PM4SD European Summer School “Leadership and Governance for Sustainable

Tourism”Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain, 30 June-3 July

"Travel Forever – The role of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC)"

Luigi Cabrini, Chair of the Board of Directors, Global Sustainable Toursim Council (GSTC) and

Advosor of the Secretary-General, World Tourism Organization (UNWTO)

Contents

◘ Current situation and forecast

◘ Challenges and opportunities

◘ The Global Sustainable Tourism Council

1950

1960

1970

1980

1990

1995

2000

2005

2010

2030

0

200

400

600

800

1,000

1,200

1,400

1,600

1,800

Middle East Africa

Asia and the Pacific Americas

Europe

mill

ion

1995: 528 mn

2014: 1135 mn

2030: 1.8 bn

1950: 25 mn

Receipts 2014: US$ 1245 billions

Source: World Tourism Organization

Current situation and forecast

Tourism in the world: Impacts

1. Tourism is a powerful tool for social and economic development and poverty reduction - creation of jobs and enterprises, infrastructure development and export revenues

2. It is essential to continue creating and raising awareness and to mainstream tourism in the political agenda in order to tap into this potential

3. Sustainability (social, economic and environment) is more critical than ever Addressing issues such as use of resources and

waste, energy dependency, climate change adaptation and mitigation, green economy,

congestion management and risk management

Five key areas that mark the future

4. Enhance competitiveness by shaping an adequate business environment Innovation, diversification of products,

markets and segments, product development, ICT and technology, marketing and promotion, research, evaluation, human resources development, quality, etc.

5. Keep track of the changing consumer: More experienced and demanding, demographic

change (ageing, migration and diversification of family structure), changing values and lifestyles, from service economy to experience economy, etc.

Five key areas that mark the future

Contents

◘ Current situation and forecast

◘ Challenges and opportunities

◘ The Global Sustainable Tourism Council

1billiontourists.unwto.org

One Billion Tourists One Billion Opportunities

Expressed simply, sustainable tourism can be defined as:

Tourism that takes full account of its current and future economic, social and environmental impacts, addressing the needs of visitors, the industry, the environment and host communities

Sustainable tourism development guidelines and management practices are applicable to all forms of tourism in all types of destinations, including mass tourism and the various niche tourism segments

Sustainability principles refer to the environmental, economic, and socio-cultural aspects of tourism development, and a suitable balance must be established between these three dimensions to guarantee its long-term sustainability

Sustainable Tourism: key concepts

Int. Year of Ecotourism and Quebec Declaration on Ecotourism

Global Code of Ethics for Tourism

Davos Process on Climate Change and Tourism

MDG Summit: Millennium Development Goals

Green Economy and Tourism

Global Sustainable Tourism Council

UNCSD (Rio+20)

Sustainable Tourism - Eliminating Poverty (ST – EP)

World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg

Earth Summit in Rio, Agenda 21 and the UN Commission on Sustainable Development

1992 1999 2000 2002 2002 2005 2007 20112010 20121995

World Conference on Sustainable Tourism

2014

10YFP

Tourism: From Rio 92 to Rio+20

Green tourism has the potential to create new jobs

Investing in greening of tourism can reduce costs

Tourists are demanding the greening of tourism

The private sector can, and must be mobilized to support green tourism

The development of tourism is accompanied by significant challenges:

Energy and GHG

emissions

Water consumption

Waste management

Loss of biological diversity

Effective management

of cultural heritage

Tourism in the Green Economy - Key Messages

Green Scenario Business-as-usual (BAU) Scenario

• Higher level of investments• Change in energy and

enviromental policies• Allocates 0.2% of global GDP

per year

• Increased levels of investment• Not change in energy and

enviromental policies• Investment 2% GDP according to

existing patterns without targeting

44%52%18%

Direct Employment 544 million580 million

• Favours a more conventional use of resouces and fossil fuels

• Resourse efficiency and low carbon development

Energy consumption growth Green House Emissions

Water ConsumptionSolid Waste Disposal

154%131%152%251%

Green Scenario vs. BAU Scenario 2010-2050

We emphasize that well designed and managed tourism can make a significant contribution to the three dimensions of sustainable development, has close linkages to other sectors, and can create decent jobs and generate trade opportunities.

We recognize the need to support sustainable tourism activities…..

We call for enhanced support for sustainable tourism activities and relevant capacity building in developing countries…..

We encourage the promotion of investment in sustainable tourism…

We underline the importance of establishing appropriate guidelines and regulations in accordance with national priorities and legislation for promoting and supporting sustainable tourism.

Sustainable Tourism (par. 130-131)

The Future We Want: final document adopted at Rio+20

Contents

◘ Current situation and forecast

◘ Challenges and opportunities

◘ The Global Sustainable Tourism Council

www.gstcouncil.org

Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC)

i. Fostering increased knowledge and understanding of sustainable

tourism practices

ii. Promoting the adoption of universal sustainable tourism principles and

iii. Building demand for sustainable travel

The Council was created in 2010 with the mission of promoting sustainability in tourism by:

Registered as a not-for-profit organization

What is the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC)?

Some Members

GSTC Member Benefits

Influence to promote positive change in the world and promote organizational support to sustainable tourism

Access to services and opportunities to offer more sustainable tourism products

Participate in decision-making processes

Have the opportunity to establish high-level networking

Access to educational resources and marketing benefits

Annual contribution:From 100 up to 3.500 US$

Sponsorship: 10.000 US$

Categories:

Individual membership

For-profit organizations

Not-for-profit organizations

Destinations

Set of common guidelines

Created with inputs from experts and companies around the world

Result of a public consultation process and efforts of organizations,

interest groups and individuals, comparing certification programs

available

Define sustainable tourism in a measurable and credible way

Establish a minimum standard of sustainability for tourism businesses

worldwide

Suitable for developed and developing countries

For large and small businesses

For urban, rural and natural areas

Taking into consideration local and indigenous communities

Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria

41 Criteria in 4 pillars

Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria

Social & Economic Cultural Environmental

SustainabilityManagement

Criteria for Destinations (Nov 2013)

Criteria for Hotels and Tour Operators (2008, rev.2012)

To date, two sets of GSTC Criteria have been developed:

Of public domain... In different languages

A3 - All personnel receive periodic guidance and training regarding their roles and responsibilities with respect to environmental, social, cultural, economic, quality, health and safety issues.

IN-A3.a.- All staff has awareness of their roles and responsibilities with respect to environmental, social, cultural, economic, quality, health and safety issues.IN-A3.b.- Staff have locally required licences/certification relevant to their duties (e.g. sewage treatment plant operator).

A4 - Customer satisfaction, including sustainability aspects, is measured and corrective action taken.

IN-A4.a.- A complaint system is in place which records customer complaints and corrective actions.

SECTION A: Demonstrate sustainable destination management

CRITERIA INDICATORS

Examples of criteria for Hotels and Tour operators Indicators

B2 - Local residents are given equal opportunity for employment including in management positions. All employees are equally offered regular training, experience and opportunities for advancement.

IN-B2.a.- Local residents are employed, including in management positions. Training and career opportunities are offered to local residents.

B3 - Local services and goods are purchased and offered by the organization, following fair-trade principles.

IN-B3.a.- Purchases are mostly from local providers and/or fair trade. Services offered involve local businesses to the greatest extent possible.

SECTION B: Maximize social and economic benefits to the local community and minimize negative impactsCRITERIA INDICATORS

Examples of criteria for Hotels and Tour operators Indicators

C3 - Visitor behaviorThe destination has published and provided guidelines for proper visitor behavior at sensitive sites. Such guidelines are designed to minimize adverse impacts on sensitive sites and strengthen positive visitor behaviors.

C4 - Cultural heritage protection. The destination has laws governing the proper sale, trade, display, or gifting of historical and archaeological artefacts.

IN-C3.a.- Cultural and environmental guidelines for visitor behaviour in sensitive sites.IN-C3.b.- Code of practice for tour guides and tour operators.

IN-C4.a.- Laws or regulations to protect historical and archaeological artefacts including those located under water, and evidence of their enforcementIN-C4.b.- Program to protect and celebrate intangible cultural heritage (e.g., includes song, music, drama, skills and crafts)

SECTION C: Maximize benefits to communities, visitors, and culture; minimize negative impactsCRITERIA INDICATORS

Examples of criteria for Destinations Indicators

Examples of criteria for Destinations Indicators

D3 - Wildlife protectionThe destination has a system to ensure compliance with local, national, and international laws and standards for the harvest or capture, display, and sale of wildlife (including plants and animals).

D4- Greenhouse gas emissionsThe destination has a system to encourage enterprises to measure, monitor, minimize, publicly report, and mitigate their greenhouse gas emissions from all aspects of their operation (including emissions from service providers).

IN-D3.a.- Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)IN-D3.b.- Regulations and standards for controlling harvesting or capture, display, sale, of plants and animals

IN-D4.a.- Program to assist enterprises to measure, monitor, minimize, and publicly report greenhouse gas emissionsIN-D4.b.- System to assist enterprises to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions

SECTION D: Maximize benefits to the environment and minimize negative impactsCRITERIA INDICATORS

Destinations criteria adopted as a model for sustainability national standards

India 2014

Ecuador 2015

Active dialogue with several countries

GSTC Criteria at the national level

Work Areas

Destinations

Education and training

International standards

Market access

Communication

Areas

GSTC chose destinations worldwide following a selection process

Destinations were selected for their positive impact on the environment, for their economic and social benefits on communities and training of visitors and residents

They were tested and were provided information on the destinations criteria

The early adoption of sustainable tourism criteria and indicators offered to destinations:

Improvement in decision making Better capacity to assess the progress achieved in the

sustainable development of tourism

“Early Adopters” Program 2012-2013

Fjord, Norway Okavango Delta, Botswana

Mont Huangshan, China

Lanzarote, Canary Islands, Spain

Teton County, Wyoming, USA St. Kitts and Nevis Samoa

“Early Adopters” Program

“Early Adopters” Program

Machu Picchu, Peru

South Sardinia, Italy

Lakes District, Chile

Mara Naboisho Conservancy,

Kenya

Sierra Gorda, Mexico

Riviera Maya, Mexico

St.Croix, Virgin Islands, USA

Destinations Program: Evaluation

What: from 3 (“snapshot assessment”) up to 10 days evaluation relating to GSTC criteria and indicators

Why: Review and evaluation of destination policies, practices, programs,

facilities and management Identification of examples of good practices Identify risks and areas that can be improved Validation of the results of the evaluation Recommendations to improve

As a result of the evaluation, destinations know where they are, where to go and have the basis of a plan to get there

0 (Red) = no documentation or evidence of the application1 (Pink) = documentation existing (e.g. policies, systems)2 (Yellow) = documentation and evidence exist to verify the application (e.g. management and monitoring systems, etc.)3 (Green ) = there is evidence of documentation and application, and the destination is showing improvement

Review of resultsGSTC sections A

Destinations Management

B Social and Economic Benefits

CCultural Heritage

D Environment Nº total de

indicadores (%)

Total indicators marked in Red

20 11 2 9 42 indicators (40%)

Total indicators marked in Pink

4 3 5 5 17 indicators (16%)

Total indicators marked in Yellow

12 7 6 10 35 indicators (33%)

Total indicators marked in Green

7 0 0 4 11 indicators (11%)

Total indicators marked in Grey

0 0 0 0 0 indicators (0%)

Total Indicators 43 21 13 28 105 indicators (100%)

Examples of destination evaluation

Examples of destination evaluation

Destinations Program: Training

As a result of the training, participants will know what a sustainable destination does and how criteria and indicators can be used as a guide to improve management

What: 2-3 days training

Why:

Complete self-assessment and get a good understanding of the criteria and indicators in a particular context

Learn how the criteria and indicators are applied through practical global examples

Work in small groups and learn how to use the indicators to better plan and manage tourism at destinations

GSTC is not a certification program. It rather “certifies the certifiers”

Assurance to travelers and travel professionals that hotels, tour operators and destinations are certified by reputable organizations with rigorous certification requirements

The GSTC Accreditation Panel provides an impartial and independent voice for the GSTC Process and operates independently from the GSTC Board and Executive Staff

23 Recognized Standards and 1 Approved Standard (Biosphere)

“GSTC - Recognized”

“GSTC – Approved”

“GSTC – Accredited”

GSTC provides 3 levels of accreditation for Certification bodies:

GSTC Accreditation Program

Recognized

• Sustainable tourism standards reviewed by technical experts and the GSTC Accreditation WG

• Comparable with GSTC criteria

• Managed by the standard owner complying with GSTC requirements

Approved

• Certification program using the standards of the Recognition program

• Follow the processes and procedures reviewed and approved by the GSTC

• Less requiremenst than for the

Accreditation

Who can apply?

Entities that have developed or are owners of the rights of a standard of sustainable tourism

Certification programs using a “Recognized” standard

Benefits

• Appear in the GSTC directory• Promotion with key partners

• Be mentioned in presentations and publications• Promotion on the GSTC website and other communications tools

• Approved: Can use the seal with the license agreement

1. Austrian Ecolabel for Tourism (Österreichisches Umweltzeichen)2. Biosphere Responsible Tourism – España/ – Recognized and Approved3. Certification for Sustainable Tourism (CST) for Hotels – Costa Rica4. EarthCheck Company Standard – Australia5. Eco-Certification – Malta6. Ecotourism Australia's ecotourism standard & advanced ecotourism standard 7. Ecotourism Ireland - Certification Programme8. European Ecotourism Labeling Standard (EETLS)9. Fair Trade in Tourism (FTT) – Sudáfrica10. Green Globe Certification – EEUU11. Great Green Deal12. Green Star Hotel (Egypt)13. Hoteles+ Verdes Asociación de Hoteles de Turismo de Argentina (AHT)14. Japan Ecolodge Association15. Ministerio de Turismo de Ecuador16. Qualmark, New Zealand17. Rainforest Alliance18. Sistema de Distinción en Turismo Sustentable (SERNATUR) – Chile19. Sustainable Tourism Eco-Certification Program (STEP) – EEUU20. TourCert (CRS Tourism)21. Travelife Standard for Hotels and Accommodations - UK/The Netherlands22. Travelife Standard for Tour Operators and Travel Agents - Reino Unido / Países Bajos23. Zeitz Foundation

23 Recognized Standards

1 in 2 consumers would be willing to book sustainable holidays if available (TUI Group, World Research 2010)

79% of travelers gives importance to the application of environmentally friendly practices in hotels (online survey Index in December 2012-January 2013, participants from 26 countries)

59% of respondents stated that a green rating would have an influence on the choice of hotels (Travelocity survey to their online customers)

Increase in the demand of sustainable tourism products

In the coming weeks and months, GSTC will contact the following online travel agents and offer this list of eco-certified hotels...

GSTC is working to bring eco-certified hotels to millions of customers ready to book them! Join us!

Next step, ¡¡Access!!

• Increase the number of members

• Boost and diversify financial resources

• Expand the Destination Partner Program

• Global “Train the Trainer” Courses

• New Trade Associations Partnerships

• Certification Bodies “Accredited”

• Criteria development for all Sectors of the Travel and Tourism Industry

GSTC Future Plans

Thank you!