ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM VANUATU

The Department of Tourism Vanuatu (DoT) works enthusiastically in improving the competitiveness of Vanuatu as a tourist destination. We work on initiatives with potential to further develop tourism and the overall economy of Vanuatu, whilst staying true to our cultural identity and values in sustainability. DoT aims to advance Vanuatu’s competitiveness as a sustainable tourist destination by way of enhancing Ni-Vanuatu participation and ownership of tourism businesses, and thus distribute development benefits and access to services equitably and sustainably throughout the islands.

The Sustainable Islands Tourism Conference (SITC) is a part of the Vanuatu DoT’s Sustainable Tourism Policy, which was launched in May 2019, and is an example of our efforts to pursue opportunities that will benefit our people and our country.

ABOUT GTSC

The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) manages the GSTC Criteria, the global baseline standards for sustainable travel and tourism; as well as acting as the international accreditation body for sustainable tourism certification.

There are two sets of criteria: Destination Criteria for public policy-makers and destination managers, and Industry Criteria for hotels and tour operators. These are the guiding principles and minimum requirements that any tourism business or destination should aspire to reach in order to protect and sustain the world’s natural and cultural resources, while ensuring tourism meets its potential as a tool for conservation and poverty alleviation.

The GSTC Criteria form the foundation for GSTC’s role as the global Accreditation Body for Certification Programs that certify hotels/accommodations, tour operators, and destinations as having sustainable policies and practices in place.

The GSTC is an independent and neutral organization that represents a diverse and global membership, including UN agencies, NGO’s, national and provincial governments, leading travel companies, hotels, tour operators, individuals and communities – all striving to achieve best practices in sustainable tourism.

https://www.gstcouncil.org/

ABOUT SEYCHELLES SUSTAINABLE TOURISM FOUNDATION

The Seychelles Sustainable Tourism Foundation connects, collects, shares, lobbies, implements and raises funds towards the goal of sustainable tourism in the Seychelles.

Through its GSTC-criteria based action plan, the SSTF supports a number of environmental and social sustainable tourism projects in the Seychelles, connecting different stakeholders, up-scaling initiatives and pushing for sustainable change.

http://seychellessustainable.org/