Press Releases

Stanford researchers: Fishing bans protect wildlife without harming fishers

Fishing bans don’t have to hurt fishing communities, according to a new study led by Stanford researchers. The group tracked vessels during a short-lived trawling moratorium in the Adriatic Sea and found that fishers maintained their catch levels by fishing elsewhere. The findings suggest that such bans can protect overfished regions without hurting people’s livelihoods and could influence efforts to protect other sensitive regions.

Vail, Colorado becomes first destination to be certified to the 'Mountain Ideal' sustainable standard

Vail, Colorado (July 20, 2018) – Today, Vail announced their certification as a sustainable mountain resort destination. Vail is the first destination in the world to be certified to the Mountain IDEAL sustainable destination standard. Additionally, Vail’s adherence to the Global Sustainable Tourism Council’s (GSTC) destination criteria makes it the first Certified Sustainable Destination in the United States certified by a GSTC-Accredited certifying body, Green Destinations. The conditional certification is the result of a multi-year partnership between the Town of Vail, Walking Mountains Science Center, Sustainable Travel International, Vail Resorts, The U.S. Forest Service, and others. It marks the culmination of 56 years of leadership by the Vail community in progressive environmental conservation policies and programs.

New online Platform for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals through Tourism launched

Madrid, Spain, 23 July 2018 - Promoting a greater engagement of the tourism sector with sustainable development is the main objective of the Tourism for SDGs Platform. The online tool is designed to advance the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals through tourism, and was developed by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) with the support of Switzerland’s State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO).

Thailand's Criteria for Community-Based Tourism now recognised by GSTC

16 July 2018 – The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) is pleased to announce that the Criteria for Thailand’s Community-Based Tourism Development, published by Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism Administration (DASTA), has achieved the ‘GSTC-Recognized Standard’ status. The Criteria for Thailand’s Community-Based Tourism Development (CBT Thailand) has been used as an important tool for continuous planning, operating and evaluating the outcome of community-based tourism development in Thailand.

UAE launches a National Ecotourism Project, aims to become global ecotourism hub

5 July 2018 - The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) has announced today the launch of the National Ecotourism Project that aims to position the UAE as a leading global ecotourism hub. In his speech at the press conference, held at MOCCAE headquarters in Dubai, His Excellency Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, said: “Over the past few years, the pioneering vision and directives of the UAE leadership have enabled the country to consolidate its leading global status across diverse sectors, with travel and tourism at the forefront.”

Rwanda highlights mountain gorilla conservation gains

July 11, 2018 - Rwanda Development Board (RDB) revealed the Kwita Izina activity roadmap for 2018 at a press conference at Kigali Convention and Exhibition Village. The theme of this year’s event is ‘Conservation is Life’ and the naming ceremony will take place in Kinigi at the foothill of volcanoes, Northern Province on 7th September2018.
Kwita Izina, a uniquely Rwandan event, was introduced in 2005 with the aim of creating awareness of conservation efforts for the endangered mountain gorilla. 23 infant mountain gorillas will be named this year.

Kerala Tourism Plans to Develop Kakkathuruthu

6 July 2018 - Kerala Tourism, the Indian state's Department of Tourism, announced plans to develop Kakkathuruthu (Island of Crows) in Alappuzha district as an eco-friendly tourist village. The place has been listed in National Geographic’s ‘Around the World in 24 Hours,’ a photographic tour of travel-worthy spots in the world. Kakkathuruthu is one of the main tourist destinations in Alappuzha and Kerala Tourism plans to develop the basic facilities here without disturbing the environment.

Tourism supports 21 million jobs in Africa

2 July 2018 - The African Union Commissioner for Infrastructure, Energy and Tourism, H.E. Dr. Amani Abou-Zeid said that the Tourism industry employs over 21 million people in Africa, hence accounting for 6.5 per cent of the total workforce in the African continent.

The Commissioner made her remarks at the 61st United Nations World Tourism Organization Commission for Africa, Conference, in Abuja held under the theme “Tourism Statistics: A Catalyst for Development” from 4 to 6 June 2018.

Green Destinations Ecolabel is now GSTC-Accredited

July 5, 2018 – The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) is pleased to announce that Green Destinations has achieved the ‘GSTC-Accredited’ status. The awarded status affirms Green Destinations’ commitment to promoting sustainable tourism products and services.

Green Destinations (GD) is a non-profit organisation of experts and destination ambassadors working in 80 countries. GD supports a large community of local, regional and country destination managers and stakeholders, enhancing destination sustainability, market visibility, and tourism quality. Green Destinations developed a complete, affordable and easy-to-use Assessment & Certification programme that fits the needs of both small and larger destinations. It is operated through an online Assessment & Reporting platform based upon the GSTC-Recognised Green Destinations Standard and the GD Database with data from 2000 destinations. The platform helps destinations to improve sustainability management and performance.

Marriott workers around the world demand global measures to combat sexual harassment

On June 27, IUF members at Marriott hotels around the world demonstrated in support of the call for concrete action by the world's largest hotel group to protect workers from the endemic sexual harassment which afflicts hospitality workers.