Seychelles becomes Global Sustainable Tourism Council member |17 January 2024
Seychelles recently became a member of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), a global network with a commitment to promoting sustainable tourism practices around the world.
The GSTC, an international body which manages global standards for sustainable travel and tourism, provides assurance for sustainable tourism certification in three key subsectors of tourism, namely, hotels and accommodation, tour operators and agencies, and destinations.
The independent body welcomed Seychelles to the Council in December 2023.
This was upon recognising the destination’s’ efforts towards fostering sustainability and responsibility in the domestic tourism sector through the Seychelles Sustainable Tourism Label (SSTL), and the recently introduced ‘Sustainable Seychelles’ brand.
Principal secretary (PS) for Tourism, Sherin Francis, noted that the membership stands as a declaration of Seychelles’ continued commitment towards sustainability.
“We are pleased to be part of a global network of like-minded people that are committed to the same ideals and the development of a more moral and ethical tourism sector. We also aim to learn more about what other nations are doing and to inspire and educate people on how to make positive changes in their communities and contribute to a more sustainable future through sharing our sustainable experiences,” Mrs Francis stated.
The SSTL is a sustainable tourism management and certification initiative of the Tourism department, which aims to encourage more efficient and sustainable business practices. The initiative has been in operation for the past ten years, and achieved GSTC-recognised status in 2017.
It encourages hotels and accommodations to adopt sustainable practices, while also seeking to create transformative experiences for visitors.
As for the Sustainable Seychelles brand, the main objective is on preserving the pristine Seychelles environment for future generations. Centred on the principle of shared responsibility, the brand hopes to offer a road map for implementing and advancing sustainable practices throughout the tourism sector and affiliated industries.
CEO of GSTC, Randy Durband, expressed delight at Seychelles’ membership.
“Tourism, when approached with a vision of sustainability, has the potential to be a beacon of positive transformation, igniting local economic progress and bridging global communities with understanding. We wish Seychelles the best of success in its journey towards sustainable tourism,” Mr Durband noted.
By joining the GSTC, Seychelles will gain access to a global network or resources and expertise, which will undoubtedly help the destination to achieve its sustainability goals.
GSTC encourages destinations who are actively striving for sustainable practices in tourism development and management to join as GSTC members, and apply the GSTC Destination Criteria, to eventually achieve certification by a GSTC-Accredited Certification Body.
Laura Pillay