GSTC and Green Evolution partner to expand training opportunities in South East Europe

The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) has announced a new partnership with Green Evolution SA, supporting the regional development of the GSTC’s Sustainable Tourism Training Program (STTP) in South East Europe.

With the aim of increasing sustainability awareness and practice in destinations around the world, the STTP offers practical insights into how industry professionals can apply the GSTC Criteria, the global baseline standards for sustainability in travel and tourism. Led by GSTC-authorized expert trainers, the training program also provides a unique opportunity to gain an in-depth understanding of the roles of accreditation and certification in advancing the sustainability agenda in the tourism industry.

Engaging more tourism industry stakeholders

“Over the past few years,” says Dr. Ioannis Pappas, Green Evolution CEO, “Green Evolution has been actively engaged in sustainable tourism networking, capacity building and knowledge development in Europe, including the GSTC European Regional Meeting in Athens this November. We look forward to engaging more tourism industry stakeholders in the region through our Training Partnership with the GSTC.”

Based in Athens, Greece, Green Evolution SA is an environmental service provider specialized in ecology, energy and carbon finance, and offering training working with  several sustainable tourism certification standards and labels, such as Travelife, Green Globe and EarthCheck.

Starting in 2017, Green Evolution SA plans to offer GSTC training classes both within Greece and across South East Europe, including the Eastern Mediterranean and Black Sea regions. First of these training opportunities will be the STTP training class in Athens, Greece, on April 21-23, 2017.    

Great needs for professional training

“Based on feedback from GSTC members and partners in the region,” says Randy Durband, GSTC Chief Executive Officer, “we see both great needs for professional training and skills development opportunities in sustainable tourism, and an immense potential for many of the destinations across South East Europe to develop and benefit from quality sustainable tourism experiences that effectively and responsibly utilize the unique local cultural and natural attractions that these places offer. We’re therefore thrilled to partner with Green Evolution to expand sustainable tourism training opportunities in the region, and believe that the partnership will lead to positive impacts on the sustainable tourism development in the region.”

The GSTC works with Training Partners in various regions and destinations that support the GSTC's mission to increase sustainable tourism knowledge and practice and offer the official GSTC Sustainable Tourism Training classes on behalf of the GSTC. Destination organizations, governments, industry associations and other institutions interested in partnering with the GSTC Sustainable Tourism Training Program are encouraged to contact: training@gstcouncil.org.

About the GSTC

The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) is a global initiative dedicated to promoting sustainable tourism efforts around the world. The GSTC is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit that works to expand understanding of and access to sustainable tourism practices; helps identify and generate markets for sustainable tourism; and educates about and advocates for a set of universal principles, as defined by the Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria. The Criteria, a set of voluntary principles that provide a framework for the sustainability of tourism businesses across the globe, is the cornerstone of our initiative. For more information, visit www.gstcouncil.org.

About Green Evolution SA

Green Evolution, based in Athens, Greece, was created in 2009 by a group of environmental, engineering, financial and legal experts who are specialists in ecology, energy and carbon finance. Green Evolution's vision is to help create a sustainable and secure future based on integrated environmental services in tourism, assisting public and private sector organizations in their efforts to effectively reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate climate change impact. Green Evolution offers services in Southeast Europe working with several sustainable tourism certification standards and awards. Green Evolution designs and implements strategies on greenhouse gas management and delivers training for the tourism sector. For more information, visit www.green-evolution.eu.

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