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The Mexico Tourism Board Joins Global Sustainable Tourism Council
 Mexico Tourism Board
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September 29, 2010
New York and Washington – The Mexico Tourism Board announced today it has joined The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), an international partnership dedicated to promoting sustainable tourism practices around the world. 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.
“The Mexico Tourism Board has joined the GSTC with a desire to create a common understanding of what sustainable tourism is so that travelers can break through the clutter and make informed decisions,” said. Alfonso Sumano, Regional Director for the Americas, Mexico Tourism Board. “With more than 18 million acres of ecological preserves and one of the most diverse natural offerings of any country on the planet, sustainable tourism has long been a priority for Mexico. As part of this global partnership, we’re increasing our dedication to helping make sure businesses thrive and travelers can continue to have special experiences, for generations to come.”
“We are pleased that Mexico Tourism Board is joining in our efforts. The tourism industry is growing and we have a responsibility to that growth is done in a responsible way,” said Erika Harms, Executive Director of the GSTC. “We look forward to working with the Mexico Tourism Board to help implement and explain sustainable tourism so that it becomes as ubiquitous as travel itself.”
UNESCO Recognition
In recognition of Mexico’s diverse ecological offering, the United Nations Educational, Science and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) recently incorporated three additional Natural Protected Areas in Mexico into its worldwide network of biosphere reserves. The additions include Nahá-Metzabok in Chiapas; Islas Marías, Nayarit, and Los Volcanes (Estados de México, Puebla, Tlaxcala y Morelos) and bring Mexico’s total of protected areas to 40 – third in the world and first in Latin America.
For these biospheres, environmental specialists recognize the importance of reaching out to local communities and working towards their sustainable development. Tourism could become the main trigger for economic development to improve the lives of the communities in harmony with the preservation of these three major ecological reserves.
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. Members include: Adventure Travel and Trade Association; American Society of Travel Agents; Audubon International; Belize Tourism Board; Big Five Tours and Expeditions, Inc.; Blackstone Valley Tourism Council; Center for Responsible Travel; Certificaciones de Centroamerica; S.A. Sustainable Tourism; Consorcio Cooperativa Red Eco turística Nacional; Destination Ventures; Earthcheck; European Centre for Ecological and Agricultural Tourism; Eco and Sustainable Tourism Israel; Ecosustainability; Ecotourism Australia; ECOTRANS; Enclave Rising, LLC; Fairmont Hotels and Resorts; Federación Colombiana De Ecoparques; Fundacion Plan 21; GAP Adventures/Planeterra; Global Center of Excellence for Destination; Green Globe Certification; Green Seal; HM Design; Hostelling International; Instituto de Turismo Responsable; InterContinental Barclay New York; Mexico Tourism Board; Nordic World Heritage Foundation; Our Native Village; Pacific Asia Tourism Pty Ltd; Pronatura Sur, A.C.; Rainforest Alliance; Rara Avis Rainforest Lodge & Reserve; Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd; and Sabre Holdings.
The GSTC includes partners from around the globe, and is currently active in Africa, the Americas, Middle East, and East Asia. More than 170 US cities have already adopted the GSTC’s criteria, including San Francisco, CA; Miami, FL; Maui, HI; and Los Angeles, CA.
Information about membership can be found at www.gstcouncil.org.
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 committing to promote 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. For more information about the GSTC, please visit www.gstcouncil.org.
About the GSTC:
The GSTC is a global initiative dedicated to promoting sustainable tourism practices around the world. We work to: expand understanding of and access to sustainable tourism practices; educate about – and advocate for – a set of universal principles that define sustainable tourism; and generate markets for sustainable tourism. At the core of our efforts are the Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria (GSTC), a set of voluntary principles that provide a framework for the sustainability of tourism businesses across the globe. For more information, please visit www.gstcouncil.org.
About the Mexico Tourism Board:
The Mexico Tourism Board (MTB) brings together the resources of federal and state governments, municipalities and private companies to promote Mexico’s tourism attractions and destinations internationally. Created in 1999, the MTB functions as an executive agency of Mexico’s Tourism Secretariat, with autonomous management and the broad participation of the private sector. The MTB has offices throughout North America, Europe, Asia and Latin America. |
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