GSTC and WTTC Join Forces to Advance Sustainable Tourism

Today, at the WTM World Responsible Tourism Day, the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) announces an official reciprocal agreement with the World Travel & Tourism Council´s (WTTC) Tourism for Tomorrow Awards, the world´s leading sustainable tourism awards, to broaden the important message of sustainable and responsible tourism globally.

The two companies officially join forces for the first time and will support each other in spreading the word about how to operate companies more sustainably and how to travel more responsibly.

Mauro Marrocu, CEO of GSTC said: "I´m delighted about the opportunity to work together with WTTC and its prestigious Tourism for Tomorrow Awards as both companies are working towards the same goal: sustaining an industry through responsible tourism practices and management, including social and economic benefits for local people, fair treatment of employees, safeguarding cultural and natural heritage, while reducing negative impacts to the environment. I´m looking forward to a long-standing and fruitful cooperation."

The mutual agreement comes at an important stage as sustainable tourism is on the rise: Consumer demand is growing, the travel industry is developing new ´green´ products, and global and local governments are developing new policies to encourage sustainable practices in tourism.

"The Global Sustainable Tourism Council continues to be a leader in advancing best practice around the world. Having participated in helping draft the GSTC criteria, it remains important to me that the award judging process reflects the core principles of the GSTC's internationally recognized sustainable tourism standards," said Costas Christ, Chairman of Judges for the WTTC Tourism for Tomorrow Awards.

Through the agreement, GSTC and WTTC will benefit alike in advancing their sustainable tourism strategies: Only a few days ago the GSTC has announced its new Criteria for Destinations - a minimum standard a destination should achieve in order to be responsible towards its surrounding environment and people. The WTTC Tourism for Tomorrow Awards has also revised its awards in adding two new categories to reflect its broadening sustainability agenda.

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