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I am pleased to share my experience at the inaugural event for the ESG Framework for Tourism Businesses, hosted at the UN Tourism Headquarters in Madrid. This gathering marks a pivotal moment in our formal collaboration between the World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance (WSHA) and UN Tourism, aimed at establishing unified sustainability metrics for the hospitality industry. A special thanks and acknowledgment goes to Zoritsa Urosevic, Clara van der Pol, Laura Ballerini, and Amy Booth. Your contributions are vital to our collective success! It was also a pleasure to connect in person with Kristina Linde from our lead consulting team at EY, along with many global leaders that included both familiar and new colleagues: Prof. Dr. Willy Legrand, Xavier Font, Birka Valentin, Kees Jan Boonen, Tim Fairhurst, Sara Digiesi Maria Teresa Cantù, D'Arcy Dornan, Jahanzeeb Ahmed, and Isabel Lissner. Our discussions were rich and invigorating, provoking thought and inspiring innovative approaches to the challenges we face in tourism. This landmark event underscores the collaborative efforts of the WSHA, the UN Tourism Statistics, Standards, and Data Department, and The Oxford SDG Impact Lab in creating the first harmonized Environmental, Social, and Governance Framework tailored specifically for our sector. This framework is not just a guideline; it represents a commitment to accountability and progress in sustainable practices. As we move forward, I am excited about the strides being made in promoting sustainable tourism. However, this is only the beginning. We must continue to engage in meaningful conversations and hold ourselves accountable to the communities and environments we impact. Together, we can shape a more Net Positive Hospitality future e for the hospitality industry. Florian Huber Catharina B. #SustainableTourism #ESG #UNTourism #FairTradeTourism #GreenDestinations #Travalyst #WorldSustainableHospitalityAlliance

Last November, at the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) Singapore Conference, leading experts came together to explore the complexities of measuring and evaluating sustainability in tourism. This session, featured insights from Eric Ricaurte (Greenview), Saba Kauser (BehaviorSMART), Matt Callaghan (easyJet holidays), and Roger Simons (Marina Bay Sands). Together they told a story of how different stakeholders in the value chain are driving and reacting to the need for measuring and evaluating sustainable tourism. Saba shared how travelers inherently want to do good when they travel, so they search for sustainable hotels. This strengthens the business case for certification as observed by Matt. To get certified, a hotel would need to genuinely practice sustainable operations. Roger shared some challenges he faced with measuring sustainability at Marina Bay Sands and how his team overcame it to push sustainable operations forward. Eric highlighted that from experience supporting many clients, effective sustainability measurement starts with strong documentation, a principle Greenview Portal is designed to support seamlessly. If you're in the market for a software that supports your portfolio and site with achieving sustainability certifications, chat with us! Catch these highlights and join the ongoing conversation in sustainable hospitality! 🌏 #GSTC2024 #SustainableHospitality

Behaviour, Benefits, Basics for Sustainability

#GSTC2024Singapore will take place at a critical juncture, as the very standards of sustainability in tourism appear to be at a crossroads. The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), established by the United Nations to manage global standards for sustainable tourism, is returning to Asia to host its highly anticipated Global Sustainable Tourism Conference in Sentosa, Singapore, from 13-16 November 2024. In August 2024, Travalyst, introduced a list of 49 sustainability certifications compliant with its criteria “aimed at industry alignment”. This move has sparked questions about whether we are witnessing a potential fracturing in the criteria that define sustainable tourism. For industry insiders, the concern is clear: with so many organizations attempting to shape the narrative, are we headed toward a fragmented approach to sustainability? More importantly, what does this mean for businesses and travelers navigating an already complex certification landscape? To answer that, we spoke with Randy Durband, CEO of the GSTC, about the challenges and opportunities facing sustainable tourism today, and what one can expect from #GSTC2024Singapore. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter, AST Briefing, to receive the first access to the story coming out this Saturday. 👉🏽 https://lnkd.in/gxRhEE2Z Estefanía del Azar | Roi Ariel | Jeremy Tran 🌏 | Rhea Vitto Tabora

Trip.com is excited to introduce a new feature that highlights hotels and accommodations certified by Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC)-Accredited Certification Bodies, making it easier for travelers to find and book sustainable options. This initiative supports responsible tourism and meets the growing demand for sustainable travel. By encouraging more hotels to pursue sustainability certifications, we are fostering a greener future for the travel industry. Our commitment to sustainability is further underscored by our goal to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 and our efforts to provide lower-emission travel solutions. Given this initiative, Edison Chen, Vice President of Trip.com Group, will be speaking at the GSTC2024 Global Conference in Singapore. He will join the session "Driving Profitable Sustainability: Business Opportunities in ASEAN's Sustainable Tourism" to discuss the intersection of sustainability and profitability in tourism, and explore emerging business opportunities, market trends, and the increasing consumer demand for sustainable travel experiences in ASEAN. Read more here https://lnkd.in/g6SDumsU #ESG #GSTC2024Singapore #sustainabletravel #responsibletourism #ecofriendly #greentravel #certifiedsustainable #ProfitableSustainability

World Magazine, the official publication of the World Tourism Forum Institute, presents its 12th issue, a comprehensive exploration of the evolving global tourism landscape. This edition delves into the critical trends shaping the sector, including sustainability, technology, and the impact of digital transformation.   In an exclusive interview, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, Secretary-General of ASEAN, shares his vision for a cohesive and thriving tourism sector across Southeast Asia. Discussing key initiatives, he highlights ASEAN's commitment to creating a connected, innovative, and culturally rich experience for travelers worldwide. Dr. Hourn discusses the importance of collaborative efforts to ensure a more unified and competitive tourism sector in Southeast Asia, while emphasizing the region’s focus on sustainable development and digital transformation. The ASEAN Secretariat https://lnkd.in/dPgpRNj6

So what is culture, anyway? This week I've had many fascinating conversations around culture and sustainable tourism, as the current #GSTCTraining Sustainable Tourism Online Course group happens to be in the week focused on cultural heritage and tourism's impact on culture, and I've had the opportunity to connect with Peter Skogh, Carl-Éric Guertin, Anke Biedenkapp, who will be presenting at the upcoming #GSTC2024 conference in Stockholm about the roles of cultural organizations in supporting and promoting sustainability (the panel I'll be moderating). Many of those engaged in sustainable tourism agree that often the significance and relevance of culture in relation to sustainability goals are not well understood. And even though "culture" has so much to do with why people travel, the power and potential of cultural tourism opportunities may also be underestimated. Discussions on sharing cultural experiences - especially traditional cultural expressions - with tourists come with complexity associated with the serious consequences of what can happen when cultural tourism is not well managed (commodification of culture, loss of cultural identity, negatively impacting local pride in heritage, etc.). On the other hand, discussing culture within the context of contemporary cities and urban experiences may be met with confusion as some may consider "culture" to be only found in places with old traditions. So someone working at a business hotel in a large city may consider cultural heritage protection to be "not applicable" to their sustainability efforts. I think it's important to remember that culture is a concept that represents living, evolving, changing, moving, diversifying and unifying experiences that are central to so many aspects of our lives and the relationships we have with our places, communities, identities, and mindsets. And as such, not only is culture absolutely relevant and essential to sustainability, it's also intricately tied to the reasons why we want to try and become more sustainable, responsible, considerate and kind to our world and to each other. My mind is full with ideas and thoughts on what culture means to me - in my own backyard, through my connections with where I come from, and in relation to how I encounter new places when I travel. And I look forward to continuing these conversations online and in-person with lots of fellow sustainable tourism professionals from around the world. 👋 Friends and colleagues - if you are also attending the conference in Stockholm, I look forward to connecting with you, before, during and after the panel and throughout the great conference program planned for us!

🌟Successfull project of Hotel Morava🌟 Recognising the evolving landscape of the tourism industry, Hotel Morava is committed to embracing digitalisation, fostering sustainability, and promoting social inclusivity. Through their participation in the EU Rural Tourism project, and with the support of a €5000 financial pack, they are set to transform their operations and set new industry standards. 🔹 Project Focus: Digitalization💻: Implementing data-driven management tools and expanding online content to reach a broader audience. Curating engaging tourist content for global platforms in collaboration with local partners. Sustainability🌿: Obtaining certifications for utilizing regional products in culinary offerings, supporting local economies, and promoting sustainable management practices aligned with global standards. Social Inclusivity 👥: Providing social-cultural skills training for staff to ensure a welcoming environment for guests from diverse backgrounds. 🔹 Key Activities: 👉Seamlessly transitioning into the digital realm while nurturing local partnerships. 👉Enhancing visitor experiences and promoting sustainable tourism in the region. 👉Streamlining operations and reducing costs through digital solutions. 👉Supporting local economies and sustainable practices through eco-friendly initiatives. 🔹 Expected Impacts: 👉Streamlined operations and cost reductions. 👉Enhanced guest satisfaction and increased market competitiveness. 👉Strengthened commitment to responsible tourism practices. 👉Positive contribution to the wider tourism industry. 👉Setting a benchmark for sustainable and inclusive hospitality. Hotel Morava's (http://www.moravahotel.cz/) commitment to responsible tourism practices positions them as a model for the industry. By investing in digitalization, sustainability, and social inclusivity, they aim to not only strengthen their business but also contribute positively to the wider tourism sector. Their projects exemplify a strategic approach towards long-term growth and sustainability, paving the way for future best practices in hospitality. Join us in celebrating Hotel Morava's achievements and their dedication to sustainable and inclusive tourism! Thank you to EuroCluster Rural Tourism and the European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA) for this great opportunity! #RuralTourism #DigitalTransformation #Sustainability #SocialInclusivity #TourismInnovation #EuroCluster #HospitalityExcellence #SustainableTourism #CommunitySupport

A significant step in shaping the future of tourism was made during the 2nd session of the "Building the Future of Tourism" conference series, on October 7th. Held at the Alfândega Porto Congress Centre in Porto, the event brought together nearly 400 participants. In collaboration with Turismo de Portugal and Turismo do Porto e Norte, this session marked the discussion of key elements of the new Tourism Strategy 2035—an initiative developed with the input of public and private stakeholders from across the tourism ecosystem. Carlos Abade, President of Turismo de Portugal, shared guiding principles for the development of this strategy, while also presenting key data and KPIs on the performance of the tourism sector. Additionally, he gathered valuable contributions from the audience to help shape the future strategy. He emphasized that the forthcoming strategy is designed to address evolving challenges both in Portugal and globally. Key topics such as mobility, human resource development, sustainability, and international cooperation took center stage, reinforcing tourism’s crucial role in driving the country’s economic growth. The session also featured valuable insights from prominent leaders like Rui Moreira, Mayor of Câmara Municipal do Porto, Pedro Machado, Secretary of State for Tourism, António M. Cunha, President of the Comissão de Coordenação e Desenvolvimento Regional do Norte, and Luis Pedro Martins, President of Visit Porto and North of Portugal - Convention & Visitors Bureau, who highlighted the strategic importance of improving the region's mobility and accessibility, particularly through investment in high-speed rail and the expansion of Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport. He also underscored the challenges posed by the twin transitions of sustainability and digitalization, as well as the crucial topic of human capital in tourism. The session wrapped up with an engaging panel discussion, where industry leaders explored the challenges and opportunities shaping the future of tourism. These discussions will continue as the conference series moves to other regions, delving deeper into these critical topics. #VisitPortoandNorth #Porto #NorthofPortugal #Tourism #ConstruiroTurismodoFuturo #Estrategia2035 #BuildingTheFutureOfTourism #Strategy2035

Sustainable Tourism Can’t Thrive Without Accessibility As the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) conference takes place this week in Singapore, I’m thinking about a key aspect of sustainable tourism that often goes unmentioned—accessibility. For tourism to be truly sustainable, it has to be inclusive of everyone, including travelers with disabilities. Building accessible infrastructure isn’t just about compliance; it’s about creating spaces that welcome all and contribute to local economies. Accessible tourism broadens the market, promotes cultural exchange, and empowers communities, all while supporting the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. Let’s consider how we can make sustainable tourism a global experience that respects and includes everyone, no matter their abilities. How do you see accessibility shaping the future of tourism? #SustainableTourism #GSTC2024 #AccessibleTourism #Inclusion #Tourism #SustainableDevelopment