Sustainability framework good start to addressing RIO+20 outcomes

SEYCHELLES & HALEIWA, Hawaii, USA & BRUSSELS, Belgium - In preparing for the inaugural meeting of the International Council of Tourism Partners (ICTP) to be held in the Seychelles on July 7, Seychelles Minister for Tourism and Culture, Alain St.Ange, said that he would be exploring with the organization how it could strengthen its focus on helping the world’s poorest countries and small island developing states adapt their tourism strategies to respond to the outcomes of Rio+20.

The Minister said that as Seychelles President Michel’s government prepared for Rio+20, it had become increasingly clear that conservation of natural resources and improving lifestyles were key priorities in defining future tourism patterns. The Tourism Sustainability Certification System adapted in the Seychelles was an important first step in the long-term transformation to a green economy, because of the vital influence of the sector in the nation’s well-being. Minister St. Ange added that he wanted to progressively strengthen the framework in line with the Rio+20 outcomes, to share the key elements widely, and to benefit from similar initiatives of like-minded states, as well as innovations from the private sector and civil society.

As a founder of ICTP, Minister St. Ange believes that “the organization can be an important multi-stakeholder forum that is well suited to promoting this kind of exchange, based on its focus on green growth and quality. It’s championing of destination interests provides a valuable perspective for small islands, cities, and countries who fully commit to integrating sustainable mobility, hospitality, and lifestyles into their long-term development patterns.”

Professor Geoffrey Lipman, President of ICTP, underscored the importance of building a systemic approach to change, of generalizing good practice and of building a low-carbon path. He said the next frontier was to help better integrate into evolving green growth education systems, and this will be an important element of ICTP’s work going forward.

ICTP is a destination-focused organization with members from communities, cities, regions, and countries, as well as individuals who are committed to green growth and quality in travel and tourism development. Its policies support sustainable aviation growth, streamlined travel flows, and fair taxation.

ABOUT ICTP

The International Council of Tourism Partners (ICTP) is a grassroots travel and tourism coalition of global destinations committed to quality service and green growth. The ICTP logo represents the strength in collaboration (the block) of many small communities (the lines) committed to sustainable oceans (blue) and land (green).

ICTP engages communities and their stakeholders to share quality and green opportunities including tools and resources, access to funding, education, and marketing support.

ICTP supports the UN Millennium Development Goals, the UN World Tourism Organization's Global Code of Ethics for Tourism, and a range of programs that underpin them. The ICTP alliance is represented in Haleiwa, Hawaii, USA; Brussels, Belgium; Bali, Indonesia; and Victoria, Seychelles. ICTP membership is available to qualified destinations free of charge. Academy membership features a prestigious and selected group of destinations.

ICTP has members in Anguilla; Aruba; Bangladesh; Belgium, Belize; Canada; China; Croatia; Gambia; Ghana; Greece; Grenada; India; Indonesia; Iran; La Reunion (French Indian Ocean); Malaysia; Malawi; Mauritius; Mexico; Morocco; Nicaragua; Nigeria; Northern Mariana Islands, US Pacific Island Territory; Oman; Pakistan; Palestine; Rwanda; Seychelles; Sierra Leone; South Africa; Sri Lanka; Tajikistan; Tanzania; Trinidad & Tobago; Yemen; Zimbabwe; and from the US: Arizona, California, Georgia, Hawaii, Maine, Missouri, Utah, Virginia, and Washington.

Partner associations include: African Bureau of Conventions; African Chamber of Commerce Dallas/Fort Worth; Africa Travel Association; Alliance for training and research in the field of social and solidarity tourism (ISTO/OITS); Boutique & Lifestyle Lodging Association; Cultural and Environment Conservation Society; DC-Cam (Cambodia); Euro Congres; Hawaii Tourism Association; International Delphic Council (IDC); International Institute for Peace Through Tourism (IIPT); International Organization of Electronic Tourism Industry (IOETI); Positive Impact Events, Manchester, UK; RETOSA : Angola- Botswana - DR Congo - Lesotho - Madagascar - Malawi - Mauritius - Mozambique - Namibia - South Africa - Swaziland - Tanzania - Zambia- Zimbabwe; SKAL International; Society for Accessible Travel & Hospitality (SATH); Sustainable Travel International (STI); The Region Initiative, Pakistan; The Travel Partnership Corporation; vzw Reis-en Opleidingscentrum, Gent, Belgium; as well as university and educational institute partners.

Sourced: eturbonews