Eco Announcements

Washington, DC (October 9, 2018) – Today, the Center for Responsible Travel (CREST) released The Case for Responsible Travel: Trends & Statistics 2018, which includes an in-depth look at the complex issue of overtourism and the role of responsible travel in developing solutions. The new CREST report considers overtourism trends in five distinct types of destinations and concludes that the principles of responsible travel and visitor education provide a vital framework for effectively addressing the issue. It also highlights growing consumer demand for authentic and meaningful travel experiences and analyzes the role of tourism businesses in mainstreaming responsible travel.

In an open letter published in the Cayman Compas, Jean-Michel Cousteau, President of the Ocean Futures Society, expresses his deep concern about the proposal to expand the port and related cruise ship berthing facilities at George Town harbor on Grand Cayman

Read more: Cayman Compass - Cousteau: Open letter opposing cruise berthing facility

This international conference will explore new models for collaboration between the European Union and China focused on World Heritage. The one-day event, on 28 October 2018, will showcase the EU co-funded UNESCO / National Geographic "World Heritage Journeys in the EU" project

Read more: UNESCO: EU-China: High Level Conference on World Heritage and Sustainable Tourism

Hilton has announced an initial investment of USD 1 million to promote sustainable travel and tourism in Africa focusing on five key areas: Youth Opportunity, Water Stewardship, Anti-Human Trafficking, Local Sourcing and Protecting Wildlife.

Read more: Hilton Launches 'Big Five' for Sustainable Tourism in Africa

The state forest department of Gujarat has confirmed that 21 Asiatic lions died in September alone.

Read more: Forest department confirms death of 7 more lions in Gir forest

SIEM REAP, Cambodia, Sept. 26, 2018: The owners of Song Saa Private Island, Cambodia's first luxury coastal resort, renown internationally for its commitment to the environment and social sustainability -- today announced the launch of a new project, centred in the Cambodian province of Siem Reap: the Song Saa Reserve. Building on the knowledge and success of Song Saa Private Island and its sister NGO, the Song Saa Foundation, the Song Saa Reserve seeks to fulfil Rory and Melita Hunter's vision of creating a commercially successful, ethically led integrated resort: a place where all luxury tourism blends effortlessly with initiatives that restore and improve the local natural and human environment.

26 September 2018, London: Tourism Concern, the UK-based non-governmental organisation advocating ethical tourism (see our interview with past director Mark Watson) has suddenly announced today that it is closing following a 'unanimous' decision by trustees, due to financial reasons.

This is the message sent to its subscribers, which also appears on the Tourism Concern website:

"Following a report from our Treasurer, the trustees of Tourism Concern have taken the difficult decision to close the charity. The vote was unanimous.

The charity has struggled financially for a number of years and cut costs to the barest minimum but despite the best efforts of talented executive directors and generations of enthusiastic and committed trustees, the battle for financial survival has been lost. Funding from charitable foundations, which sustained us in the past, is no longer available in these difficult times and income from membership fees has not been sufficient to allow Tourism Concern to pursue its charitable aims as the trustees would like. The trustees were determined that Tourism Concern should not become a zombie charity, raising money simply to exist.

ST. GEORGE’S, GRENADA – September 18, 2018: Grenada has made a major shift to ensure that its natural environment is protected and preserved for future generations. The Government of Grenada has implemented a far-reaching Non-Biodegradable Waste Control Act, which began with the complete ban on the importation of polystyrene commonly referred to as ‘Styrofoam’ effective September 1, 2018.

The importation ban will be followed by sale sanctions on ‘Styrofoam’ effective March 1, 2019, and a complete embargo on its use a month later. The Act will also bar all single-use plastics such as shopping bags, cutlery, plates, straws and cups by February 1, 2019.

September 13, 2018 – The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) is pleased to announce that Vireo Srl has achieved the ‘GSTC-Accredited’ status. 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 (Accreditation 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.