How do you really know that reputable-sounding eco-lodge you just booked into is, in fact, part of the solution, and not pulling a fast one on the locals, the wildlife, the planet and, of course, you? You don’t—but the creators of an emerging global “rule book” aim to change that.
While you were off playing RockBand, every major green-tourism organization in the world has been working away in the background hashing out a few ground rules for any lodge, restaurant, tour boat outfit, whatever, that wants to credibly add the word “eco” to its business card. Over the course of two years, a coalition of 27 groups and firms—from the Rainforest Alliance to Expedia and everyone in-between—dissected dozens of green-seal certification programs and other “best practices” guides.
The result? The Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria, a set of “best practices” for behaving responsibly in the business of moving people from A to B, and showing them a good time along the way.
If the criteria evolves as hoped, any outfit that wants to call itself a “sustainable tourism operator” and not get laughed out of business will sign on to a laundry list of 27 voluntary eco-commitments: operators need to measure and work to either reduce or offset their greenhouse gases; they need to minimize the use of disposable products, such as paper plates and plastic cutlery; they need to set ground rules for appropriate guest behavior around culturally sensitive sites; they need to hire locals—and not just to carry suitcases; they need to use native plants in landscaping, AND SO ON.
Oh, and no teasing the gorillas, please. But seriously, it’s a good plan. And high time, too.
www.sustainabletourismcriteria.org