicator; cannot be measured using an objective, cost-effective performance indicator; are already incorporated in an existing criterion; are already incorporated in an existing criterion; are specific to a particular geographic region; or are specific to a particular geographic region; or are inappropriate for a tourism business (e.g. governmental policy considerations; impacts that are not generally produced by tourism businesses; etc.). are inappropriate for a tourism business (e.g. governmental policy considerations; impacts that are not generally produced by tourism businesses; etc.). Salient information generated by comparison of the criteria with existing standards and guidelines has been used to suggest improved wording and identify omissions in the criteria. Salient information generated by comparison of the criteria with existing standards and guidelines has been used to suggest improved wording and identify omissions in the criteria.

7. General comments High level of support; no group or individual expressed general objections. High level of support; no group or individual expressed general objections. Some industry members complained about technical language or “jargon” in a few criteria. Some industry members complained about technical language or “jargon” in a few criteria. One group proposed using much more technical language and that criteria should explicitly refer to international agreements. One group proposed using much more technical language and that criteria should explicitly refer to international agreements.

8. Specific comments Hunting groups asked that extractive use of resources with conservation benefits be considered. Wording was changed accordingly, but without referring explicitly to extraction. Hunting groups asked that extractive use of resources with conservation benefits be considered. Wording was changed accordingly, but without referring explicitly to extraction. Change of wording from “protection” to “conservation”, according to more recent thinking, was accepted. Change of wording from “protection” to “conservation”, according to more recent thinking, was accepted. Numerous comments about the lack of associated or intrinsic performance indicators. Numerous comments about the lack of associated or intrinsic performance indicators.

9. Changes in structure Version 2 A. Achieve effective sustainable management B. Maximize economic benefit to the community C. Minimize sociocultural harm and maximize benefits D. Minimize environmental harm and maximize benefits Proposed Version 3 A. Implement effective sustainable management B. Maximize social and economic benefit to the community and minimize harm C. Minimize harm to cultural heritage and maximize benefit D. Minimize environmental harm and maximize benefit.

10. Comments on structure UNF suggested proposed change, which permits better grouping of social and economic benefits. UNF suggested proposed change, which permits better grouping of social and economic benefits. SUSG objects to term “harm” and prefers “negative impacts”. Harm is clearly defined in English as “physical or material injury, hurt; damage, detriment”, is widely used in environmental law and is more likely to be understood by businesses. SUSG objects to term “harm” and prefers “negative impacts”. Harm is clearly defined in English as “physical or material injury, hurt; damage, detriment”, is widely used in environmental law and is more likely to be understood by businesses. Four individuals suggested alternative structures. Four individuals suggested alternative structures.

11. Omissions fair trade requirements, especially employee well-being, child labor, etc. fair trade requirements, especially employee well-being, child labor, etc. economic sustainability, esp. service quality economic sustainability, esp. service quality scenic beauty scenic beauty carrying capacity carrying capacity traditional territories & knowledge traditional territories & knowledge mission statement for business mission statement for business facilitating low GHG emission guest transportation to/from business (nearly universal in European certifications) facilitating low GHG emission guest transportation to/from business (nearly universal in European certifications)

12. Not well understood D.4.1. A contingency plan for environmental emergencies is in place. D.4.1. A contingency plan for environmental emergencies is in place. Recommendation: eliminate or reword, e.g. CDB: “Contingency plans for handling accidents, emergencies or bankruptcies that may occur during construction and use of facilities and which may threaten the environment and the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity” A.1. The company has implemented a sustainability management system that is suitable to its reality and scale, and that considers environmental, sociocultural, quality, health, and safety issues. A.1. The company has implemented a sustainability management system that is suitable to its reality and scale, and that considers environmental, sociocultural, quality, health, and safety issues. Recommendation: explanatory guidelines

13. Wording strongly contested by one group, but accepted by all others D.3.1. Endangered species are not consumed, sold, traded, or displayed. D.3.1. Endangered species are not consumed, sold, traded, or displayed. D.3.2. No captive wildlife is kept, except for licensed breeding, rescue, or reintroduction, in accordance with law and best practices. D.3.2. No captive wildlife is kept, except for licensed breeding, rescue, or reintroduction, in accordance with law and best practices. D.3.5. Any disturbance or damage harmful for wildlife animals or plants by tourism activities is avoided. D.3.5. Any disturbance or damage harmful for wildlife animals or plants by tourism activities is avoided. All wildlife species are treated in conformity with international and national legislation. All wildlife species are treated in conformity with international and national legislation. Any use of wildlife, whether consumptive or not, contributes to conservation in accordance with principles and guidelines developed through CBD. Any use of wildlife, whether consumptive or not, contributes to conservation in accordance with principles and guidelines developed through CBD. Conservation benefits are obtained to mitigate any disturbance from tourism that may harm animal or plant populations, especially species threatened with extinction. Conservation benefits are obtained to mitigate any disturbance from tourism that may harm animal or plant populations, especially species threatened with extinction.

14. Suggested changes to criteria