Featured Stories
The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) welcomes Booking.com as a new Member
- Written by GSTC
14 October 2019: The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) is pleased to announce that Booking.com, one of the world’s leading digital travel platforms, has officially joined as a member of GSTCs global network. Representing a wide range of tourism stakeholders, GSTC members are active drivers for sustainability in travel and tourism and contribute to the important work of the GSTC in promoting the widespread adoption of universal sustainable tourism principles.
Helping protect and preserve destinations around the globe so that travellers can continue to enjoy them for generations to come has been a priority for Booking.com for several years and is one of the key strategic focus areas for the company. Booking.com’s existing sustainability efforts include an employee volunteer initiative, now going into its sixth year, that supports destination improvement projects all over the world, as well as an accelerator programme and other funding initiatives that support a wide range of social enterprises and innovative projects in sustainable travel with grants and mentorship to help scale their impact.
Read more: The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) welcomes Booking.com as a new Member
Greek island of Kythera hosts Green Flag Trails Auditor Training Course
- Written by Kytherian Foundation for Culture and Development
Kythera, Greece (2 October 2019) - Kythera island, Greece will become the first hiking destination in Europe to apply the international Green Flag Trails system of trail auditing, a sustainability mark being implemented by the World Trails Network, to increase the sustainability and marketability of trails around the world.
From October 4 to October 11, trail experts from Greece, Portugal, France, Spain, Italy, Hungary, Russia, Armenia, Georgia, Lebanon, Jordan, Palestine and Kenya will gather on the island of Kythera, Greece, in order to participate at the Green Flag Trails Auditor Training Course, the first of its kind in Europe. The training is hosted by the World Trails Network, with the support of the Kytherian Foundation for Culture and Development. During the training, Kythera Trails, the official trails network of Kythera, will be audited and awarded with the Green Flag Trails Certificate.
Green Flag Trails is a certification that recognises trails for their accurate data, environmental responsibility and sustainable management. It focuses on sustainability and responsibility towards hiking and walking tourists and aims to stimulate ecotourism. Green Flag Trails is a scientifically based trail auditing system, developed over a 15 year period by professor of ecotourism, Dr Leon Hugo. The system has been applied and tested in 6 different countries to date, including Nepal, South Africa and Peru.
Read more: Greek island of Kythera hosts Green Flag Trails Auditor Training Course
Adventure Green Alaska is Now a GSTC-Recognized Standard
- Written by Ecoclub
The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) is pleased to announce that the Adventure Green Alaska Standards for Accommodations and for Tour-Operators have achieved the ‘GSTC-Recognized Standard’ status.
Adventure Green Alaska began in 2007 as a statewide effort to grow sustainable tourism in Alaska and promote model businesses practicing economic, environmental and social sustainability. It is Alaska’s only sustainable tourism certification program and was created entirely by volunteers. The program came under the Alaska Travel Industry Association in 2015, whose goal was to grow the program in Alaska and increase the programs credibility through the development of a new level of standards, AGA Summit, that meet the GSTC Criteria for tour operators and accommodations.
Achieving the GSTC-Recognized status means that a sustainable tourism standard has been reviewed by GSTC technical experts and the GSTC Accreditation Panel and deemed equivalent to the GSTC Criteria for sustainable tourism. Additionally, an organization that meets GSTC requirements must administer the standard.
“We commend the Alaska Travel Industry Association for taking sustainability seriously, including the development of the Adventure Green Alaska program,” says Randy Durband, GSTC CEO. We’re pleased that the standards driving that program comply with the GSTC Criteria and as such have formally gained GSTC-Recognized status.”
Sarah Leonard, ATIA’s President and CEO, welcomed the achievement. “Alaska’s visitors come to Alaska to see our wild landscapes, mountain scenery, glaciers, and wildlife in their natural habitats and experience Alaska’s rich native cultures. The GSTC recognition is a vote of confidence in the AGA program’s efforts to promote sustainable management practices - environmental, cultural, social and economic choices as part of business practice.”
“The GSTC recognition for the Adventure Green Alaska will help grow the program with more businesses interested in receiving this type of certification for their business, Leonard said. This recognition lends credibility with consumers when visitors are choosing their experience in Alaska.”
To date, 11 destination standards, and 32 hotels and tour operators standards have achieved GSTC-Recognized status. The completion of these step-wise programs rewards standard owners for their commitment to sustainability while offering the market a proof that these standards adhere to international norms.
The GSTC will continue to work with organizations around the world to provide GSTC Recognition of standards for sustainability in travel and tourism. GSTC Recognition does not ensure that a certification process is reliable, only that the set of standards used to certify are equivalent to the GSTC Criteria.
GSTC-Recognized standard owners are encouraged to complete the Accreditation process which assures that the certification process used to apply the standard meets international best practice, transparent, and rigor. Learn more about GSTC Accreditation.
About the GSTC
The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) establishes and manages global sustainable standards, known as the GSTC Criteria. There are two sets: Destination Criteria for public policy-makers and destination managers, and Industry Criteria for hotels and tour operators. These are the guiding principles and minimum requirements that any tourism business or destination should aspire to reach in order to protect and sustain the world’s natural and cultural resources, while ensuring tourism meets its potential as a tool for conservation and poverty alleviation.
The GSTC Criteria form the foundation for GSTC’s role as the global Accreditation Body for Certification Programs that certify hotels/accommodations, tour operators, and destinations as having sustainable policies and practices in place. GSTC does not directly certify any products or services; but it accredits those that do. The GSTC is an independent and neutral USA-registered 501(c)3 non-profit organization that represents a diverse and global membership, including UN agencies, NGO’s, national and provincial governments, leading travel companies, hotels, tour operators, individuals and communities – all striving to achieve best practices in sustainable tourism.
Information for media and the press: https://www.gstcouncil.org/about/for-the-press
About the Alaska Travel Industry Association:
The Alaska Travel Industry Association, Alaska’s leading nonprofit membership association for the travel industry, works promote Alaska tourism industry as a major economic force while to providing statewide marketing resources, education opportunities and advocacy to members. For more information, visit www.alaskatia.org .
Vietnam: Island district develops environmentally-friendly homestay model
- Written by VNA
31 August 2019 (VNA) - An Binh island off the coast of Quang Ngai province’s Ly Son district is promoting the environmentally-friendly homestay model. Initially, this model has made a hit with holidaymakers and has helped protect nature.
More than 10 homestays have been built in the environmentally-friendly manner on An Binh island. There is no use of concrete or steel. Instead, wood, sea shells and bottles are used, creating a refreshing experience for tourists.
After receiving love from customers, the model has been improved and spread to serve the growing demand of tourists.
To promote the model, Ly Son district has worked with the Ho Chi Minh City Association of Female Entrepreneurs to ask its advice on community tourism. Additionally, the district has encouraged local residents to promote the use of natural and environmentally-friendly materials for construction.
Since the beginning of the year, An Binh island has welcomed more than 50,000 visitors. The island homestays have made a strong impression on visitors and satisfied their accommodation needs. The locals know how to develop tourism associated with preserving the geological heritage, helping tourism here develop sustainably.
Vireo Srl is now GST-Accredited for certifying green destinations
- Written by GSTC
29 June 2019 - The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) is pleased to announce that Vireo Srl has achieved the ‘GSTC-Accredited’ status for certifying destinations.
Achieving the GSTC-Accredited status means that a certification program is following processes and procedures that have been reviewed and approved by the GSTC Accreditation Panel and by ASI (Assurance Services International), GSTC’s partner in managing the accreditation process, in order to provide an independent and trustworthy qualification of the GSTC-Accredited certification body.
Businesses and Destinations certified by a GSTC-Accredited certification program can also use the GSTC language and logo when they meet all GSTC Criteria. The purpose of the GSTC programs is to reward genuine practitioners of sustainable tourism, which in turn builds confidence and credibility with consumers.
Vireo Srl is a certification body whose commercial activities consist of providing Italian and foreign companies with environmental certification services. Vireo began in 2006 providing FSC® and PEFCTM certifications. Since 2011 Vireo has expanded its services providing also MSC, ASC, CTS, ISO 9001 and 14001. In 2017 Vireo has decided to continue its own process of growth applying for the GSTC accreditation.
“After achieving accreditation to certify accommodations and tour operators last year, Vireo has taken another step this year, to be able to certify destinations, the first one in Italy,” says Luigi Cabrini, GSTC Chair.
“We believe GSTC is a very credible scheme that has a huge potential. We are extremely satisfied and ready for working with sustainable organizations that want to show their real commitment. We are also very proud to propose for the first time the certification for destination using the GSTC Destination Criteria. This is a common result that increase the credibility and international awareness of GSTC worldwide.” says Luigi Mazzaglia, CEO of Vireo.
To date, 5 accommodation programs, 6 tour-operator programs, and 3 destination programs have achieved GSTC-Accredited status. The completion of these step-wise programs rewards certification bodies for their commitment to sustainability while offering the market benefit of proof that their certification process is credible and adhere to international norms.
GSTC-Recognized standard owners are encouraged to join the leading GSTC-Accredited programs (accommodations, tour-operators, destinations) for and complete the Accreditation process which relates to the quality and neutrality of their certification process. Achieving a GSTC-Accredited status affirms that their certification process follows the highest international standards while further distinguishing their standards and processes amongst other certification programs. Learn more about GSTC Accreditation.
About the GSTC
The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) establishes and manages global sustainable standards, known as the GSTC Criteria. There are two sets: Destination Criteria for public policy-makers and destination managers, and Industry Criteria for hotels and tour operators. These are the guiding principles and minimum requirements that any tourism business or destination should aspire to reach in order to protect and sustain the world’s natural and cultural resources, while ensuring tourism meets its potential as a tool for conservation and poverty alleviation.
The GSTC Criteria form the foundation for GSTC’s role as the global Accreditation Body for Certification Programs that certify hotels/accommodations, tour operators, and destinations as having sustainable policies and practices in place. GSTC does not directly certify any products or services; but it accredits those that do. The GSTC is an independent and neutral USA-registered 501(c)3 non-profit organization that represents a diverse and global membership, including UN agencies, NGO’s, national and provincial governments, leading travel companies, hotels, tour operators, individuals and communities – all striving to achieve best practices in sustainable tourism.
About Vireo Srl
Vireo Srl is a certification body whose commercial activities consist of providing Italian and foreign companies with environmental certification services. Vireo began in 2006 providing FSC® (Forest Stewardship Council®) and PEFCTM (Programme for Endorsement of Forest Certification schemes) certifications. Since 2011 Vireo has expanded its services, providing also MSC (Marine Stewardship Council), ASC (Aquaculture Stewardship Council), CTS (Carbon Trust Standard), ISO 9001 and 14001. In 2017 Vireo has decided to continue its own process of growth, applying for the GSTC accreditation. This import result was achieved in August 2018 becoming the second GSTC-Accredited certification body to certify to the GSTC Criteria.
New from GoodFellow Publishers: "An Introduction to Sustainable Tourism" by Alexandra Coghlan
- Written by Ecoclub
Title: An Introduction to Sustainable Tourism
Author: Alexandra Coghlan, Associate Professor in Tourism, Griffith University, Queensland, Australia
GoodFellow Publishers: ISBN: 9781911396734 HBK; 9781911396741 PBK; 9781911396758 eBook
Using first-hand research projects and packed with international case studies, it combines theoretical and applied knowledge with a scaffolded learning approach and takes a comprehensive look at practical management tools, certifications and innovation as part of the process of operationalising and implementing sustainable tourism.
An Introduction to Sustainable Tourism provides a comprehensive, pragmatic, and realistic look at integrating sustainability into tourism. It adopts a systems-perspective, looking at the whole tourism supply chain to provide an integrated viewpoint of sustainability in the tourism industry and asks:
How does policy encourage or discourage sustainability?
How do intermediaries influence the sale of sustainable tourism?
What are the operator’s concerns, how do tourists themselves respond to them?
What are the values of sustainability in tourism and what are the impacts ‘trade-offs’ to the tourist experience?
Mauritius: National Standard on Sustainable Tourism achieves GSTC recognition
- Written by GSTC
Port Louis, Mauritius - 27 May 2019: The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) is pleased to announce that the Mauritian Standard on Sustainable Tourism has achieved the ‘GSTC-Recognized Standard’ status. The Mauritian Standard on Sustainable Tourism (MS 165:2019) was developed to guide the sustainable development of the tourism industry in Mauritius. It is meant for any tourism business or any tourism-related activity to enhance its sustainability performance.
The focus of the Sustainability Tourism Standard is to address requirements of the environmental impacts and its effect on land, air, water and other organism and ecosystem of the island. The social-cultural impacts that affect local communities, social structure and cultures as well as economic impacts categorised as direct, indirect or induced. These requirements to be measured, monitored and evaluated for continual improvement of the sustainability of the tourism industry in Mauritius.
“We are proud to welcome Mauritius as a destination that adopts an integrated approach to sustainable tourism development through comprehensive standards that include all aspects of sustainability: management, social/community, cultural, and environmental,” says Luigi Cabrini, Chair, GSTC. “This is especially important for an island that possesses and offers to their tourists an incredible variety of resources and attractions.”
‘This GSTC recognition of our local standard is a testimony of the professional work undertook by the team from the Mauritius Standards Bureau and officers from the Ministry of Tourism and Tourism Authority," says Khoudijah Boodoo, Director, Mauritius Tourism Authority. "We strongly believe that through this international recognition, the local stakeholders would take the best of advantages to levelling up their operations to meet best sustainability practices. In line with the 'Sustainable Island - Mauritius Project', the MS165:2019 has an ever prominent role to play, consolidating our positioning as a high-level tourist destination while ensuring the sustainability of the Industry."
Yusuf Foondun, Head of Quality Assurance Unit, Mauritius Standards Bureau, says that the Tourism sector has been one of the major economic pillars of Mauritius for a long time. "We believe that adopting the Sustainable Tourism Standard – MS 165:2019 will revamp our image on the international arena as one of the most prestigious tourism destinations which takes care at protecting the biodiversity of the island and preserving its ecological balance, thus ensuring sustainable development of the tourism sector."
Achieving the GSTC-Recognized status means that a sustainable tourism standard has been reviewed by GSTC technical experts and the GSTC Accreditation Panel and deemed equivalent to the GSTC Criteria for sustainable tourism. Additionally, an organization that meets GSTC requirements must administer the standard. GSTC Recognition does not ensure that the certification process is reliable, only that the set of standards used to certify includes the minimum elements to ensure sustainability. The purpose of the GSTC programs is to use a common and clear definition of what 'sustainable tourism' means, as well as to reward genuine practitioners of sustainable tourism, which in turn builds confidence and credibility with consumers.
"Mauritius is a destination of pleasure with the Mauritian hospitality composing of the rainbow and peaceful population originating from India, China, Africa, and Europe. The Sun, Sand, Sea and Pure Air is the strength of our Island, situated in the middle of the Indian Ocean."
The Ministry of Tourism and the Tourism Authority in Mauritius have already endorsed a pilot project for the implementation of the Sustainable Tourism Standard in hotels and tours its certification by the Mauritius Standards Bureau: "The Certification of tourism operators to MS 165:2019 can take a better position in the tourism market to distinguish them from any tourist operators that may be guilty of destroying the environment, society, culture, and economy of the island and the globe."
To date, 11 destination standards, and 32 hotels and tour operators standards have achieved GSTC-Recognized status. The completion of these step-wise programs rewards standard owners for their commitment to sustainability while offering the market a proof that these standards adhere to international norms.
The GSTC will continue to work with organizations around the world to provide GSTC Recognition of standards for sustainability in travel and tourism. GSTC Recognition does not ensure that a certification process is reliable, only that the set of standards used to certify are equivalent to the GSTC Criteria. GSTC-Recognized standard owners are encouraged to complete the Accreditation process which relates to the quality and neutrality of their certification process. Achieving a GSTC-Accredited status affirms that their certification process follows the highest international standards while further distinguishing their standards and processes amongst other certification programs. Learn more about GSTC Accreditation.
About the GSTC
The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) establishes and manages global sustainable standards, known as the GSTC Criteria. There are two sets: Destination Criteria for public policy-makers and destination managers, and Industry Criteria for hotels and tour operators. These are the guiding principles and minimum requirements that any tourism business or destination should aspire to reach in order to protect and sustain the world’s natural and cultural resources, while ensuring tourism meets its potential as a tool for conservation and poverty alleviation.
The GSTC Criteria form the foundation for GSTC’s role as the global Accreditation Body for Certification Programs that certify hotels/accommodations, tour operators, and destinations as having sustainable policies and practices in place. GSTC does not directly certify any products or services; but it accredits those that do. The GSTC is an independent and neutral USA-registered 501(c)3 non-profit organization that represents a diverse and global membership, including UN agencies, NGO’s, national and provincial governments, leading travel companies, hotels, tour operators, individuals and communities – all striving to achieve best practices in sustainable tourism.
Information for media and the press: https://www.gstcouncil.org/about/for-the-press/
About Mauritius Standards Bureau
The Mauritius Standards Bureau (MSB) is the National Standards Body for the Republic of Mauritius. It is a parastatal body set up under the Mauritius Standards Bureau Act 1993 and operates under the aegis of the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Consumer Protection and a non-profit making organisation.
The Bureau is mandated to promote and provide market-relevant standards, metrology and internationally recognised conformity assessment services for the business community, government and society at large. It is also the custodian of national measurement standards and maintains the primary measurement standards in Mauritius to ensure their traceability with the International Systems of Units. Moreover, the MSB is the designated WTO TBT (Technical Barriers to Trade) National Enquiry Point in respect to standards, technical regulations and conformity assessment procedures in force under the Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade of the World Trade Organization. The Mauritian National Standards Body is a member of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), a member of the African Organisation for Standardisation (ARSO) and participates in standards work in Southern African Developing Community (SADC) and Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA).
Mauritius Standards Bureau website: http://msb.intnet.mu
Sri Lanka Ecotourism Foundation ready to assist small scale, community tourism stakeholders in the aftermath of the Easter attacks
- Written by SLEF/Ecoclub
Colombo, Sri Lanka - 2 May 2019: Sri Lanka Ecotourism Foundation, the pioneer National Ecotourism Society in Sri Lanka, expresses its deepest condolences and sympathy for the families of the brotherly Catholic, Buddhist, Hindu and all other religious denominations who have lost their near and dear ones in the brutal and horrific attacks on Easter Sunday that had caused damage to an unthinkable proportion.
This brutal attack has been universally condemned by all sections of Sri Lankan Society and the International Community. That human beings could inflict such a carnage on fellow human beings defies belief. Sri Lanka and its people have been jolted out of the peaceful environment which they have been enjoying by the brutal acts of misguided individuals.
As for the official statements issued by the Sri Lanka Government, 360 people have been killed including 48 foreign tourists and 600 people injured. Three churches, located in Colombo, Negombo, Batticaloa and Kochchikade close to the Colombo International Airport, have been attacked by the suicide bombers. Besides, blasts also rocked the star class hotels such as Shangri-La, Kingsbury and Cinnamon Grand in Colombo, killing and injuring many including the tourists.
According to the Minister of Finance, Sri Lanka, the collapse of the tourism industry is the biggest challenge. The Government of Sri Lanka expects to contain earning loses under USD 750 million this year and the industry is expected to recover within one or two years. The industry now expects only 30 percent of the tourist arrivals forecast this year. These calculations are based on figures issued by the Ministry of Finance and Central Bank of Sri Lanka.
The tourism drop will affect mainly small and medium enterprises, many rural communities who are engaged in home stay tourism business, operators of small scale ecolodges and restaurants.
Sri Lanka Ecotourism Foundation (SLEF) in association with its international networks and local partners have devised a programme to assist these small scale community based tourism stakeholders. Palitha Gurusinghe, SLEF's President, has told Ecoclub that the crisis management actions include the following:
- SLEF have urged the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority and the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau to assist SLEF to conduct meetings with the stakeholders of SME’s and Community Based Ecotourism sector, particularly active in the beach resort areas and in the Cultural Triangle of Sri Lanka, enabling the SLEF to meet the stakeholders and advise them how to cope with the situation and how to recover from the current crisis.
- Help stakeholders prepare proposals in case they wish to reschedule bank loans.
- Increase awareness about the "Green Loan Facilities" scheme initiated by the government which offers low interest rates and support stakeholders in developing business plans to secure green loans from banks.
- Promote businesses through SLEF websites and networks.
- Inform visitors through print and electronic media that Sri Lanka is now a safe destination and urge visitors to support ecotourism businesses in Sri Lanka.
SLEF believes the tourism industry in Sri Lanka is resilient to similar situations experienced during 30 years of civil war, hence the industry would bounce back soon.
Canada: Eagle Eye Adventures becomes the first whale watching company to be certified as responsible by the World Cetacean Alliance
- Written by World Cetacean Alliance
Brighton, UK - 26 April 2019: Eagle Eye Adventures, based in the Campbell River area of Vancouver Island in Canada, has become the first company in the world to become certified under new international standards for responsible whale and dolphin watching!
The Responsible Whale Watching certification programme was developed by scientists, whale watching businesses, and marine conservation charities in over 40 countries, all represented through the World Cetacean Alliance (WCA). Having applied for the newly launched global Responsible Whale Watching certification programme, Eagle Eye Adventures owners Jos and Rentia Krynen have demonstrated a commitment to ensuring that animal welfare, sustainability, and a high quality customer experience are at the heart of their business.
Said WCA CEO Dylan Walker: “WCA Responsible Whale Watching certification will provide customers with a clear label that stands for quality and environmental responsibility. I have to say that certification as a WCA Responsible Whale Watching operator represents absolute best practice so Eagle Eye Adventures have set a very high benchmark.”
Through innovative practices and a thoughtfully developed sustainability action plan, Eagle Eye Adventures has proven itself as a force for positive change in the fight to protect our oceans. Guests onboard their tours learn about whales and dolphins in the local area, the threats that they face, and how customers can help protect them. The company also uses innovative range finding technology to guarantee that its boats stay outside of the minimum approach distances to the animals. Back on land, the company has invested in a local environmental schools education programme as part of a collective of local tour operators.
Jos Krynen, owner of Eagle Eye Adventures, said: “We are super proud and stoked that our Eagle Eye Adventures Team is the choice to become the first in the world certified whale watch company. We hope that many will follow!”
Whale and dolphin watching around the world is big business. Generating US$2.1 billion each year in revenue and available in over 120 countries worldwide, tours provide millions of people with the opportunity to see these ocean giants in the wild. When conducted properly, whale watching tourism has been a trailblazing part of ecotourism, delivering responsible and respectful wildlife encounters whilst working with local communities and visiting tourists to raise awareness about the threats to our oceans.
Yet whale watching tourism can also negatively impact on the very animals it relies upon. All too often businesses ignore guidelines or regulations to ensure customers get the closest view or best selfie opportunity, and this can have both short and long term impacts on the welfare of whales and dolphins, sometimes even causing animals to leave the habitats they rely upon for their survival. Certification will, for the first time, provide tourists and tour operators around the world with a clear way of defining those experiences that put the animals first.
Mr Krynen added: “Being certified means a great deal to us. We set the bar high for others to follow, and we want to enjoy our wildlife for many years to come. We are here to educate and preserve our wildlife and our future.”
Peru: Ecotour operator-munipality partnership improves waste management practices in Machu Picchu region.
- Written by Inkaterra
Lima, Peru - 5 April 2019: Inkaterra, Peru 's leader in ecotourism and sustainable development, in alliance with AJE Group and the Municipality of Machu Picchu Pueblo, succeeded in making Machu Picchu the first destination in Peru and Latin America to manage most of its solid waste sustainably. Continuing with the initiatives for the conservation and environmental care of Machu Picchu, the public-private partnership presented the first Organic Waste Treatment Plant. Through pyrolysis (chemical decomposition at high temperatures in the absence of oxygen), this innovative technology processes seven tons of waste per day to generate bio-char, a natural fertiliser that will help with the reforestation of the Andean cloud forest and contribute to agricultural productivity in Machu Picchu.
"The strategic alliance between Inkaterra, the AJE Group and the Municipality of Machu Picchu aims to make our Wonder be perceived as a sustainable destination and to turn it into an example of sustainable management for ecotourism worldwide. We have achieved to raise ecological awareness in the local community, which now segregates almost all waste from homes and establishments at its origin. Today, we present an innovative technology that will contribute to improve high-mountain traditional agriculture and to help restore the Andean cloud forest in Machu Picchu," added José Koechlin, Inkaterra ́s Founder and CEO, who conceived these groundbreaking projects.
“Machu Picchu is established in a small, deep valley with access by foot or train,” stressed Mr. Koechlin. “Given that there is no space for traditional composting, we figured out an inventive solution for a reduced area, which will not generate any carbon emissions. Pyrolysis to treat organic waste is a process with local usefulness, avoiding costs of transportation. The initiative is not only sustainable but also profitable for the Municipality, as the production cost in situ is lower than Bio-char’s market value”. AJE/Inkaterra delivered a Plastic Compactor Plant to SERNANP, which will be used to clean and compact plastic waste generated along the Inca Trail, the most famous trekking route in South America.
The first initiative led by Inkaterra and AJE was carried out in 2017 when they donated and installed the first Plastic Waste Compactor Plant for the Municipality of Machu Picchu Pueblo. This action helped to prevent our World Wonder from entering UNESCO ́s Patrimony at Risk list. Currently, 14 tons of PET plastic are processed daily in this plant.
In 2018, a Biodiesel Production Plant opened at Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel. Through the collection of used cooking oil from Machu Picchu Pueblo ́s homes, lodges, hotels and restaurants, 20 gallons of biodiesel fuel are produced daily. Every month, six thousand litres of used oil are treated, preventing oil spillage into the Vilcanota River. It is estimated that one litre of oil pollutes one thousand litres of water. On the other hand, petro-chemical free glycerin obtained in this process is used by the Municipality of Machu Picchu to clean its sidewalks and stone floors.
"We are very happy to be part of this change in the city of Machu Picchu and to be able to announce that, with this new plant, the circle of sustainability for which we have been working for three years is closing. Machu Picchu officially becomes a model of sustainability for Latin America," said Mr. Jorge López Dóriga, AJE Group ́s Executive Communications and Sustainability Director.
In 2018, the project to turn the city of Machu Picchu into a model of global sustainability, won in Germany the prestigious “Die Goldene Palme” award in the "Responsible Tourism" category, as well as the Peruvian “Líderes + 1” prize.
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