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Hostelling International, the only global network of hostel associations, has further increased its commitment to sustainable development by joining the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), an international partnership dedicated to promoting sustainable tourism practices around the world.
Hostelling International (HI) is committed to achieving a worldwide network of sustainable organisations and hostels. As part of this commitment, HI has now joined the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC). Founded in partnership by the World Tourism Organization, the United Nations Environment Programme, UN Foundation, Rainforest Alliance, Sabre/Travelocity and others, the GSTC is open to any member of the travel and tourism industries.
At the core of GSTC’s efforts is the Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria, a set of voluntary principles that provide a framework for the sustainability of tourism businesses across the globe. These principles form the basis of HI’s Sustainability Charter, which was introduced earlier this year and is now being implemented across the worldwide HI network.
Hostelling International’s CEO, Mikael Hansson, said: “We are pleased to join the GSTC. It is important to have a common understanding of what sustainable tourism is so that travellers can break through the clutter and make informed decisions. I also think HI will benefit a great deal from this membership when implementing our Sustainability Charter”.
Erika Harms, Executive Director of the GSTC, said: “We are pleased that Hostelling International is joining in our efforts. The tourism industry is growing and we have a responsibility that growth is done in a responsible way,” said. “We look forward to working with HI to help implement and explain sustainable tourism so that it becomes as ubiquitous as travel itself.”
The GSTC is made up of members of the tourism and travel industry, including UN agencies, tour operators, travel companies, individual hotels and government tourism councils. Over the next three years, the GSTC will work with the members in each region to promote sustainable tourism principles, as well as encourage the adoption of the Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria. As part of the initiative, each member is committed to promoting the GSTC to its customers, vendors and peers. 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 long-term sustainability.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
